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legaldiva · Oct 13th, 2009, 10:06 AM

My BF and I have started looking at rings ... but I have very strong moral feelings against diamonds.

I've been looking at pink sapphires and amethyst instead. Specifically, I like the ring that's been advertised in Vogue the past couple months, by Mauboussin (called: couleur de baiser).

Do any of you have recs on types of rings? Styles? Good websites?

We haven't gone into any jewelry stores yet, because I want a better idea of what's out there.

TIA!

Tygriss · Oct 13th, 2009, 11:32 AM

My first engagement ring was a blue sapphire in the classic Tiffany prong setting.

For the stone choice, I would suggest going with a harder stone -- like sapphires. Amethyst are gorgeous, but because they are softer you might have to look at a more protective setting.

The website I went to for information and knowledgeable feedback was www.pricescope.com

I really love the non-diamond e-ring designs of www.jewelryexpert.com

And www.whiteflash.com has some great custom designs for engagement rings.

Just a couple to check out. Hope that helps to get you started.

elizat · Oct 13th, 2009, 12:00 PM

I'm right there with you on not wanting a traditional diamond ring. Sapphire is a good choice for durability, but amethyst is a lot softer. You can find purple toned sapphires as well. I'm not familiar with the ring/ad you saw though.

I'd look at The Natural Sapphire Company, along with the colored gem section of Pricescope. They have recommended vendors on there and helpful people for gems. I also love handcrafted things, so look at Etsy. I have found a ring in ruby that is wonderful and would love as an engagement ring, while poking around for ruby rings (ah, but no SO!).

Just to give some ideas of the designs in pink sapphires you can find there, look here:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php..._desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php..._desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php..._desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php..._desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

I think a lot of people think jewelry on Etsy is just beaded or wire-wrapped items, but there are many sellers that do fine jewelery pieces that are lovely with a very nice price point.

candypants1100 · Oct 13th, 2009, 12:16 PM

i think sapphires look unbelievable! that would be an amazing choice...

legaldiva · Oct 13th, 2009, 12:52 PM

I'm leaning toward ruby (I'm a scorpio) ... thanks for all the websites!

risingsun · Oct 13th, 2009, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by legaldiva

I'm leaning toward ruby (I'm a scorpio) ... thanks for all the websites!

There have been human rights abuses reported in the mining of rubies in Burma. You might want to check this out before moving forward with the purchase of a ruby.

http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/publis...833ff14,0.html

If you go to Pricescope, visit the Colored Stones forum and ask for some recommendations. You can have a gem custom cut by one of the respected gem artisans, who purchase their own rough. They know where and how it was mined. This may give you the peace of mind you are looking for in your engagement ring. HTH.

givemegold · Oct 14th, 2009, 05:07 PM

My brother recently got engaged and I designed the engagement ring for him. His intended is an April baby that doesn't love diamonds, so we went with an oval sapphire (prong-set) with round diamond side stone (bezel-set) in platinum. I drew it on a napkin, he approved it and my jeweler created it (after she and I re-drew it on real paper). It is beautiful and unique, plus they both love it!

Gimmethebag · Oct 14th, 2009, 07:49 PM

I like that Tiffany has safe guards and a guarantee that their gems are ethical. I feel the same way you do about diamonds. I have no interest in a status symbol that may be associated with violence, rape, mutilation, social unrest.

I don't care if I can get a "bigger, better diamond from a local diamond broker." In my eyes, I'm not just paying for the diamond or the name. I'm paying the premium for directly mined diamonds and a guarantee that I'm not purchasing a blood diamond.

White Orchid · Oct 15th, 2009, 06:14 AM

So with any diamond ring purchased from Tiffany's you are guaranteed that it was ethically mined/produced?

EricaD · Oct 15th, 2009, 07:05 PM

I think gemstone rings are stunning and make lovely engagement rings! There are also antique diamonds, which were cut 100 +/- years ago and were not mined from the current conflict areas, as well as certified conflict-free diamonds. Lots of options, but a ruby e-ring would be totally FAB!

burberryprncess · Oct 15th, 2009, 11:31 PM

I think either sapphire or ruby will make great engagement ring. My original plan was ruby surrounded with diamonds.

lisalovesshoes · Oct 16th, 2009, 03:41 AM

I

rubies...
That would be fab!!

Oct 13th, 2009, 10:06 AM	#1
legaldiva OP Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,448	Engagement Rings - NOT Diamond My BF and I have started looking at rings ... but I have very strong moral feelings against diamonds. I've been looking at pink sapphires and amethyst instead. Specifically, I like the ring that's been advertised in Vogue the past couple months, by Mauboussin (called: couleur de baiser). Do any of you have recs on types of rings? Styles? Good websites? We haven't gone into any jewelry stores yet, because I want a better idea of what's out there. TIA!
legaldiva OP Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,448	__________________ Desperately seeking: - CL Black Suede Monica thigh high boots (size 39); - CL Gold Bling Bling pumps (size 39.5). PM me if you have a lead!

