Help with sapphire ring--heat or no heat

[BigAkoya]

@Rockerchic @etoile de mer
I am so glad you both like Oscar Heyman. They are not well known or I should say not as popular as the other major houses. I am sure you know this, but they actually created a lot of pieces for the major houses (e.g. Cartier, Tiffany) before the houses brought it back. Here is a great book I highly recommend.. you will love this book, promise!

Oscar Heyman: The Jewelers Jeweler: Markowitz, Yvonne, Hamilton, Elizabeth, Heyman, Oscar: 9780878468362: Amazon.com: Books

 

[etoile de mer]

@Rockerchic @etoile de mer
I am so glad you both like Oscar Heyman. They are not well known or I should say not as popular as the other major houses. I am sure you know this, but they actually created a lot of pieces for the major houses (e.g. Cartier, Tiffany) before the houses brought it back. Here is a great book I highly recommend.. you will love this book, promise!

Oscar Heyman: The Jewelers Jeweler: Markowitz, Yvonne, Hamilton, Elizabeth, Heyman, Oscar: 9780878468362: Amazon.com: Books

Thanks so much, BigAkoya, I have a small library of jewelry and gem books, but don't have this! I've just ordered it, although noted as currently out of stock. Hopefully available again, soon. Look forward to receiving!

 

[BigAkoya]

Thanks so much, BigAkoya, I have a small library of jewelry and gem books, but don't have this! I've just ordered it, although noted as currently out of stock. Hopefully available again, soon. Look forward to receiving!

Hmmm... maybe get one of the used copies on amazon. I do not think they will reprint this book. I collect a lot of jewelry and gemstone books, and it is rare these small publications get a second printing.
So maybe grab a copy while you can still find it. It is definitely worth the read and the photos are great.

This book is from 2017, and as you know, Oscar Heyman, while gorgeous, is not popular. I personally think Oscar Heyman needs a better marketing team! They talk about the past too much.

Since you like Oscar Heyman, here are two other similar brands I like that major in colored gemstones:
HIGH JEWELRY – Bayco Jewels

Precious Color Rings | Jewelry | JBSTAR.COM

Lots of eye candy! It was fun chatting with you!

 

[Rockerchic]

@Rockerchic @etoile de mer
I am so glad you both like Oscar Heyman. They are not well known or I should say not as popular as the other major houses. I am sure you know this, but they actually created a lot of pieces for the major houses (e.g. Cartier, Tiffany) before the houses brought it back. Here is a great book I highly recommend.. you will love this book, promise!

Oscar Heyman: The Jewelers Jeweler: Markowitz, Yvonne, Hamilton, Elizabeth, Heyman, Oscar: 9780878468362: Amazon.com: Books

@BigAkoya, you are such a wealth of info and I so appreciate your amazing input on this thread. I'm sure your collection is sooooo amazing!xo

And wow!!! those other brands!!!! Was not familiar with them but they have some incredible eye candy.

....this ring....le sigh!

 

[BigAkoya]

@BigAkoya, you are such a wealth of info and I so appreciate your amazing input on this thread. I'm sure your collection is sooooo amazing!xo

And wow!!! those other brands!!!! Was not familiar with them but they have some incredible eye candy.

....this ring....le sigh!
View attachment 4993183

I love love love JB Star above all others! They are my first choice I go to when buying a colored gemstone. In my photo above, I bought my Ceylon sapphire loose, and my setting is done by JB Star.

My recent emerald ring is modelled after a JB Star setting. I was actually going to buy the JB Star emerald ring, but I couldn't do it for a single piece. JB Star said they no longer allow you to buy your own stone; you have to procure through them. So off I go to the gem show to custom make my own ring (my jeweler made notes on the JB Star emerald ring as I showed him the designs on it I liked when they brought it in for me to try on).

