Early 1900's Ruby small nick

[kikibumbum]

Hi I just inherited a 2.64 carat ruby from my dad who passed away recently. He said he was given it by his grandmother who wore it her whole life. I was told by a jewelry broker/gold buyer the size and he suggests that I polish it before getting it checked by a gemologist. I think I should use AGL vs GIA because I looked at Ruby's on Sotheby's and most are AGL certified. I am hesitant to have him polish it as I guess he is reputable, but I am nervous as he said he saw no flaws and how perfect it was. It came from Russia in the late 1800s early 1900s is all that I know about it. Should I let him polish it or should I get it back from him and just send it as is to AGL? I have a feeling it is Burmese and not heated as it is so old. Any advice is welcome thank you! The pic was taken before he died of me holding his hand with the ring on it.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I would not let anyone but a well known and vetted expert polish it. An AGL report is not so expensive. I would probably send it in as-is so I knew what I had. You will need an origin report, which is more money. But if the scratches or marks are not an eyesore I’d likely leave it alone.

Someone here told a story of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewels and how beat up they were when auctioned after her death. And those were million dollar gems. If it’s good enough for Liz…

 

[kikibumbum]

Thank you! I will reclaim it tomorrow.

 

[Bron357]

A no from me regarding repolishing.
It’s a family heirloom with a fabulous history and that tiny nick is part of that.
Certainly send it away for a lab report but I’d keep it exactly as it is and treasure its past.

 

[kenny]

... Someone here told a story of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewels and how beat up they were when auctioned after her death. And those were million dollar gems. If it’s good enough for Liz…

Point taken, that important gems don't need to look fresh off the cutter's wheel to hold tremendous value, not to mention that EVERYONE understands higher carat weight is preferred.
But your comparison overlooks provenance, which counts, BIGLY on "used" gems!

Value-wise, a provenance listing Elizabeth Taylor massively outranks a provenance listing "Kiki Bumbum".
But of course, Kidi Bumbum's true identity may be that of a British duke or duchess, or even higher.
With screen names, ya just don't know.

 

[newtojewels]

What a lovely piece of family jewelry. I'm sorry for your loss.

You can't unpolish anything so I also vote not doing it until you know for sure what you have and can make an informed decision -- and have it polished by an expert if you choose to do so. And even without provenance, Lang Antiques chose not to polish an antique Kashmir sapphire (though they say they can do it on buyer request). You may make different decisions on polishing or not if you choose to sell versus choosing to wear it yourself.

Exceptional 2.62 Carat Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Ring - AGL

The finest, rarest and most desirable and collectable blue corundum--Kashmir sapphires--descend from a remote part of the Himalayan Mountains known as the Zanskar range. When the Maharaja of Kashmir heard about this magnificent gem, he posted guards outside of the mines to protect their value...

www.langantiques.com

 

[Dreamer_D]

The price of that Kashmir sapphire made my eyes water.

 

[newtojewels]

The price of that Kashmir sapphire made my eyes water.

They've had it listed for at least a year and maybe two so maybe they would negotiate. Do you think I should try offering $19,000 and see if they notice that I dropped a 0?

 

[Dreamer_D]

They've had it listed for at least a year and maybe two so maybe they would negotiate. Do you think I should try offering $19,000 and see if they notice that I dropped a 0?

Even then it’s out of my league! I’d love to see it in person. I admit in pictures it doesn’t seem soooooo great.

 

[newtojewels]

Even then it’s out of my league! I’d love to see it in person. I admit in pictures it doesn’t seem soooooo great.

I agree! Maybe the price is the combination of high end store and provenance or maybe there's something truly special that these photos don't capture. If I ever go in person, I'll let you know what I think and post photos! Maybe I can convince my mom to lend me her almost 2 carat more typical sapphire ring for comparison -- or an Indiana Jones-style switcheroo!

 

[PrecisionGem]

It came from Russia in the late 1800s early 1900s is all that I know about it. Should I let him polish it or should I get it back from him and just send it as is to AGL? I have a feeling it is Burmese and not heated as it is so old.

One of the early treatise on ruby being heated comes from Teifaschi in 1240 AD. So heating of rubies has a very long history.