What to buy for Anniversary? DH says it is my pick!

[cinnamon013]

I''m working on spending around $150 for an anniversary present. DH said I could choose what I like. It''s our 13th anniversary and I noticed that one of the stones for this anniversary on the anniversary gem charts is a citrine. It''s inexpensive, so it could work for my budget. As some of you know, I''ve been eyeing some aquamarines out there. But since my budget doesn''t allow me to get a nice color, I''m looking around with money burning a hole in my pocket for something else.

Gary at Finewater has a lovely citrine that would make a nice pendant. He says the color is the same on it throughout - the top is not darker. Here''s what his site says about it.

1. An intense orangey-yellow citrine, cut into a brilliant trillium design. Flawless, a great value, and cut corners make it easy to set. 5.26 carats, 12.5mm x 12.5mm, IF clarity $150
He also has a pink spinel, but I''m not sure if I''m crazy about the steps in it. Here''s it''s description:

2. A very pretty pink spinel in a custom radiant-cut emerald shape. This is a great color, size and shape for a ring (and at a great price for spinel!) 1.70 carats, 7.5mm x 5.9mm, SI clarity $195
There is also the aquamarine, but it is likely too light to work for me. I''ve included it here because it reminds me of the one Laurenthepartier got recently (her''s is an asscher which is still likely darker). I do actually like the lighter, hint of blue type effect.

3. A baby-blue aquamarine from Zambia, cut into a very elegant rectangular cushion design. 2.27 carats, 9.2mm x 6.6mm, VVS clarity $150

This is from Peter''s site, although I haven''t yet heard from him to see if it is still available:

4. Garnet (Madagascar). 1.47ct, 6.78x6.73x4.93m. Patchwork Trilliant. This stone was a real surprise when it came off the dop. Usually garnets darken on cutting, this one got lighter. Its a very lively little stone. price: $200

And last from Gary again:
5. Pretty in pink! A very pretty pink tourmaline in a fancy oval cut. Perfect for either a ring or pendent. 2.03 carats, 9.0mm x 6.7mm, IF clarity $200

Ok, see how some of these are already getting out of my budget! I welcome your comments about these stones! What do you like or not like? I could do a pendant or a right hand ring.

PS Tomorrow is my 13th wedding anniversary!

 

[cinnamon013]

2. spinel

 

[cinnamon013]

3. aquamarine

 

[cinnamon013]

4. garnet

 

[cinnamon013]

5. tourmaline

 

[coatimundi_org]

Congratulations! I think the tourmaline is very pretty. Have fun choosing!

 

[AmberGretchen]

I like the tourmaline best of the ones you posted, but I''m not a big fan of triangular cuts in general, so take that for what its worth...

 

[pjean]

I''m surprised to say that I like the citrine! Not normally one of my favourite stones, but that one''s lovely.

 

[oldmancoyote]

Another vote for the citrine.

 

[simplysplendid]

Hmm.. I am not much help, I actually like the aquamarine, I don''t think it is too light.

 

[LD]

Aqua. You say you''ve wanted one for ages. I don''t think it''ll be too light but why don''t you ask the question. I know a lot of people have discussed that stone on this forum and it was always favourably.

Have fun choosing.

 

[akmiss]

They are all very pretty/. I like the spinel and the tourmaline the best. Maybe you can wait until the 1st when Barry at ACS post new stones

 

[newsboysgrl777]

my faves are the spinel and the tourmaline, but if you really want an aqua, I say hold out and wait for the perfect one!! I found this one on artcutgems. It looks like it may have a window, though...but anyway, it looks like it's a little deeper in color? http://www.artcutgems.com/item.php?item_id=453&category_id=45 Not sure if the shape is what you're after or not, though. But, I def. say don't let the money burn a hole!! Wait for the PERFECT stone! You'll know it when it comes along, I'm sure!!



ETA: I wonder why that picture didn't work?? Trying again....

 

[Diamond*Dana]

They are all gorgeous, but I am loving that tourmaline

. The Spinel is a close second, but I am a pink kind of girl

 

[marcy]

They are all lovely. I''d have a hard time choosing!

 

[Fly Girl]

That''s a gorgeous citrine! It would make a very nice pendant.

Congratulations on your 13th anniversary.

 

[cinnamon013]

Thanks for everyone''s input so far. I am torn, which may mean I''ll just have to think about it for awhile. Gary is going out of town for 2 weeks and if I don''t order by in the a.m. tomorrow, I''ll need to wait for him to ship when he returns on 1/10.

For me at this point, the garnet is out. I haven''t heard from Peter anyway. The spinel - lovely but not really into the steps of it.

The citrine, the aqua, and the tourmaline are all still in the running.

The citrine because it is really lovely and would make a fitting 13th anniversary present...

The tourmaline because it just is so pretty...

The aqua, well, because I am not really opposed to the lightness of it since it has such a liveliness to it...

akmiss - what is this about ACS posting new stones on the 1st?

newsboygrl777 - lovely color on the aqua you show, but I don''t seem to like stones that window easily.

Everyone - thanks for the votes and feedback! I appreciate the support!

 

[LtlFirecracker]

pink tourmaline is my favorite . Have fun choosing.

 

[T L]

Date: 12/30/2008 11:38:30 PM
Author: cinnamon013
Thanks for everyone's input so far. I am torn, which may mean I'll just have to think about it for awhile. Gary is going out of town for 2 weeks and if I don't order by in the a.m. tomorrow, I'll need to wait for him to ship when he returns on 1/10.

For me at this point, the garnet is out. I haven't heard from Peter anyway. The spinel - lovely but not really into the steps of it.

The citrine, the aqua, and the tourmaline are all still in the running.

The citrine because it is really lovely and would make a fitting 13th anniversary present...

The tourmaline because it just is so pretty...

The aqua, well, because I am not really opposed to the lightness of it since it has such a liveliness to it...

akmiss - what is this about ACS posting new stones on the 1st?

newsboygrl777 - lovely color on the aqua you show, but I don't seem to like stones that window easily.

Everyone - thanks for the votes and feedback! I appreciate the support!

Citrines are usually heated from amethyst to get that color, but check with Gary to make sure. I just want you to know this so that helps with your decision.

I think of the three stones, the tourmaline is the best choice, but hey, I'm "tourmaline_lover" so I'm biased!!

Happy anniversary!!

 

[ma re]

Well I''m biased to anything yellow, so it''s no brainer where my vote goes. If you think it''s too big for a ring, Hillary Clinton would disagree with you. Seriously, that baby set in some high carat gold with a few diamonds would be like the sunshine itself. Not sure if it''s heated, but aqua could be also, so if that''s important to you check for both. But I''m always in favor of quality over anything else (like rarity or size), so I''d rather by a top notch citrine than a mediocre(ish) aqua. But it''s your choice and taste that only matter in the end, so have fun and hope you''re happy with whatever you get.

 

[steph72276]

Love the aqua!