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Thoughts on this unheated Madagascar Ruby ring

Mreader

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 14, 2018
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So I actually already purchased it because I really wanted to get feedback, but I didn’t want anybody sniping it. I can easily return it if I don’t like it.

I’ve been casually looking for a ruby diamond ring for a long time because it’s my son’s birthstone. But everybody knows that rubies are difficult and expensive and I wasn’t going to spend $$$$$ on this. I stumbled across this ring on TRR and saw it had a GIA report. It wasn’t advertised as unheated, but when I clicked on the report, I see there’s no treatment. It was 3K.

I was not intending to make a big purchase right now, :oops2: but I thought maybe this is something that I should not pass up because would it be hard to find another?

That is basically my question to you guys. I really don’t know a lot about colored stones and I don’t know if the price point is actually “normal” or if these rubles are actually easily found etc etc.

I am posting photographs of the report and also the listing. This website has notoriously bad photos, but I’m curious about what your thoughts are so far and of course when I get it, I will post more.

Tagging @Avondale @Indylady @VividRed @Crimson @mellowyellowgirl @Autumn in New England @elle_71125 @Bron357
Here is listing:


IMG_5033.jpegIMG_5031.png
 
How exciting! I can see why you took a chance on it. The color is fairly purple in the listing, but of course TRR has terrible photos. I hope it's dreamy in person! Can't wait to see what you think!
 
Also tagging @LD
How exciting! I can see why you took a chance on it. The color is fairly purple in the listing, but of course TRR has terrible photos. I hope it's dreamy in person! Can't wait to see what you think!

yeah, the TRR the color is dark but I know it’s hard to tell from the pictures and the color on the lab report looks nice
 
I saw that ring this morning! I can't weigh in on the quality, but fingers crossed for you!
 
Welp, not tagged but I'll leave my 2 cents.
Not a terrible price for an unheated, the potential issues that I see is it has a stronger purple modifier(at least by picture and common for Mad.) and a bit shallow so windowing could be an issue. They may actually balance each other out. The mount is a decent make and looks sturdy and it's very pretty.
Did you get to see any video of it on the hand?
 
I’m a party pooper when it comes to rubies so please take my comment with a pinch of salt: I am picky, very picky.

I won’t comment on the ring itself but as far as the ruby goes, it’s a hard pass for me. Lots of purple and brown, and a huge window. Read: no brilliance, no “wow” factor.

It won’t look like what you think of when ruby comes to mind. 3k is the price, probably most of it is margin and the setting, not much for the ruby itself. The question is: do you like it? Can you get a better deal on a ruby? Unlikely, but ruby is notoriously difficult AND expensive due to excessive demand. If any red stone will do, with the same budget you would probably be a lot happier with a spinel or a rubellite.

I am not actively looking to buy anything at the moment but am always on the lookout for a fine ruby that doesn’t break the bank. I have a few unheated Burmese and Mozambican rubies I purchased a few years ago and have not been able to find anything even remotely close to the same quality that doesn’t cost twice as much or more. Bummer.

So really, spinel (that is also a lot more expensive than it used to be as it gained in popularity as consumers look for cheaper alternatives to ruby) and rubellite are the way to go if you want a red gem. Or a synthetic, of course, but that’s another discussion.

Can you post actual pictures when you get it? I might be completely wrong and know that pictures on lab reports are crap, but after seeing hundreds I think I can grasp what it will look like in person.
 
Welp, not tagged but I'll leave my 2 cents.
Not a terrible price for an unheated, the potential issues that I see is it has a stronger purple modifier(at least by picture and common for Mad.) and a bit shallow so windowing could be an issue. They may actually balance each other out. The mount is a decent make and looks sturdy and it's very pretty.
Did you get to see any video of it on the hand?

I’m so glad you chimed in! I can never remember everybody who are the expert so I should have tagged you. No pics on the hand because this website never sends additional pictures unless the item is in the store and this one is not.
 
I’m a party pooper when it comes to rubies so please take my comment with a pinch of salt: I am picky, very picky.

I won’t comment on the ring itself but as far as the ruby goes, it’s a hard pass for me. Lots of purple and brown, and a huge window. Read: no brilliance, no “wow” factor.

It won’t look like what you think of when ruby comes to mind. 3k is the price, probably most of it is margin and the setting, not much for the ruby itself. The question is: do you like it? Can you get a better deal on a ruby? Unlikely, but ruby is notoriously difficult AND expensive due to excessive demand. If any red stone will do, with the same budget you would probably be a lot happier with a spinel or a rubellite.

I am not actively looking to buy anything at the moment but am always on the lookout for a fine ruby that doesn’t break the bank. I have a few unheated Burmese and Mozambican rubies I purchased a few years ago and have not been able to find anything even remotely close to the same quality that doesn’t cost twice as much or more. Bummer.

