Ruby Cabochon?

[BaileyC]

Hi everyone! Happy Easter!

I'm hoping your expertise may help me in my new project...

I'm looking for a 4 to 5ct ruby cabochon loose stone (I'd consider most any shape), and will make a custom ring setting based upon the stone I purchase. I really like the look of cabochons, even though I've heard they are often cut that way because the quality for a faceted gem isn't there (tell me if that's not really the case). Still, the heart wants what it wants.

Anyhow, most burmese rubies I've seen often have the color I *think* I tend to prefer, which is a bright, electric red that leans slightly pink. I'm a relative newbie at this and am ultimately just looking for a good quality one, and would die to find a really really good quality one in that size. I'd like to keep the whole ring to 10k or under, and am prepared to spend most of that on the stone if I have to.

Most of what I'm finding either is too small, looks like it's being sold from the trunk of uncle Vinny's car, or has just taken a skinny dip in an oil vat. Not sure what to expect here....

I've checked the vendors I know (some listed on here) and don't really know what I'm looking at - any ideas or help you can provide would be appreciated!

 

[T L]

Hi everyone! Happy Easter!

I'm hoping your expertise may help me in my new project...

I'm looking for a 4 to 5ct ruby cabochon loose stone (I'd consider most any shape), and will make a custom ring setting based upon the stone I purchase. I really like the look of cabochons, even though I've heard they are often cut that way because the quality for a faceted gem isn't there (tell me if that's not really the case). Still, the heart wants what it wants.

Anyhow, most burmese rubies I've seen often have the color I *think* I tend to prefer, which is a bright, electric red that leans slightly pink. I'm a relative newbie at this and am ultimately just looking for a good quality one, and would die to find a really really good quality one in that size. I'd like to keep the whole ring to 10k or under, and am prepared to spend most of that on the stone if I have to.

Most of what I'm finding either is too small, looks like it's being sold from the trunk of uncle Vinny's car, or has just taken a skinny dip in an oil vat. Not sure what to expect here....

I've checked the vendors I know (some listed on here) and don't really know what I'm looking at - any ideas or help you can provide would be appreciated!

How expert are you in rubies? They're one of the most difficult gems to buy for anyone, let alone a newbie. There's synthetics and lots of invasive treatments out there. A 4 to 5 carat ruby can be six to seven figures depending on the quality, or you can get an opaque Indian star ruby that's worth very little. There's a whole range of values, and it's like a mine field out there in determining quality.

 

[BaileyC]

How expert are you in rubies? They're one of the most difficult gems to buy for anyone, let alone a newbie. There's synthetics and lots of invasive treatments out there. A 4 to 5 carat ruby can be six to seven figures depending on the quality, or you can get an opaque Indian star ruby that's worth very little. There's a whole range of values, and it's like a mine field out there in determining quality.

Hi TL, nice to see you again - hope you are well!

Expert in rubies? I'm more of an expert in rocket science than in understanding gem quality, unless you count just buying what looks pretty to me. I've certainly done enough of that! But I don't want to pay good money for garbage - I would like to wind up with an heirloom quality ring to pass down to kids if/when I have them - unless of course it's too pretty to part with and decide to take it to the grave with me.

Yeah, the mine field scares me, as does a six figure stone!!! And here I thought my budget was a healthy one...ack!

Perhaps I'm better off looking for a stone already set? But then I'm a slave to metal color and setting likes/dislikes...and I suppose I'd still be subject to the mine field of stone quality. I found one I kinda liked but it seemed pricey for what seemed like a mid-quality stone, but again, I didn't really know what I was looking at.

Heat doesn't bother me at all - the rest of the treatments would.

 

[T L]

Thank you Bailey.

Well, here's a ring from a highly reputable antique and estate jewelry firm. I would go for an old piece. I would also want an AGL report to accompany it.

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/30-91-1836

 

[BaileyC]

Interesting you should bring them up, as that is where I saw one I kinda liked! I have an Art Deco ring from them, and absolutely love it - they are a great shop! They do not do reports though unless it already has one, I've asked and they say that's why they have gemologists on staff.

I've looked at that exact ring you linked to, but it's way WAY too big for my finger - the cabochon on that is absolutely gorgeous though and I'd take it in a heartbeat.

What do you think of the cabochon in this ring? It looks kinda burmese, no?

 

[T L]

Interesting you should bring them up, as that is where I saw one I kinda liked! I have an Art Deco ring from them, and absolutely love it - they are a great shop! They do not do reports though unless it already has one, I've asked and they say that's why they have gemologists on staff.

I've looked at that exact ring you linked to, but it's way WAY too big for my finger - the cabochon on that is absolutely gorgeous though and I'd take it in a heartbeat.

What do you think of the cabochon in this ring? It looks kinda burmese, no?

That's nice too. It's hard to tell origin from that photo though, but it looks to be a nice translucent gem with good color. I don't believe in "in house gemological analysis/grading." I feel it's a conflict of interest. I always want a neutral third party report from a reputable lab like AGL for that price, so that's too bad they won't send their pieces to them.

 

[BaileyC]

That's nice too. It's hard to tell origin from that photo though, but it looks to be a nice translucent gem with good color. I don't believe in "in house gemological analysis/grading." I feel it's a conflict of interest. I always want a neutral third party report from a reputable lab like AGL for that price, so that's too bad they won't send their pieces to them.

