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Suggestions on a Sapphire engagement ring?

TouringGuy

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 13, 2017
Messages
3
So, yes, I've read the thread about being new to gemstones. I promise you, I've been reading up on determining quality of a sapphire and the various treatments, sources, etc... I'm starting to get burned out lol.

I'm trying to source an engagement ring and have been actively searching for the last few months. I've had several bad experiences at local jeweler's where I had intended on going the custom route. Many kept pushing me towards a diamond, even though I explicitly told them I know my girlfriend would like a sapphire.

Here's what I'm after:
Round cut. Probably .7-1.3 carat range. Blue, preferably a royal or bold blue. Avoiding the teal/light blue spectrum more so than the darker ones. Prefer the mount for the stone be as subtle as possible, more functional than extra design flair. Small diamond side stones. No fancy design engraving or etching, more simplicity than anything. 14k White gold or would prefer platinum or palladium(and willing to pay more for that durability). Sizing is 6.5.

The girlfriend showed me a picture of a $230 ring she said she'd be happy with. I would like to spend closer to $1.5-$3k tops, if the stone is really worth it. I don't need it to be huge, but would love a stone that has that depth in the sun.

I guess I prefer the angle cut over a cabochon type, as they seem to be more reflective. I'm honestly not opposed to a lab grade stone if it really looks nice.

I've seen plenty of online sources for loose stones and had hoped to find a local jeweler to work with on the setting, saving some money that way, but I'm still not having luck finding a local jeweler I trust. Any suggestions on some reliable online merchants that may have what I'm looking for or could do a custom solution for me? Or just pointers of some sites I should look at? I've been reviewing the vendor list in this forum the last few days. I think my brain has turned to mush going through all the options lol.
 

chroman

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
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May 18, 2015
Messages
1,087
Are you thinking 1.5-3 for the whole ring? If so, do you have an idea how much you'd want to spend on just the stone?

The frequent advise here is to find the stone first, as thats usually the hard part.
 

MollyMalone

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jun 2, 2013
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3,413
fyi: Michael Arnstein, the CEO of the Natural Sapphire Company, pleaded guilty last month & is facing the prospect of federal prison because he sent Google a number of fake, federal court orders, purportedly directing Google to remove unfavorable Internet postings -- including some PS pages -- from search results.
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...leaded-guilty-to-forging-court-orders.234316/
Others may feel differently, but I'd hate to see any of our money line Arnstein's pockets.
 

TouringGuy

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 13, 2017
Messages
3
Are you thinking 1.5-3 for the whole ring? If so, do you have an idea how much you'd want to spend on just the stone?

The frequent advise here is to find the stone first, as thats usually the hard part.

Hi,
Yes, I'd like to keep the total in the $1500-$3k range for ring with stone. May not be much for some people, but since she's not really interested in something really fancy, I'd much rather put that money towards travelling and other fun stuff.

I feel like the ring/setting should run me $500-1000 from the wide ranges I've seen so far. My impression is that the side stones are probably going to run $200-500 based upon the quality level of the diamonds for being so small and I figured those would be sourced by whomever does the setting, as they'll need to be small enough to fit. So I guess that leaves me with about $750-$2k for a stone? Although I'd really rather stay closer to $2k for the whole ring if possible, but I'm flexible if it means getting something really nice for spending just a bit more.

My prices could be way off though. I've only been inside 4 jeweler's shops so far(none of them felt like they were giving me a good deal...didn't expect internet pricing, but expected better than what was quoted) and browsed some of the major name online shops.
 

mtsapphirelovingannie

Shiny_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 27, 2015
Messages
360
I don't think your price is way off. Gemfix seems to have some sapphires that would fit your specifications: https://gemfix.com/gem-category/sapphire/blue-sapphire?orderby=price

Once you find a gemstone, a jewelry store should be able to order you a setting from Stuller. Here is a link to their site that will let you look at settings for the size of stones: https://www.stuller.com/searchbystone

Yvonne also seems to have a few small blue sapphires. She may have more that are not posted: https://www.etsy.com/shop/yvonneraley?ref=condensed_trust_header_title_items
 

BlingDreams

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 12, 2015
Messages
2,268
fyi: Michael Arnstein, the CEO of the Natural Sapphire Company, pleaded guilty last month & is facing the prospect of federal prison because he sent Google a number of fake, federal court orders, purportedly directing Google to remove unfavorable Internet postings -- including some PS pages -- from search results.
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...leaded-guilty-to-forging-court-orders.234316/
Others may feel differently, but I'd hate to see any of our money line Arnstein's pockets.
Ugh. That's slimy :(2

Any idea what's happening to the company (i.e.: if he's been kicked out, it's folding, etc)?
 

chroman

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
May 18, 2015
Messages
1,087
Here's a few options in the <1K range (it has to be a round, right?)

Not sure the pricing on this, but it might ne worth reaching out to Roger (he also may have some other rounds not listed:
http://rogerdery.com/gems/blue-sapphire-round-2/

This has a color shift, but looks well cut and a reasonable price:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/544014...earch_query=Sapphire&ref=shop_items_search_35

On the darker side- I'd def want to see more pics of it first
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1049

Pearlmans is also a jeweler, so they could be a one-stop option:
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=G87359
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=G89438

Also pretty dark - this may be narly black most of the time:
http://www.earthstreasury.com/product/0-61-carat-deep-royal-blue-montana-sapphire-heated/

Besides the white around the wdge, I love the color on this:
http://www.earthstreasury.com/product/1-39-carat-medium-cornflower-blue-ceylon-sapphire-heated/
 

MollyMalone

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jun 2, 2013
Messages
3,413
IIRC, it's a business that's been in the family for 2-3 generations. I've not come across anything discussing the company's future, but perhaps there will be something about that after Arnstein is sentenced in January.
 

TouringGuy

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 13, 2017
Messages
3
Chroman, thanks for the suggestions! I'm looking at those now.

Someone posted this one in another thread, which I've found for sale:
ceylon.jpg ceylon2.jpg
1.48TCW, heated, Sir Lanka, natural Sapphire for $565. Tempting, but seems dramatically cheaper than others.
Claim it's VVS1, "traditional heat only", 6.65x6.12x4.02

Vendor has a high rating on ebay and offers free returns.
 
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