Is this a natural ruby star cabachon?

[nala]

 

[glitterata]

Do you have a photo in sunlight or with a bright point-source light (e.g. flashlight) showing the star?

 

[nala]

Do you have a photo in sunlight or with a bright point-source light (e.g. flashlight) showing the star?

I saw the star. Very hard to see. Blurry

 

[glitterata]

I saw the star. Very hard to see. Blurry

If the star is blurry or crooked in bright, direct sunlight, that suggest natural. Synthetic stars tend to be straight and perfect. But not always, I think.

 

[nala]

It looks very glossy and not included at all. So prob synthetic.

 

[glitterata]

It looks very glossy and not included at all. So prob synthetic.

Synthetic stars were popular in the era when that setting style was popular. On the other hand, I think I'm seeing an unpolished back with zoning at 60 degree angles, so possibly natural?

What do our star-stone experts say?

 

[Starstruck8]

On the other hand, I think I'm seeing an unpolished back with zoning at 60 degree angles, so possibly natural?

Yes, the apparent 60-degree zoning in the back suggests natural.

I saw the star. Very hard to see. Blurry

This also suggests natural - synthetic or diffused stars are usually dazzlingly bright.

A picture showing the star would be useful. But, going by the pictures and your comment, my guess is that it's a natural stone but with a pretty weak star. You would be buying it as a cool dark purple marble-shaped cab, rather than for the star. And for an appropriate price.

 

[nala]

Yes, the apparent 60-degree zoning in the back suggests natural.


This also suggests natural - synthetic or diffused stars are usually dazzlingly bright.

A picture showing the star would be useful. But, going by the pictures and your comment, my guess is that it's a natural stone but with a pretty weak star. You would be buying it as a cool dark purple marble-shaped cab, rather than for the star. And for an appropriate price.

Ty! The ring is on sale for 1150 but 550 dollars would be scrap weight. So 600 for the stone. Is that a fair price?

 

[Starstruck8]

Ty! The ring is on sale for 1150 but 550 dollars would be scrap weight. So 600 for the stone. Is that a fair price?

I routinely overpay by PS standards. So I'm not the guy to ask about price. But, FWIW, I wouldn't pay that. Opaque dark purple corundum is not rare. Honestly, I'd be seeing it more as a 'rock shop' item than as a 'serious' gemstone. That's not meant negatively - inexpensive rock shop stones can be truly beautiful.