So really, spinel (that is also a lot more expensive than it used to be as it gained in popularity as consumers look for cheaper alternatives to ruby) and rubellite are the way to go if you want a red gem. Or a synthetic, of course, but that’s another discussion.

Can you post actual pictures when you get it? I might be completely wrong and know that pictures on lab reports are crap, but after seeing hundreds I think I can grasp what it will look like in person.

Don’t worry about being a party pooper. This is the feedback I am looking for! I will definitely post pics. If it doesn’t work out I will consider it $ saved haha.
 
Can’t tell much from the pictures and color is everything (and crystal quality and cut, but really color) so you will have to wait and see! For the size if you like it the price is good IMO. Color in the picture on the GIA report doesn’t look bad. Especially if you like the setting. I’ve been perusing rubies casually for a year now, and sapphires, and as you know prices are wiiiild.
 
Well, GIA says it's red so the colour might end up nice enough in person. There are two major flaws that I'm able to identify.

1. The window:

1736023374830.png

It's a pretty big one. The entire stone is basically one big window. It's just so very shallow, only 2mm, it's practically flat. There's no salvaging it, no recutting it, you just have to live with it. If the colour is rich enough in person, you might consider it acceptable enough. But you will have no brilliance with this stone, so if the body colour doesn't deliver, it will be a total dud.

2. The internal fracture:

1736023562473.png

1736023591380.png

It runs straight through the stone. Given how visible it is in the GIA report photo, you might find it unpleasantly distracting in person. I couldn't say how it affects the stone's stability, maybe it doesn't, but then... I don't know.

Nothing much to do now aside from wait for it to arrive. I believe it will boil down to whether the colour is attractive enough in person to compensate for its flaws.
 
Well, GIA says it's red so the colour might end up nice enough in person. There are two major flaws that I'm able to identify.

1. The window:

1736023374830.png

It's a pretty big one. The entire stone is basically one big window. It's just so very shallow, only 2mm, it's practically flat. There's no salvaging it, no recutting it, you just have to live with it. If the colour is rich enough in person, you might consider it acceptable enough. But you will have no brilliance with this stone, so if the body colour doesn't deliver, it will be a total dud.

2. The internal fracture:

1736023562473.png

1736023591380.png

It runs straight through the stone. Given how visible it is in the GIA report photo, you might find it unpleasantly distracting in person. I couldn't say how it affects the stone's stability, maybe it doesn't, but then... I don't know.

Nothing much to do now aside from wait for it to arrive. I believe it will boil down to whether the colour is attractive enough in person to compensate for its flaws.

Thank you for the feedback!
 
2mm depth! I didn’t even notice that.
 
this is the first time I'm seeing a GIA report quoting a "client stated weight" for the center stone carat weight - I'm kinda flabbergasted
 
I can't see the GIA report now that it's been purchased. Rubies are super tough. I'm pretty mixed on that one, it's definitely something I'd want to see in person to evaluate further. If you want that classic Burmese (with the purple-y tones), wait for Burmese.

GemFix is the only vendor I know of that still carries a couple nice classic Burmese rubies. A fine, and nicely sized ruby was both my first dream piece of jewelry and the last remaining item on my bucket list.

 
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this is the first time I'm seeing a GIA report quoting a "client stated weight" for the center stone carat weight - I'm kinda flabbergasted

It’s actually very common when an entire ring is being sent and the stone isn’t being unmounted for testing. They describe the dimensions and include the client stated weight.
 
Greenland rubies are fun and interesting too, but they're all be treated, so you're really just paying for locality and cutting.

Well, in all honesty, the same applies for Burmese rubies. Unless you want to spend so much for an elusive untreated one, that even an internally flawless D diamond would seem cheap in comparison.
 
I’m late to the party but as the others have pointed out already, I think there are positives and negatives to this ring.

Negatives

The colour leans quite purple in the pics - that said I still think it looks like a “ruby” colour which is good as some stones just straight up look like garnets. And it might look better in natural light!

2mm depth - that is REALLY shallow and will be a big window

The cracks - this worries me the most as they are pretty obvious in the photos and besides the big one it looks like there are a few more lines as well

Positives

Lovely setting that looks reasonably hefty for the price tag

Price - do you really want to throw many thousands or whatever the going rate is at the best ruby ever? This won’t be the best Ruby ever but it might just do its job and go nicely with an outfit.

Random thought: If you took $3000 can you create a better ring with a better quality ruby? That’s how I would look at it. First, do I like it? Will I wear it often? Can I recreate a better ring for the same price or cheaper.

Good luck and keep us posted!!!
 
this is the first time I'm seeing a GIA report quoting a "client stated weight" for the center stone carat weight - I'm kinda flabbergasted
I was guessing that’s because it was sent in mounted. When a stone is mounted do they usually do an estimated carat weight?
 
I can't see the GIA report now that it's been purchased. Rubies are super tough. I'm pretty mixed on that one, it's definitely something I'd want to see in person to evaluate further. If you want that classic Burmese (with the purple-y tones), wait for Burmese.

