Long time lurker- would like to know about this ruby

[Fred19]

Hello. Am inquiring about this ruby. The seller says it is GIL certified. Can someone please explain what that means? It is listed as 1.03 carats. Is this a nice ruby? I always thought rubies should be darker but I am not really sure, so I am trying to decide if I should purchase it or not. Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

 

[minousbijoux]

Hey Fred - welcome! A really good starting point to understand why you want stones to have lab reports is in a pinned thread at the top of this page:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-to-coloured-gemstone-buying-read-this-first.174284/
Basically, getting a lab report from a reputable, well known lab with proper testing equipment is just about the only way to ensure you are getting what the seller is representing. There are a handful of labs I would trust for testing corundum such as ruby, and unfortunately, at this point, that lab would not be one of them. Also, hard to tell from the photo what the stone really looks like, as they have clearly enhanced the color in order to increase the stone's apparent saturation level.

 

[chatoyancy]

Oh, it’s lovely, but I totally thought that was a pink sapphire.

 

[Fred19]

Hey Fred - welcome! A really good starting point to understand why you want stones to have lab reports is in a pinned thread at the top of this page:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-to-coloured-gemstone-buying-read-this-first.174284/
Basically, getting a lab report from a reputable, well known lab with proper testing equipment is just about the only way to ensure you are getting what the seller is representing. There are a handful of labs I would trust for testing corundum such as ruby, and unfortunately, at this point, that lab would not be one of them. Also, hard to tell from the photo what the stone really looks like, as they have clearly enhanced the color in order to increase the stone's apparent saturation level.

Thanks so much for this information. So are you saying it is possible that this could be a fake ruby!? I don't understand exactly what you mean- could this be a fake certificate? I looked at the feedback the seller has received and he has 5100 pieces of positive feedback with 23 negative. Is that a lot for a gem site? Should I still be worried? Sorry to sound ignorant but I don't know much about this stuff. I want to buy a ruby that my spouse likes.

 

[Bron357]

Hi, ruby and sapphire are both corrundum but the colour and trace elements is what makes them called either ruby or sapphire. From that photo, it’s a pink sapphire, not a ruby. A ruby needs to be red. The photo also looks enhanced or done under fancy lighting. I checked out GIL, they are in Thailand. That type of certification, an envelope with the details as shown in your photo, is meant to be kept sealed to verify that the gem described on the outside certificate is the same as what is inside. It’s not still in the sealed envelope so, yes, they could be pull a “switch” on you. That said, if you like what you see (though what you get and view in ordinary daylight might look vastly different) and you like the price, it’s your choice. Most people buying “sight unseen” tend to stick with trusted vendors, trusted certifiers and prefer seeing better, natural lighting, unaltered photos.

 

[Bron357]

Here’s a screen shot from GIL website. The envelope says “please contact GIL if this seal or envelope has been tampered with” ie it’s meant to stay sealed for the certification to be valid.

 

[Macky]

Here’s a screen shot from GIL website. The envelope says “please contact GIL if this seal or envelope has been tampered with” ie it’s meant to stay sealed for the certification to be valid.

Thank you for this info. Does this mean that GIL is a fake lab? What's the difference please between a pink sapphire and a red ruby? Thanks!

 

[Bron357]

GIL is a real lab, in Thailand, but it’s not a highly rated or well known one. So for a lot of purchasers this makes the certification not worth the paper it’s printed on - so to speak.The validity of the certification is also dependant on the gem still being inside a sealed envelope, otherwise who is to say it’s the same gem? And what is the return policy / cost if it doesn’t meet with your expectations? All other things being equal, a pink sapphire is a less expensive gem than a red ruby. You just need to make sure you are paying a fair price and receive (and like) what you paid for.

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

It looks like a nice 'gem' for an appropriate price, regardless of ruby or pink sapphire. If you like this pink-red color (as opposed to the classic deep red of ruby), it doesn't matter what the lab report says, with the exception of treatment-status. Unheated corundum is fare more expensive than heated, plus if heated, it can also be artificially colored or re-constituted which lowers the value to a few $/carat.
Here is a page I found helpful to understand colored gemstone photos when I started out on this gem adventure.
There is a chapter 'ruby vs. pink sapphire':
https://www.wildfishgems.com/gemstones_on_photo

 

[Fred19]

Thanks for your comments. The seller wants $70 for it. Is this a fair price if this stone turns out to be a pink sapphire and not a ruby? I wrote to him and he says that it looks much more red in real life. Not sure if I should believe him but this is what he said.

 

[Fred19]

He also says I can return it if I am unsatisfied with it. I will only have to pay the shipping fee.

 

[digdeep]

The return shipping is not cheap and given you are spending $70 to see this stone you might as well consider it your's if you order it. Personally, I would not invest in this gem for all the reasons above......

 

[Fred19]

Ok. Sounds like I should pass on it. Thanks.

 

[Arkteia]

Oh, it’s lovely, but I totally thought that was a pink sapphire.

Same here, and a very pretty one.