Help Me Find A Red Stone: A Red Spinel or A Ruby!

[Upgradable]

from VVS1Gem on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/2-55ct-CERTIFIE...702?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a55c0c83e

 

[LD]

Deb - John Tolliver is a great guy and I'd second Indy's suggestion to speak with him. He actually stopped me from buying something once as he knew it wasn't what I wanted!

 

[AGBF]

Wow! Thank you all so much for your advice, LovingDiamonds, Harriet, tourmaline_lover, IndyLady, and uppy! I appreciate the time all of you have spent helping me to find the right stone.

John Tolliver sounds amazing. Richard Wise was very impressive, too. And, I must say, that I had always planned to return to Richard Martin if I ever needed another gemstone ring after he found a wonderful opal (and set it with two tiny diamonds) for my daughter's sixteenth birthday! I am certainly surrounded by a lot of talent!

I am not sure I really like any of the rubies as they looked on my monitor. They all looked a bit purple to me...and why wouldn't they be purple or orange? I don't have the money for a pure red!!! That is why I really think I had better stick with a spinel.

As for the spinel being sold on eBay, it looked orange to me. But monitors can skew anything. Unless I look in person, I may never really know what any stone looks like!

Deb/AGBF


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

 

[Harriet]

I agree with Harriet that a spinel is the way to go if you want to avoid treatments (just be sure it's not synthetic as there are many fine red synthetics out there). I also think that when evaluating a red stone, you should

I highly doubt that Deb would have to be concerned about a synthetic. With her budget, she will be able to find someone reputable who will stand behind his/her gem.

 

[VapidLapid]

you could buy this antique ruby (2.20 carat) and diamond ring at A La Vieille Russie for $21,000, sell the two side diamonds (1 carat each) scrap the gold and probably then be under $10k for the ruby

 

[AGBF]

you could buy this antique ruby (2.20 carat) and diamond ring at A La Vieille Russie for $21,000, sell the two side diamonds (1 carat each) scrap the gold and probably then be under $10k for the ruby

Have you ever sold a diamond!!!??? If I could sell a diamond so easily, I'd sell one of my extra ones and use it to buy a $20,000 ruby right now!!! And how do you know this ruby is a great one? Or that these diamonds will bring in big money? If you'd like to guarantee me amounts, I'll take a look at the ruby!!!

Deb


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

 

[Lovinggems]

It's really difficult to find the perfect stone, but I think it'll be worth it in the end, take it easy and enjoy the chase. Hope there's something suitable at the Tuscan show, I wish to be able to attend one year!

 

[AGBF]

It's really difficult to find the perfect stone, but I think it'll be worth it in the end, take it easy and enjoy the chase. Hope there's something suitable at the Tuscan show, I wish to be able to attend one year!

And I wish there were a Tuscan show! Now that, I would travel for!!! (Just kidding around with your typo. I appreciate your support.)

Deb


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

 

[Lovinggems]

It's really difficult to find the perfect stone, but I think it'll be worth it in the end, take it easy and enjoy the chase. Hope there's something suitable at the Tuscan show, I wish to be able to attend one year!

And I wish there were a Tuscan show! Now that, I would travel for!!! (Just kidding around with your typo. I appreciate your support.)

Deb


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

Oops, my excuse is I'm not American. I agree a Tuscany gem show will be wonderful. I do really hope you'll find a beautiful stone!

 

[Harriet]

you could buy this antique ruby (2.20 carat) and diamond ring at A La Vieille Russie for $21,000, sell the two side diamonds (1 carat each) scrap the gold and probably then be under $10k for the ruby

An estate piece from ALVR?! Travesty.

Separately, what do you think ALVR's markup is? Try selling one of your diamonds and see whether or not your best offer comes from a diamond wholesaler.

I trust this is a flippant joke.

 

[VapidLapid]

you could buy this antique ruby (2.20 carat) and diamond ring at A La Vieille Russie for $21,000, sell the two side diamonds (1 carat each) scrap the gold and probably then be under $10k for the ruby

An estate piece from ALVR?! Travesty.

Separately, what do you think ALVR's markup is? Try selling one of your diamonds and see whether or not your best offer comes from a diamond wholesaler.

I trust this is a flippant joke.

My friend Susan and I are always joking about alvr with its never changing inventory and what must be the highest rent on 5th avenue. It makes us giddy every time we walk past; its become a touchstone for us. So no, not serious about buying this, there. But the idea is not so bad. Just keeping open to the possibility of finding something wonderful on the secondary market.

 

[Harriet]

Phew.

You're right -- their turnover is not terribly high!

 

[AGBF]

Oops, my excuse is I'm not American. I agree a Tuscany gem show will be wonderful. I do really hope you'll find a beautiful stone!

No excuse was needed, but where are you from, Lovinggems?

Deb/AGBF


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

 

[Lovinggems]

Oops, my excuse is I'm not American. I agree a Tuscany gem show will be wonderful. I do really hope you'll find a beautiful stone!

No excuse was needed, but where are you from, Lovinggems?

Deb/AGBF


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

Hi AGBF, I'm from Australia.

