Glass filled ruby … unavoidable?

[Buttercookies]

Hi guys.

Long story short. I purchased this ruby eternity ring online. It was sold as “not glass filled” according to the vendor. The price is not outrageous since he was reseller who likes to buy from estate sale auction house etc and resell it for “a steal”.

Anyway, it is pretty to look at I must admit but there were bubbles under the x30 loupe. When I asked him about it, he did not deny trying to fool me but offer a refund.

I check blue Nile and apparently their rubies are treated with glass as well.
So it’s everywhere?

Tell me I’m crazy but I actually do love the ring and I’m wondering that for this ring, what is the true value so that I’ll be okay with keeping it.

okay so it’s in 14k eternity ring and a total of 15cts

 

[Buttercookies]

 

[rosethorn]

I don’t have anything helpful to say re: glass filled rubies, but it’s a gorgeous ring and I can see why you want to keep it!

 

[Buttercookies]

I don’t have anything helpful to say re: glass filled rubies, but it’s a gorgeous ring and I can see why you want to keep it!

Right? I don't have a video right now. But it's very glowy.

 

[pokerface]

Yes, glass-filled rubies are everywhere, but they are definitely avoidable. Lead glass stones are basically worthless, and the treatment isn't stable - meaning that they can be easily damaged beyond repair. The price you paid should not be more than the value of the setting, and you should be aware that in time, you will probably have to replace the stones. I would never want to purchase from a jeweler who purposefully tried to fool me, and that alone would be enough for me to make a return. I'll also note that I can see bubbles from my screen; this sort of uniform color in flat-looking gems with wonky prongs screams lead glass treatment, and I hope that you'll be better equipped to ID similar pieces as such in the future! An untreated or heat-only ring like this would be worth probably a minimum of $15,000-$20,000 whereas this really shouldn't cost more than $200.

 

[nutellakitty]

It is a nice color！
If the price is just for the gold you can keep as a decorative piece. However if you are picky on ruby or a ruby collector I would not suggest to keep that piece.
If u notice the white scratches
on the top it is obviously glass filled.
They will eventually look like that on the left.
Traditional-heat rubies are still pricey though but they do not have that white scratches look.

 

[Buttercookies]

This ring continues to be a jinx. It’s going back for sure!

 

[Buttercookies]

Yes, glass-filled rubies are everywhere, but they are definitely avoidable. Lead glass stones are basically worthless, and the treatment isn't stable - meaning that they can be easily damaged beyond repair. The price you paid should not be more than the value of the setting, and you should be aware that in time, you will probably have to replace the stones. I would never want to purchase from a jeweler who purposefully tried to fool me, and that alone would be enough for me to make a return. I'll also note that I can see bubbles from my screen; this sort of uniform color in flat-looking gems with wonky prongs screams lead glass treatment, and I hope that you'll be better equipped to ID similar pieces as such in the future! An untreated or heat-only ring like this would be worth probably a minimum of $15,000-$20,000 whereas this really shouldn't cost more than $200.

Thanks for knocking some senses into me. Definitely could not see the tell tale sign with his photos but as soon as I saw in person, it’s uh oh. But the color is pretty and I’m a fan of that color. However you are right. I hate babysitting my rings and it will be damage very soon by accident or a little lemon juice spill, I’m done for.

It is a nice color！
If the price is just for the gold you can keep as a decorative piece. However if you are picky on ruby or a ruby collector I would not suggest to keep that piece.
If u notice the white scratches
on the top it is obviously glass filled.
They will eventually look like that on the left.
Traditional-heat rubies are still pricey though but they do not have that white scratches look.

It doesn’t look like that yet but you are right. I’m not about to find out. The color is beautiful though and that pinkish purple is what I like. So it’s a bummer.

 

[pokerface]

I have to ask - do you think this is the same ring? If so, it was sold to the vendor as fracture-filled. https://www.riversidegalleries.com/...ld-11-26ct-ruby-eternity-band-ring_132442E9E6

 

[rosethorn]

I haven’t bought from this seller, but I saw someone in another thread has and had a good experience. I’ve been drooling over this which has a similar feel:

 

[PrecisionGem]

A price guide used by most professionals lists glass filled ruby in sizes 1 to 4.99 ct at $10 to $25 per ct depending on the quality.

