value of certed unheated/untreated but highly included ruby?

[melda]

narrowly lost out on this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330459147466&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT stone today.

not heartbroken, as it was sort of more than i can afford right now, but it would have gone really nicely in a pendant with these http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320570511201&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT which i did win.

i'd much much rather have a natural, highly included stone than a synthetic or BE diffused stone, but i also don't want to be overcharged.

i'm also open to other similarly colored heart-shaped gemstones to complete a pendant, if anyone has suggestions.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Re: value of certed unheated/untreated but highly included r

Interesting - you can see the hexagonal crystal structure. But, gemological interest aside, aside, I would not buy that stone for setting:

- it is included to the point where it is no longer transparent, which kills sparkle and life. From the pictures and video, I would not call that I2
- in a way, that is fortunate, because it is so shallow that, if it were transparant, it would have a huge window
- I dislike the proportions of the heart shape

From your post I understand that you are looking for:
- purplish-red
- around 2cts
- heart shaped
- budget of less than $150

I think that a garnet (rhodolite) may be the best fit, specially for a pendant. Perhaps Rockhugger, the heart (shape) specialist, can help?

 

[jstarfireb]

Re: value of certed unheated/untreated but highly included r

How about this heart-shaped rhodolite?
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-69ct-Mindblow...30560074?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_2282wt_1137

It's a tad over-budget if you're looking for <$150, but the seller is very reputable and the stone looks nice (small window, but if you get a basket setting it should close up nicely.

ETA: I'm not sure how firm your budget is, and this one is way out of it, but I thought I'd post anyway. Looks really nice (love the concave cutting): http://cgi.ebay.com/4-30ct-Bizarre-...65604208?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_2133wt_1137

 

[melda]

Re: value of certed unheated/untreated but highly included r

thanks! i like the color on the included ruby better than that of the garnet. but i will certainly keep the idea of a garnet in mind. and i really don't like concave cuts, oh well.

question: even a highly included, natural, unheated/untreated ruby is worth more than $150, no? even though the stone was far from perfect, i'm a little sad it got away, as it was so unique, and imo, a great color.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Re: value of certed unheated/untreated but highly included r

thanks! i like the color on the included ruby better than that of the garnet. but i will certainly keep the idea of a garnet in mind. and i really don't like concave cuts, oh well.

question: even a highly included, natural, unheated/untreated ruby is worth more than $150, no? even though the stone was far from perfect, i'm a little sad it got away, as it was so unique, and imo, a great color.

Depends on how included, colour and size. Yes, you can get an untreated ruby for less than $150 (I have a 0.5ct, untreated, included ruby that I got for $120). It won't be a show stopper. Personally, I think you can get a better cost/benefit relationship on a good garnet at that price range.

 

[Indylady]

Re: value of certed unheated/untreated but highly included r

Check out Dutton's Diamonds, Gemburionline, and Odysseygem for affordable, untreated or heat-only rubies. I don't think you'll hit the 2ct mark, but you will find some pretty ones out there that are also a decent size.

 

[jstarfireb]

Re: value of certed unheated/untreated but highly included r

How about a red/pink spinel?
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-17ct-Mind-bog...339122628?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_2724wt_917
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-48ct-Mind-blo...593231015?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_1840wt_911

 

[Largosmom]

Re: value of certed unheated/untreated but highly included r

That is a very nice spinel...I'd ask Dan Stair if he has more Namanga Garnets in that nice pink that he can cut one for you. That may be a bit light for those yellow stones though.

Laura

 

[chrono]

Re: value of certed unheated/untreated but highly included r

I’m glad you lost out on that one because it’s as flat as a pancake, in addition to being terribly included which can kill the life in a coloured gemstone. Like Lady D, while I find being able to see the crystal structure clearly very interesting and fun, it has too many flaws to warrant purchasing. As for your second question, it all depends on the other Cs. If the inclusion is really horrible, yes, it can be worth only pennies, even if it is untreated.

 

[RockHugger]

Re: value of certed unheated/untreated but highly included r

Lol am I the official heart shape specialist now?I like the inclusions on the one you posted, but not worth 150 IMO.

 

[jleb]

Re: value of certed unheated/untreated but highly included r

I had a chat w/ Ted Themelis at Tucson a few years back at that agta show. He remarked that out of 10,000 carats of rubies, only about 90 carats would not require treatment. Either flux healing, rutile reduction or other heat. The art is knowing which one to apply to a stone. Since he teaches heat treating in Thailand, he should know.

 

[serenitydiamonds]

Re: value of certed unheated/untreated but highly included r

I know that 'untreated' sounds great, but for low quality stones, they can be very affordable. $150 seems expensive for a stone that is that low quality. If $150 is your budget, I'd take the suggestions above on another material. A good Ruby is going to start maybe at $1000 and proceed up to infinity at that size, depending on the quality. You can always judge the quality of a Ruby (and other 'precious' gems) by how they are priced.

--Joshua

 

[LD]

Re: value of certed unheated/untreated but highly included r

Don't give up your search. I have 3 heart shape rubies so they are definitely out there!

I've got to say that the one you posted was horribly included and shallow. In real life it would have been dire I'm afraid. Also, do a search on the seller on here and see what you find. Not only has he posted on here (judge for yourself what he's like) but there are photos and stills and his videos and they don't match anywhere near how they look in his Ebay adverts.

IMVHO you've had a great escape!

 

[Michael_E]

Re: value of certed unheated/untreated but highly included r

I really like that heart shape. The color is great, the inclusions are attractive and the price is dirt cheap.On the other hand I wonder why the lighting reflected from the tweezers is reddish ? Seems kind of odd and maybe the color has been touched up a bit to seem more intense ? I wish that someone here would have purchased that and then could post some "after" pictures.