Seeking amethyst RHR

[LJsapphire]

I meant diamondmounts. Doh.
They can add an amethyst to their mount on ebay for 515 usd (duty and VAT will make it almost 500 gbp )

 

[LJsapphire]

Have sent an enquiry to a company in Birmingham - they are offering this emerald ring

from £710 upwards, so have asked if I can have an amethyst version.

 

[LJsapphire]

And I can actually go and see them

 

[LJsapphire]

I'm going to look at some amethysts and the setting on Saturday. They are at the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham (UK). I'm thinking of taking my old ER and WR in (platinum) and either part exchanging them or selling them while there. Looking at prices they will only get a couple of hundred pounds. Approx 10g platinum. I wondered if I could get someone to recycle them into my new ring but I think that's doubtful.

DF is worried about ordering from China in case it isn't as I'd hoped when it gets here, and it would be difficult to return.
I&R said it was the baguette diamonds that would make my setting so expensive. I did reply to say their quote was over my budget.

 

[LJsapphire]

Went to the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham today. Went to the store that sold the emerald ring above, they had got some amethysts in for me which were really nice. They also had a nice setting, we said we'd like the diamonds to be bigger than the photo above. They had a setting with bigger diamonds for a square centre stone so they said to change it would count as a bespoke order. Price was £1100 for platinum with a 7x5 amethyst and £975 for 18kt WG.
I didn't manage to get a photo of the stones and settings, wish I had done.

We had a wander around some other shops including some antique shops and I snapped some eye candy




I really like the flower one but a. its yellow gold, b. its bigger than my ER and c. its too similar to my ER. It was only £2000. Lovely purple amethyst and very sparkly. But not an emerald cut trilogy.

 

[LJsapphire]

There were some diamond rings too but not really for this forum...

Anyway, we found another shop who also deal in gemstones, saw this beauty in the window



Was surprised to find that its an amethyst, but the ring is lovely. A little big for daily wear perhaps. She also showed us some loose stones, and had a look at my ER and told me that it was a beautiful sapphire, definitely natural.

The amethyst ring - 3 baguette diamonds.
Colour change sapphire
Purple spinel - 4.47 carats
(phone pic)

Camera pics (taken by DF) :



I think I've decided that I'm going to have to go better than an amethyst. Maybe not quite a purple sapphire (though it was lovely), unless things go really well for us.

 

[Funnyface850]

Went to the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham today. Went to the store that sold the emerald ring above, they had got some amethysts in for me which were really nice. They also had a nice setting, we said we'd like the diamonds to be bigger than the photo above. They had a setting with bigger diamonds for a square centre stone so they said to change it would count as a bespoke order. Price was £1100 for platinum with a 7x5 amethyst and £975 for 18kt WG.
I didn't manage to get a photo of the stones and settings, wish I had done.

We had a wander around some other shops including some antique shops and I snapped some eye candy




I really like the flower one but a. its yellow gold, b. its bigger than my ER and c. its too similar to my ER. It was only £2000. Lovely purple amethyst and very sparkly. But not an emerald cut trilogy.

Love the sapphire and diamond earrings! I need those in my life lol. But the amethyst you tried on is amazing is it vintage or just made to look that way ?

 

[LJsapphire]

I do like the earrings, we asked in a few places about earrings to match my ring. Will need to look at getting those made if we haven't found them before the wedding.

I'm not sure if it's antique - its on her website as preowned (and £2900 on there so I must just have a terrible memory).

 

[Funnyface850]

I would love to have some antique sapphire earrings like that. Have you tried portobello road to look for an amethyst? I bet they have some amazing jewelry pieces too. I need to book a flight to go shopping lol

 

[LJsapphire]

Would be amazing to have some antique ones, we have asked the vendor of my ring to contact us if she finds any, and have a few other shops to keep checking back on now. DF keeps his eye on antique auctions also.
I can count the number of times I've been to London on my fingers! So no, haven't looked there yet

 

[Deathspi]

The flower ring you tried on is beautiful, along with all the other eye candy you snapped! I think you’ve got the right idea of considering your options rather than buying something on impulse. Looking forward to seeing what you choose in the end.