Oct 13th, 2009, 12:00 PM	#3
elizat Member Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 9,123	I'm right there with you on not wanting a traditional diamond ring. Sapphire is a good choice for durability, but amethyst is a lot softer. You can find purple toned sapphires as well. I'm not familiar with the ring/ad you saw though. I'd look at The Natural Sapphire Company, along with the colored gem section of Pricescope. They have recommended vendors on there and helpful people for gems. I also love handcrafted things, so look at Etsy. I have found a ring in ruby that is wonderful and would love as an engagement ring, while poking around for ruby rings (ah, but no SO!). Just to give some ideas of the designs in pink sapphires you can find there, look here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php..._desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php..._desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php..._desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php..._desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title I think a lot of people think jewelry on Etsy is just beaded or wire-wrapped items, but there are many sellers that do fine jewelery pieces that are lovely with a very nice price point.
elizat Member Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 9,123	__________________ Click to donate to rescue and shelter pets for free! http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/c...1237.ctgProd02 My blog of odds and ends Last edited by elizat; Oct 13th, 2009 at 12:06 PM.

Oct 13th, 2009, 12:16 PM	#4
candypants1100 Member Joined: May 2008 Location: candyland Posts: 4,584	i think sapphires look unbelievable! that would be an amazing choice...
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Oct 13th, 2009, 12:52 PM	#5
legaldiva OP Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,448	I'm leaning toward ruby (I'm a scorpio) ... thanks for all the websites!
legaldiva OP Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,448	__________________ Desperately seeking: - CL Black Suede Monica thigh high boots (size 39); - CL Gold Bling Bling pumps (size 39.5). PM me if you have a lead!

Oct 14th, 2009, 07:49 PM	#8
Gimmethebag Gimme Gimme Gimme Joined: Dec 2008 Location: STL-Nashville-Chicago Posts: 1,109	I like that Tiffany has safe guards and a guarantee that their gems are ethical. I feel the same way you do about diamonds. I have no interest in a status symbol that may be associated with violence, rape, mutilation, social unrest. I don't care if I can get a "bigger, better diamond from a local diamond broker." In my eyes, I'm not just paying for the diamond or the name. I'm paying the premium for directly mined diamonds and a guarantee that I'm not purchasing a blood diamond.
	__________________ Add Bubbles To Taste Follow me.

Oct 13th, 2009, 11:32 AM	#2
Tygriss Member Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 85	My first engagement ring was a blue sapphire in the classic Tiffany prong setting. For the stone choice, I would suggest going with a harder stone -- like sapphires. Amethyst are gorgeous, but because they are softer you might have to look at a more protective setting. The website I went to for information and knowledgeable feedback was www.pricescope.com I really love the non-diamond e-ring designs of www.jewelryexpert.com And www.whiteflash.com has some great custom designs for engagement rings. Just a couple to check out. Hope that helps to get you started.

Oct 14th, 2009, 05:07 PM	#7
givemegold Member Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 139	My brother recently got engaged and I designed the engagement ring for him. His intended is an April baby that doesn't love diamonds, so we went with an oval sapphire (prong-set) with round diamond side stone (bezel-set) in platinum. I drew it on a napkin, he approved it and my jeweler created it (after she and I re-drew it on real paper). It is beautiful and unique, plus they both love it!

Oct 15th, 2009, 06:14 AM	#9
White Orchid Member Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 390	So with any diamond ring purchased from Tiffany's you are guaranteed that it was ethically mined/produced?
White Orchid Member Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 390	__________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ White Orchid's <3 <3 wish <3 <3 list: Fawn Mini Nikki Seafoam Mini Nikki Leaf Mini Nikki Noir Mini Nikki ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oct 15th, 2009, 07:05 PM	#10
EricaD Member Joined: Oct 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 308	I think gemstone rings are stunning and make lovely engagement rings! There are also antique diamonds, which were cut 100 +/- years ago and were not mined from the current conflict areas, as well as certified conflict-free diamonds. Lots of options, but a ruby e-ring would be totally FAB!

Oct 15th, 2009, 11:31 PM	#11
burberryprncess Sophie Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 16,873	I think either sapphire or ruby will make great engagement ring. My original plan was ruby surrounded with diamonds.
	__________________ ............. Happy Thanksgiving!

Oct 16th, 2009, 03:41 AM	#12
lisalovesshoes slave to LVoe Joined: May 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 821	I rubies... That would be fab!!
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