RHR: Diamond vs. Sapphire

[E B]

Say you were in the very. beginning. stages of *thinking* about an RHR. You're possibly thinking half-bezel or full-bezel setting, something neatfreak or MAchick-inspired. It would be for the middle finger of your right hand.

Assuming both were pretty stones, would you lean toward...

A) Diamond. Oval, G, SI2 (eye-clean), ~.60ct. Estimated project cost: ~$1400

B) Blue sapphire. Oval, medium purpley-blue, IF, ~.90ct. Estimated project cost: ~$800

C) Neither. They'd both look too much like engagement rings.

Just curious. This is for a friend, of course. A friend who's been on a bit of a shopping binge lately. Bad, bad, bad.

And just for fun: Is anyone else thinking of starting a project? Share details, please!

 

[E B]

No one?

 

[mercoledi]

Personally, I'd go with the sapphire. It all depends on whether or not your 'friend' wants color or bling. I'd probably also set it e/w but that's a personal preference. Lost Sapphire recently had some rough brought in to Jeff White that was a beautiful color, but lighter than she wanted. Perhaps that would be a good starting place? Ive's seen a e/w semi bezel amethyst oval that was just lovely, but I'm biased; it looked a lot like my ering

.

 

[laurel25]

I would definitely go with the sapphire as it would look much less "engagement-y". Plus I''m personally partial to sapphires.

P.S. - I love your little Pug - I have a 2 yr. old black male who often makes that same face!

 

[erica k]

i would go with the sapphire, just to have something different. plus, the money saved could be put into a diamond upgrade savings account.

i keep thinking i would love a green tourmaline from jeff white in a modern solitaire setting. i have no idea how much something in the 2ct range would cost, and i''m not serious enough to ask him.

 

[erica k]

Date: 6/12/2008 2:49:23 PM
Author: mercoledi
Personally, I''d go with the sapphire. It all depends on whether or not your ''friend'' wants color or bling. I''d probably also set it e/w but that''s a personal preference. Lost Sapphire recently had some rough brought in to Jeff White that was a beautiful color, but lighter than she wanted. Perhaps that would be a good starting place? Ive''s seen a e/w semi bezel amethyst oval that was just lovely, but I''m biased; it looked a lot like my ering

.

e-w for sure! i love neatfreak''s bezel.

 

[E B]

Thank you all!

I forgot to mention that I (darn it!) was thinking E/W for sure, but to be honest, I was leaning toward the diamond. Do you think it'd look too much like an engagement ring? If it matters, the stone's measurements are:

Diamond: ~6.2 x 4.8 (confirmation that it is a beautiful stone)
Sapphire: ~6.8 x 5.0 (pictures make it LOOK like a beautiful stone)

I'm very fond of *classic* pieces, and although blue (the color of the sapphire I want) is my favorite color, a diamond goes with EVERYTHING. But I wear a ton of blue, so...

mercoledi- I've already contacted Jeff White for a quote, but when I contact him again, I'll ask him about the lighter rough. Thanks!

 

[mercoledi]

Sounds good!
Just a warning, I wear my e-ring on my right hand and it doesn''t get mistaken for a RHR often, so a diamond will look more e-ringy. But really, who cares what other people think? If the sparkle makes you happy, do it!

Lost Sapphire''s thread with picture of Jeff White rough. I suppose technically it''s a native cut stone he was willing to re-cut, not rough. Nice color though.

 

[LostSapphire]

Date: 6/12/2008 8:12:58 PM
Author: mercoledi
Sounds good!
Just a warning, I wear my e-ring on my right hand and it doesn't get mistaken for a RHR often, so a diamond will look more e-ringy. But really, who cares what other people think? If the sparkle makes you happy, do it!

Lost Sapphire's thread with picture of Jeff White rough. I suppose technically it's a native cut stone he was willing to re-cut, not rough. Nice color though.

Yes, Mercoledi, it turned out to be a native cut stone he was going to cut.....I misunderstood and in my excitement I posted "the rough is in shipping!!" (I have learned since that they can't ship rough from Sri Lanka, it has to be cut).

The colour of the oval he brought in for me was gorgeous, but a tad too light. The stone quality was apparently amazing but I'm holding out for both colour and quality.

EBREE: your budget of $900 for a .90ct is not unreasonable (I'm assuming you meant $900 for the stone, right?). You should be able to find something quite beautiful for that kind of $. Beware, however, as the deep "kashmir" blue is much more $$ than the paler colours.

Good luck! Sounds like you have a great project to work through!

 

[E B]

LostSapphire-

Thanks! Actually, ~$900 would be for the whole ring. But I'm looking for something quite a bit lighter than what you're looking for, and I assume those go for less $$$. On the Cross Jewelers chart you posted, I favor the 'Prince of Wales Blue', which is the second lightest.

I found a nice looking stone at Natural Sapphire Company, and they have great setting prices. I did love the color of the stone that Jeff White sent you, though- I wonder what it'd cost to re-cut. If I decide sapphire, I'll ask him. Hopefully, it'll still be around!

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Funny you should ask. I am working with GOG on a .5-.6 ct. round brilliant for a RHR. I have like 3 sapphire rings already, so I don''t need another one. I am considering something like a Beverley K halo or this Ritani.

 

[LostSapphire]

Date: 6/12/2008 8:27:36 PM
Author: EBree
LostSapphire-

Thanks! Actually, ~$900 would be for the whole ring. But I'm looking for something quite a bit lighter than what you're looking for, and I assume those go for less $$$. On the Cross Jewelers chart you posted, I favor the 'Prince of Wales Blue', which is the second lightest.

I found a nice looking stone at Natural Sapphire Company, and they have great setting prices. I did love the color of the stone that Jeff White sent you, though- I wonder what it'd cost to re-cut. If I decide sapphire, I'll ask him. Hopefully, it'll still be around!

Hello Ebree

If you e-mail Jeff (just go to his website and click on "contact us" tellh im what you're looking for. The one that I posted pics of was over 2 carats, perhaps closer to 2.5.

I'm sure he can work with your budget. I sent him the Cross Jewelers Chart (don'tcha just LOVE that!) so he would know what you mean by "Prince of Wales blue", and perhaps he has a stone that would suit your pricepoint and size requirements.

I found Natural Sapphire Company rather expensive for native cut stones. The main reason I'm dealing with Jeff is that his cutting skills are superb and yet he seems to be very reasonable price-wise.

Good luck with that!

LS