Where to buy blue diamonds?
May 16, 2008 12:32 PM Subscribe
I'm in the market for a blue diamond engagement ring...anyone have any experience with any blue diamond jewelers in the NYC area?
Oh, and if you're looking for a non-treated blue stone to serve as the center of an engagement ring, you can't go wrong with sapphire. It worked for Prince Charles, anyway. Many sapphires are also treated, so ask for documentation about the origin and treatment of the stone from a reputable third party.
posted by Addlepated at 12:54 PM on May 16, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Addlepated at 12:54 PM on May 16, 2008 [1 favorite]
Many sapphires are also treated, so ask for documentation about the origin and treatment of the stone from a reputable third party.
Heat-treating sapphires doesn't require disclosure.
posted by desuetude at 1:00 PM on May 16, 2008
Heat-treating sapphires doesn't require disclosure.
posted by desuetude at 1:00 PM on May 16, 2008
Heat-treating sapphires doesn't require disclosure.
But if you get something like an AGTA certificate with your stone, that should indicate the presence of treatment, right?
posted by Addlepated at 1:13 PM on May 16, 2008
But if you get something like an AGTA certificate with your stone, that should indicate the presence of treatment, right?
posted by Addlepated at 1:13 PM on May 16, 2008
You may want to consider a synthetic blue diamond. As mentioned above, true natural blue diamonds are extremely rare (roughly 20/year from all of South Africa). Because the blue color is the result of an impurity (boron), synthetic diamond makers can produce blue diamonds in any desired shade of blue by controlling the boron content of the diamond.
D.NEA has several blue diamonds available from .28ct to 1.07ct. Other diamond makers like Gemesis also produce colored stones, though I don't know if they produce as many blue diamonds as yellow and green ones. Synthetic diamond makers can do custom orders as well, so you can specify shade, size, and cut. Obviously that will be more expensive, but your budget may allow for it.
Synthetic diamonds also have benefit of keeping your conscience clean, but it's up to you to weigh that as you like.
posted by jedicus at 1:18 PM on May 16, 2008
D.NEA has several blue diamonds available from .28ct to 1.07ct. Other diamond makers like Gemesis also produce colored stones, though I don't know if they produce as many blue diamonds as yellow and green ones. Synthetic diamond makers can do custom orders as well, so you can specify shade, size, and cut. Obviously that will be more expensive, but your budget may allow for it.
Synthetic diamonds also have benefit of keeping your conscience clean, but it's up to you to weigh that as you like.
posted by jedicus at 1:18 PM on May 16, 2008
But if you get something like an AGTA certificate with your stone, that should indicate the presence of treatment, right?
Yes, this is correct. An AGTA certificate will indicate any enhancement, including heat.
It may be worth seeking out jewelers who are among the small minority who eschew enhanced stones on principle -- a lighter blue sapphires may appeal more to the OP as an alternate to a blue diamond, despite not being the "most valued" color for a sapphire. (Larger mainstream jewelers often don't want to do the educational work necessary to sell unconventional colors of stones.)
posted by desuetude at 1:43 PM on May 16, 2008
Yes, this is correct. An AGTA certificate will indicate any enhancement, including heat.
It may be worth seeking out jewelers who are among the small minority who eschew enhanced stones on principle -- a lighter blue sapphires may appeal more to the OP as an alternate to a blue diamond, despite not being the "most valued" color for a sapphire. (Larger mainstream jewelers often don't want to do the educational work necessary to sell unconventional colors of stones.)
posted by desuetude at 1:43 PM on May 16, 2008
Synthetic diamonds also have benefit of keeping your conscience clean, but it's up to you to weigh that as you like.
posted by jedicus at 4:18 PM
FWIW, there are "blood-free" natural diamonds (Russia, mostly).
But yeah, speaking as someone who grew up in the jewelry trade: blues are VERY RARE, and there is no legal requirement for sellers to disclose heat treatment, and it's almost impossible to detect without expensive equipment.
One POV is: therefore, it doesn't really matter.
Another: it isn't "natural"; therefore, it isn't "cool".
In the end: it, like ALL diamonds (precious gems, antiques, etc), is worth exactly what you believe it is worth. And, unlike antiques, the resale value on jewelry is dimes-on-the-dollar, making it even more a "what do you think it's worth?" question.
posted by IAmBroom at 1:49 PM on May 16, 2008
posted by jedicus at 4:18 PM
FWIW, there are "blood-free" natural diamonds (Russia, mostly).
But yeah, speaking as someone who grew up in the jewelry trade: blues are VERY RARE, and there is no legal requirement for sellers to disclose heat treatment, and it's almost impossible to detect without expensive equipment.
One POV is: therefore, it doesn't really matter.
Another: it isn't "natural"; therefore, it isn't "cool".
In the end: it, like ALL diamonds (precious gems, antiques, etc), is worth exactly what you believe it is worth. And, unlike antiques, the resale value on jewelry is dimes-on-the-dollar, making it even more a "what do you think it's worth?" question.
posted by IAmBroom at 1:49 PM on May 16, 2008
If you do end up going sapphire and want untreated, The Natural Sapphire Company has a pretty good reputation on the Pricescope forums, which are an EXCELLENT resource for diamond and other gemstone questions and answers. You might also consider asking your blue diamond question there. Be warned that they definitely trend towards naturally colored diamonds, so if you're looking for a treated one, you might get less responses.
posted by Addlepated at 3:48 PM on May 16, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Addlepated at 3:48 PM on May 16, 2008 [1 favorite]
I bought my wife's engagement ring from the Natural Sapphire Company. We went and visited and picked out the stone together. I then asked them to pick out some matching stones and mount them for surprise earrings. They did a great job, and didn't charge me for the earrings until they sent them to me and I approved them. I highly recommend them.
posted by procrastination at 5:29 PM on May 16, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by procrastination at 5:29 PM on May 16, 2008 [1 favorite]
Nthing natural sapphire company. My friend has the most perfect ring from them. I am in the process of designing one myself.
posted by saradarlin at 11:33 PM on May 16, 2008
posted by saradarlin at 11:33 PM on May 16, 2008
« Older Looking For Literary Journal / Magazine... | Format Error! Images Lost! Recovered Giant MPG!... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
The heat treated blue stones have more of a greenish tint than the natural blues - a really different look. But the natural ones are going to go for tens of thousands of dollars per carat, so be sure you know what you're after before you get too serious in your search!
posted by Addlepated at 12:53 PM on May 16, 2008 [1 favorite]