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Burmese ruby opinions

@Dr_Diesel Do you find the ruthenium electroplating to be more durable than rhodium? I read somewhere that it doesn't wear off like rhodium. So many times I've wanted to blacken rings, but resisted because of the maintenance.
 
Autumn in New England said:
@Dr_Diesel Do you find the ruthenium electroplating to be more durable than rhodium? I read somewhere that it doesn't wear off like rhodium. So many times I've wanted to blacken rings, but resisted because of the maintenance.
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YES! It is soooo much more durable, blacker and wears really well. I actually dropped one of my rings on a rough tile floor and the impact was enough to dent the ring, but didn't even scratch the ruthenium.
 
Dr_Diesel said:
YES! It is soooo much more durable, blacker and wears really well. I actually dropped one of my rings on a rough tile floor and the impact was enough to dent the ring, but didn't even scratch the ruthenium.
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I am so glad to hear that! I have this idea to set a gray and black spinel with diamonds in platinum. Then I wanted to black rhodium plate it, but hate the rather delicate nature of it. I might reconsider now! :dance:

P.S. I keep waiting for them to invent a solid black precious metal alloy. It can't be that difficult... get on top of it, people!!
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Autumn in New England said:
I am so glad to hear that! I have this idea to set a gray and black spinel with diamonds in platinum. Then I wanted to black rhodium plate it, but hate the rather delicate nature of it. I might reconsider now! :dance:
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Great idea! I have a light-gray sapphire that I am hoping to (some day) set in a grayer-than-platinum alloy.

As for black, I see Leen Heyne use some super-dark alloys but I think they are browner and iron-based. Hemmerle also does such cool stuff with unexpected alloys.
 
LilAlex said:
Great idea! I have a light-gray sapphire that I am hoping to (some day) set in a grayer-than-platinum alloy.

As for black, I see Leen Heyne use some super-dark alloys but I think they are browner and iron-based. Hemmerle also does such cool stuff with unexpected alloys.
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Alessio Boschi uses a lot of hand-wrought, blackened titanium, but there are very few people who work in that medium. In the end, it's also more expensive than just working with gold or platinum, but for large pieces it's necessary to achieve a wearable weight. It makes for a nice, matte finish, but I think it may be prone to scratching - not full thickness scratching, but subtle matte finishes show everything.

I believe Leen Heyne may also use those same techniques.

I've done a lot with platinum and black ruthenium and am very pleased with the results. I also use a lot of deep brushing or other textures in the finishes (with some polished areas). It both deepens the color by limiting reflections and also wears really well. Scratches just blend in seamlessly, unlike subtle matte finishes or polished finishes. It wears beautifully "like an old pair of blue jeans."
 
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LilAlex said:
Great idea! I have a light-gray sapphire that I am hoping to (some day) set in a grayer-than-platinum alloy.

As for black, I see Leen Heyne use some super-dark alloys but I think they are browner and iron-based. Hemmerle also does such cool stuff with unexpected alloys.
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Who do you think will set the spinel for you? I always look forward to your collaborations!
 
Dr_Diesel said:
YES! It is soooo much more durable, blacker and wears really well. I actually dropped one of my rings on a rough tile floor and the impact was enough to dent the ring, but didn't even scratch the ruthenium.
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Can confirm. I have a silver fountain pen plated with a solid layer of black ruthenium. I have already managed to ding the cap, the plating is as brand new. I’m expecting I’ll manage to wear off some of it as time goes on on the body where the fingers hold the pen and there’s physically more rubbing but it hasn’t happened yet.
 
VividRed said:
Did you ask for pictures and videos in daylight?
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I did. He said he will give me some after he does re-polishing. I said deal’s off if it’s not more than 1ct Mogok unheated per (new) GRS certificate. A bit nervous about windowing as depth ratio is shallow at only 50%…
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
I did. He said he will give me some after he does re-polishing. I said deal’s off if it’s not more than 1ct Mogok unheated per (new) GRS certificate. A bit nervous about windowing as depth ratio is shallow at only 50%…
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Polishing won’t remove much, don’t worry.

Very curious to see how it looks after all is done, keep us posted!
 
VividRed said:
Polishing won’t remove much, don’t worry.

Very curious to see how it looks after all is done, keep us posted!
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I hope so.

And just a few video of other rubies I was offered but declined…

https://imgur.com/a/ByyIUhi

1.69ct. Decent colour but not the best cutting with poor light reflection off the table.

https://imgur.com/a/p29sCBi

1.33ct. Possibly better cut despite depth proportion of over 90%, but colour grade is “intense to vivid red” rather than “vivid red” per GRS. Personally I liked this one better than 1.69ct still.
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
I hope so.

And just a few video of other rubies I was offered but declined…

https://imgur.com/a/ByyIUhi

1.69ct. Decent colour but not the best cutting with poor light reflection off the table.

https://imgur.com/a/p29sCBi

1.33ct. Possibly better cut despite depth proportion of over 90%, but colour grade is “intense to vivid red” rather than “vivid red” per GRS. Personally I liked this one better than 1.69ct still.
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Would you mind sharing with the vendor is?
 
Dr_Diesel said:
Would you mind sharing with the vendor is?
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It’s Appex gems on instagram. Like either of those?
Dr_Diesel said:
I’m a little shocked that there’s no obvious window at 50% depth.
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Yeah me too. Maybe windowing might be more apparent on natural daylight or saturation is intense enough to prevent significant windowing? Mind you, Inken in communication with me said not to be restrictive about depth ratio too much, as long as >=50% depth, as too high depth can result in over-saturated dark appearance.
 
ryancabrera777 said:
Would you mind telling me a little bit about my mother’s ruby, it is heated, I just got a GIA cert but I don’t really know what any of the information means. Would really appreciate any information!
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Hi and welcome, it might be best to start a new thread with your questions. Photos or a GIA report number would help out. We would love to see it!

Also, for your own privacy and safety, you should not share email address or any other private information on this public anonymous board. Do not worry, it appears the mods have been notified by someone about this, and will remove your email from your post.
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
Thank you, will keep you all posted.
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Keeping my fingers crossed for you that this is the one!

It looks like it has a lot of potential.

If, for whatever reason, IF it’s not up to your standards, you might consider a short trip to Bangkok’s gem district. During the low season, you can get reasonably inexpensive flights from Sydney.

You can also cover a lot of ground and compare a lot of stones even in just a few days. For a big, important purchase like this, it could be worthwhile.

… Just a passing thought for you. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that. This one looks like it has a lot of potential!
 
Dr_Diesel said:
Keeping my fingers crossed for you that this is the one!

It looks like it has a lot of potential.

If, for whatever reason, IF it’s not up to your standards, you might consider a short trip to Bangkok’s gem district. During the low season, you can get reasonably inexpensive flights from Sydney.

You can also cover a lot of ground and compare a lot of stones even in just a few days. For a big, important purchase like this, it could be worthwhile.

… Just a passing thought for you. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that. This one looks like it has a lot of potential!
Click to expand...

If it’s anywhere near the first video in real life (accounting for different light) with surface scratches polished away, it will definitely be good enough for me.
 
toomuchB said:
Hi and welcome, it might be best to start a new thread with your questions. Photos or a GIA report number would help out. We would love to see it!

Also, for your own privacy and safety, you should not share email address or any other private information on this public anonymous board. Do not worry, it appears the mods have been notified by someone about this, and will remove your email from your post.
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Thank you for being so patient! I posted it here, but I’m unsure if I put it in the wrong thread.
Thread 'Burmese Ruby Help'
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/burmese-ruby-help.286405/
 
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