It really all depends on your budget. If you are not price sensitive like I am, you definitely must check out JB Star. I am 100% certain you will find a sapphire ring you love and will not need to go down the loose stone path. JB Star stones and workmanship are absolutely beautiful. Their settings are handmade using platinum. Their side diamonds are gorgeous, their melee diamonds are full cut, not single cut melees (Rafael, the designer, is the son of a diamond manufacturing company who used to be a sightholder). JB Star also exhibits at the AGTA gem show in Tucson (for high end colored stones limited to the trade only), but you have to be a trade member to get into that particular show. If you are interested, I can tell you how to get in (please PM me). I truly love love love JB Star. I even asked if I could see their showroom (got a big fat no). Okay, enough about them... my husband is sick of hearing about JB Star too.

But warning... at the end of the day, JB Star is not a major brand (nor is Bayco) in terms of resale value. If you plan to resell, you will be disappointed and not get a lot. Colored gemstones just do not command high resell value unless you go with a major house such as Cartier, Graff, VCA and the amount is over $100K. And even then it's not really a guarantee because these pieces custom and not mass produced so there is not a known demand say, like a VCA Lotus ring.

That's been my logic, and I share it with you in this now long thread (ugh... I need to zip it and quit typing) because I have spent many hours thinking how best to buy bling and what really matters to me.

I am sure you also have lots of beautiful jewelry and your own buying philosophy.
Your philosophy may be different than mine, and I would truly love to hear a different point of view to help shape my thinking. In the end, all jewelry is emotional and not considered an investment (some would say jewelry is a money pit). But the pure enjoyment of wearing and looking at my bling, to me, is priceless.

Also, thank you so much for starting this thread. This is really great to share information and to learn from other lovers of jewelry, so thanks!

P.S. That cushion cut sapphire ring in your post is stunning!

 

[etoile de mer]

Hmmm... maybe get one of the used copies on amazon. I do not think they will reprint this book. I collect a lot of jewelry and gemstone books, and it is rare these small publications get a second printing.
So maybe grab a copy while you can still find it. It is definitely worth the read and the photos are great.

This book is from 2017, and as you know, Oscar Heyman, while gorgeous, is not popular. I personally think Oscar Heyman needs a better marketing team! They talk about the past too much.

Since you like Oscar Heyman, here are two other similar brands I like that major in colored gemstones:
HIGH JEWELRY – Bayco Jewels

Precious Color Rings | Jewelry | JBSTAR.COM

Lots of eye candy! It was fun chatting with you!

It seems the book was from an exhibit at the MFA (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston). I went to their website, and they still have it for sale, yay! And so happy to support them, one of my favorite museums.

Regarding Oscar Heyman, as they were known as the "The Jewelers' Jeweler", maybe less in the habit of tooting their own horn? Their catalogs are beautiful. The current one (online now) for 2020 is nifty, in addition to having links for specs/prices, it also has a video for each item.

I love the links you posted, above! Have heard of both brands but have never been to their sites. Especially now, thinking about, and looking at beautiful things feels like a mental wash-and-rinse cycle! Feels essential. Thanks for chatting and sharing!

 

[etoile de mer]

I love love love JB Star above all others! They are my first choice I go to when buying a colored gemstone. In my photo above, I bought my Ceylon sapphire loose, and my setting is done by JB Star.

My recent emerald ring is modelled after a JB Star setting. I was actually going to buy the JB Star emerald ring, but I couldn't do it for a single piece. JB Star said they no longer allow you to buy your own stone; you have to procure through them. So off I go to the gem show to custom make my own ring (my jeweler made notes on the JB Star emerald ring as I showed him the designs on it I liked when they brought it in for me to try on).

It really all depends on your budget. If you are not price sensitive like I am, you definitely must check out JB Star. I am 100% certain you will find a sapphire ring you love and will not need to go down the loose stone path. JB Star stones and workmanship are absolutely beautiful. Their settings are handmade using platinum. Their side diamonds are gorgeous, their melee diamonds are full cut, not single cut melees (Rafael, the designer, is the son of a diamond manufacturing company who used to be a sightholder). JB Star also exhibits at the AGTA gem show in Tucson (for high end colored stones limited to the trade only), but you have to be a trade member to get into that particular show. If you are interested, I can tell you how to get in (please PM me). I truly love love love JB Star. I even asked if I could see their showroom (got a big fat no). Okay, enough about them... my husband is sick of hearing about JB Star too.

