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Post Info TOPIC: Non-diamond engagement rings **UPDATED**
kenzie


Chanel

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Non-diamond engagement rings **UPDATED**
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So, SO and I started ring shopping and I decided I don't want a white diamond. I really want aquamarine or blue zircon (not to be confused with zirconia), but I've read that these are not good for every day wear since they can break.

We plan to go to a local jewelry where I can design my own ring (and the jeweler uses eco-friendly, recycled precious metal), and I'm sure they'll be able to help, too, but I'm wondering if anyone here has an idea of what kind of stone I could get. I really want a light blue-green color or really pale yellow.

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*********UPDATE*********

Thanks for all of your help, everyone! We picked out a blue diamond that's just over a carat. It's the color of the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, so I just love it! We're finalizing the setting this week, I believe, and then I'm out of the process and whenever it comes in, SO will surprise me with it.

-- Edited by kenzie on Saturday 1st of May 2010 08:17:59 AM

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Metric


Gucci

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You can get colored diamonds but they are very pricey. I have a yellow diamond (it was an heirloom) that I just adore, its so unique.

The problem with precious stones (aquamarine, lapis, etc) is they all scratch easily. What about topaz or a sapphire? Emeralds are wonderful and hold their value really well. They may be more blue or more green that you were originally thinking but they are really beautiful and will hold up well over time.


-- Edited by Metric on Sunday 11th of April 2010 07:44:27 PM

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Starstuff


Kenneth Cole

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I have a saphire that I've worn daily for the last 6 years -- it has held up really well -- no scratches at all. The more valuable saphires are lighter in color (as opposed to the really dark blue ones), so maybe a saphire? I've read that they symbolize the sky and the sea -- that your love should be as infinite. Most of the reason I got a saphire was b/c it was (slightly) cheaper than a clear (colorless) diamond. Yellow diamonds are really cool -- I didn't use to like them but they've grown on me.

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Miss Mabel


Kenneth Cole

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Sapphires are the same hardness as diamonds, so are a good starting point for durability. And, they come in tons of colors, as Starstuff said.

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D


Hermes

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I would recommend an aquamarine.  It's not too bad on the hardness scale, and is not as brittle as emerald:

8

 

TopazThe November birthstone. Emerald and aquamarine are varieties of beryl with a hardness of 8. (Will scratch glass, steel blades, copper coins & fingernails.)

9

 

CorundumSapphire and ruby are varieties of corundum. Twice as hard as topaz.
(Will scratch glass, steel blades, copper coins & fingernails.)

10

 

Diamond (hardest)Used in jewelry and cutting tools. Four times as hard as corundum.
(Will scratch all of the above.)


However, aquamarine is less common and more costly than most sapphires.  There are some beautiful blue green sapphires out there: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4TSHB_enUS240US240&ei=zg_DS5LSNtHdnAfRm8STCg&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&ved=0CAoQBSgA&q=blue+green+sapphire&spell=1

I actually have (2) two carat emerald cut aquamarines I've thought about selling, but they're part of a rose gold clasp on a blue pearl necklace (vintage)

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kenzie


Chanel

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Thanks everyone! I really do love aquamarines, but I've read that they aren't durable enough. If I could find a pale blue sapphire, that would probably be ideal since they are a little better. I really want a pale, watery blue-green.

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D


Hermes

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I think a sapphire is a good choice. Your best deal will be found on ebay -- jeweler mark ups are astronomical... Just look for unheated, untreated, natural, and 100% positive feedback.

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=blue+green+sapphire&_sacat=See-All-Categories

some I saw that are pretty:

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-01Ct-UNHEATED-Natural-Blue-Green-Sapphire-Tanzania_W0QQitemZ350337095272QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLoose_Gemstones_1?hash=item5191b7d668

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-51ct-Bewitching-Oval-Blue-Green-Sapphire-AAA_W0QQitemZ280490285017QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLoose_Gemstones_1?hash=item414e8617d9


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D


Hermes

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a pale blue green toumaline could also be a good choice

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-54-CTS-PALE-LIME-GREEN-TOURMALINE-OVAL-10-8X8-7-MM_W0QQitemZ120549075406QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLoose_Gemstones_1?hash=item1c1148e9ce

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kenzie


Chanel

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D, I really like the first sapphire you posted. I know I want to go to a local jeweler to actually have the ring made, but they will work with a stone I bring them, so that's fine, too.

