Help identifying a gem.

[stermag]

Dear all,

I am trying to figure out what gem is in my mom''s engagement ring. The ring is made of 18k yellow gold (with a pinkish tint) and was purchased in the late 70s in Russia.

The reason I''d like to know what it is, is in order to ascertain whether or not I can safely clean it in an ultrasonic jewelery cleaner.

Attached are a couple of very poor pictures which nevertheless show the color of the gem. It''s a very light pink. My dad, who naturally purchased the thing, has an inkling but is entirely unsure... Any guesses? Am I okay popping it into the US? I would love to see it when clean!

 

[stermag]

Another.

 

[stermag]

And one more, of the setting.

 

[stermag]

Oops, forgot to attach.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Tough to tell from a photo, but guessing''s always fun.

My guess would be synthetic sapphire.

 

[stermag]

Thanks Rich.

I realize this is close to being an impossible question. I guess my main aim is to figure out the probability of this gem (synthetic or otherwise) being able to handle a session in the ultrasonic cleaner.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

You really need to have the stone ID''d to rule out kunzite before putting it in an ultrasonic.

Synthetic sapphire you could ultrasonic all day long and it wouldn''t bother it. Kunzite would explode.

Kunzite is also a light pink stone. I don''t think your stone is kunzite because of the round cut (unusual for a kunzite), but you''d need to be sure before ultrasonicing it.

 

[stermag]

Here''s another pic, just for fun.

 

[strmrdr]

another very very unexpert idea...

Im thinking Russian Rose Quartz - it was pretty popular in that time frame and the style of the ring looks like some iv seen it in.

It wouldnt take an ultra-sonic cleaning either.

Could be Richard is seeing something that rules it out.

 

[stermag]

Storm,

I know the pictures are bordering with useless, but the stone is actually transparrent. Most rose quartz I see after doing a quick search is rather milky. Does this rule it out as a possibility or is clear rose quartz also quite common?

ETA: the color of the rose quartz I've now seen online though is quite close, so excellent suggestion.

 

[stermag]

This is the best picture we''ve managed so far.

 

[stermag]

and a decent side view.

 

[sylvesterii]

morganite (pink beryl)?

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Russian rose quartz is a possiblity, as is morganite (although less so, as this is traditionally a non-Russian source stone).

I thought the stone had a little more "life" to it than these two low refractive index stones would have, which suggested sapphire. Natural pink sapphire would rarely be found in a round brilliant cut, hence my guess of synthetic sapphire.

The Russians also developed cubic zirconia in the late 70's, but this stone doesn't seem to have the "fire" of a cz.

I hate to say it as well (forgive me Leonid/Irina), but the Russians were notorious for fakes, counterfeits, synthetics, etc.

 

[stermag]

Thanks, Rich.

Growing up in the Eastern Block, I''m not sure there was easy access to anything else at the time... and Russia was one of the few countries we were allowed to enter.

Still, I''ve loved my mom''s ring my entire life and this doesn''t affect my fondness of it one bit. It''s just too bad I can''t give it a good clean in the ultrasonic.

M

 

[Richard Sherwood]

I happen to love synthetics, and there is no stigma attached to them in my eyes whatsoever.

They allow everyone to enjoy the beauty of fine quality gemstones.

The chances are very good you can give your ring a good cleaning in the ultrasonic. Just let a gemologist take a quick look at your stone. Most can tell you in within minutes what the stone is or isn't.

What was your Dad's "inkling" as to what the stone was?

 

[valeria101]

Date: 3/27/2006 7:08:18 AM
Author: stermag

Growing up in the Eastern Block, I''m not sure there was easy access to anything else at the time... and Russia was one of the few countries we were allowed to enter.

I second Richard''s guess about synthetic - sapphire or spinel. These would have been readily available at the time and place compared to any natural gemstones, regardless of value.

 

[stermag]

Rich,

I believe he thought it was a garnet of sorts, but I''ve looked at those and it seems unlikely to me.

He also bought another ring at the same time - I believe the center is a ruby, but at over 5cts, I''m almost positive it''s a synthetic.

I''m going to have these looked at.. knowing definitively what these are will allow us to care for them appropriately.

Thanks for all the help, everyone.

M

 

[Lycia]

I have a question on where you can go to have gems in the rough cut? I recently came accross a number of gems in the rough (ruby,emerald and sapphires) but I am now confused on where I can go to get them cut for a decent amount. One place offered to cut them for 135/carat, which I understand could be a fair amount, but having family that works in a jewlery store and can get gems at cost that seemed a little high to me (it was not including a setting or anything else). Also where can I go either online or bookwise to find out what these gems look like in the rough, I know they are real I was informed what they were by a proffessional I just would like to compare them to other gems in the rough....

Thanks!

 

[stermag]

Lycia,

You may want to start a new thread regarding your question. It will increase its chances of being answered.

M

 

[Lycia]

Thanks for the Advice!

 

[koko]

My jeweler told me I could put my new aquamarine ring in a ultrasonic to clean it, but I''ve always read not to put any colored stones it the ultrasonic except for rubys & sapphires (corundum) because of their hardness......I think I''ll play it safe and soak it in dishwashing liquid and warm water or take it back to him to steam it