I tend to agree about the conflict of interest, but they do seem knowledgeable and have some lovely pieces and their staff is really great. Some do come with reports, but the only ones I've seen were for diamonds rather than colored stones. I'm guessing those that do come with reports were likely provided by the seller upon acquisition, or they sent it out if it's a really high value diamond...

This cabochon has some inclusions in it (see bottom left of stone), and at least one surface one that doesn't present risk to the stone. Is that pretty common with rubies, particularly cabochon cut ones? I'd prefer a bit more saturation, and less inclusions - but is this what I could realistically expect for a $6-7k stone of it's size (around 4cts)? Perhaps I mistakenly thought I could do better for the money?

 

[T L]

This cabochon has some inclusions in it (see bottom left of stone), and at least one surface one that doesn't present risk to the stone. Is that pretty common with rubies, particularly cabochon cut ones? I'd prefer a bit more saturation, and less inclusions - but is this what I could realistically expect for a $6-7k stone of it's size (around 4cts)? Perhaps I mistakenly thought I could do better for the money?

For $6 to 7K, you won't get a flawless translucent/transparent ruby of 4 to 5 carats with Burmese color, so there's give and take.

Cabochons hide inclusions pretty well though. That's one of the nice things about them, as they're all about color, rather than sparkle and clarity.

Speaking of Burmese ruby cabochons, perhaps this is unattainable to mere mortals, but I thought I'd post as it's the ruby ring of my dreams, and what I consider Burmese color.

 

[BaileyC]

Holy Cow! That sho is purdy!!!!! The cut and color is GORGEOUS! I'll run out and buy a lottery ticket for us, how's that?

OK, if that's burmese color, then what about all these labeled as burmese with a heavy leaning toward pink/purple? I know there's a lot of color play with any stone origin, but I see more on the pink side like the one we're discussing in the hand picture I posted - it does have some red fire in person, but my eye sees a lot of pink in bright light with it. The one you posted a pic of is much MUCH more red.

Speaking of which, the one you linked to at Lange...I think that one is very pretty and electric, but it is definitely on the pink side. So my question is this - when I look at http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/30-91-1836, all I see is pink - no red at all until it's turned on it's side where it shows up a bit. So why is it a ruby and not a pink sapphire? Or am I just color blind?

I don't get the red gradings at all...and apparently don't get rubies either.

So it sounds like the one I pictured may be about as good as I'd get in that price range.

 

[T L]

Holy Cow! That sho is purdy!!!!! The cut and color is GORGEOUS! I'll run out and buy a lottery ticket for us, how's that?

OK, if that's burmese color, then what about all these labeled as burmese with a heavy leaning toward pink/purple? I know there's a lot of color play with any stone origin, but I see more on the pink side like the one we're discussing in the hand picture I posted - it does have some red fire in person, but my eye sees a lot of pink in bright light with it. The one you linked to is much MUCH more red.

Speaking of which, the one you linked to at Lange...I think that one is very pretty and electric, but it is definitely on the pink side. So my question is this - when I look at http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/30-91-1836, all I see is pink - no red at all until it's turned on it's side where it shows up a bit. So why is it a ruby and not a pink sapphire? Or am I just color blind?

I don't get the red gradings at all...and apparently don't get rubies either.

So it sounds like the one I pictured may be about as good as I'd get in that price range.

Well, just because a vendor calls a red or pink corundum "Burmese color," that doesn't mean it's truly Burmese color or from Burma for that matter. It's just like that "pigeon blood" designation used all over the place by vendors. It's very speculative and meant to make the stone sound special. A lot of vendors consider stones that many would consider pink sapphires, as rubies too. Therefore, that is why an AGL prestige report is really important for these price points. With rubies, treatment isn't the only thing you have to worry about, but quality of color, and if it's truly a ruby.

 

[BaileyC]

Thanks TL! So, based on their site pictures alone, the honkin' huge ring at Lang - would you consider that a ruby or a pink sapphire?

And do you have to take the stone out of it's setting to send for a report? Isn't that risky for antique settings/stones like this?

 

[T L]

Thanks TL! So, based on their site pictures alone, the honkin' huge ring at Lang - would you consider that a ruby or a pink sapphire?

And do you have to take the stone out of it's setting to send for a report? Isn't that risky for antique settings/stones like this?

I don't know, I think many of us here would consider it a pink sapphire though. It's a color that is highly speculative, and I don't think 100% of people who know rubies, would definitively call that a ruby based on the photos.

It costs extra to provide a report with a stone in a setting, but I believe it can be done. I would personally contact AGL for the details (they're very helpful/friendly).

 

[digdeep]

BaileyC...............did you see this one? http://www.africagems.com/ruby-cabochon-gemstone-22642914.html

 

[LoversKites]

BaileyC...............did you see this one? http://www.africagems.com/ruby-cabochon-gemstone-22642914.html

Nice find.

 

[minousbijoux]

digdeep, that one looks great!

 

[digdeep]

Thx LK, and Minous............cabochons can be simply stunning!

 

[LoversKites]

Wanted to add that Africagems is having a sitewide 20% sale until April 15th, so OP, if you're interested in that cab you should buy it before then. The coupon code is april15.