Burmese ruby opinions

[Sydneyphoenix]

Probably for the best.
It’s too much money to spend to not love it.
I’ve always found the journey to the treasure more fun than the end result.
Keep your eye open for any auctions or other sources like 1st Dibs etc because the right ruby might be set in an antique ring, brooch or pendant.
Even watch eBay, my favourite hunting ground, with time and patience treasures do turn up so keep your eyes open.
If I see anything suitable, I like a search project, I’ll post it up for you.

Thank you. Also contacted a few vendors on instagram and Etsy to see if they have anything suitsble.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Good luck Sydney Phoenix! You’ll get there! I always think there’s an element of fate to these things.

I was about to give up and go heated when the 8ct unheated blue dropped into my lap.

Looking forward to seeing more stones you post!

 

[Avondale]

Okay after much consideration have returned the 1.07ct ruby to the vendor, the clarity issues meant while I like the stone a lot wasn’t confident I will love it forever.

If you don't love it, you just don't love it. And for 7k you have full right to demand that you love it. I'll second the advice given above, keep an eye on the secondary market, you never know when the perfect stone will pop up in the most unexpected place. A fellow PSer spent maybe 2 years looking for her dream ruby, was quoted prices up to 80k (yeah, seriously), and in the end found her treasure in an antique shop for a small fraction of the cost some vendors were asking for their loose stones.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yeah I would rather spend 7k on basically anything else other than a gem I didn’t love! That’s a heck of a lot of money.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

https://imgur.com/a/kJQuPbs

A couple of rubies videos from a vendor:

1.21ct rectangular cushion have a small dark speck on side of the table while 1.08ct square cushion have a medium-sized cloud inclusion on side of its table. Which one is more pleasing to the eye, with less distracting inclusion?

 

[Autumn in New England]

Ahhh this is tough. Both are lovely stones. The 1.21 looks to have a bit more extinction (dark areas). The 1.08 looks a bit brighter/glowier, despite the slight window. I wish the videos had better quality... on my end, they're rather blurry, so it's difficult to say for sure about the clarity. But I *think" the 1.08 feather would bother me less. However, is the pavilion chipped or is the inclusion fully internal?

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Too many nicks and cuts on them for need Sydney Phoenix. Even with the blurry videos it’s very obvious.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Ahhh this is tough. Both are lovely stones. The 1.21 looks to have a bit more extinction (dark areas). The 1.08 looks a bit brighter/glowier, despite the slight window. I wish the videos had better quality... on my end, they're rather blurry, so it's difficult to say for sure about the clarity. But I *think" the 1.08 feather would bother me less. However, is the pavilion chipped or is the inclusion fully internal?

I think the pavilion have nicks for both stones.

Too many nicks and cuts on them for need Sydney Phoenix. Even with the blurry videos it’s very obvious.

You mean on the pavilion right? Yeah most stones I’ve seen thus far have chips on the pavilion or girdle, I guess I am tolerant of them as long as no surface-reaching fissures on the crown…

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Good luck Sydney Phoenix! You’ll get there! I always think there’s an element of fate to these things.

I was about to give up and go heated when the 8ct unheated blue dropped into my lap.

Looking forward to seeing more stones you post!

If you don't love it, you just don't love it. And for 7k you have full right to demand that you love it. I'll second the advice given above, keep an eye on the secondary market, you never know when the perfect stone will pop up in the most unexpected place. A fellow PSer spent maybe 2 years looking for her dream ruby, was quoted prices up to 80k (yeah, seriously), and in the end found her treasure in an antique shop for a small fraction of the cost some vendors were asking for their loose stones.

Yeah I would rather spend 7k on basically anything else other than a gem I didn’t love! That’s a heck of a lot of money.

Thank you all. I will learn to be patient, work out my priorities for a good ruby and see what I can find.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I think the pavilion have nicks for both stones.



