Oval Ruby with chip

[acezarra]

Hi! I recently inherited a ruby ring that was my dear grandmother's. From the original 1999 paperwork when the ruby was purchased, it is a "3.63 carat oval ruby of African origin with medium dark redish brown color with brightness." The stone was purchased from my grandfather's local jeweler. There is no other paperwork aside from a receipt. The ruby has a chip in the girdle. Should I attempt to have it recut? I don't know the value now, but the ruby was $8900 in 1999. I don't want to ruin the value. It has had the chip since at least 2004 and was worn daily. I am attaching pictures. Thanks for your thoughts and help!

 

[Voodoo Child]

Hi! I recently inherited a ruby ring that was my dear grandmother's. From the original 1999 paperwork when the ruby was purchased, it is a "3.63 carat oval ruby of African origin with medium dark redish brown color with brightness." The stone was purchased from my grandfather's local jeweler. There is no other paperwork aside from a receipt. The ruby has a chip in the girdle. Should I attempt to have it recut? I don't know the value now, but the ruby was $8900 in 1999. I don't want to ruin the value. It has had the chip since at least 2004 and was worn daily. I am attaching pictures. Thanks for your thoughts and help!

I would leave it as is. Nothing in life is bound to stay perfect forever. Think of it not as a chip that needs to be fixed but as a unique characteristic that reminds you of your grandmother.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Wow !
What a gorgouse colour
could it be moved in its setting so a prong hid the chip ?

 

[LilAlex]

could it be moved in its setting so a prong hid the chip ?

Maybe this. It's not a very fine ring but it's a pretty center stone. A re-cut is not expensive but for symmetry this would lose a fair amount of width and weight. (Others who do this sort of thing will know more and hopefully will comment.) Barring that, a different mounting -- maybe with side stones -- would help conceal it and offer some additional protection.

 

[chrono]

Something to consider is that you will lose a fair amount of ct weight and face up size. It could also affect the final colour. Best to get a lapidary to review the stone for his/her opinion.

 

[MarzannaBurns]

Personally, I would just have it moved in the setting as another suggested. A recut is very expensive and will make the stone smaller and would even possibly force a shape change. The chip isn’t even that bad imho. It’s a lovely stone.

 

[nutellakitty]

The chip on the side surface should be easily polished off by an experienced stone cutter. If the chip/crack is not extending the inner part of the stone.

 

[lambskin]

I thought recuts were not that expensive. What would you all think the range may be in the metropolitan area near a big city in the USA such as LA, Chicago , Boston and New York?

 

[CaseyLouLou]

The chip on the side surface should be easily polished off by an experienced stone cutter. If the chip/crack is not extending the inner part of the stone.

This is what I was thinking. The top could use a polish too.

 

[bright&shiny]

Very pretty - and a nice reminder of your grandmother. I’d certainly have someone knowledgeable and trustworthy evaluate it and let you know what is possible. Polishing seems a good place (conservative) to start.