 

[Buttercookies]

I have to ask - do you think this is the same ring? If so, it was sold to the vendor as fracture-filled. https://www.riversidegalleries.com/...ld-11-26ct-ruby-eternity-band-ring_132442E9E6

OMG!!!!!!!

THIS is the exact one! Wow. This is a small world.

 

[MollyMalone]

I have to ask - do you think this is the same ring? If so, it was sold to the vendor as fracture-filled. https://www.riversidegalleries.com/...ld-11-26ct-ruby-eternity-band-ring_132442E9E6

OMG!!!!!!!

THIS is the exact one! Wow. This is a small world.

There seems to be an appreciable difference in ruby ctw between the ring in the auction listing (11.26) and that of the ring you purchased. If the 15 ctw on your sales receipt is accurate, the rubies in your ring weigh almost exactly 1/3 more than those in the auction ring.

So I'm now curious to learn if the ring you purchased is the same 7.50 grams as that given in the auction listing

 

[Buttercookies]

There seems to be an appreciable difference in ruby ctw between the ring in the auction listing (11.26) and that of the ring you purchased. If the 15 ctw on your sales receipt is accurate, the rubies in your ring weigh almost exactly 1/3 more than those in the auction ring.

So I'm now curious to learn if the ring you purchased is the same 7.50 grams as that given in the auction listing

The auction is in Pasadena? He’s from LA.



This is my first time buying from this online vendor because my mom has been watching his YouTube show and is obsessed.

I’m conflicted whether to post his Channel here because I don’t want him to get traffic but at the same time, I want him be known for dishonesty not only carat weight but treatment too.

The upsetting thing is, his business partner. This crazy lady was saying things like I don’t know rubies. “Don’t buy rubies if you don’t know them. Returning items is a hassle for us. So we prefer if you don’t buy from us in the future.” I mean my jaw just dropped. So unprofessional and untrustworthy.

 

[Buttercookies]

A price guide used by most professionals lists glass filled ruby in sizes 1 to 4.99 ct at $10 to $25 per ct depending on the quality.

Thanks Gene. I definitely paid more than that.
The ring is a jinx. Not only that, one stone fell off today while I posted.

 

[nutellakitty]

The auction is in Pasadena? He’s from LA.



This is my first time buying from this online vendor because my mom has been watching his YouTube show and is obsessed.

I’m conflicted whether to post his Channel here because I don’t want him to get traffic but at the same time, I want him be known for dishonesty not only carat weight but treatment too.

The upsetting thing is, his business partner. This crazy lady was saying things like I don’t know rubies. “Don’t buy rubies if you don’t know them. Returning items is a hassle for us. So we prefer if you don’t buy from us in the future.” I mean my jaw just dropped. So unprofessional and untrustworthy.

oh no that is bad.

 

[MollyMalone]

* * *
The upsetting thing is, his business partner. This crazy lady was saying things like I don’t know rubies. “Don’t buy rubies if you don’t know them. Returning items is a hassle for us. So we prefer if you don’t buy from us in the future.” I mean my jaw just dropped. So unprofessional and untrustworthy.

Wowzer - makes you wonder how many people they have fleeced, doesn't it?

Hope there's a lovely ruby ring in the not-too-distant future for you!

 

[KeepStepping]

I’m conflicted whether to post his Channel here because I don’t want him to get traffic but at the same time, I want him be known for dishonesty not only carat weight but treatment too

I think his knowingly selling you something falsely advertised is worth mentioning his name and channel so others can avoid it (if they shop in this method). It would be one thing if he made an uneducated guess, but the auction house specifically gave him the information in the certificate that he later lied about in order to make it appear to be more desirable in order to secure a sale for profit.

 

[T L]

There was a news expose (I think 20/20) on rubies at all the common retailers, and they were ALL found to be less glass filled, despite prices in the thousands. These days, just assume lgf. or synthetic, if you don’t have a reputable lab report that states otherwise.