You mean on the pavilion right? Yeah most stones I’ve seen thus far have chips on the pavilion or girdle, I guess I am tolerant of them as long as no surface-reaching fissures on the crown…

Well, here's the thing, technically, as long as the durability of the stone is not compromised by said nicks, it's not a huge deal. It would just come down to tolerance as far as the optics go. But the one on the pavilion of the 1.08 is rather large and deep by my standards. Pricing would influence me in that regard. How are you feeling? Either stone giving you butterflies and making you want to take a closer look? Have you upped your budget or do you want to stay around the $7k mark?

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Well, here's the thing, technically, as long as the durability of the stone is not compromised by said nicks, it's not a huge deal. It would just come down to tolerance as far as the optics go. But the one on the pavilion of the 1.08 is rather large and deep by my standards. Pricing would influence me in that regard. How are you feeling? Either stone giving you butterflies and making you want to take a closer look? Have you upped your budget or do you want to stay around the $7k mark?

The 1.21ct have deep nicks on upper aspect of the pavilion too, just below the girdle. Both stones are pretty, might be good enough to settle but not perfect. Interesting no one is mentioning white silky cloud inclusion on 1.08ct or dark spot inclusion on 1.21ct which were my biggest concerns with them initially.

The budget was always larger than USD $7K, up to $15K, just not yet $25-30K as some recommended.

 

[Autumn in New England]

The 1.21ct have deep nicks on upper aspect of the pavilion too, just below the girdle. Both stones are pretty, might be good enough to settle but not perfect. Interesting no one is mentioning white silky cloud inclusion on 1.08ct or dark spot inclusion on 1.21ct which were my biggest concerns with them initially.

The budget was always larger than USD $7K, up to $15K, just not yet $25-30K as some recommended.

Ahh I see... how is the pricing looking on these two?

I mean, it's always a give and take with ruby. I don't love the idea of the dark inclusion right beneath the table of the 1.21. At least the feather on the 1.08 is low-relief, but it is larger, as you said. I thought what I was seeing on the pavilion of the 1.21 was a reflection of the tweezers! I see what you mean now.

Just know that anyone who has ever purchased a ruby has gone through this torment, so you're not alone! It can be a tedious hunt, but you'll eventually find just the right stone within your budget.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Ahh I see... how is the pricing looking on these two?

I mean, it's always a give and take with ruby. I don't love the idea of the dark inclusion right beneath the table of the 1.21. At least the feather on the 1.08 is low-relief, but it is larger, as you said. I thought what I was seeing on the pavilion of the 1.21 was a reflection of the tweezers! I see what you mean now.

Just know that anyone who has ever purchased a ruby has gone through this torment, so you're not alone! It can be a tedious hunt, but you'll eventually find just the right stone within your budget.

1.08ct is just over $8500 USD, 1.21ct is just under $11K. I am liking the 1.08ct more if I had to choose between two, interesting you say 1.08ct’s feather is low-relief, but hopefully there will be other stones to consider.

 

[Autumn in New England]

1.08ct is just over $8500 USD, 1.21ct is just under $11K. I am liking the 1.08ct more if I had to choose between two, interesting you say 1.08ct’s feather is low-relief, but hopefully there will be other stones to consider.

Keep them in mind and continue with the journey. I look forward to seeing what else you come across!

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Keep them in mind and continue with the journey. I look forward to seeing what else you come across!

I might get sidetracked into buying a Muzo no-oil emerald, which is also on the bucket list, given how hard it is to find a suitable ruby within the budget.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I might get sidetracked into buying a Muzo no-oil emerald, which is also on the bucket list, given how hard it is to find a suitable ruby within the budget.

Nothing wrong with that!!

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Just another candidate, 1.5ct Mogok pigeon-red per GRS. Have surface scratch on side of the crown that the vendor says he can polish off, didn’t know you can do that easily. The bright lighter bit on top and bottom are lustre from light reflection or windowing?

https://imgur.com/a/slNGJGb

 

[Autumn in New England]

Just another candidate, 1.5ct Mogok pigeon-red per GRS. Have surface scratch on side of the crown that the vendor says he can polish off, didn’t know you can do that easily. The bright lighter bit on top and bottom are lustre from light reflection or windowing?

https://imgur.com/a/slNGJGb

Again, judging solely by the video provided...