GemFix is the only vendor I know of that still carries a couple nice classic Burmese rubies. A fine, and nicely sized ruby was both my first dream piece of jewelry and the last remaining item on my bucket list.


I posted pictures of the report. Can you not see those?
 
I’m late to the party but as the others have pointed out already, I think there are positives and negatives to this ring.

Negatives

The colour leans quite purple in the pics - that said I still think it looks like a “ruby” colour which is good as some stones just straight up look like garnets. And it might look better in natural light!

2mm depth - that is REALLY shallow and will be a big window

The cracks - this worries me the most as they are pretty obvious in the photos and besides the big one it looks like there are a few more lines as well

Positives

Lovely setting that looks reasonably hefty for the price tag

Price - do you really want to throw many thousands or whatever the going rate is at the best ruby ever? This won’t be the best Ruby ever but it might just do its job and go nicely with an outfit.

Random thought: If you took $3000 can you create a better ring with a better quality ruby? That’s how I would look at it. First, do I like it? Will I wear it often? Can I recreate a better ring for the same price or cheaper.

Good luck and keep us posted!!!

The random thought is where I’m at. I’ve never even considered getting any of the top quality material because it would simply not be in my budget!

I confess that I did not even notice the 2 mm depth and I should have. I know enough about colored gems to know that they are usually deep anyway, and the fact that this one is super shallow does not bode well.

Thank you for your feedback!
 
Well, in all honesty, the same applies for Burmese rubies. Unless you want to spend so much for an elusive untreated one, that even an internally flawless D diamond would seem cheap in comparison.

I cannot see this quote about the Greenland Ruby, except in your reply. Hmmm.
 
Based on all the feedback, in particular now seeing the depth, I tried to cancel this order, but I can’t now. :(( Which I thought was weird because it doesn’t even say in process or shipped. So it’s coming no matter what, so I will still post photographs when I get it.
 
I was guessing that’s because it was sent in mounted. When a stone is mounted do they usually do an estimated carat weight?

I don’t think so, only stone measurements, and that’s only provided the stone can be measured.

I cannot see this quote about the Greenland Ruby, except in your reply. Hmmm.

Post was probably edited afterwards.

Based on all the feedback, in particular now seeing the depth, I tried to cancel this order, but I can’t now. :(( Which I thought was weird because it doesn’t even say in process or shipped. So it’s coming no matter what, so I will still post photographs when I get it.

Hey, it can still be nicer in person! Besides, you did say it would be easy to return, so don’t fret about it too much.
 
Ok, here's something useful (@Mreader sorry for spamming your thread).

When you try to open a listing for something that has already sold on TRR, you'll be met with a "this item is sold" and "see similar" which is confusing and misleading because you think you're no longer able to see the listing.

However, it is still right there, right under the "this item is sold". The "see similar" text is above the other available similar items.

1736031787705.png

Click it and you'll be able to look through the listing, the photos, everything.
 
Based on all the feedback, in particular now seeing the depth, I tried to cancel this order, but I can’t now. :(( Which I thought was weird because it doesn’t even say in process or shipped. So it’s coming no matter what, so I will still post photographs when I get it.

Cheer up! It will be alright as you can return it! Most of us have been there and have bought things on the fly. I did so last year when I REALLY should have known better but it was like a car wreck that I insisted on walking into.
 
Cheer up! It will be alright as you can return it! Most of us have been there and have bought things on the fly. I did so last year when I REALLY should have known better but it was like a car wreck that I insisted on walking into.

I know a fellow PSer would understand :lol: . I was patting myself on the back for resisting the 70% sapphire sale lol and now this
 
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@Mreader My second son is a July baby too :) untreated rubies are so stupidly expensive now, so perfection is not achievable imo.
What about this one?
 
@Mreader My second son is a July baby too :) untreated rubies are so stupidly expensive now, so perfection is not achievable imo.
What about this one?

Yes like why can’t spinel be the birthstone haha. This one is cute but I’m not crazy about the setting. If this one gets returned I’m ok with it - it’s not a situation where I’m looking hard. I grabbed this bc it seemed to tick the boxes.
 
I can see why you took a chance. I love the purplish/red rubies. For what it's worth have you thought of pink sapphire? Multicolor has this nice 1.47 unheated one for a little less than $1200. It might not be red enough for your consideration, but the color is beautiful.
j2w_RB10813ab (2).jpg
cef_rb10813ab.jpg
 
I can see why you took a chance. I love the purplish/red rubies. For what it's worth have you thought of pink sapphire? Multicolor has this nice 1.47 unheated one for a little less than $1200. It might not be red enough for your consideration, but the color is beautiful.
j2w_RB10813ab (2).jpg
cef_rb10813ab.jpg

That is a really pretty stone! Part of the reason I wanted the Ruby was because of my son’s birthstone. I think if I end up returning this one, I’m not going to be really on the hunt. I will go back to casually browsing and see if something pops up ;)
 
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