Picking my sapphire e-ring

[azile9]

Hello, my boyfriend and I are in the process of looking at blue sapphire engagement rings. We are both completely new at jewelry shopping, so I am trying to make the process as uncomplicated as possible. I''ve been looking at Angara and The Natural Sapphire Co. I want the ring to come in under $1,000, so I''d like a very simple setting and then direct the rest of the budget towards a fabulous sapphire. NSC had the most options of any site I''ve looked at so far. I''m wondering if there any other similar sites where I could get the stone and setting in one go? I am not opposed to heat treatments.

One example of the type of stone I''m looking at is an oval 0.62 carats, 5.4 x 4.25 x 3.13 mm, mixed brilliant cut, and "vivid" color intensity for $502.20. One of my worries is that this stone may be much darker in person. The setting I''d probably go with is 14k 4 prong for $368.30.
Link to the stone

Would I get a much better deal if I bought the stone and setting separately? Also, is this a reasonable price for the setting?

Thanks in advance. I''ve learned so much here already!

 

[FrekeChild]

Are you wanting to stay away from treatments? Natural Sapphire Company isn''t known for having great cuts, but they are totally untreated. But you can get more "bang" (size, better setting) for your buck if you look for something that is heated.

 

[azile9]

I''d be happy with something that is treated. I just haven''t been able to find other sites that have as many stone and setting options as NSC. In the future I might consider purchasing stones from a cutter, then having it custom set, but right now I''d really like something that I could easily direct the boyfriend to.

Re the cut: in my price range, I''d imagine I''m gonna have to make sacrifices somewhere. I understand you really don''t want to sacrifice color, so that is the main thing I''m looking for. The stone I linked claims "vivid" intensity. I''m just really worried about getting a stone that looks dead.

 

[chrono]

For the size and colour, I think it is expensive but for a “shop and go in one place” ease, it seems to be a decent option. I doubt the stone is going to appear dead in person or too dark. However, I don’t consider that vivid either, but with probably medium to strong saturation. What sort of setting are you looking at? Have you asked NSC if they have anything heated with better colour? Since you aren’t fussed on treatment and if you don’t mind a standard 4 prong setting, Gary Dutton at www.diamondexpert.com might be able to help you find a reasonably price heated sapphire with good colour and have it set.