My boyfriend of 6 years has started shopping for an engagement ring! He would like my input(a.k.a. please make my job as easy as possible We just graduated from college a couple of years ago and we live in Michigan so times are tight. It helps that I'm just not a diamond girl and I'd prefer a sapphire.
I already told him that I adore the settings on Ashadiamonds.com, but I'm clueless on what to do about the center stone sapphire I want. I'm tempted to go with the cultured sapphire on betterthandiamonds.com. Does anyone have any experience with those stones? Do you think it would be wiser to ask for a natural sapphire? And if so what distributors would you reccommend that won't break the bank? Sorry for all of these questions but I have been researching for months and after reading all of your posts I know you guys know your stuff!
Registered: 09/13/04
Posts: 5039
Loc: is everything
I'd definately go with BTDs cultured sapphire as a way to save money. They're great stones and a natural well cut non treated sapphire can be expensive.
Here is my BTD sapphire ring set in their trellis setting.
Which AshaDiamond settings are you most interested in? Also, BTD will set their sapphires in the settings they offer too so that could be an option for one stop shopping. You can even have BTD custom cut a certain shape or size as necessary.
Registered: 04/24/08
Posts: 7759
Loc: Oregon in the trees
I have a BTD oval sapphire, set in their BTD Tiff Cathedral setting (all done by BTD) and it is gorgeous... I wear it with a natural diamond/sapphire band as my wedding set sometimes and they look great together.
Thank you so much for your quick response. Your ring is gorgeous!! The sapphire looks fantastic! Which version of the BTD sapphire is it? I was leaning towards the dark ceylon when I went through their inventory.
Here are a few links to the settings that I like on Asha Diamonds. I inquired and they said that they would be able to set other stones in their rings.
I bet when coupled with your wedding band it looks downright spectacular! Makes me want to consider a diamond and sapphire band. The cultured sapphires that you guys are showing me look even better than the naturals we were considering.
oh I know! (drooling a bit over here lol) I'm not sure of the size of the stone yet. At first I was just going to ask for one carat.Simple or so I thought What do you guys think?
We just graduated from college a couple of years ago and we live in Michigan so times are tight. It helps that I'm just not a diamond girl and I'd prefer a sapphire. 
