I think as long you don't wait until the end of the vacation, any time will be great! I'm sure, no mater what you plan, with all the though and heart you are putting into it, it will be great!

I am loving this. Loving it, loving it. A guy who knows his girl and cares about nuances, puts thought and heart into the planning instead of just logistics... oh, my!

The way you described her -- massage therapist, water lover, fish in a previous life -- then I saw that Etsy ring and the sky broke up and the angels sang. It's just SO fitting.

I don't know the answer to this, but some of the more seasoned board members may... are there any vendors who can recreate the Etsy setting at a reasonable price? I know they couldn't do it verbatim because then you're stealing someone else's design and that's not cool. But maybe they could do something similar that you would put your own spin on? I only see custom settings here that are more traditional in their "parts" and not as funky as this one.

You may want to look at www.greenlakejewelry.com for inspiration, as well. They have some great organic style settings. I think they may be out of your price range, but they could serve as good guides for designing your own piece. Or maybe some of the designers there work in silver, for all I know.

Do a Google Images search for things like "organic ring setting" or "swirl engagement ring" or whatever keywords come to you. You can find some interesting jewelers via the images' links.

I vote that you not set a time you want to propose. Period. Keep the ring with you when you can (you probably don't want to leave it on the beach unattended while you swim), and when the moment is right, you'll know it. Maybe it will be traditional, like during a moonlit walk or over champagne at dinner. Or maybe there will be a moment of frustration (come on, we all know they happen) and ta-da, you'll turn the situation on its ear and change how that story will be told later. Leave your options wide open and "it" will find you.

I could be TOTALLY off on this, and it seems from the answers of fellow member that I might be, but maybe you are taking the water thing a little too literal? I hope I'm not offending!

I think the sapphire is a very sweet way to incorporate the water theme into things, but to me the etsy ring reads costume-like and not engagement ring material.

I actually love the idea of the Bella halo (smaller version, possibly 6-7mm center as opposed to 9mm) with a round BTD sapphire. I don't prefer the concave cut, but that is totally personal opinion.

I'm excited to hear the rest of this story!

I tend to agree with you. The etsy ring, to me, just doesn't say 'engagement ring' and not in the 'non-traditional' sense but in the sense that it reminds me of a more youthful fashion ring (?not sure how to say this?).

OP - I love that you are doing the sapphire, though. You could do a 'smaller' halo, if the Bella is too 'big' for your girl. Then again, the sapphire could be a lovely solitaire or a solitaire with a few moissy accent stones. Good Luck!! Can't wait to hear your story!

I love the etsy one. I'd call David Klass and see how much it would be to remake that one. I'm sure someone has sugested this but I am being lazy and didn't read all the comments.

On a side note, as a 28 year old female in the wedding business who happens to live around the seattle area if you would like a free catering tasting hit me up. I work for the best catering company around, both with price and QUALITY!. or advice on wedding locations vendors and what have you. I'm full of free advice to anyone on this forum.

MissKK,..I would not use DK until his assistant comes back after March 15th.

Sorry,..I didnt read the whole thread either!! lol

But I would still wait!!

since you mentioned water, have u checked out heart of water gems?? they have really nice stuff and will be close to your budget, maybe slightly more

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartofWaterJewels?section_id=5731635

I love the idea of a sapphire or maybe aquamarine halo, bella or something else. As pp's have said, it incorporates a water theme but she will also have the sparkle of the diamonds/moissy.

As regards the proposal, I think more at the beginning of the holiday then she can flash around her ring in the sun and bask in the delight of being just engaged.

Good luck!

This setting at Moissanite Co is elegant, different, and very wave-like indeed. It also fits your budget. I wonder if you could do something like this (with another vendor if necessary) and have an oval sapphire set at an angle like in the Etsy ring? It looks like a matching wedding band is also available for this style, which is nice if she plans on wearing one.

http://www.moissaniteco.com/moissanite-modern-bypass-solitaire-ring-p-9794.html