Advice on Rubies

[EnsEntium]

Hi Everyone,

I am in the process of searching for a earring/pendant set of rubies for my wife. I have been reading forums for the past few months absorbing information and appreciate all of the readily available information here.

It has been difficult for me to properly set my budget/expectations based on pictures so I plan to attend Intergem here in Los Angeles in a couple weeks. I was planning on loose stones around $1000-1500 for a 1 ct tw pair and another $2000 1 ct for the pendant. I know there will be significant amount of heat treatment but would it be unreasonable to have them certified for this price range (not glass filled)? Would the stones still be durable enough since they are not to be used in rings at that amount of treatment?

In looking at the exhibitors I did not recognize any of the names regularly mentioned here so I was hoping for some help with trusted names that may be there as well. Are there any other suggestions for someone new to shows (should I buy a loupe)? I know a fair amount about diamonds and pearls but find that I am still uncomfortable with such a large CS purchase due to the large number of variables. Sorry for all the questions but I really want to make sure we make the right purchase.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[chrono]

It is highly unlikely that rubies within your price range will come with any reputable lab report stating the level of heat treatment (minor to significant residue), whether the heat includes diffusion as well as any sort of clarity enhancement and its level. Unfortunately, it will be extremely difficult to spot some of these treatments (and impossible for other types) armed only with a loupe and hardly any knowledge in interpreting what you see. Rubies are one of the most, if not, is the most highly treated coloured gemstone out there where treatment is often times not disclosed and requires highly technical tools to check for them.

 

[digdeep]

Agree with Chrono.......have you been to an Intergem show before? My own experience is that while there may be some good gems--they are not easy to find--and I've felt at times like I was at a bazaar with people vigorously selling what they have, but not what I want. So, with that opinion out there........I'd suggest that you contact some of the vendors on the list above (reference vendors). Say what size, color and heat treatment you are okay with.......and that you prefer a lab to substantiate the purchase. That may well be at your expense, but IF the lab report comes back different than the seller's description that you can return them. Try looking for a suite of gems that you can make the set you want.

Not knowing what color red you want.......but I could be talked into these pretty easily:

http://www.ajsgem.com/ruby/burma-ruby/burma-ruby-0.68-carats.html to start the pendant and then:

http://www.ajsgem.com/ruby/burma-ruby/burma-ruby-1.74-carats.html for the earrings.

BUT, I'd add two of these to the pendant if the color is close enough......for a pendant trio. Just a suggestion on another way to go about it.

Good Luck.......rubies have gotten more and more 'complicated'...............


I know these sizes weren't what you were looking for, but if you add them together you are in the ball park..........lol!!

 

[T L]

Hi Everyone,

I am in the process of searching for a earring/pendant set of rubies for my wife. I have been reading forums for the past few months absorbing information and appreciate all of the readily available information here.

It has been difficult for me to properly set my budget/expectations based on pictures so I plan to attend Intergem here in Los Angeles in a couple weeks. I was planning on loose stones around $1000-1500 for a 1 ct tw pair and another $2000 1 ct for the pendant. I know there will be significant amount of heat treatment but would it be unreasonable to have them certified for this price range (not glass filled)? Would the stones still be durable enough since they are not to be used in rings at that amount of treatment?

In looking at the exhibitors I did not recognize any of the names regularly mentioned here so I was hoping for some help with trusted names that may be there as well. Are there any other suggestions for someone new to shows (should I buy a loupe)? I know a fair amount about diamonds and pearls but find that I am still uncomfortable with such a large CS purchase due to the large number of variables. Sorry for all the questions but I really want to make sure we make the right purchase.

Thanks for all the help!

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT, buy rubies at Intergem.

You will get stuck with an overpriced diffused or lead glass filled stone. There are very few trustworthy dealers there for gemstones IMO, and many of them don't have lab reports for their stones. It's not as professional as the big gem shows that sell to the trade, as many of the buyers here are novices. You really have to know what you're doing, as there are unscrupulous sellers left and right there. I think it's an okay place to get settings and cheaper gems, but I would not get something like a ruby, sapphire, emerald or some other high priced gem at Intergem.