But warning... at the end of the day, JB Star is not a major brand (nor is Bayco) in terms of resale value. If you plan to resell, you will be disappointed and not get a lot. Colored gemstones just do not command high resell value unless you go with a major house such as Cartier, Graff, VCA and the amount is over $100K. And even then it's not really a guarantee because these pieces custom and not mass produced so there is not a known demand say, like a VCA Lotus ring.

That's been my logic, and I share it with you in this now long thread (ugh... I need to zip it and quit typing) because I have spent many hours thinking how best to buy bling and what really matters to me.

I am sure you also have lots of beautiful jewelry and your own buying philosophy.
Your philosophy may be different than mine, and I would truly love to hear a different point of view to help shape my thinking. In the end, all jewelry is emotional and not considered an investment (some would say jewelry is a money pit). But the pure enjoyment of wearing and looking at my bling, to me, is priceless.

Also, thank you so much for starting this thread. This is really great to share information and to learn from other lovers of jewelry, so thanks!

P.S. That cushion cut sapphire ring in your post is stunning!

So interesting to hear your thoughts and experience regarding brands and gems! Very fun, thanks again for sharing.

 

[BigAkoya]

It seems the book was from an exhibit at the MFA (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston). I went to their website, and they still have it for sale, yay! And so happy to support them, one of my favorite museums.

Regarding Oscar Heyman, as they were known as the "The Jewelers' Jeweler", maybe less in the habit of tooting their own horn? Their catalogs are beautiful. The current one (online now) for 2020 is nifty, in addition to having links for specs/prices, it also has a video for each item.

I love the links you posted, above! Have heard of both brands but have never been to their sites. Especially now, thinking about, and looking at beautiful things feels like a mental wash-and-rinse cycle! Feels essential. Thanks for chatting and sharing!

I am so glad you found the book!

 

[BigAkoya]

It seems the book was from an exhibit at the MFA (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston). I went to their website, and they still have it for sale, yay! And so happy to support them, one of my favorite museums.

Regarding Oscar Heyman, as they were known as the "The Jewelers' Jeweler", maybe less in the habit of tooting their own horn? Their catalogs are beautiful. The current one (online now) for 2020 is nifty, in addition to having links for specs/prices, it also has a video for each item.

I love the links you posted, above! Have heard of both brands but have never been to their sites. Especially now, thinking about, and looking at beautiful things feels like a mental wash-and-rinse cycle! Feels essential. Thanks for chatting and sharing!

By the way, NM and Bergdorf sell Bayco. The NYC BG store has a good selection. Beautiful pieces, but high prices too. It’s funny how I buy VCA, which is nothing more than gold with some cheapy stones (MOP, onyx). Yet, I can’t do it with branded names for colored gemstones anymore. . The mind is sometimes not rational.

Good chatting with you!

 

[Rockerchic]

@BigAkoya I'm definitely price sensitive and not in a position to spend 100k on a ring. I would definitely prefer finding a beautiful loose stone and then having my jeweler make the setting with pictures as guidance. I do buy branded jewelry (VCA, Cartier, etc) for specific designs and do have some alhambra, perles, socrates, etc pieces. Most of my diamond jewelry is antique as I really love OEC cut stones. I also have non brand diamond jewelry for pieces that aren't 'signature' such as diamond studs, tennis necklace.
I'm just getting into colored stones and this will be my first piece. I actually first started thinking about colored stones when I saw a preowned Oscar Heyman piece at my local jewelers...I am still considering getting that one. It is a gold bypass ring with rubies and diamonds.
@etoile de mer thanks for sharing that additional info about the book. I lived in Boston at the Seaport for a couple years and that is also one of my favorite museums! My daughter is in Boston now for graduate school so I'm fortunate to have a great excuse to still get up there to visit. Probably my favorite city in the US even though I'm a NY girl!

