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Burmese ruby opinions

Crimson said:
Since we are on the topic of rubies from other countries…
Yesterday I collected a ruby ring for my friend (who was in London) .
The unheated ruby is 1.1 ct. The lab report showed origin as Tanzania. It is fluoresces in sunlight. The ring very good buy :mrgreen2: at a sane price, below the prices of the unmounted rubies mentioned above.

IMG_0255.jpeg
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What do you think of fluorescence of the rubies I posted, especially the 1.20ct one I posted the last? Seems pinkish for Burmese ruby, I wonder that’s the effect from fluorescence.
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
What do you think of fluorescence of the rubies I posted, especially the 1.20ct one I posted the last? Seems pinkish for Burmese ruby, I wonder that’s the effect from fluorescence.
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On my screen it is not clearly red, and borders on magenta (?).
I do like the colour, actually. But did you notice in the video that there is a dark, blackish diagonal. It looks like a very dark blue in the first pic. Maybe the ruby is from Mong Hsu? IMG_0271.jpegIMG_0269.pngIMG_0268.jpeg
 
Crimson said:
On my screen it is not clearly red, and borders on magenta (?).
I do like the colour, actually. But did you notice in the video that there is a dark, blackish diagonal. It looks like a very dark blue in the first pic. Maybe the ruby is from Mong Hsu? IMG_0271.jpegIMG_0269.pngIMG_0268.jpeg
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Yeah I saw that. Was not sure if it’s a dark inclusion or facet angle. Agree that this stone is a beneficiary of GRS’ looser standard on pigeon-blood red.
 
Crimson said:
On my screen it is not clearly red, and borders on magenta (?).
I do like the colour, actually. But did you notice in the video that there is a dark, blackish diagonal. It looks like a very dark blue in the first pic. Maybe the ruby is from Mong Hsu? IMG_0271.jpegIMG_0269.pngIMG_0268.jpeg
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If unheated and from Mong Hsu, the blue inclusion could be sapphire. I have one like that
 
VividRed said:
If unheated and from Mong Hsu, the blue inclusion could be sapphire. I have one like that
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@VividRed if you don’t mind, could you share a photo of that stone, please? I have seen some others being listed for sale but I am sure yours would be more interesting!
 
Can a hexagonal/shield shaped stone like this be made into a ring, or is it just suitable for a pendant? I like the colour (what do you all think) and wondered about buying and recutting to oval shape but that’s going to waste a lot of the stone…maybe even less than a carat. Original stone is 1.5ctIMG_7947.jpeg
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
Can a hexagonal/shield shaped stone like this be made into a ring, or is it just suitable for a pendant? I like the colour (what do you all think) and wondered about buying and recutting to oval shape but that’s going to waste a lot of the stone…maybe even less than a carat. Original stone is 1.5ctIMG_7947.jpeg
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Yes. 100% suitable for a ring. It just needs some creative design. One thought: it's perfect for a snake head.

The kite in this ring isn't really the same shape. But it shows an idea.
948909
 
Starstruck8 said:
Yes. 100% suitable for a ring. It just needs some creative design. One thought: it's perfect for a snake head.

The kite in this ring isn't really the same shape. But it shows an idea.
ToiEtMoi.jpg
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Can it be cut to oval? I think doing so is going to lose value as well as weight.
 
You might get some unattractive colour or inclusion popping up if you recut as well. I get the sense that most stones are cut for colour or to hide bogies. Randomly recutting could be a shock in terms of appearance.
 
Yeah fair points. There would have been a reason the cutters cut the stone in this shape.
 
I think I am about to pull the trigger on this 1.53ct ruby over coming days, odd shaped but good enough for a forever ruby pendant with the colour I like. Was just rewatching the video in the link below and noted superficial cracks on the surface of the table on tilting of the stone. It’s barely perceptible but would that affect the structural integrity of the stone, or would these crack/scratches be a deal-breaker for any of you? Any chance a polish or recut can get rid of these cracks?

1.53 Ct. Ruby | Mined in Burma | Certified by GIA & GRS | Listing ID: 440698 | Stone ID: E10777

showcase.starruby.in showcase.starruby.in
 
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Sydneyphoenix said:
I think I am about to pull the trigger on this 1.53ct ruby over coming days, odd shaped but good enough for a forever ruby pendant with the colour I like. Was just rewatching the video in the link below and noted superficial cracks on the surface of the table on tilting of the stone. It’s barely perceptible but would that affect the structural integrity of the stone, or would these crack/scratches be a deal-breaker for any of you? Any chance a polish or recut can get rid of these cracks?

1.53 Ct. Ruby | Mined in Burma | Certified by GIA & GRS | Listing ID: 440698 | Stone ID: E10777

showcase.starruby.in showcase.starruby.in
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Could be a “natural”

I’d leave it be if I were you.

Definitely no recut! You might destroy the stone/colour.

Are you sure you want to bother with a Ruby at all? It’s so much money for something so small…..
 
mellowyellowgirl said:
Could be a “natural”

I’d leave it be if I were you.

Definitely no recut! You might destroy the stone/colour.

Are you sure you want to bother with a Ruby at all? It’s so much money for something so small…..
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I do want a Mogok unheated ruby of good colour (have an unloved Burmese heated ruby, should sell it…), this stone ticked all the boxes despite its unusual shape. Just want the mind-cleanliness that this is not a surface-reaching fissure or something like a major defect before I pull the trigger. The vendor’s description says the stone is slightly included.
IMG_7964.png
 
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^ I mean that's a big line wrapping across the table and across multiple adjacent facets. Hard to imagine that it's not a surface-reaching fissure. To be fair, I'm just looking at a grab from a video, yes?.

