Gorgeous and unique ring! I think rose gold and sapphire look great together, too.
Do you happen to know if she has any preferences regarding the size of the stone? (either for aesthetic value, corresponding with her finger size, working with her hands a lot, etc.)
Not saying this is a bad thing at all, because it depends on her preferences, but .3 carats is on the smaller side. However, the bezel setting does make the stone look bigger.
From the way you described your girlfriend, I think this ring is a good choice :)
@Regina Phalange: Thanks Regina.
Yeah, true that it's a little small... I didn't consider the size so much as the design so far. I really like the designer, and this "budding branch" is my favorite design by far. I am vaguely considering a couple others as well, though, such as:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62210094/radiant-cut-white-sapphire-twig-ring-in
and
http://www.etsy.com/listing/68005384/white-sapphire-twig-ring-oval-cut-in-14k
But none of her other designs feature are both affordable and with a blue sapphire, unfortunately. Maybe I'll inquire about customization. But I also really do like the individuality of the "budding branch" design, with the little bud jutting out near the gem.
Oh dear, difficult decisions!
@stayinganon: Haha, there's the shape to consider too! Oval stones are good for elongating short fingers.
I swear I've seen a Bee on here who has a similar twig-style ring... I wish I could remember who!
It is very gorgeous, my only thought is to double check about the diamond thing, in a subtle way of course. But some women who seem to not like diamonds really want a diamond ring. But like I said it is very beautiful.
Thank you both for the input!
@Regina Phalange Yeah, I've just started getting into thinking about shape. Phew, so many variables to think about, this is quite an adventure! She *does* have relatively short fingers, but not *so* short... hm.
@alyssaC Good idea, of course, to double check. I think I'm "fairly" safe, as she comes from a country where the whole engagement ring thing (or even engagement!) is just not done... and actually when the subject came up, somewhat casually, she was shocked to discover that men spend more than $100 on these rings... let alone over $1000! So, I think I'm fairly safe with the diamond thing... but then again, there is this ring, as well:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/97215934/budding-branch-diamond-engagement-ring
which is a little more expensive, but potentially affordable. Hmmmmmmmmm...
I'm a diamond girl but I LOVE the first blue sapphire one! Based on how you describes your gf. This sounds like a great unique option! Many etsy designers will work with you with a payment plan so that might help too!
@love108: Thanks love108; glad to hear that even a diamond girl likes the sapphire ring. :) Personally, I know that's the one I'd go for... so thanks for your input, still have some thinking to do. :)
@stayinganon: does she have a close girlfriend you could ask about if she'd really want a diamond or wants a non traditional stone? Moissanite is big on this site too and it's beautiful and affordable and often etsy designers work with that stone too.
i know you are asking for advice on a e-ring, but here is a wedding band that i think you would like
http://www.etsy.com/listing/17751055/18-karat-gold-bamboo-ring?ref=sr_gallery_10&ga_includes%5B%5D=tags&ga_search_query=bamboo+wedding+ring&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery
It potentially would go with the branch e-ring
I personally am not a fan of any of those settings...sorry but you asked for opinions! I prefer something with smoother/cleaner lines
@love108: That's the difficult part! She does have a close girlfriend I'm going to get in touch with... but again, this is outside of the States, so the whole engagement thing isn't done. The general marriage procedure is a quite mundane procedure... "So what do you think, should we get married?" "Yeah, sounds good." "Ok, let's book a date at the city hall."
Weird to me. Fortunately I know that my GF would be flattered and excited by a proposal and ring... but I'm not sure her closest friends would exactly understand what all the fuss is about.
@brandybelle: Cool ring, brandybelle. Not really my style, and wedding rings is awhile off yet, but it made me smile. :)
@stayinganon: Maybe even just forjewelry. Hey gf if you could pick anything in the whole store what would you get? She might just have ring preferences not necessarily for bridal things. I think it's really sweet what you're doing!
I really like all three of the options you posted! The second and third are my favorites, and I think they would be absolutely stunning in rose gold with a sapphire!
I love the oval one. The first one is pretty, too, but it seems pretty casual. The oval one is elegant but still unique and whimsical.
Have you tried contacting the designer to ask about getting a blue sapphire set in one of the other settings? You could also ask about getting the setting without a center stone and finding your own stone. Maybe someone in the family has a stone you could use?
I love blue sapphires. I have them as sidestones in my ring. But those white sapphires are pretty gorgeous in their own right.
Considering both her style and your budget, you might want to look into rose cut stones. These stones are flatter than your normal cut, they are flat at the bottom. It is a beautiful antique look, and you also get more surface area with a lower carat weight (so lower price.)
If I were you, I would contact Kate Szabone about what you are looking for and your budget. Her stuff is awesome, she has some beautiful work in your budget, and I think probably in your gf's style: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kateszabone
I love her stuff, though I ended up going with a similar designer who is near me because I wanted to pick out my stone in person.
What about something like this?:
http://www.gemvara.com/Create-Your-Own/build/design/1209/#4nxvh/3/2/EXACT
or...
