Burmese ruby opinions

[Bron357]

Just be aware that when you buy old Mogok rubies they are usually cut to preserve weight which can result in less than ideal shapes. I’ve seen a few online where there’s a lot of weight below the girdle ie carat weight that you can’t visually appreciate. My other ruby is actually the opposite. It’s rather thin so for the 1.69 weight I have a 2 carat plus face up look, albeit in a weird oval pear shape.
It sort of “doesn’t return light” via the facets because of its shape but it has a good colour and great fluorescence.
So I think unless you have very deep pockets you have to accept some compromises and/or be patient or in my case just a fluke.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Just be aware that when you buy old Mogok rubies they are usually cut to preserve weight which can result in less than ideal shapes. I’ve seen a few online where there’s a lot of weight below the girdle ie carat weight that you can’t visually appreciate. My other ruby is actually the opposite. It’s rather thin so for the 1.69 weight I have a 2 carat plus face up look, albeit in a weird oval pear shape.
It sort of “doesn’t return light” via the facets because of its shape but it has a good colour and great fluorescence.
So I think unless you have very deep pockets you have to accept some compromises and/or be patient or in my case just a fluke.

Your top ruby on the last picture is lovely, may I ask what’s the dimensions and carat weight on that one?

You are absolutely right that I have to make compromises as among ruby lovers out there my pockets are definitely not deep! That’s why I am thinking this 0.83ct, it’s under a carat but have everything else I love about rubies, though what you and @VividRed said about being a bit dark and not vivid does give me a pause.

But the other best option thus far, the 1.37ct from Starruby.in is nearly 3 times as expensive (stretching my budget), and its light return is not too great either, and I will be lucky if it doesn’t have surface-reaching fissures like many of his other rubies. I think there may be one off to the left edge of the crown but it could be a facet line (unlikely) or a normal internal crystal, can’t see it when he slowly rotates the stone on second part of the video.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3353748...6QHnpHlQqG&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY



The stone also have surface lesions on the pavilion, I wonder if those doesn’t matter for structural integrity of the gem as much as any surface-reaching fissures on the crown?

I hunt second hand rubies. These are my best finds. I just enjoy the hunt. Economically I would be smarter to have Inken search for me.

Top left, Mozambique. No fluorescence. Bought setting on Etsy, paid $1600 for the rubies. Top right, Thai, faint fluorescence, original platinum mounting, $1000 at a pawn shop. Got an AGL report. Lower left, Burma no heat, Gia cert, not top color, great florescence. Antique shop find, appraisal said heated, Gia report said no heat. $5000.
Saved the best for last; my best colored Burma according to Inken, florescence, Gia certed, .80 carats bought at auction for $3600.

Lovely photo of rubies, I personally like the colour of top left Mozambican rubies the best. Not quite ready to scour through antique jewellery to find my gem just yet…

 

[Bron357]

The smaller one is 1.13 carats, it’s absolutely stunning in any light. Unfortunately for me, with meaty fingers, it’s too small unless I surround it with like 5 carats of diamonds ha ha.
My niece who is 8 gave me some excellent advice, knowing just a bit about gem formation, told me to bury it and wait for earth forces to do their thing. Too cute.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

From an Australian vendor that I bought from before, found this, not much of info except pricing is >AU$10,000. What do you think of colour and how much of windowing do you see from the photo, worth asking about dimensions, extra photos and video and exact pricing?

1.3ct Vivid Red Burma Ruby Gemstone

This beautiful Oval Ruby Gemstone was mined from Burma. Enjoy Free Shipping. All gemstones from MAYS Exotic Gems & Jewellery are 100% natural. We do not sell lab created or synthetic gemstones. Please call or email us for any further questions. You may also view the gemstone in person at our...

mays.com.au

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

From an Australian vendor that I bought from before, found this, not much of info except pricing is >AU$10,000. What do you think of colour and how much of windowing do you see from the photo, worth asking about dimensions, extra photos and video and exact pricing?

1.3ct Vivid Red Burma Ruby Gemstone

This beautiful Oval Ruby Gemstone was mined from Burma. Enjoy Free Shipping. All gemstones from MAYS Exotic Gems & Jewellery are 100% natural. We do not sell lab created or synthetic gemstones. Please call or email us for any further questions. You may also view the gemstone in person at our...

mays.com.au

I can’t get past the chip in it. It’s staring out at every shot.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

I can’t get past the chip in it. It’s staring out at every shot.

Think there’s just one photo, that chip is a bit distracting, true.

 

[VividRed]

Think there’s just one photo, that chip is a bit distracting, true.

Last I checked their rubies, prices were astronomical and their material not that great. But that was a few years ago..

 

[Crimson]

Maybe this? I have never booked from them, but the report is from a lab that is very stringent in its color grading.