 

[JackTrick]

The upsetting thing is, his business partner. This crazy lady was saying things like I don’t know rubies. “Don’t buy rubies if you don’t know them. Returning items is a hassle for us. So we prefer if you don’t buy from us in the future.” I mean my jaw just dropped. So unprofessional and untrustworthy.

Well. I think you should pay attention to her advice and definitely avoid buying from them in the future. In fact, I’d recommend you share the name so all of us can avoid “giving them a hassle.”

 

[whitewave]

is this an ebay seller?

 

[LilAlex]

I will take out your appendix. If you find out that I did not, I will refund your money.

This is not a legitimate business model.

 

[LD]

It is a nice color！
If the price is just for the gold you can keep as a decorative piece. However if you are picky on ruby or a ruby collector I would not suggest to keep that piece.
If u notice the white scratches
on the top it is obviously glass filled.
They will eventually look like that on the left.
Traditional-heat rubies are still pricey though but they do not have that white scratches look.

Just curious why you've said this @nutellakitty ? Has this happened to you? Typically glass/lead filling is to rectify the problem on the left so it looks like the treated stone on the right. It's a stable treatment as far as I know.

 

[peacechick]

I think you are getting all the signs in the universe to quickly return that ring! Before any more stones fall out!

So the good news is the sleepy pinkish purple colour you like is the most common ruby colour imo, and you may like to look at Thai rubies in particular. Try looking at Thai based vendors like Starlanka, Adamant, etc. But as everyone has advised, insist on reputable certification (Bangkok sellers can get GIA, and most kinds I believe).

The bad news, the price of untreated rubies, ouch!

 

[chrono]

Just FYI
Another treatment not mentioned in a while is reconstituted ruby - melted down and reformed to make a cleaner ruby. Same has happened for emerald.

 

[lilmosun]

Not an expert but my understanding is that lead glass filling alters the structure of the stone so the ruby is considered a composite ruby. This has been in the market for about 15 years and used to bring non gem quality stones to market. Despite them being commonly sold is chain stores, most informed gem buyers consider it an unacceptable treatment.

Flux healing which is used to treat surface reaching inclusions had been around longer and is stable. If minor, many consider this more acceptable while some gem purists may not.

Someone with more expertise can clarify or correct.

Agreed that a vendor knowingly buys a glass filled (or otherwise treated stone) but markets it differently is not ethical. I'm sorry this happened as it's a very pretty ring. Hope the refund is painless (you may want to hold off disclosing until you first see if you can easily get your money back)

 

[chrono]

Flux healing ranges from minor to extensive. It includes the addition of glass, borax and other materials to heal the fissure and cavity. Flux is not as "benign" as some people think because it IS glass/borax filled. The only difference is that it isn't as easy to remove aka more stable, unlike straight up glass filled.

Glass filling is different from a composite in that with a composite, the ruby is completely melted and reformed. Glass filling has been around for ages but composite is relatively new.

Fluxed Up — Pala international

www.palagems.com

 

[shelovesinclusions]

It is a nice color！
If the price is just for the gold you can keep as a decorative piece. However if you are picky on ruby or a ruby collector I would not suggest to keep that piece.
If u notice the white scratches
on the top it is obviously glass filled.
They will eventually look like that on the left.
Traditional-heat rubies are still pricey though but they do not have that white scratches look.

I've heard that dramatic (right to left) transformation can happen when the filling component is exposed to normal chemicals used in jewelry making, such as pickle. Even at-home chemicals, such as ammonia (which is in Dawn & many jewelry cleaners) can chip away at lead glass filled ones over time, causing a hyper-abraded appearance.

 

[nutellakitty]

Just curious why you've said this @nutellakitty ? Has this happened to you? Typically glass/lead filling is to rectify the problem on the left so it looks like the treated stone on the right. It's a stable treatment as far as I know.

I have seen rubies like the left for sale in person. I guess they don’t look that when they were initially made. Never bought any glass filled before.

 

[Buttercookies]

is this an ebay seller?

No. It's a local brick and mortar seller in LA with an online Youtube show.