What to ask/look for when purchasing ruby jewelry?

[boxbits]

Hello all,

I'm interested in purchasing a loose ruby for setting or ruby melee for an eternity ring or a ready made ruby ring. However, I don't have the faintest idea as to what to look for or what to ask. If anyone can share some basics or tips, I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[voce]

1) Decide your budget.

2) Learn about treatments.

3) Decide whether you are OK with treatments, or synthetics.

4) Find a stone or ring that is priced accordingly.

For ruby melee, generally it's really hard to find unheated ruby in sizes under 3mm, so you know. Yvonne Raley of Cecile Raley Designs on Etsy is who I'd go to for ruby melee.

Depending on your budget, an untreated ruby may be out of your budget for the size that you want.

If a ruby has been heated, it may also have been heated with clarity fillers (such as glass-filled rubies, which are poor quality). Therefore, a lab report from an independent lab is a must for any ruby of a significant enough price. Under $500, you should generally assume the ruby has had clarity enhancement treatment, unless the ruby is very small.

 

[boxbits]

Thanks very much @voce!

Is there anything about the ruby itself I should be looking for? I know that certain shades and hues are more valued in other types of precious gems, but do not know for rubies. Are there natural inclusions in a ruby, such as in emeralds? Or should they be clear?

 

[whitewave]

I’ve been looking at rubies lately. Here is where I found some nice ones at various price points.

Natural Red Ruby, Burmese Unheated and Heated Rubies from Gemfix

Natural Red Ruby, Burmese and African Unheated and Heated Rubies from Gemfix, Burma Ruby

gemfix.com

Buy Natural Loose Burma Ruby Gemstones at AJS Gems

See our stock in rare natural Burma ruby and African ruby, certified by leading gemological laboratories.

www.ajsgem.com

Do you know about where your price point is for the stone?

Edited: rubies can be more expensive than diamonds!

 

[boxbits]

Thanks for the links @whitewave!

Re budget: that's the thing. I'd like to learn more about the scale of quality for rubies before I decide how much I'd like to spend.

However, H will have a heart attack if I buy another engagement ring's worth of ruby. So there will be limits.

 

[voce]

Thanks very much @voce!

Is there anything about the ruby itself I should be looking for? I know that certain shades and hues are more valued in other types of precious gems, but do not know for rubies. Are there natural inclusions in a ruby, such as in emeralds? Or should they be clear?

You should be looking for a color that does not black out, a color that makes you fall in love with the stone, which means different shades for different people. What's most valued in the trade (hence the most expensive) is a stoplight red.

There are inclusions that could appear in any natural stone. Rubies are less included than emeralds, but so highly valued, especially by Asian cultures that love the color red, which is considered lucky as well as symbolic of love, that the price is driven high enough that a lot of people can only afford a ruby with some inclusions.

Whether or not you should expect an inclusion in your future ruby, depends on the budget that you set.

If you are willing to pay >$10k, why not get a VS (eye clean, no magnification) ruby?

You can get a larger ruby with more inclusions or a small bright ruby without inclusions. In the 4Cs of colored gems, the Color is king, and people typically make trade-offs with respect to Cut, Carat Size, and Clarity. You should decide which ones you're willing to trade off on.

Here's a ruby I consider mid-range in terms of price; top color, but with two small black inclusions that are not that noticeable because of the vivid red color.

0.88 ct Unheated Mozambique Ruby, Lotus — Enhoerning Jewelry

www.enhoerning-jewelry.com

I have bought a ruby from Inken at Enhoerning Jewelry before and would recommend her. She has a great eye for color and is excellent with communication and customer service.

 

[lovedogs]

Agree with all of the great points above. Rubies are extremely expensive stones so budget and disclosure of treatment are super important

 

[whitewave]

Thanks for the links @whitewave!

Re budget: that's the thing. I'd like to learn more about the scale of quality for rubies before I decide how much I'd like to spend.

However, H will have a heart attack if I buy another engagement ring's worth of ruby. So there will be limits.

Or so we say...... lol

 

[whitewave]

You should be looking for a color that does not black out, a color that makes you fall in love with the stone, which means different shades for different people. What's most valued in the trade (hence the most expensive) is a stoplight red.

There are inclusions that could appear in any natural stone. Rubies are less included than emeralds, but so highly valued, especially by Asian cultures that love the color red, which is considered lucky as well as symbolic of love, that the price is driven high enough that a lot of people can only afford a ruby with some inclusions.

Whether or not you should expect an inclusion in your future ruby, depends on the budget that you set.

If you are willing to pay >$10k, why not get a VS (eye clean, no magnification) ruby?

You can get a larger ruby with more inclusions or a small bright ruby without inclusions. In the 4Cs of colored gems, the Color is king, and people typically make trade-offs with respect to Cut, Carat Size, and Clarity. You should decide which ones you're willing to trade off on.

Here's a ruby I consider mid-range in terms of price; top color, but with two small black inclusions that are not that noticeable because of the vivid red color.

0.88 ct Unheated Mozambique Ruby, Lotus — Enhoerning Jewelry

www.enhoerning-jewelry.com

I have bought a ruby from Inken at Enhoerning Jewelry before and would recommend her. She has a great eye for color and is excellent with communication and customer service.

Gorgeous!!!

Inken sourced me a gorgeous emerald, so I do also recommend her.

 

[boxbits]

Thank you all for your advice and input! It seems I have some learning to do.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I'd need smelling salts before i looked at rubys
The price of them would knock me out cold

good for you seeking out knowledge first
Hopefully you will get the most bang for your buck

 

[voce]

@Daisys and Diamonds don't look at the ruby ring I linked from 1st Dibs in the Somebody's Gotta Buy This thread without smelling salts. If I had that much money I'd better use it on a house.

 

[whitewave]

I just want a small one. Maybe for my pinkie.