 

[movie zombie]

where in AU?

threadjack for a moment: hope you and yours are not affected by the floods.

or if you're west coast, the fires.....

MoZo

ps Deb, did you ask Richard to have a look-see for you at Tucson?

 

[AGBF]

ps Deb, did you ask Richard to have a look-see for you at Tucson?

No. He was fabulous, but I am too unsure about how to describe what I want. I think I am going to have to see a stone someone finds. I know what I want in real life, but when I see pictures, I get confused at what I am seeing.

Deb


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

 

[VapidLapid]

Have you asked Wink Jones? Am I wrong to think he works with Vincent?

 

[AGBF]

Have you asked Wink Jones? Am I wrong to think he works with Vincent?

I have no idea if he knows Vincent. I tried dear Wink's patience to the max when I thought I wanted a tzavorite garnet a few years ago. (At least I think that is what I had him sending me!) I also embroiled him in a discussion of a tennis bracelet! I remember I promised him that when I got a diamond tennis bracelet one day that the sale would be his. And, should I ever be able to afford one, it will be!!!

Deb/AGBF


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

 

[VapidLapid]

Oh nevermind, I was thinking of someone else.

 

[Lovinggems]

where in AU?

threadjack for a moment: hope you and yours are not affected by the floods.

or if you're west coast, the fires.....

MoZo

ps Deb, did you ask Richard to have a look-see for you at Tucson?

Hi MoZo, I am fine, thank you for your concern. I don't live near the floods or fires. I live in a dry climate, but even here it's been quite humid. Are you Australian or have friends in Australia? I hope all your family/friends are ok too!

 

[TonyMontana]

Go for a spinel. More affordable, Singly Refractive and most importantly treatments ain't such a big issue as it is with Ruby's!!!!!!
Good luck with the gem hunt

 

[Arkteia]

I am sorry for being unable to point to vendors, but I bought a Burmese ruby overseas several days before the embargo and shortly afterwards, was disappointed to find out it was an H(a). But even H(a) is becoming more and more acceptable these days and the color and saturation of these rubies is amazing, and I am positive mine is by far not the best one. They fluoresce so much, they glow in the sun. I saw some H(a) and H rubies in R.W. Wise's website and if I had cash to spare, I'd buy one of them.

For a beautiful spinel to be impressive, it has to be relatively large, but even a small Burmese ruby is always noticeable.

 

[AGBF]

For a beautiful spinel to be impressive, it has to be relatively large, but even a small Burmese ruby is always noticeable.

I don't mind getting a large spinel, crasru, but my first one (the 1.78 carat one) was spectacular. Dick Hughes should know!

Deb


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

 

[Harriet]

I am sorry for being unable to point to vendors, but I bought a Burmese ruby overseas several days before the embargo and shortly afterwards, was disappointed to find out it was an H(a). But even H(a) is becoming more and more acceptable these days and the color and saturation of these rubies is amazing, and I am positive mine is by far not the best one. They fluoresce so much, they glow in the sun. I saw some H(a) and H rubies in R.W. Wise's website and if I had cash to spare, I'd buy one of them.

For a beautiful spinel to be impressive, it has to be relatively large, but even a small Burmese ruby is always noticeable.

Crasru,
What do you consider to be "relatively large?" Depending on the variety, my size requirements are 2, 3 and 5ct (collectibility reasons). That said, I have a 1.77 orange-Red spinel that glows like an ember.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

how is this one for color?

http://www.starruby.in/store/spinel/5-54-carat-extraordinary-deep-pigeon-blood-red-burmese-spinel

 

[Arkteia]

I am sorry for being unable to point to vendors, but I bought a Burmese ruby overseas several days before the embargo and shortly afterwards, was disappointed to find out it was an H(a). But even H(a) is becoming more and more acceptable these days and the color and saturation of these rubies is amazing, and I am positive mine is by far not the best one. They fluoresce so much, they glow in the sun. I saw some H(a) and H rubies in R.W. Wise's website and if I had cash to spare, I'd buy one of them.

For a beautiful spinel to be impressive, it has to be relatively large, but even a small Burmese ruby is always noticeable.

Crasru,
What do you consider to be "relatively large?" Depending on the variety, my size requirements are 2, 3 and 5ct (collectibility reasons). That said, I have a 1.77 orange-Red spinel that glows like an ember.

Harriet,

Partially due to the advice you gave me in one of my earlier threads, I try to buy stones 2-3ct and above, although it is not always feasible with really expensive stones. Some of my < 2-ct spinels are very glowy, but need a halo setting to be really seen on the hand.

 

[Harriet]

how is this one for color?

http://www.starruby.in/store/spinel/5-54-carat-extraordinary-deep-pigeon-blood-red-burmese-spinel

Davi,
I'd rather not comment on a picture, but $2+k for a red spinel of that size seems way too good to be true.

 

[Upgradable]

Is this one still too pink? Because I'd sell a child for this stone!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Red-Spinel-Oval-2-24-carats-/370367838391?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item563ba4b8b7

 

[Upgradable]

HOLY CRAP! http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-1860387718

 

[Upgradable]

never mind..... berylium treated