After showing you the evolution of my ring envy, I have to admit I’m not sure my ring is anything like the ones I showed, and I have this ring to blame:
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From: Luxist
At some point in my search, I stumbled across this ring. This is a 13.39 carat blue diamond ring that sold on the Christie’s Auction a couple years back for, oh, a cool 8.9 million dollars. I loved the shape, the size, the halo. I didn’t realize at the time it had a pink diamond halo. It was instantly one of my favorite rings and I wanted something similar (but without the more-money-than-I-will-ever-see-in-my-lifetime price tag).
I loved that it reminded me of another shiny stone that I absolutely adored growing up and another stone I could never afford or buy:
The Hope Diamond to me was always just a total sense of wonder. It’s one of those things that every time I come to DC, I always have to go see. I love the richness of the color and just how unique the stone is. I love the mystique surrounding the stone and the curse that it contains. I love the case that it’s in and how sparkly it makes it. I wish I had a case like that so I could be mesmerized for hours by my own ring. I love the anticipation and excitement you get while you stand in that long line, and then when you see it, it really truly is a gorgeous rock.
When I was little, I always told myself that when I got engaged, I wanted a blue diamond just like the Hope Diamond, a little bit smaller (OK, probably a lot smaller) and, of course, without the death-to-all-owners curse.
What I didn’t take into account was exactly how expensive blue diamonds are. Naturally, blue diamonds are absurdly expensive:
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Yeah, that is a comma you see. / Screenshot from: Leibish & Co.
Yikes. As a student, it seemed a little absurd, unreasonable, and unrealistic to want a stone like that.
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From: Modern Jeweler
On the other hand, irradiated diamonds have a very distinct teal color that, while pretty, wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.
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Image via Better Than Diamond forum / Photo by MoissaniteCo
When I first saw this, I knew I had found the perfect stone. It’s a blue moissanite. For those who don’t know what moissanite is, it’s a stone that was originally discovered on a meteorite and now is created in a lab. The blue color is actually a coating on the stone that gives it its gorgeous hue. The coating is heat treated, so the stone can’t handle above 1,000 degrees or so. I’m not too worried about it on a day-to-day basis, but it is something that you have to take into account if you get work done on your ring.
I love that it was created in a lab. I am a bit of a science nerd, and the fact that a person made this always tickles my fancy. I love that it is the (almost) exact color and shape that I had pictured in my head all these years.
When I heard that MoissaniteCo had a shipment of blue moissanite stones, I knew I had to have one. I begged Mr. PBear to let me put down a down payment on the stone and, well, I guess the rest is history.
OK, I think I’ve teased long enough. Without further ado, Shiny:
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Under fluorescent lighting
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Obligatory hand shot. Out in the sun.
Why yes, I really did name him Shiny.* I love, love, love everything about this ring. I love how the stone changes color depending on the lighting. I love how a wedding band (or two) can fit snuggly under the halo so I don’t have to get a special band. I love how it sparkles like crazy, and I have to admit, though I obsessively stressed about it, I really do love the finger coverage. Even 14 months later, I still catch myself looking at it under different lighting to see the refraction.
Well, I guess I didn’t like the wait to get this baby onto my hand, but that’s another story for another day. Did anyone else pick their ring in a bit of an impulse move but ultimately realize how utterly perfect it is for you in every way?
* Just for those people who are interested, Shiny is a MoissyCo cushion embrace ring with a 7 mm, 1.8 carat equivalent blue cushion moissy, surrounded by 1.5 millimeter white moissy stones with a 1.8 millimeter palladium band, on a size five finger.
Love it!! The blue is so pretty, especially in the sunlight.
LOVE IT!!! I have a moissanite too (mine is an Old European Cut, from the first batch they made with the large culets, YUM). Nice to see another moissy blogger bee!
it’s amazing! i love the hope too (i volunteer there sometimes…and definitely stare in awe) and i definitely think you got your version of the hope (without the curse of course)
Your ring is gorgeous, the color is just beautiful!
Love love love your moissy! I have a diamond but I’ve always gushed over the fact that moissys are lab made. Like you, I am a huge science nerd. You and I are gonna be friends, Panda!
What a gorgeous ring! I call my e-ring “Sparkley II” (because Sparkley I is our dating anniversary ring). And Mr. B’s wedding ring is Shiney, because it (obviously) doesn’t have any diamonds. 
I love your ring! I have blue diamond, irradiated, and I after 6 months, I’m still looking at it all the time too. We knew that a “plain white” diamond wasn’t going to work for me. My wonderful fiance looked all over the area trying to find a jeweler that would work with us in finding “THE” diamond. In the end, I didn’t even know my ring was coming, but he picked the perfect stone for the setting I chose. It is the teal color you talked about, but for me, that’s what I wanted. It’s one of my favorite colors, and it is absolutely perfect!
beautiful!!! I have a moissanite stone too, and I love how it catches the light. I would have gone for a blue stone as well, but I already own a sapphire/cocoa diamond right hand ring, and my wedding band is diamond/sapphire. I love me some blue stones!! 
Girlfriend, that ring is GORGEOUS! You have excellent taste! Love that pretty blue color!
Your ring is stunning! Your a very lucky girl!
thank you! I love it so much. It’s so exciting to see people who like it even though it’s not the standard white stone!
@Mrs. Wizard: ooh I am jealous, I love OMCs so much. sometimes I wish I had an OMC. (they should do an omc blue moissy… *that* would be amaaaazzzing)
@Miss Gray Wolf: aah you get to volunteer there?!? so jealous. It’s my favorite museum in DC.
@Mrs. Eagle: Eagle, you were always one of my bee crushes. I <3 your letterpress invitations so much. expect a pm about them shortly!
@Miss Bracelet: Sparkley II, love it! I thought I was the only weird one who actually named her ring.
@ABoxForPandora: I’d love to see your blue diamond. sometimes, I think maybe I should have gone for the teal color. it’s soooo pretty too. I feel like the shade of blue is such a personal choice. I’m glad you found what you liked!
@RoseTylerWannabee: ooh cocoa diamond? I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a thing, but it sounds gorgeous.
you used the word refraction in an e-ring post….you are officially my new favorite lol
I really love all of your blue rings (I favorited one of the Etsy creations, with the aquamarine stone and sent an email to FI with the subject “For future reference. . .”). I honestly never even thought about them for mine; my E-ring is a fairly standard marquis-cut with some detailing on the sides and I absolutely, without a doubt LOVE it but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t swoon, just a little, over these pictures.
Miss Panda, Boston, MA Age and Occupation: 26, Graduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Graduate Student Engagement Date: June 27, 2011 Wedding Date: June 2013 About Me: I love window shopping, cute animals, crafting, baking, and most forms of procrastination. I tend to be overly meticulous with choices to a point of complete and total indecision. Mr. PBear and I met and live in the amazing city of Boston. We are big nerds who love trying new foods, playing video games, and cuddling with our adorable hamster. After 5 years together, we are planning an intimate, DIY-heavy, vintage garden themed, nonreligious wedding in the city where we fell in love.
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