The color looks smashing - a true red, nice medium tone, and vivid saturation. Ask questions to be sure this is what he's seeing in person too. Was the video taken in daylight? That's how I like to evaluate my gems.

She's rather silky, but I'd say just shy of crossing into cloudy territory where it detracts significantly from the stone's beauty. It's resulting in quite a lovely glow. The cut is decent too, if a tad wonky. I don't see any major windowing worth mentioning, but then the silk helps disguise it. Ask about fluorescence; I bet it's strong.

About the scratch you mentioned... if it is very superficial, and he's offered to polish it out to where is doesn't affect faceting or shape, I'd say go for it. I assume it will only lose an infinitesimal degree of weight, but ask about that too. If it's so simple and noninvasive, I'm curious why he hasn't already done it.

With regard to the white specks to the right of the stone... I can't tell if they're a reflection or characteristics in the stone. Please ask him to clarify. I usually send the seller a pic with them circled.

 

[VividRed]

Just another candidate, 1.5ct Mogok pigeon-red per GRS. Have surface scratch on side of the crown that the vendor says he can polish off, didn’t know you can do that easily. The bright lighter bit on top and bottom are lustre from light reflection or windowing?

https://imgur.com/a/slNGJGb

A LOT of studio light is going in that stone.

Ask for natural daylight video, anything else is just asking for trouble

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

A LOT of studio light is going in that stone.

Ask for natural daylight video, anything else is just asking for trouble

Yeah I expect it’s studio light reflecting off creating the butterfly effect, will ask for natural daylight photo or video when polishing is done.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

I asked them to update the GRS certificate after the repolishing is done, as the weight and dimensions would have changed, the vendor says he can get it done by Wednesday. Didn’t realise the recertification can be done that quickly, especially given international transit, or do they just add it as an addendum or do measurements only and keep the information from original certificate if done recently?

 

[toomuchB]

I asked them to update the GRS certificate after the repolishing is done, as the weight and dimensions would have changed, the vendor says he can get it done by Wednesday. Didn’t realise the recertification can be done that quickly, especially given international transit, or do they just add it as an addendum or do measurements only and keep the information from original certificate if done recently?

Hm, not sure, that does seem fast. Would you be paying extra for this report? From GRS site they have an express service:

Turnaround time:
For regular service please allow for approximately two weeks to test and return-ship your stones. Reports are ready a few days after we have return-shipped your goods and are sent separately via Fed-Ex to you. For faster turnaround times we offer express service options. Please refer to our price list for more details and contact us regarding the availability.

 

[MiniMinerva]

I know essentially nothing about rubies but I saw this on IG and it seems similar to your search criteria, @Sydneyphoenix ?

Might the experts around here be able to weigh in on this stone’s qualities based on the video? It looks pretty and bright red on my screen but I can’t meaningfully speak to tone/saturation, natural/studio lighting, windowing, sleepy/cloudy, fluorescence etc. that you all are discussing.

View this content on Instagram

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[Sydneyphoenix]

Hm, not sure, that does seem fast. Would you be paying extra for this report? From GRS site they have an express service:

Turnaround time:
For regular service please allow for approximately two weeks to test and return-ship your stones. Reports are ready a few days after we have return-shipped your goods and are sent separately via Fed-Ex to you. For faster turnaround times we offer express service options. Please refer to our price list for more details and contact us regarding the availability.

He says he have a membership with them and instead of 10 days turnaround time he is hoping to have it done in 5 days, maybe using the express service you mentioned. And yes I am paying extra for the new report, thought it worthwhile to check stone’s veracity after repolishing.

I know essentially nothing about rubies but I saw this on IG and it seems similar to your search criteria, @Sydneyphoenix ?

Might the experts around here be able to weigh in on this stone’s qualities based on the video? It looks pretty and bright red on my screen but I can’t meaningfully speak to tone/saturation, natural/studio lighting, windowing, sleepy/cloudy, fluorescence etc. that you all are discussing.