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D


Hermes

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Well, if you don't mind, I'm going to keep my eyes peeled and do a little looking when I get a chance. I'm overflowing with fine jewelry right now, but I love to find good deals on it and looking for you ensures i don't spend any money ;)

I think I have a good idea of what you're looking for -- something pale and water-like -- like ocean water where it meets the shore in an ebb and flow...

I'll also look for pale citrines and maybe even diamonds if i find something you might like.

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kenzie


Chanel

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D, thanks! Here's one I really love from an Etsy seller:

il_430xN.89744667.jpg

I'd even like it better if it were a shade or two paler. Not quite where the ocean meets the shore, but just before that where it starts to turn that lighter shade of blue-green. smile.gif

Yellow is good, too, as long as it's a pale yellow and not a bright one.

Thanks again!


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KaffeeKlatsch


Marc Jacobs

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Ok, that ring is seriously gorgeous!!!

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Boots


Gucci

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Kenzie- I know nothing about the hardness factor of gems, but just wanted to say that I love the idea of a non-traditional ring. I hope you show us it when you get it!

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kenzie


Chanel

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leah_leanna wrote:

Ok, that ring is seriously gorgeous!!!


Thanks! I love it, too. SO would have bought it for me yesterday if I had wanted him to, but I'm scared since it's blue zircon that it won't hold up (thus the reason for this post).

Here are other colors of that ring style (which I must say, is perfect for me):

Aquamarine
il_430xN.77905963.jpg

Blue topaz

il_430xN.71343797.jpg

 

 



-- Edited by kenzie on Monday 12th of April 2010 03:03:49 PM

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D


Hermes

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now that I have an idea of what style you like, I took another peek...


http://cgi.ebay.com/Gemstone-Blue-Topaz-Diamond-Ring-Band-18K-Vintage_W0QQitemZ290382773036QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Fine_Rings?hash=item439c297b2c


http://cgi.ebay.com/Unique-Vintage-14k-Gold-Natural-Blue-Topaz-Diamond-Ring_W0QQitemZ290423453577QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Fine_Jewelry?hash=item439e963789




http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Rose-Blue-Topaz-Ring-in-14K-White-Gold_W0QQitemZ280340623826QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Fine_Rings?hash=item41459a71d2


http://cgi.ebay.com/14K-WHITE-GOLD-VINTAGE-STYLE-DIAMOND-BLUE-TOPAZ-RING_W0QQitemZ400029513557QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGemstone_Rings?hash=item5d239df755

something a little different because I know you like rose gold:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-14k-Ceylon-Sapphire-Ring-w-Table-cut-Diamonds_W0QQitemZ230405111335QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Fine_Rings?hash=item35a536fe27





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D


Hermes

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whoa look at this one - citrines, rubies, and sapphires:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Huge-Retro-14K-Gold-Citrine-Ruby-Sapphire-Diamond-Ring_W0QQitemZ290264608358QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Fine_Jewelry?hash=item43951e6e66

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kenzie


Chanel

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Wow, that one you just posted is beautiful, but a little to ornate for me to wear everyday.

I like the first ring you posted. Overall, I want something simple and sparkly and preferably platinum. smile.gif

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kenzie


Chanel

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Boots wrote:

Kenzie- I know nothing about the hardness factor of gems, but just wanted to say that I love the idea of a non-traditional ring. I hope you show us it when you get it!


Of course I will! smile.gif

 



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D


Hermes

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I know you said you didnt want aquamarine, but I saw this and thought it was so pretty - looks like nice craftmanship and diamond quality too:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ELEGANT-18K-GOLD-1-56-CTS-DIAMONDS-AQUAMARINE-RING_W0QQitemZ130368549009QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Fine_Rings?hash=item1e5a923091

ETA: I also like that the mounting is raised so it can accommodate a wedding band -- I think an eternity band would look beautiful with it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/14K-WHITE-GOLD-DIAMOND-ETERNITY-STACKING-RING-BAND-88C_W0QQitemZ230452857749QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Fine_Rings?hash=item35a80f8b95

-- Edited by D on Tuesday 13th of April 2010 08:40:17 AM

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kenzie


Chanel

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D, I really like that. The color is perfect!!!!! That's the kind of mounting I want because I want an eternity band on both sides of the engagement ring. I'm sort of thinking about going with yellow gold, though, because I love the combination of aquamarine with yellow gold (like sun and surf!). Wow, I'm so picky!

And technically, I do want aquamarine. It's my first choice. I just want to make sure it will be sturdy enough. smile.gif


-- Edited by kenzie on Tuesday 13th of April 2010 09:27:54 AM

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