I do like the color -- and the shape has grown on me. As @Starstruck8 writes, definitely suitable for a ring. It is a "niche" cut so could suffer in resale (but values there are so low that what's one more negative factor, really?). I would absolutely wear that in a ring -- and I could see it in a Deco-style or a bezel/flush mount or accentuate the shape with a picture-frame of baguettes if you're feeling flush.

For untreated corundum, there are zero "good deals" out there, imo. If there is an appealing price, there is a reason (or three). If the reason is not clear from the ad, there is likely some "non-disclosure" there.
 
LilAlex said:
^ I mean that's a big line wrapping across the table and across multiple adjacent facets. Hard to imagine that it's not a surface-reaching fissure. To be fair, I'm just looking at a grab from a video, yes?.

I do like the color -- and the shape has grown on me. As @Starstruck8 writes, definitely suitable for a ring. It is a "niche" cut so could suffer in resale (but values there are so low that what's one more negative factor, really?). I would absolutely wear that in a ring -- and I could see it in a Deco-style or a bezel/flush mount or accentuate the shape with a picture-frame of baguettes if you're feeling flush.

For untreated corundum, there are zero "good deals" out there, imo. If there is an appealing price, there is a reason (or three). If the reason is not clear from the ad, there is likely some "non-disclosure" there.
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Yeah so the “fissure” a deal-breaker for you? If it’s a surface-reaching fissure just not mind-clean for me. Guess may have to pay a premium to May’s in Australia or Inken in USA to find a good stone for me.
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
Yeah so the “fissure” a deal-breaker for you? If it’s a surface-reaching fissure just not mind-clean for me.
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Kinda but I am not the best one to ask. I am more of a sapphire seeker. But I do think it is a pretty big deal and it would be a "no" for me. I assume it is surface-reaching and, even if it were not, it would still concern me in that it nearly bisects the stone.

I said "no" on the flux thread not because I have a sky-high budget but because sometimes it's less painful to simply do without a luxury than to buy a headache.

Rubies intimidate me the most and I would not buy a fine one (i.e., unheated, decent clarity, good color) of any size without "adult supervision." Inken has been my go-to -- she helps me determine if the gem's compromises align with my priorities. For example, I buy colored stones for color and don't need loupe-clean and barely need eye-clean. (A stone can be a "decent value" but still be a poor choice for me -- a loupe-clean sapphire within my budget will not have the size or saturation or cut that I would need.) Also, every ruby I see on IG looks great; Inken will tell me that the video slightly oversells aspect x and the photos undersell the saturation, etc.
 
LilAlex said:
Kinda but I am not the best one to ask. I am more of a sapphire seeker. But I do think it is a pretty big deal and it would be a "no" for me. I assume it is surface-reaching and, even if it were not, it would still concern me in that it nearly bisects the stone.

I said "no" on the flux thread not because I have a sky-high budget but because sometimes it's less painful to simply do without a luxury than to buy a headache.

Rubies intimidate me the most and I would not buy a fine one (i.e., unheated, decent clarity, good color) of any size without "adult supervision." Inken has been my go-to -- she helps me determine if the gem's compromises align with my priorities. For example, I buy colored stones for color and don't need loupe-clean and barely need eye-clean. (A stone can be a "decent value" but still be a poor choice for me -- a loupe-clean sapphire within my budget will not have the size or saturation or cut that I would need.) Also, every ruby I see on IG looks great; Inken will tell me that the video slightly oversells aspect x and the photos undersell the saturation, etc.
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Thank you for your detailed response. I sent a message to vendor to see what he has to say but if no satisfactory explanation looks like my search for a Mogok ruby will continue!
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
Yeah so the “fissure” a deal-breaker for you? If it’s a surface-reaching fissure just not mind-clean for me. Guess may have to pay a premium to May’s in Australia or Inken in USA to find a good stone for me.
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That Ruby definitely looks like a feather right across the gem. Even if it’s not surface reaching, and I think it is from the video still, that’s an awful lot of money to lose if you accidently bump the gem and it shears.
Decades ago when I was in primary school a mum had a magnificent emerald ring. It was huge and I was fascinated by it. Claire, my friend, told me that Mummy bumped the ring and the stone broke. Always stuck with me and I’m super cautious with my emerald ring.
 
Just saw your updated pic with the massive line running across

Definitely no no no

I haven’t seen any emeralds with surface reaching inclusions like that and emeralds are way more prone to that kind of thing. I would not accept that in corundum!
 
Will keep you posted but barring a revolutionary assurance from the vendor, this stone’s not for me it seems…
 
Okay the vendor has responded, admitting there are surface-reaching “features” but that they don’t run deep to the stone and won’t affect the durability and integrity of the stone. He also says that such surface-reaching features are common in Burmese rubies. Preposterous to say the surface-reaching fissures are common, especially in >$10K ruby…
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
Okay the vendor has responded, admitting there are surface-reaching “features” but that they don’t run deep to the stone and won’t affect the durability and integrity of the stone. He also says that such surface-reaching features are common in Burmese rubies. Preposterous to say the surface-reaching fissures are common, especially in >$10K ruby…
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I just watched the video. The line is very obvious and not just a tiny one. I would steer clear.
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
Okay the vendor has responded, admitting there are surface-reaching “features” but that they don’t run deep to the stone and won’t affect the durability and integrity of the stone. He also says that such surface-reaching features are common in Burmese rubies. Preposterous to say the surface-reaching fissures are common, especially in >$10K ruby…
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So the vendor will refund you in full if the gem chips or breaks apart? Not likely.
Feathers are crystalline imperfections and if surface reaching there is the potential for shearing. If it was in a pendant it would be ok, but the price is too high for a flawed ruby, but definitely not a ring.
 
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