Thoughts on this ruby?

[kittencakes]

I have a feeling this is too good to be true but wanted some expert opinion first

http://www.rubylane.com/item/376188-DAR-520/Estate-18k-Gold-3-44

The listing above is for a ring on Rubylane. I contacted the seller in order to know the treatment the ruby went under and if there was a lab report. The seller responded back saying the ring was from a wealthy estate and hand picked gem. She goes on to say how the original owner attended many royal functions and offical affairs (She doesn't say it exactly but I'm assuming this is to assure me the ring is genuine). The seller also mentions other items which I didn't ask about mainly the diamond clarity and gold weight. I then respond simply asking for a lab report such as the GIA, AGL, IGL. She responds by saying these are overseas and wasn't needed since it the ring wasn't for resale when the owner made them (I know, her responses do not make much sense to me either). Then 4min after the email she responds again saying she sent these questions to the owner and what luck to have her respond since she is overseas. She mentions a storm was occuring which is why the owner was up at such an odd hour (weird right?). The owner does not have the report on the ruby but it was examined at her school AIGS the Asian Institue of Gemology. Then inspectated again by her special goldsmith so she knows for a fact they are not infused. The also mentions this is a Thai ruby and since it was purcashed 28yrs ago before they started using the filled method.

To begin, I thought the email responses were odd. The wording and "luck" I have by talking to the original owner seems to raise a red flag with me. Also the fact that rubies weren't filled 28yrs ago. I could be wrong, but I thought rubies undergoing treatment of lead or glass has been happening wayy before this? So did I find the deal of a century or does this seem too good to be true? (slight sarcasm in this sentence and I am doubting myself more and more)

 

[RTFrog]

Based on those pictures, and the low cost of the ring, I would be highly skeptical. Is there any way to get a higher resolution picture - or under a microscope? It just looks off to me, but it could just be the pictures. Also, I went through this and took a look - looks somewhat similar. I would insist on a lab report before purchasing - with an option for a return.

https://www.pricescope.com/journal/lead-glass-ruby-nightmare-keeps-giving

Related info: http://www.fieldgemology.org/Ruby_lead_glass_treatment.pdf

 

[kittencakes]

Thanks! I was skeptical myself but wanted to check with those with more knowledge than myself to see if this was infact a good deal. I've been looking at rubies for a little bit and thought the price on this looked very off. Unfortunately I do not have have any zoomed in pictures. The close-up shot was a zoom tool used on Rubylane (not an actual zoom shot uploaded by the seller).

Since I asked 2x about a lab report with only the seller's "word" saying the gem is verified, I am going to pass on this piece. Thanks again for the reply!

 

[minousbijoux]

I can't wait to hear from those more knowledgeable about good quality settings, but that setting doesn't seem to me to be all that for a hanging out with royalty type of ring, if you kwim. The quality just doesn't look that high on the gold work to me, and therefore makes me question the rest of the story. AIGS just recently got the very expensive equipment to test for berylium diffusion, so it depends upon when the owner sent the ring in. Also, most jewelers/gemologists cannot detect lattice diffusion without the necessary equipment, so her arguments do not carry much weight with me, fwiw.

 

[patricias]

I think you're getting snowed.

 

[chrono]

WAY too good to be true. I would not risk it unless the vendor agrees to make the sale contingent upon AGL verifying that the Thai ruby is indeed untreated. If the location of the ring is overseas, there are many GIA labs around the world, but my preference is still AGL. Many methods of cooking ruby was done more than 28 years ago and again, we are taking the age of the ruby based only on the vendor's word. Cooking typically happens several years before exposure by the gem labs.

Heated w/extra elements
Hydrogen diffusion discovered by the labs in the 1960s
Surface diffusion discovered by the labs in the 1970s to 1980s
Bulk lattice diffusion discovered by the labs in the 2000s

Clarity enhancement
Papers were published on gem healing (filled with fluid or liquid) in the 1960s
Glass filling of surface pits discovered by the labs in the early 1980s
Flux fracture (lead glass) filling discovered by the labs in the 1990s

 

[kittencakes]

Thanks for everyone's response! I passed on this item and let the seller know. I did ask for a zoomed in pic or under a microscope and was told "Did you not recieve my email from the owner that this gem is over 25yrs old and the technology was not available then." Wayyy too many red flags on this one. I appreciate everyone's replies and will continue the hunt!

 

[minousbijoux]

Your experience makes me want to watch that seller and see what other amazing deals she has from folks who brushed shoulders with the rich and famous!