Unheated Burmese Mong Hsu Ruby Pigeon Blood Red Long Cushion 0.97CT G154

DESCRIPTION From Mong Hsu Mines, In the early 1990s rubies of extraordindary quality were unearthed in Mong Hsu, in Myannmar's Shan State. Stoplight red in colour, they rank among the finest rubies ever found. Rubies are one of the most well-known gemstones, along with diamonds, emeralds, and...

www.autium.sg

 

[LilAlex]

It’s rather thin so for the 1.69 weight I have a 2 carat plus face up look, albeit in a weird oval pear shape.
It sort of “doesn’t return light” via the facets because of its shape but it has a good colour and great fluorescence.

The super-shallow, included, old-school Mogok material is amazing for earrings in a perimeter mounting, especially if your hair is up, since they are like stained glass.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Last I checked their rubies, prices were astronomical and their material not that great. But that was a few years ago..

Are you from Australia as well, @VividRed ? I will see what they have now. Not expecting much though other than that 1.30ct, and that might go over AU$20,000.

Maybe this? I have never booked from them, but the report is from a lab that is very stringent in its color grading.

Unheated Burmese Mong Hsu Ruby Pigeon Blood Red Long Cushion 0.97CT G154

DESCRIPTION From Mong Hsu Mines, In the early 1990s rubies of extraordindary quality were unearthed in Mong Hsu, in Myannmar's Shan State. Stoplight red in colour, they rank among the finest rubies ever found. Rubies are one of the most well-known gemstones, along with diamonds, emeralds, and...

www.autium.sg

Beautiful stone but come under 1ct similar to Natural ruby company’s 0.83ct, maybe go with one of the two…

 

[Bron357]

The super-shallow, included, old-school Mogok material is amazing for earrings in a perimeter mounting, especially if your hair is up, since they are like stained glass.

I put it in a ring setting I had. Then I decided I didn’t like the gap on either side of the ruby so it’s in with my jeweller addressing that issue.

 

[Dr_Diesel]

I put it in a ring setting I had. Then I decided I didn’t like the gap on either side of the ruby so it’s in with my jeweller addressing that issue.

That’s really gorgeous

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Too pink? Mozambique

Natural Unheated Ruby 1.54 Carats With GIA Report

Pure Fire. The Birthstone of the Moonchild Cancerian, and the gem for the month of July, this gem packs tremendous power into 1.54 carats. Throughout history, the Ruby is associated with authority and strength, and ancient people attributed many virtues to wearing the Ruby, from banishing...

heritagegemsandjewels.com

Unheated Mozambique Ruby - Embellished Fine Gem and Jewelry

Discover the 1.02 Carat Natural Unheated Mozambique Ruby. Vivid to Pigeon Red, Cushion Cut, with Brilliant Luster. Perfect for fine jewelry. Free shipping!

www.embellishedgems.com

Untreated 1.02Carat Natural Mozambique Ruby Gemstone Pigeon's Blood Re - Embellished Fine Gem and Jewelry

A Beautiful Earth-Mined Natural Unheated Untreated Mozambique Ruby Pigeon's Blood Red Brilliant LusterWe’re a registered and licensed Company by the governing body for gem and jewelry authority in Sri Lanka.We do not deal with any type of artificial, synthetic, simulated or defused gemstone. Our...

www.embellishedgems.com

 

[Dr_Diesel]

Too pink? Mozambique

Natural Unheated Ruby 1.54 Carats With GIA Report

Pure Fire. The Birthstone of the Moonchild Cancerian, and the gem for the month of July, this gem packs tremendous power into 1.54 carats. Throughout history, the Ruby is associated with authority and strength, and ancient people attributed many virtues to wearing the Ruby, from banishing...

heritagegemsandjewels.com

Unheated Mozambique Ruby - Embellished Fine Gem and Jewelry

Discover the 1.02 Carat Natural Unheated Mozambique Ruby. Vivid to Pigeon Red, Cushion Cut, with Brilliant Luster. Perfect for fine jewelry. Free shipping!

www.embellishedgems.com

Untreated 1.02Carat Natural Mozambique Ruby Gemstone Pigeon's Blood Re - Embellished Fine Gem and Jewelry

A Beautiful Earth-Mined Natural Unheated Untreated Mozambique Ruby Pigeon's Blood Red Brilliant LusterWe’re a registered and licensed Company by the governing body for gem and jewelry authority in Sri Lanka.We do not deal with any type of artificial, synthetic, simulated or defused gemstone. Our...

www.embellishedgems.com

Nice job! All of these look great.

I’m a little concerned about the oversaturated photos from the second seller. I would definitely request hand shots.

