Ruby for Engagement ring

[Eddie86]

I've been reading a bunch on Ruby's and this is a lot tougher than I initially thought. I ran into this board when I was searching for some insight on GemsNY. So my budget is 5k for the gemstone but have a little wiggle room if needed. 1-1.25ct, round, unheated, pigeon blood red and at least eye clean. Does that sound reasonable?

 

[SparkliesLuver]

How firm are you on the shape? For example, I found this that matches what you're looking for except the shape is a cushion: https://ivynewyork.com/collections/ruby-1/products/ruby-no-heat-1-01-ct

I'll keep looking.

 

[minousbijoux]

I think it would be doable if you relaxed your shape requirement and no treatment requirement. As it stands now, I think it will be difficult if not impossible. Pearlmans and Gemfix have many rounds that may be suitable but they are heat treated. Africagems appears to have some ovals that may work in your price range.

 

[Eddie86]

Cushion was my second option in shape. Heated stone would open up a lot of options but would be last resort if i'm still stuck.

I looked at Pearlmans and Gemfix earlier today and saw a couple that caught my interest but heated. I'll keep them in my radar but want to try to see if my option is doable.

On a sidenote, I noticed some Vendors are outside of the US. Any issues with shipping or returns?

 

[Bron357]

Heat treated is very typical and not a terrible thing, what you do want to ensure though is that it isn’t also Beryllium treated as this is less accepted and such a ruby should be priced considerable cheaper. Seeing as BE treatment requires quite specialised testing, stick to very reputable vendors and proper certification. Rubies generally have internal flaws, it’s characteristic of their crystal structure, though you may wish to avoid excessive silk which can make the ruby sort of fuzzy which is exactly why heat treating is so common, it dissolves those silk (rutile) inclusions.

 

[Bron357]

And just so you have a sizing reference, my oval ruby (it’s upside down btw so it would sit flat!) is 1.45 carats (8.1mm x 5.9mm) on a large (size finger .

 

[Bron357]

And as for colour, it seems everyone likes to call their ruby “pigeon blood red” as this is the premium colour.
Here in the photo of a few of my rubies, the ruby in the ring is quite a purple red whereas the two smaller ones are definitely “pinker”. In my humble opinion I feel the large ruby shows what is called “pigeon blood red”. Also you might see that one of the smaller ones looks a bit “fuzzy”, that is due to silk inclusions. I just have an iPhone so these aren’t fancy or edited photos.

 

[Bron357]

And finally here’s my round, about the size you are looking for. I would be more inclined to call this a pink sapphire in real life, though it photographs differently. It seems to have strong fluorescence.
My point being, maybe you should stick with vendors where you can return the stone if it’s doesnt suit your taste “in person”. They can look quite different in real life situations as opposed to studio lighting with fancy cameras.

 

[KristinTech]

And as for colour, it seems everyone likes to call their ruby “pigeon blood red” as this is the premium colour.
Here in the photo of a few of my rubies, the ruby in the ring is quite a purple red whereas the two smaller ones are definitely “pinker”. In my humble opinion I feel the large ruby shows what is called “pigeon blood red”. Also you might see that one of the smaller ones looks a bit “fuzzy”, that is due to silk inclusions. I just have an iPhone so these aren’t fancy or edited photos.

I have been looking at rubies a bit lately, and I think I prefer the “fuzzy” ones—they’re so magical and glowy!

 

[qubitasaurus]

I like these two

https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/listing/...eated-red-ruby-cushion?ref=shop_home_active_9

https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p367/1.54_ct_Unheated_Ruby.html

 

[Bron357]

I like these two

https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/listing/...eated-red-ruby-cushion?ref=shop_home_active_9

https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p367/1.54_ct_Unheated_Ruby.html

Yes, that finewatergems one is beautiful. Pricey, but worth it in my humble opinion.

 

[Miki Moto]

Hi! I had a 2.02 ct, certified Pigeon-Blood ruby, and I hated it! I share this with you because it was the biggest mistake I made in purchasing a loose gemstone.

My mistake was the two criteria which I thought at the time was the best: 1) it had to be Burmese and 2), it had to be pigeon-blood red. Wrong!

I choose pigeon-blood red as I read it was the reference for a ruby color. Pigeon-blood red is a deep dark red, with a drop of blue. And I wanted Burmese because it's supposed to be the best.

Well, Burmese Pigeon-Blood red rubies are very dark and they are not typically clear (unless you pay super big bucks). After I purchased this ruby, I had it set in a platinum setting with diamond side stones. The ring came back and the ruby was just too dark for me and it didn't sparkle as I had imagined. I kept trying to love the ring, but no go.

Long story short... I sold that ring as every time I saw it, it gave me bad memories. I am still traumatized by a rubies so for now, I've moved on to Colombian emeralds.

What did I learn? I learned I like bright stop-light red rubies! I have since looked at fine Mozambique rubies and they are beautiful. If I want another ruby again i the future, I would go with a bright stop-light red Mozambique ruby. Have you seen them? They glow red! Stop light red! Not dark red, bright red and that is the red I love.

My suggestion is before you go for pigeon-blood red, if you are buying it because it's the reference, please compare them to Mozambique rubies. This is to be sure you don't make the same mistake I did. For me, there is no comparison at all. You may have already done that and love the dark pigeon-blood red... many people do like that shade. And put the loose stone in a semi-mount so you can at least get an idea of the shade after it is mounted. The red will get even darker as loose stones usually get a tad darker once set.

On your choice of ruby... I love rubies and think they are so gorgeous! Good luck to you!

 

[NKOTB]

I like these two

https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/listing/...eated-red-ruby-cushion?ref=shop_home_active_9

https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p367/1.54_ct_Unheated_Ruby.html

I find the Finewater one very pink, but maybe it’s just the pic.

 

[Eddie86]

Thanks Bron357 for all of the info and pictures. The picture with the large ruby is what i'd be looking for, more of a Vivid red.

The Finewatergems Ruby does look pink. BUT that could be many factors that the color would look different. i.e. Camera, monitor, etc.

I don't really care to much about Origin as I do understand that "Burmese" drives the price up. Mozambique rubies are not out of the question. I appreciate everyone's insight on this as this give me more options and try to narrow down some things to find the right stone.

 

[KristinTech]

The finewater ruby—he says to rely on the hand shot for the most accurate color... it does look quite a bit pinker in the other shots.

 

[qubitasaurus]

The finewater ruby—he says to rely on the hand shot for the most accurate color... it does look quite a bit pinker in the other shots.

He has said in the past that the studio lighting picks up fluorescence in the stone. So I wonder if that has something to do with the discrepancy between the hand shot and the studio shots. I would like to see the lab report photo to see which it is closer to. Personally I am smitten with the gemstoneproject one anyway though.