 

[BigAkoya]

@BigAkoya I'm definitely price sensitive and not in a position to spend 100k on a ring. I would definitely prefer finding a beautiful loose stone and then having my jeweler make the setting with pictures as guidance. I do buy branded jewelry (VCA, Cartier, etc) for specific designs and do have some alhambra, perles, socrates, etc pieces. Most of my diamond jewelry is antique as I really love OEC cut stones. I also have non brand diamond jewelry for pieces that aren't 'signature' such as diamond studs, tennis necklace.
I'm just getting into colored stones and this will be my first piece. I actually first started thinking about colored stones when I saw a preowned Oscar Heyman piece at my local jewelers...I am still considering getting that one. It is a gold bypass ring with rubies and diamonds.
@etoile de mer thanks for sharing that additional info about the book. I lived in Boston at the Seaport for a couple years and that is also one of my favorite museums! My daughter is in Boston now for graduate school so I'm fortunate to have a great excuse to still get up there to visit. Probably my favorite city in the US even though I'm a NY girl!

Ooooh oooh oooh... I love bypass rings, or as they call them now, Toi et Moi (You and Me) rings.
Believe it or not, I am working on my next colored gemstone ring, and I want it to be a Toi et Moi ring. That design is such a romantic design to me, two stones, symbolizing a couple. Toi Et Moi rings are quite in fashion now ironically. I am also sure hubby would love the idea of what the ring symbolizes "you & me" (you guys can fight over who is the ruby and who is the diamond )

My husband shares my love of jewelry, and I will say to you what my husband has said to me for encouragement when I find something I love that is a one of a kind: "strike while the iron is hot!"

Here is a great article on Toi et Moi rings. This article is actually what made me fall in love with the design: Toi et moi rings: the most romantic ring style in history | The Jewellery Editor

Your ring will be a one of a kind. I am so excited for you and hope you decide to get it. Post photos please if you wouldn't mind.

 

[Rockerchic]

Ooooh oooh oooh... I love bypass rings, or as they call them now, Toi et Moi (You and Me) rings.
Believe it or not, I am working on my next colored gemstone ring, and I want it to be a Toi et Moi ring. That design is such a romantic design to me, two stones, symbolizing a couple. Toi Et Moi rings are quite in fashion now ironically. I am also sure hubby would love the idea of what the ring symbolizes "you & me" (you guys can fight over who is the ruby and who is the diamond )

My husband shares my love of jewelry, and I will say to you what my husband has said to me for encouragement when I find something I love that is a one of a kind: "strike while the iron is hot!"

Here is a great article on Toi et Moi rings. This article is actually what made me fall in love with the design: Toi et moi rings: the most romantic ring style in history | The Jewellery Editor

Your ring will be a one of a kind. I am so excited for you and hope you decide to get it. Post photos please if you wouldn't mind.

Your hubby is a keeper for sure!
The ring looks similar to this but ruby not sapphire. Apparently this was a common design for OH.
Would love everyone's opinions on it. It is simple but very pretty imo.

 

[BigAkoya]

Your hubby is a keeper for sure!
The ring looks similar to this but ruby not sapphire. Apparently this was a common design for OH.
Would love everyone's opinions on it. It is simple but very pretty imo.
View attachment 4993865
View attachment 4993864

Oh, that's really pretty... love it! I really like how the there are different cuts of stone, the pears and then the baguettes. Rings with multi-cut stones give it much more character. I like the pear cuts also. A pear cut ruby with ruby baguettes opposite diamonds would be stunning. You do not see many pear cuts, a shame really as I love that shape. A beautiful timeless design.

Hmmm... February, Valentine's Day, red ruby... I think that ring is meant for you.
Not that my vote counts at all, but I vote yes!

 

[etoupebirkin]

Here’s a picture of my sapphire RHR. The center stone is a 7.65 square emerald cut (heated).It’s definitely fun.

 

[Rockerchic]

Here’s a picture of my sapphire RHR. The center stone is a 7.65 square emerald cut (heated).It’s definitely fun.

View attachment 4995238View attachment 4995239

Wow!!! That is a showstopper. What a gorgeous stone (LOVE the emerald cut) and beautiful one of a kind setting❤️