Sapphire Engagement Rings

Q: we are looking for information of any kind on non-diamond, non-yellow gold, non-platinum($$$) engagement rings, specifically sapphire and something silver. Everywhere we look it is diamonds and gold. If anyone knows of websites or silversmiths that could be of assistance in our time of need,

A: I'd be very careful with silver, its a soft metal. You might want to think about white gold. As for non diamond engagement rings, I have seen a ton of them! One of my friends got a beautiful blue sapphire solataire in a plain gold setting. It was really nice if you dont want to go the diamond route. I second the suggestion for yellow gold. Even gold rings often wear through after about 30 years and need to be repaired; silver is much worse. The reason I posted is to say this: avoid mall jewelry shops like the plague. They are mostly huge, impersonal chains and have to pay high mall rent, resulting in the customer getting poorer quality at high(er) prices. Instead, go to jewelers who are in strip malls, store fronts, or their own buildings. When my husband was shopping for my engagement ring, he actually visited 22 jewelry stores (!!!) and found this to be the consistent truth. (However, just because a jeweler is not in a mall doesn't mean they won't try to gouge you... trust no one and check with the BBB!) What about white gold with a tanzanite? They are beautiful stones and are similar to sapphires, but usually a little better. Sapphires are pretty. Princess Diana's engagement ring was an oval cut sapphire surrounded by

diamonds. It is a beautiful ring. As for my suggestion of white gold, it will last longer than the silver and it looks similar. My engagement ring is yellow gold with an oval sapphire surrounded by diamonds. It wasn't in the display case at the jewellery store with the engagement rings, but it looks like an engagement ring. I'd suggest going to reputable jewellery stores and looking at any sapphire rings that they have. You'd be surprised at the selection available. Also, many stores will create the ring you want for you. For info on sapphires, check out http://www.gemstone.org/sapphire.html. It has lots of good info about stone quality, etc.