Opinions on Blue Sapphire Ring vs Spinel

[Sparklemore]

So I have a blue sapphire ring with a sparkly old cut diamond and pink sapphire halo. The 10 by 9.5 blue sapphire is treated, most likely with Diffusion. I normally go for unheated sapphires only, so my question is would you replace the blue sapphire with a darker grey/blue Spinel like below (vendor pics), or keep it as is and just enjoy it? Or wait for an unheated sapphire and change out in the future?

 

[Musia]

I don't like your sapphire but I love the setting. It definitely deserves a great center stone, so I voted for another sapphire with better performance under any light.

 

[Sparklemore]

Thank you!

I don't like your sapphire but I love the setting. It definitely deserves a great center stone, so I voted for another sapphire with better performance under any light.

 

[chrono]

It depends.

1. Note that the stone you are considering needs to be brighter and lighter because once set, it will darken up somewhat due to the bezel and brighter stones tends to cost more than darker grayer stones. 10 x 9.5 mm is not an insignificant size. Stones with beautiful colouration of that size is going to be a lot of money.

2. Have to talked to a jeweller or bench regarding the setting? Can the setting be "saved" when removing the existing stone? How much needs to be rebuilt? Will the existing stone need to be destroyed in order to preserve the setting when removing the stone?

3. I think a 10 x 10 mm stone should be fine in the setting but confirm with a jeweller since it's a bezel and there's very little tolerance to fit an existing bezel setting, unlike prongs.

ETA
I suspect that dark gray spinel is going to "die" in that setting and look like a dark dead blob.

 

[Sparklemore]

Yes I’ve already talked to a jeweler extensively about the bezel. Thanks for the opinion on going lighter - I may extend the search to other stones besides unheated sapphires since I know that will be expensive at this size.

 

[motownmama]

TBH - I like it as is!

 

[Sparklemore]

Any suggestions for a lighter colored gemstone other than sapphire or spinel?

 

[voce]

Any suggestions for a lighter colored gemstone other than sapphire or spinel?

Must it be blue? If so, then tanzanite. There are some amazing tanzanites out there.

If not, then I can see an emerald or a neon chrysoberyl in that setting.

 

[lovedogs]

I think the spinel will look dark and "dead" in the setting. I would keep it as it is for now while you find a center stone you love

 

[Sparklemore]

Doesn’t have to be blue! I think I’ve ruled out the dark spinel. Chysoberyl or Emerald are interesting!

 

[emeraldhummingbird]

I would leave it as it is. The grey spinel would look darker than the sapphire IMHO. Changing something in a bezel setting is a lot of trouble unless you are 100% on what you want.

Since you're willing to change direction on the centre stone colour, what colour families do you like? I would opt for a magenta or citrine yellow to complement the pink stones. But would you want a more punchy combo like green?

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

Keep it as is and enjoy! That’s my vote!

 

[LilAlex]

The sapphire looks pretty but you have a shallow crown (to my eye) and a thick, heaped-up bezel. The combination keeps it in the dark except for overhead lighting. I think the spinel would look much worse. This is assuming that appearance is driving the decision and not just getting rid of a diffused stone...

 

[Bron357]

I love the ring as it is. The Spinel will look flat in that setting. It will not be cheap to change out the centre gem, the bezel usually needs re doing. I’d keep it as it is and keep an eye out for a nice emerald or paler tone blue sapphire if you aren’t happy with the current centre gem. There’s nothing really wrong with going with a heat only blue sapphire but obviously you want to avoid diffusion treatment.

 

[Sparklemore]

Thanks for the opinions everyone - here is what I went with - happy with the result. Unheated color change sapphire from Dana at Master Cut Gems. Changes from a lighter silver color in sunlight to a mauve indoors. My jeweler did a fab job of replacing the stone and reworking the bezel. Looks a little dull in photos but has a lot of life in person.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Oh wow
Its exquisite
That colour is very complimentary with the setting
Well done