(Blue topaz, white sapphire in 14k rose gold)
http://www.gemvara.com/jewelry/reese-ring/emerald-blue-topaz-14k-rose-gold-ring-with-white-sapphire-white-sapphire/39p1f
or....
http://www.gemvara.com/jewelry/claire-ring/round-blue-topaz-14k-rose-gold-ring-with-white-sapphire-white-sapphire/838xv#
*The Gemvara website will let you change the type of gold, the stones and everything. I played around with it and there are several options for under $1,000
or...
http://www.etsy.com/listing/83532939/rose-gold-050ct-light-blue-ceylon
You might also look into blue diamonds...those are really pretty too!
Another alternative route would be one of these amazing raw diamond rings (the first rings I fell in love with were from this designer:) http://www.melissajoymanning.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MJM&Category_Code=Bridal
Again if you don't find quite what you want, they do custom.
I really love all the ones you've posted! I had been eyeing the twig-like bands for my wedding band choice! Rose gold and blue sapphire are amazing together and I think she will love any of those choices, you know her best!
Bump!
I want to see what you decide on! My FI was kind enough to let me choose the ring (he proposed with a dummy ring just for the show I guess lol) and I'm not a diamond girl either. I have a 3 stone with a middle blue sapphire and two white sapphires as side stones.
Post pics when you find the ring! :)
My jeweler just picked up this design and I know the setting with a .45ct GIA E SI2 diamond is only $1000. This particular ring is dianty but beautiful, and I saw the diamond when I went with my friend who wanted a radiant cut diamond instead of a round, but maybe for a wedding band you can do sapphire diamond sapphire diamond later on...just to be different.
if you want to email the people, message me I'll send you info...they only have a paper catelogue but these photos are from the same casting house my homegirl ordered from.
That mounting may only be $600 with a sapphire though...I guess just choose what color she loves, and this can be rose gold...just don't have the photo in rose gold.
A suppose an update is in order for those of you who've been so kind as to post your two cents. :)
Of course, the update is that the more research I do, the more and more confused I get..! I keep sort of heading down other tracks, sometimes different designers, or different stones (thought about spinel, or blue diamonds)... but somehow I just keep coming back to the the designer I posted about before, Kristin Coffin.
Right now I'm going back and forth between the original ring I posted:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/99592733
and the following setting, with the sapphire pictured after instead of moissanite:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/109068263
http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=8504
Of course I'm still going with rose gold, whichever I choose.
Either way, I'm spending considerably more than originally planned. When we first discussed engagement rings, I think I mentioned, she thought that probably people spent about $100 on one... and was at first uncomfortable with the idea that I would spend more than that... but finally ceded that a maximum budget of $500 would be ok... so I guess what I'm saying is that doubling that isn't too bad, right? ;)
Any more opinions more than welcomed, of course.
@stayinganon: They are both lovely! I understand her hesitation with budget- e-rings and all that can be pricey!! But either way, I'm sure she will love either one! I would try to find out which shape she prefers before finalizing it. :) Early congratulations!!
It's so sweet you are working so hard to get it right! I can tell you a major consideration for me was the height of the stone on the ring. I didn't want it set too high where I would constantly snag it and bang it on stuff. That's just personal preference, though. Some girls don't care about that.
@stayinganon: I LOVE that second one you just posted, with the blue sapphire instead! I too am "halfway hippy", and that is definitely something I'd love to wear. I do like that it's a little more substantial of a stone than the first one without being tooo big or expensive.
Bluenile recently added this setting to their list and I LOVE it.
http://www.bluenile.com/levalia-pave-diamond-14k-white-gold-engagement-ring_25653
You must log in to post.
Hey all you Bees...!
So, I hope some of you can help me with your opinions. I'm planning on proposing to my girlfriend soon-ish (this winter). Which means it's time to start thinking about a ring!
I've figured out a few things about her preferences from some discussions we've had... but I'm hoping that I'm able to make them all work together to create one beautiful piece of art for her to wear for years to come. Maybe you can all be my sounding-board, because I'm a bit nervous, as I'm planning on customizing the ring somewhat.
So. I know she likes rose gold a lot -- she's mentioned it specifically, and she doesn't like the "new" look of yellow gold. She does like silver, but I don't want to purchase an engagement ring that would varnish so easily. White gold seems like a possibility, but I think first choice is the vaguely antique-ish look of rose gold.
And she likes the color blue, generally speaking. I've been trying to figure it out for sure, but I don't think she's a diamond kind of girl. So I'm leaning towards blue sapphire at the moment.
Finally, I want to find a ring that's unique, etc, etc. She's halfway "hippie" in personality, so nothing too mainstream would be appropriate. No Tiffany's.
Here's my idea at the moment. I would love to hear your alternative suggestions/critiques/exclamations/anything. :)
I'm leaning towards the following ring from designer Kristin Coffin, but in rose gold. Do you think it would look good? Be appropriate? Etc.? Any alternatives to recommend? In truth, the price is a couple hundred higher than my budget really "should" be... (she mentioned that $500 might be an appropriate amount... so I consider that my minimum, but would prefer not to go *too* much higher... we're not exactly rich, and are moving into a new flat soon, etc.)
Ok. The ring:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/99592733/blue-sapphire-budding-branch-ring-in
Looking forward to reading your thoughts!
Mr. Anonymous (just-in-case!)