As a side note: I really need to take a trip up to Birmingham! I love going into jewellers and boring the pants off everyone there, but I’m always too shy to take photos. You’re much braver than me!

 

[LJsapphire]

The flower ring you tried on is beautiful, along with all the other eye candy you snapped! I think you’ve got the right idea of considering your options rather than buying something on impulse. Looking forward to seeing what you choose in the end.

As a side note: I really need to take a trip up to Birmingham! I love going into jewellers and boring the pants off everyone there, but I’m always too shy to take photos. You’re much braver than me!

I do ask before taking them, I noticed that one of the windows had a sign saying no photos (not one that I took a pic through though!)
If I didn't have a a flower ring already, the amethyst flower would've been a contender.
It was a good education for us, that spinel has really turned my head. I need to do more research/learning.

 

[Deathspi]

Hi!
Not sure if you’ve found your amethyst ring yet, but I was just looking at eBay and found this. It’s not an emerald cut, but it is very pretty, a good price & in the UK. It’s eBay item No. 332685805803

Just thought I’d share.

 

[Deathspi]

Pic:

 

[LJsapphire]

Thanks, its very pretty but too similar to my engagement ring.
I'm looking at spinels rather than amethysts now. Although if I see an amazing amethyst I may still go for it.
Thanks for thinking of me.

 

[meely]

Do you like this? It's £660 it doesn't say how big it is though it looks fairly sizeable and not sure on the quality of the diamonds or amethyst.

Love the amethyst halo you tried on!

 

[LJsapphire]

Thanks @meely, that one is closer to what I'm looking for. It doesn't need to be huge - only 8mmx6mm max really.

I did like the halo I tried on, and its quite similar to the one @Deathspi posted, but was YG. I do prefer white metal. They're both beautiful coloured amethysts though.
I got a dress today in the same colour!

 

[peacechick]

Spinels are lovely and relatively affordable, if you consider that fine vivid amethysts are priced high as well. I have a sapphire e-ring too and to me, they are quite equal. The only question is supply as I haven’t seen many vivid purple spinels like the one in your photo. How much was that stone?

 

[Gemobsessed]

Thanks, its very pretty but too similar to my engagement ring.
I'm looking at spinels rather than amethysts now. Although if I see an amazing amethyst I may still go for it.
Thanks for thinking of me.

You can also look at purple garnets! They can look quite brilliant and have a much better sparkle than amethysts

 

[LJsapphire]

Spinels are lovely and relatively affordable, if you consider that fine vivid amethysts are priced high as well. I have a sapphire e-ring too and to me, they are quite equal. The only question is supply as I haven’t seen many vivid purple spinels like the one in your photo. How much was that stone?

The one in this pic?


It was 4.47 carats & the price was £495 + VAT per carat which works out to be £2655.18
I don't want one quite as big.

I saw this one on instagram, again it was a bit on the large side but a lovely colour

 

[LJsapphire]

You can also look at purple garnets! They can look quite brilliant and have a much better sparkle than amethysts

I have seen some purple garnets but the ones I have seen are more reddish-purple than royal purple.

I'd like it to be as close to this purple as possible:

 

[suzanne2]

Have you looked at Colorado Gem? He specializes in amethyst from all over the world. He's this old guy who runs around buying specimens and will talk your ear off. He's super nice and knows his stones. Hundreds of amethyst on his site. I think, but I'm not sure, that he's a cutter as well.
I bought some amethyst from him long ago. He didn't want to bother getting my credit card info and sent me four stones to choose from. He also offered to set them in a Stueller setting at near cost. Check him out.

http://www.coloradogem.com/amethyst-gemstones?sort=p.price&order=DESC

I spent many happy hours on his site....

