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Original poster

Engagement rings - coloured stones

106 replies

therumoursaretrue · 14/06/2013 16:09

Anyone have a coloured stone in their engagement ring? DP has been floating the idea of rings about a bit...looking for hints it seems!

I have seen a stunning tanzanite and diamond ring but worry I'll wish I'd gone more conventional. Also worry about it fitting in with my lifestyle as jeweler warned us coloured stones are more liable to get damaged. If you went for a non diamond were you happy with it?

I know that I will be delighted regardless and the meaning behind it is obviously the most important thing! However would be interested in hearing from anyone with a coloured stone?

OP posts:
HannahLaRouge · 14/06/2013 20:18

This is mine - www.hsamuel.co.uk/webstore/d/6669026/sterling+silver+diamond+and+amethyst+crossover+ring/ - not expensive but so special to me, and everyone has commented on how striking it is :)

TheFallenMadonna · 14/06/2013 20:22

I have a solitaire ruby, and adore it!

BOF · 14/06/2013 20:28

This is mine- it's an Art Deco vintage ring, a dark sapphire flanked by baguette cut diamonds in a kind of butterfly shape. It's quite striking and I've never regretted it. It's white gold, but it has kept its colour nicely.

FamiliesShareGerms · 14/06/2013 20:35

White gold doesn't go grey Confused

It usually has a rhodium coat on it when you buy it so it is super shiny, and this will last a couple of years if you wear the ring every day. You can get rings re-coated if you want to.

Otherwise it fades to a, well, white / light gold. Think that metallic thread used in embroidery on clothes etc that you can't quite tell whether it's gold or silver.

deleted203 · 14/06/2013 20:44

BOF - I like your ring!

Very unusual.

Ravenglass · 14/06/2013 20:46

I have a large oval mid-blue sapphire with three diamonds set in a 'triangle' either side. It's a yellow gold setting with the stones raised up so that the setting looks like a flower in profile. It is absolutely beautiful and it makes me happy every time I look at it!

I would have never considered anything other than a coloured stone, DP (DH to be) and I chose it together. Like a pp said, I don't notice diamond rings on other people but I always notice coloured stones.

[http://www.adamence.co.uk/jewel/white-gold-sapphire-solitaire-ring-palette-2169 This] is similar to mine, but mine has a bigger sapphire and the setting is more delicate in profile, and is yellow gold rather than white gold with a very slim shank and band as I only have small hands.

I love, love, love my engagement ring! Even without all the sentimental links it is my favourite thing that I have ever owned - with the exception of my dog!

Ravenglass · 14/06/2013 20:46

link that works!

Wyfee · 14/06/2013 20:48

My dh carefully chose a coloured sapphire for me and chose the setting. I love it and I get so many positive comments from strangers about it. He knew I wouldn't have wanted a run-of-the-mill small diamond with an over inflated price tag to match.
Diamonds as engagement rings are a triumph of de beers's marketing, as someone has pointed out. It's obviously been a good campaign though as people often say, 'Is that your engagement ring?', which drives me nuts. Nothing says engagement like an identikit, small solitaire on a platinum band does it?
I had a small tanzanite ring that I managed to chip in many places in a short space of time so I would avoid those.

RhondaJean · 14/06/2013 20:48

I have a victorian style cluster ring, rubies and fire opals, two of my favourite stones.

Opals are considered unlucky but out of all the couples I know who married in 1999 DH and I are the only ones still together Grin

I find diamond solitaires boringly conventional...

lemontwist · 14/06/2013 20:50

Mine's a diamond with a sapphire on either side. Its a total one -off as DH designed it himself. The shapes of the stones say something significant about my name. Very romantic. Come to think of it I'm not sure what had got into him Grin

Archetype · 14/06/2013 20:52

I have a black diamond with white diamonds on the side...I love it but most people don't believe me that its a diamond Hmm

Original poster
therumoursaretrue · 14/06/2013 21:00

Thank you superbad I can't wait now, but I know he will keep me on my toes so it comes as a surprise because he was really worried he would "ruin it" by asking about rings!

Thank you all for your input and the links are great! It's lovely to hear the stories behind the rings too! Smile

Wyfee thanks for sharing that about your tanzanite. Might reconsider and go for something else but I really think a coloured stone is sounding like the right decision!

DP says he likes them and I love them so what's not to like!

OP posts:
dazzlingdeborahrose · 14/06/2013 21:13

I have a Ceylon sapphire oval central stone with three brilliant cut diamonds on either side arranged in a triangle, sort of like this •:0:• If that makes sense. The ring is yellow gold and the claw setting is white gold. 19 years on and I've never regretted not getting the traditional solitaire. My advice would be get the ring you love. You'll be wearing it for a long time

skaen · 14/06/2013 21:16

I have an oval sapphire with a little diamond each side. It's still looking good after 15 years. Solitaires get a bit silly too as it is very easy to compare sizes and expense...

BIWI · 14/06/2013 21:21

I got my engagement ring in 1989 - it's two tanzanites, with two little diamonds. The tanzanite hasn't chipped or got damaged, and I wear the ring all the time. The only time I take it off is when I go to bed, or when I'm in the gym!

soontobeslendergirl · 14/06/2013 21:26

I have a very cheap topaz and diamond ring. My oh was a student and I had just been made redundant and was basically starting again at the bottom. Topaz is my oh's birthstone and the ring has sentimental value far in excess of the cost of it.

Original poster
therumoursaretrue · 14/06/2013 21:54

BIWI I am so glad to have the perspective of someone who has a tanzanite that hasn't been damaged!

OP posts:
BIWI · 14/06/2013 21:56

I'm getting a bit worried about it now though!

Original poster
therumoursaretrue · 14/06/2013 22:00

Hopefully you will be lucky with yours BIWI ! And hoping I am too if I go for the tanzanite!

OP posts:
Original poster
therumoursaretrue · 14/06/2013 22:05

soontobeslender having your OHs birth stone is lovely.

Me and DP have the same birthstone!

OP posts:
MagratGarlik · 14/06/2013 22:11

I had an emerald with a diamond on either side. I didn't used to wear it every day (and we are divorced now). Still love the ring though.

Got a titanium ring from dp. It is the strongest metal, hence the reason. Unusual, but very practical and I love it.

soontobeslendergirl · 14/06/2013 22:19

thanks rumours, how nice to share :) My birthstone is Pearl, not something I would like for an engagement ring.

CerealMom · 15/06/2013 08:19

www.laneys.biz/product/14-kaeart-yellow-gold-bezel-set-cabochon-orange-sapphire-ring/

There's an elderly lady who works in a shop near me who has a beautiful cabouchon oval sapphire like the link picture. Except hers is a beautiful mid blue, set in yellow gold, thin band. Very very understated and beautiful. Never seen anyone else wearing one.

bananamonkey · 15/06/2013 14:02

I always knew I wanted something different and I love coloured stones, mine is a 1930s yellow gold band with a square sapphire and 4 tiny old cut diamonds set in a platinum square (here www.cavendishjewellers.co.uk/mobile/product_detail.php?prd_id=5201324&prd=Delicious%20Deco%2018ct%20&%20Platinum%20Sapphire%20&%20Diamond%20Cluster%20Ring&cat=Rings%20-%20Art%20Deco) The little diamonds are sparkly and I adore it. I love coloured diamons too. Solitaires are lovely but everyone has them.