That being said, there are only a few sellers there that I trust, but even so, I would need an AGL gem brief for a ruby that was in that price range to make sure it wasn't diffused or lead glass filled, or some other invasive treatment.

I think Vancegems might have some rubies, and they show at Intergem, but they're the only one I would recommend there for rubies. Even so, I don't know if they would make the sale contingent on an AGL gem brief.

Primagems shows there too, and they specialize in spinels. I would't hesitate to get a nice pink spinel from them in lieu of a ruby.

 

[digdeep]

Check the exhibitor list because Prima and Vance (like most vendors) are not at every Intergem show....... I agree, if you find them they would be worth visiting and seeing what they have or can find for you.

 

[EnsEntium]

Chrono,
Thanks for the advice. Due to the reasons you stated I would not plan on buying from anyone other than trusted vendors listed here.

Digdeep,
I do like the suggestions. I am good with the colors but have a hard time telling the difference between these and the altered pictures for a $20 ruby on eBay. Since all it says is heated I worry how much treatment was done other than judging by price alone.

TL,
I appreciate the suggestions of vendors. I will reach out and see if they plan on attending. What I may do is buy from a reputable vendor and have it sent out just for my own piece of mind. While I do like spinels I have a feeling my wife has her heart set on a ruby (my son's birthstone).

 

[Xrisus]

Mastercutgems has something that will fit the bill for you. I trust Dana implicitly, and the pair he has does come with an AGL report for each stone. $640 for the pair, 1.12 cttw, the only thing I would caution you on is that they look to be a little shallow so they may have a window. Dana is great, highly respectable, and a genuine good person. Hopefully, someone does not snatch them before you. That is the only danger in posting my reply, good luck!

http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=8183

 

[pregcurious]

Here are some options for up to $1500 for earrings stones at Gemfix, located in CA, The first set looks too dark (for my taste), and to me they look like dark garnets. The 2nd looks too cloudy, but perhaps it is better in person?

I think you may want to consider spending $3500 on a ruby for a pendant, or spend $2000 on a ruby for a pendant and $1500 on nice setting with small diamonds. Earrings get hidden and a pendant is more visible piece of jewelry. The only issue is if your wife prefers earrings (like me). In which case, you could spend $3500 on a pair of earrings stones.

Weight: .75ct total
Measurements: 4.5mm, depth 2.7mm
Clarity: VS
Origin: Mozambique
Enhancements: None
Price: $ 749.00

Weight: 1.66cts total
Measurements: 5mm, depth 3.7mm
Clarity: SI1
Origin: Burma*
Enhancements: Heat
Price: $ 950.00

 

[Xrisus]

Preg - I like that second pair despite the very slight haziness, nice find!

 

[EnsEntium]

I wanted to thank everyone for their help with this. I was surprised to find the pair from Dana with AGL briefs for such a good price and quickly snatched them up. I already spoke with a local jeweler and will be dropping off the stones to be set this weekend.

The stones are shallow but no noticeable window to my untrained eye. At first when my wife saw the stones she was unhappy but once I brought her to the jeweler and showed her some approximate size halo settings she quickly became very excited about them.

We decided on yellow gold as it seems to complement the ruby best. I look forward to seeing the finished product and will share pictures as soon as I get them back!

 

[Xrisus]

Congratulations, I'm happy it worked out! Please do share pics when you get around to it.

 

[chrono]

Glad to hear the pair suits her well and I agree that yellow gold will make them pop.

 

[EnsEntium]

I received the earrings for my wife and we are very happy with them.

Now I understand why everyone says how hard it is to take pics and capture the right light. The hand shot shows them a little more pinkish purple than in real life but properly shows the clarity. The box shot matches the color best.

Now the hard part...coming up with the money for the unheated pendant stone!

Thanks again to this great community.

 

[Xrisus]

Y'all did a great job setting them, I hope she enjoys them. I'm betting the color of the stones is very close to that in Dana's pictures, he has very accurate photographic representations of his gems.

 

[pregcurious]

Great job!