Black diamonds are great! I had my DHs ring custom made and it's black titanium and it has a black tension mounted diamond. I'll eventually get a black diamond pave eternity ring to match his.
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i have two engagement rings, the one DF proposed is a 1.5 diamond but i hardly wear bc im too scared to lose it. plus it sits too high for me to wear to work (i work with kids) so being the fabulous man he is he bought me a second engagement ring because he knows ive always wanted colored stones. in fact, back in the days he told me, "i want to get you a colored stone for every color in your wardrobe." and he got me this beauty i wear more frequently.
I am in love with your ring!!!!!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.ph...pe=handmade&ga_page=&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.ph...e=handmade&ga_page=3&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.ph...e=handmade&ga_page=4&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.ph...e=handmade&ga_page=9&order=date_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.
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.ph...pe=handmade&ga_page=&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.ph...e=handmade&ga_page=3&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.ph...e=handmade&ga_page=4&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.ph...e=handmade&ga_page=9&order=date_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.
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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/publisher,HRW,,DZA,47a833ff14,0.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.
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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!
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.
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.
So with any diamond ring purchased from Tiffany's you are guaranteed that it was ethically mined/produced?
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!
I think either sapphire or ruby will make great engagement ring. My original plan was ruby surrounded with diamonds.
rubies...