Edit: Oops, sorry, forgot you are in the UK

 

[LJsapphire]

Have you looked at Colorado Gem? He specializes in amethyst from all over the world. He's this old guy who runs around buying specimens and will talk your ear off. He's super nice and knows his stones. Hundreds of amethyst on his site. I think, but I'm not sure, that he's a cutter as well.
I bought some amethyst from him long ago. He didn't want to bother getting my credit card info and sent me four stones to choose from. He also offered to set them in a Stueller setting at near cost. Check him out.

http://www.coloradogem.com/amethyst-gemstones?sort=p.price&order=DESC

I spent many happy hours on his site....

Edit: Oops, sorry, forgot you are in the UK

Thanks anyway, will still keep the site in my bookmarks

 

[LittleRed]

Have you looked at Colorado Gem? He specializes in amethyst from all over the world. He's this old guy who runs around buying specimens and will talk your ear off. He's super nice and knows his stones. Hundreds of amethyst on his site. I think, but I'm not sure, that he's a cutter as well.
I bought some amethyst from him long ago. He didn't want to bother getting my credit card info and sent me four stones to choose from. He also offered to set them in a Stueller setting at near cost. Check him out.

http://www.coloradogem.com/amethyst-gemstones?sort=p.price&order=DESC

I spent many happy hours on his site....

Edit: Oops, sorry, forgot you are in the UK

I’ve suddenly become all tingly over amethyst! He sounds like a wonderful man!

 

[Bron357]

This is one (on eBay) that I’m thinking “should I buy it” - so pretty.

 

[LJsapphire]

it's a lovely shade of purple

I keep looking at violet spinels and purple sapphires, but my DF took some time out of work which has been longer than expected (over a year). So I'm currently just looking. If he has squirrelled something away and surprises me then YAY. I have some money put aside that I could buy a stone etc but I did say I was putting it towards our wedding. And that is more important to me. #priorities
I may get a low budget version as a stand in.

 

[Bron357]

it's a lovely shade of purple

I keep looking at violet spinels and purple sapphires, but my DF took some time out of work which has been longer than expected (over a year). So I'm currently just looking. If he has squirrelled something away and surprises me then YAY. I have some money put aside that I could buy a stone etc but I did say I was putting it towards our wedding. And that is more important to me. #priorities
I may get a low budget version as a stand in.

The one I like is only $299 AUD so about $240 US. Gold with pink sapphires. But it’s an 8, what size are you? I’ll do some eBay digging for you if you like

 

[peacechick]

it's a lovely shade of purple

I keep looking at violet spinels and purple sapphires, but my DF took some time out of work which has been longer than expected (over a year). So I'm currently just looking. If he has squirrelled something away and surprises me then YAY. I have some money put aside that I could buy a stone etc but I did say I was putting it towards our wedding. And that is more important to me. #priorities
I may get a low budget version as a stand in.

Maybe go back to your original idea of an amethyst ring. Something like this ring is so affordable: https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/listing/...silver-ring-certified?ref=shop_home_active_73 and you can still save up for a purple sapphire or spinel in the future.

 

[LJsapphire]

The one I like is only $299 AUD so about $240 US. Gold with pink sapphires. But it’s an 8, what size are you? I’ll do some eBay digging for you if you like

That would be great, thanks! I’ve looked on eBay but scared of being ripped off. I’m a UK O (and a half) according to when I got my engagement ring sized. It is a little loose in winter but snug in warm weather.
I’d like white gold rather than yellow please.

 

[LJsapphire]

Maybe go back to your original idea of an amethyst ring. Something like this ring is so affordable: https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/listing/...silver-ring-certified?ref=shop_home_active_73 and you can still save up for a purple sapphire or spinel in the future.

Yes that’s what I’m thinking. I tried on a pretty one in a B&M store in my city that was only £250. White gold but not as many diamonds as the one you’ve linked. I’ll see if I have a pic on my phone if I haven’t posted it already.