View this content on Instagram

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I’ve seen this stone, ticks every criteria, maybe except Mogok origin certificate depending on which lab Inken has used. Only problem is that his/her pices are way above my budget, quoted to set aside USD$25-30K for such a ruby when i enquired with him/her. My budget is about half that, thus going through local wholesalers in Asia, and I believe Inken’s stone is somewhat better quality than the one I am considering, which is fine.

 

[MiniMinerva]

He says he have a membership with them and instead of 10 days turnaround time he is hoping to have it done in 5 days, maybe using the express service you mentioned. And yes I am paying extra for the new report, thought it worthwhile to check stone’s veracity after repolishing.



I’ve seen this stone, ticks every criteria, maybe except Mogok origin certificate depending on which lab Inken has used. Only problem is that his/her pices are way above my budget, quoted to set aside USD$25-30K for such a ruby when i enquired with him/her. My budget is about half that, thus going through local wholesalers in Asia, and I believe Inken’s stone is somewhat better quality than the one I am considering, which is fine.

Aww, sorry that it wasn’t any help to you then! Good luck with your quest, colored stones seem terribly intimidating and it sounds like you have learned a lot. I wouldn’t have had any idea that the Magok origin maybe seemed questionable from just looking at a stone’s characteristics!

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Aww, sorry that it wasn’t any help to you then! Good luck with your quest, colored stones seem terribly intimidating and it sounds like you have learned a lot. I wouldn’t have had any idea that the Magok origin maybe seemed questionable from just looking at a stone’s characteristics!

Not questionable from a stone’s characteristics, more worried about a swap/substitution, at least I get to know the certified measurements for my own piece of mind.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I know essentially nothing about rubies but I saw this on IG and it seems similar to your search criteria, @Sydneyphoenix ?

Might the experts around here be able to weigh in on this stone’s qualities based on the video? It looks pretty and bright red on my screen but I can’t meaningfully speak to tone/saturation, natural/studio lighting, windowing, sleepy/cloudy, fluorescence etc. that you all are discussing.

View this content on Instagram

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Absolutely ravishing color! Good eye for being a ruby nuby.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Absolutely ravishing color! Good eye for being a ruby nuby.

That ruby is sold already, wonder for how much, probably way above my budget. But a nice stone.

 

[MiniMinerva]

Absolutely ravishing color! Good eye for being a ruby nuby.

That is kind of you to say! Ruby nuby may even be generous for me, I love it I am quite colored-stone curious though terribly intimidated by the next-level knowledge needed to begin understanding this subforum. But I saw the pretty color and thought I remembered someone on PS had been looking for a ruby.

If you don’t mind sharing your expert eye for a learning opportunity, in your opinion was this ruby a decent example of a stone of this kind? And if it didn’t appear typical of its origin/type, would that be potentially due to its color, or cut, or something else?

That ruby is sold already, wonder for how much, probably way above my budget. But a nice stone.

Oh wow! The IG post said it was 1 carat so perhaps it was somewhat affordable? I hope it was someone here so we can see photos.

 

[Autumn in New England]

That is kind of you to say! Ruby nuby may even be generous for me, I love it I am quite colored-stone curious though terribly intimidated by the next-level knowledge needed to begin understanding this subforum. But I saw the pretty color and thought I remembered someone on PS had been looking for a ruby.

If you don’t mind sharing your expert eye for a learning opportunity, in your opinion was this ruby a decent example of a stone of this kind? And if it didn’t appear typical of its origin/type, would that be potentially due to its color, or cut, or something else?


Oh wow! The IG post said it was 1 carat so perhaps it was somewhat affordable? I hope it was someone here so we can see photos.

Yeah, so the color and clarity of that ruby are exceptional. A lot of Burmese material pulls too pink for me, but that one is decidedly red with secondary pink. It's medium tone and vivid saturation. The listing doesn't mention fluorescence, but I can almost guarantee it is strong. And to have a 100% eye clean Mogok ruby? And untreated? Exceedingly rare!