The Mango Ring - Bring On the Bling
September 18th, 2008 @ 12:50 pm by Mr. Mango
So, in my last post, I was searching for the perfect engagement ring, and Ms. Mango revealed that she loved the way canary yellow sapphires looked. It turned out that yellow sapphires are quite rare and often confused with yellow citrines. In addition, I was made aware of the numerous ways jewelers tend to temporarily increase the aesthetic value of their stones to make a quick sale, a common practice in the sale of treated yellow sapphires. Two of the main ways that this is achieved is through heating or lattice diffusion treatments. Heating or diffusing a stone with Beryllium can actually amplify a stone’s natural color, albeit temporarily.
To get a truly precious sapphire, you should purchase one in its natural state, void of any enhancing treatments.
In my search for natural sapphires, I came across the Natural Sapphire Company, a reputable natural sapphire dealer (as their name implies) based out of New York. After some deliberation, I ended up buying a 1.64ct natural oval yellow sapphire.
The next step was purchasing the setting. I set out to find a setting made completely of white sapphires, since Ms. Mango was opposed to using diamonds. However, after much searching, I found that I would be paying out the roof just because of the labor associated with designing a bezel setting ring with a large number of small white sapphires. After much discussion, Ms. Mango said it would be okay to get a diamond setting as long as the diamonds were bought from a reputable seller with some sort of certificate to guarantee their legitimacy, and small enough so that their value would not be an issue to her. I ended up finding a setting within a month that satisfied Ms. Mango’s criteria.
If I had all the money in the world, I would have definitely had the whole thing made of certified stones. However, I think I did the best with what I had. This is not to say that sapphires are never categorized as conflict stones, but based on the reputation of the seller and my research, the chances of them being so were slimmer.
Now for the reveal!
An artsy fartsy pic:
What do you think?
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52 Responses to “The Mango Ring - Bring On the Bling”
um. i want it. i think it looks amazing. the ring was worth all the extra work you went through.
love love love it!
GORGEOUS! Well done!
Wow!!! That’s amazing!! Does she love it?
No wonder she’s marrying you! 
stunning!
This is absolutely gorgeous!
LOVE. gorgeous ring!!!
love it! maybe because it’s sapphire and similar in styling to mine… hehe, you have good taste!
You did that all by yourself?! My husband must hang his head in shame! =) It’s gorgeous!
In a word? Perfect. In 4? Exactly what I want!
YOWZA! *jaw meet floor* that is gorgeous! She is a VERY lucky lady!
Gorgeous! And almost mango-hued 
Beautiful! Good work Mr. Mango
amazing! ! ! good job
That ring is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous!!!! Great job!
Given all the discussion of conflict stones, you would think that perhaps we would begin to be concerned about the appalling conditions under which most small diamonds (as used in your band, and in most pave) are polished and cut - by child labor, mostly in India. Maybe take a minute to read a bit about it. This is why your little diamonds, despite the amount of labor that goes into cutting and polishing them, still have so little value.
wow! i’m secretly envying your fiance!
That’s really beautiful. The band is so dainty but sets off the stone so perfectly. It kind of has a vintage feel to it too!
Stunning!
Its so beautiful!! I originally thought I wanted a different color stone, but I love my diamond. Especially since my fiance picked it out himself.
Absolutely stunning! Not that I dont love my ring, but I’m kind of yearning for the colored stone right…about…NOW!
FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABULOUS!!
I’m with Pengy - I want a coloured stone - even though I love my own ring!
Oh, it’s absolutely beautiful Mr. Mango!! 
Perfect perfect perfect! I’m sure Ms. Mango was thrilled!!
wow. thanks for the incredibly sweet comments ladies. And yes, Ms. Mango loves it. She isn’t the type of girl that can play it “cool”, so when people notice the ring, a smile appears from ear to ear, which is then followed by a little giggle while her head bobs from side to side, which then acts as a catalyst for this weird skip/hop in place thing. kinda cute. kinda cute.
@suzanno: And, thank you. Your point is well taken. I tried my best to do the right thing given my limited knowledge. Turns out that you can’t avoid every injustice in the world, but I sure can try to do my very best. Thanks again for the link.
Good work, Mr. Mango. The style is really gorgeous, Miss Mango is a lucky lady!
Really really stunning. Loving that last shot as well. Did you take it? You have some skills!
man oh man you work hard for your hunny! (queue Hank Azaria/the Bird Cage singing “she works hard for her money”) you did do good! and I bet it’s absolutely splendid on her beautiful tanned skin… BRAVO Mr. Mango!
that is an incredibly gorgeous ring!! well done Mr. Mango!
OMG I AM IN LOVE! I want that ring right now!!!!!! i love the double row of diamonds around the sapphire!!!
I like the “artsy fartsy” pic! haha. And I LOVE the ring. Ms. Mango is a lucky lady!
So pretty!
So gorgeous!!! I’m not engaged just yet and your posts and beautiful pics of the ring have actually made me want to have a yellow sapphire engagement ring instead of going the white diamond route. You have a great eye for beauty Mr. Mango!
I am so jealous right now… that is a gorgeous ring. Mr.Mango are you sure you don’t want to get married with me? Oh wait, I’m already married. lol Its beautiful… you did good!
Very pretty! My ring is from the Natural Sapphire Company too, as is my setting.
Wow..what a GORGEOUS ring! You did an amazing job. That ring is breath-taking!
it’s beautiful! great job mango!
The ring is stunning. You did a great job.
wow! That’s ridiculously beautiful.
It is gorgeous!!!
Mr. Mango, Los Angeles
Age and Occupation: 27, Stem Cell/Nanotechnology Researcher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 21, Political Scientist
Engagement Date: June 12, 2008
Wedding Date: December 2008
Blogging Since: August 4, 2008
Venue: Picking between 2
About Me: It's not who I am underneath, but what I do, that defines me (cheesy Batman reference). I'm a Pakistani-American who lives his life as a nerdy scientist by day, and a nerdy artist by night. According to many, I'm as "metro" as they come, and that's probably why I'm so interested in all this wedding business. Honestly, I've become a bit of a "groomzilla". I'm here to prove that we, as grooms, actually can work a Gocco, plan a wedding meal, create breathtaking centerpieces, and rock a dress, just as good as my female counterparts (well maybe not the last one).
Oh wow! Excuse the bad grammar but you did GOOD!