So who can give me some advice about gemstones? (long backstory)

I work for a high end jewelry store and I agree with NJ bride that it sounds as if your stones were color treated. Many times companies color treat a stone to enhance the color, hide imperfections, etc. Every company is going to have their own standards on what type of enhancements they allow. For example the process of heating a gemstone to improve its color or clarity can be acceptable depending on the company. It sounds like your stones were either dyed or infused. Infusion uses colored oils that can dry out or be removed due to ultrasonic cleaning.

I would recommend educating yourself on the various jewelry companies, various enhancements and whether or not they enhance their stones. I was in Mexico a few months ago looking at a Tanzanite. I asked the sales person if their stones were enhanced, he said absolutely not. Tanzanites receive their color by heat treatments, otherwise they would not be as vibrant in color. At that point I knew I could not trust what he was trying to sell to me.

Keep in mind the toughness of the stone as well. Although tourmalines and topaz's are higher on the hardness scale, they are considered to be fair when it comes to toughness. Probably not a great choice for something you will be wearing on a daily basis.

If you love pink I would look into pink sapphire. It is a hard stone (ranks a 9) and excellent when it comes to toughness as well. Sapphires should be cleaned with warm soapy water, steamer or ultrasonic cleaner. Acceptable enhancements would be heat treatment or infusion of colorless oils which is used for durability.

Keep in mind (and it sounds like you have some time) this will eventually turn into an investment. Stones of excellent quality are rare and will probably appreciate. If the deal sounds too good to be true it probably is. This is something you will have forever. Hope this info helps!

Yay for you! I have a lot of clients that will pair a band with a colored gemstone. Just a thought. Heart shaped diamonds are very pretty, actually one of the hardest cuts of diamonds! I wouldn't recommend purchasing a stone sight unseen. I had a friend recently do that and the diamond he thought he was getting was not the one he got. Sapphires that are deeper in color will be more pricey and rare, that is why you do not see alot of them

this is a fun thread! especially since i'm a lady with a non-diamond e-ring.

DH got me a padparadscha sapphire that is a beautiful shade of pink. i can be pretty tough on it (oops) and it is holding up like a charm. it is absolutely gorgeous, and most importantly i LOVE it. i think they are definitely worth looking into. Good Luck.

I have a lab created Pink Sapphire e-ring and I LOVE it! I'm having it reset in a halo setting with a split shank and can't wait until it's done! It's SO me and my fiance couldn't have picked a more perfect stone It has a nice deep pink color and since he knows my favorite color is fuschia he tried to get as close to it is possible.

Ok, according to our “Gemologist†here is the official response:

Lab created stones DO have the same properties, and would not fade. The only stones that would fade would be either Kunzite (which can fade under any light), and Pink Topaz. The pink topaz is just “coated†with a substance, and if you clean it, or take it to a jeweler and don’t tell them and they steam or ultrasonic it, the coating may come off.