James Allen Rubies - Are they ok?

[JB3582]

I've been searching for a ruby engagement ring, but I don't have a large budget ($2500 total). I really liked some of the stones on JA, but after reading through some posts on here about quality rubies being so expensive, I got worried that maybe I am being too ambitious with my stone choice.
I really want a marquise or pear cut - I don't care much about the size, I just want it to look pretty. Am I being too unrealistic? I know I can't get a big, perfectly cut/colored stone for my price, but I should still be able to find something sparkly and pretty, right?

 

[ElizabethR]

Right!
I'd suggest you scroll through the gemstone pictures/posts here on rubies.

All the best in your search.

 

[chatoyancy]

Have fun and good luck on your search! I have a marquise cut ruby on a slide (part of a reproduction Victorian slide bracelet) and just love how that cut looks on a ruby. I also love pears, but I don't think I've ever seen that cut in a ruby.

 

[PattyCo]

I was literally asking myself the same thing last night!! I was cruising through the rubies and wondered if the heat treatment listed might also include some sort of filler. Some of them look pretty beat up. Of course I was looking at the ones under $1000...

 

[marymm]

This is apx $300 over your $2500 budget and would be for the Ruby only, but if you have any wiggle room in your budget it may be worth considering: http://www.ajsgem.com/ruby/burma-ruby/burma-ruby-1.31-carats.html

This is under budget so you'd still have enough for the setting: http://www.ajsgem.com/ruby/burma-ruby/burma-ruby-1.06-carats.html-1

If you like either/both, maybe email the vendor and see if they'd send a photo of the ruby on the back of someone's hand and/or a video?

 

[chroman]

How'd you feel about red spinel? This caught my eye:
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=G86072
Its probably pushing the top of your budget though.

 

[Niel]

they do not disclose the full treatment of the rubies. heat could mean minor heat, heat with some residues, major residues, or it could be glass filled. depending on how severe the treatment it could effect the hardness of the stone, it opacity of the stone, and of course the value. then besides treatment, many cheap rubies are not going to have the red glow youre looking for
rubies are going to be very expensive. and even then theyll probably have some residues at the price youre after. not a problem as long as they are priced accordingly.

now we cant tlak about lab stones here, but frankly stones with a lot of treatment (glass filling and whatnot) might as well spend the money on a lab stone.


however let me look around a bit see whats out there

 

[JB3582]

Thanks for all the info! What you said about them not disclosing what all went into the heat treatment is what makes me a little nervous. I did go around to a couple of brick and mortar stores today and talked to them about their inventory. They did not have anything in a marquise shape, but set up times for me to come back and look at some pear shapes. The settings are a little more expensive at the actual stores, but if they have a stone that I like, that may be the way to go, since I can see it and hopefully get it checked out.

The links on here were great too! I appreciate it. The one that is $2800 is a little too much for me, only because I need to include the band setting in that price too.

I will also take a serious look at the red spinel, as suggested. In all honest, I had never even heard of it until reading through posts on this site. (Off topic maybe, but why is that? It's gorgeous.) I don't care as much about what the stone is, as I do about how it sparkles and that it is red (not pink - even though I love pink, I don't want my ring to look pink).

 

[Maya145]

Hi All,

I am browsing for natural untreated ruby stone. I found some good options on GemsNy (https://www.gemsny.com/ruby-rings/search-ruby-gems/), but I am nervous about buying from because of some bad reviews. Has anyone here purchased gems from GemsNY? Are their gems natural? Are you happy with your purchase?
Please share your experience.

 

[ringo865]

I also love pears, but I don't think I've ever seen that cut in a ruby.

My flame-shaped with pear ruby


ETA: not from James Allen

 

[Jbows]

Hi All,

I am browsing for natural untreated ruby stone. I found some good options on GemsNy (https://www.gemsny.com/ruby-rings/search-ruby-gems/), but I am nervous about buying from because of some bad reviews. Has anyone here purchased gems from GemsNY? Are their gems natural? Are you happy with your purchase?
Please share your experience.

They are super overpriced for the quality. I bought a sapphire from them before I found PS and it was the ugliest thing I’d ever seen. Then they tried to bully me out of a return. But they did accept a return and gave me my money back. But GEEZ they have Terrible stock, IMO. I would go with a red spinel or a lab ruby! A natural one might be very very expensive or very treated.