 

[LilAlex]

Inauspicious gem dealer name if I ever saw one:

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Inauspicious gem dealer name if I ever saw one:

I know, they actually have a decent reputation, though.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Surface-reaching fissures on this one or all internal crystals?

AIGS Certified Natural Ruby 1.04 cts Pigeon Blood Red "No Heat" From Myanmar | eBay

Color: Pigeon Blood Red. Origin: Burma ( Myanmar ). Product Type: Natural Ruby. Shape: Oval. No exceptions. Color may not appear exactly as in real life due to variation between computer monitor resolution and lights.

www.ebay.com.au

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

How much does a surface-reaching fissure in the pavilion matter to the value and stability of the stone, not as much of a problem compared to surface-reaching inclusions in the crown of the stone? The 0.83ct stone has one near the culet…

 

[glitterata]

Mine, like @Mrsz1ppy's, is an antique. It's the size of a breadcrumb. It's a pretty pinky-red color, brightly fluorescent, and very abraded. I bought it on Poshmark. I paid what I considered a good price for the (antique deco platinum) setting. Inspecting it with my microscope, I'm confident it's natural--the silk is obvious. I don't know whether it's heated. It's too small and worn to bother sending it to a lab. This is as close as I'm going to get to a Good Ruby, and it's good enough for me.

 

[Dr_Diesel]

Mine, like @Mrsz1ppy's, is an antique. It's the size of a breadcrumb. It's a pretty pinky-red color, brightly fluorescent, and very abraded. I bought it on Poshmark. I paid what I considered a good price for the (antique deco platinum) setting. Inspecting it with my microscope, I'm confident it's natural--the silk is obvious. I don't know whether it's heated. It's too small and worn to bother sending it to a lab. This is as close as I'm going to get to a Good Ruby, and it's good enough for me.

That rutile silk (in a perfect 60/120 degree crosshatch) would have disappeared with even low-temperature heating.

I think you have an unheated stone there.

What is the white surrounding the exposed area? It looks almost like epoxy or something.

 

[Bron357]

That rutile silk (in a perfect 60/120 degree crosshatch) would have disappeared with even low-temperature heating.

I think you have an unheated stone there.

What is the white surrounding the exposed area? It looks almost like epoxy or something.

I believe that is abrasions to the table and top edge facets.

 

[Bron357]

Surface-reaching fissures on this one or all internal crystals?

AIGS Certified Natural Ruby 1.04 cts Pigeon Blood Red "No Heat" From Myanmar | eBay

Color: Pigeon Blood Red. Origin: Burma ( Myanmar ). Product Type: Natural Ruby. Shape: Oval. No exceptions. Color may not appear exactly as in real life due to variation between computer monitor resolution and lights.

www.ebay.com.au

I would run from this one. It seems to have been carefully photographed to disguise the surface reaching fractures.

 

[Bron357]

How much does a surface-reaching fissure in the pavilion matter to the value and stability of the stone, not as much of a problem compared to surface-reaching inclusions in the crown of the stone? The 0.83ct stone has one near the culet…

I’ve had a good look around the web and there’s not a lot of decent unheated Burmese rubies out there that wouldn’t totally empty your pockets.
Definitely surface reaching feathers reduce value, as do chips / naturals to the gem but by how much?

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

I would run from this one. It seems to have been carefully photographed to disguise the surface reaching fractures.

Suspected as much, can see inclusions that might reach the surface, especially at 3-4 o’clock orientation.

I’ve had a good look around the web and there’s not a lot of decent unheated Burmese rubies out there that wouldn’t totally empty your pockets.
Definitely surface reaching feathers reduce value, as do chips / naturals to the gem but by how much?

You are right. Just don’t know if surface-reaching fissures in the pavilion should be considered a deal-breaker, I mean it’s the crown that you appreciate the most in a gemstone? In any case the vendor thinks it’s a MongHsu ruby rather than Mogok, so that’s a minus.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Couple of other rubies from the same vendor, again probably have surface-reaching fissure, though not very obvious…

GIA Certified Natural Ruby 1.19 Cts Vivid Red Color Unheated Burma (Myanmar) | eBay

Origin: Burma ( Myanmar ). Product Type: Natural Ruby. Color: Vivid Red ( Pigeon's Blood). Clarity: Transparent with natural inclusions. Shape: Oval. Any dispute regarding the product is subject to Bangkok(Thailand) Jurisdiction.

www.ebay.com.au

This one is probably quite dark in real life, may or may not have a big surface-reaching fissures in the crown.

GIA Certified Natural Ruby 1.03 Cts Vivid Red Color Unheated Burma (Myanmar) | eBay

Origin: Burma ( Myanmar ). Product Type: Natural Ruby. Color: Vivid Red. Shape: Oval. Any dispute regarding the product is subject to Bangkok(Thailand) Jurisdiction. Color may not appear exactly as in real life due to variation between computer monitor resolution and lights.

www.ebay.com.au

This one is a bit lighter in tone, but despite its GIA vivid red grading, almost look purplish red rather than vivid red. Inclusion, maybe surface-reaching at 2-3 o’clock direction on the first photo?

GIA Certified Natural Ruby 1.03 Cts Vivid Red Color Unheated Burma (Myanmar) | eBay

Origin: Burma ( Myanmar ). Product Type: Natural Ruby. Color: Vivid Red ( Pigeon's Blood). Clarity: Transparent with natural inclusions. Shape: Cushion. Any dispute regarding the product is subject to Bangkok(Thailand) Jurisdiction.

www.ebay.com.au

This one looks the cleanest of three as far as the crown is concerned, possibly no big surface-reaching fissures but the colour is bordering on dark red, almost like a garnet.

Guess all three fail the test?!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

They are really dark! A good Rubellite would look better!

Have you tried BG Stones, Starlanka or Gemfix?

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

They are really dark! A good Rubellite would look better!

Have you tried BG Stones, Starlanka or Gemfix?

Starlanka seems to have heated rubies only while Gemfix doesn’t seem to have any Burmese rubies. Looking up BG stones (I assume you mean Bright Green Stone in Bangkok) now…

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Starlanka seems to have heated rubies only while Gemfix doesn’t seem to have any Burmese rubies. Looking up BG stones (I assume you mean Bright Green Stone in Bangkok) now…

You can message individual vendors and sometimes they are happy to keep an eye out for what you’re looking for.

 

[Bron357]

Couple of other rubies from the same vendor, again probably have surface-reaching fissure, though not very obvious…

GIA Certified Natural Ruby 1.19 Cts Vivid Red Color Unheated Burma (Myanmar) | eBay

Origin: Burma ( Myanmar ). Product Type: Natural Ruby. Color: Vivid Red ( Pigeon's Blood). Clarity: Transparent with natural inclusions. Shape: Oval. Any dispute regarding the product is subject to Bangkok(Thailand) Jurisdiction.

www.ebay.com.au

This one is probably quite dark in real life, may or may not have a big surface-reaching fissures in the crown.

GIA Certified Natural Ruby 1.03 Cts Vivid Red Color Unheated Burma (Myanmar) | eBay

Origin: Burma ( Myanmar ). Product Type: Natural Ruby. Color: Vivid Red. Shape: Oval. Any dispute regarding the product is subject to Bangkok(Thailand) Jurisdiction. Color may not appear exactly as in real life due to variation between computer monitor resolution and lights.

www.ebay.com.au

This one is a bit lighter in tone, but despite its GIA vivid red grading, almost look purplish red rather than vivid red. Inclusion, maybe surface-reaching at 2-3 o’clock direction on the first photo?

GIA Certified Natural Ruby 1.03 Cts Vivid Red Color Unheated Burma (Myanmar) | eBay

Origin: Burma ( Myanmar ). Product Type: Natural Ruby. Color: Vivid Red ( Pigeon's Blood). Clarity: Transparent with natural inclusions. Shape: Cushion. Any dispute regarding the product is subject to Bangkok(Thailand) Jurisdiction.

www.ebay.com.au

This one looks the cleanest of three as far as the crown is concerned, possibly no big surface-reaching fissures but the colour is bordering on dark red, almost like a garnet.

Guess all three fail the test?!

I’m sure all three have blue sapphire inclusion like nearly all rubies from Mong Hsu, especially when unheated. They all also look like they’ve been “through the wars” with pitting and nibbles all over. I guess that’s the current issue with Burmese rubies, they are pretty much scraping the bottom of the barrel and/or the better stuff is going off elsewhere.
I know you are desiring a reasonable unheated Burmese at a realistic price but I not sure that’s possible in this market.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

I’m sure all three have blue sapphire inclusion like nearly all rubies from Mong Hsu, especially when unheated. They all also look like they’ve been “through the wars” with pitting and nibbles all over. I guess that’s the current issue with Burmese rubies, they are pretty much scraping the bottom of the barrel and/or the better stuff is going off elsewhere.
I know you are desiring a reasonable unheated Burmese at a realistic price but I not sure that’s possible in this market.

I don’t know if these stones are from MongHsu or Mogok, but agree that if I have to hazard a guess they are likely from MongHsu judging from garnet-like dark red colour. I also agree that they are not great looking in terms of clarity. It’s quite astonishing these stones qualified as GIA “vivid red”, thought GIA was stricter on this than GRS. Even did GIA report checks to see if they weren’t forgeries.
By the way thank you for your sympathy for my desires, will have to make compromises, I believe.