Where to find at least 5mm ruby pair

[lumpsy]

I spent a few days combing through the recommended vendor list looking for a matched pair of rubies for earrings. I would like them to round and at least 5mm in a nice red color. My plan is to get them set as studs and buy a diamond earrings jackets to get a similar look.

Though not round and a bit more than I was hoping to pay, I am considering these: http://www.multicolour.com/detail/index.html?/details/pair/ruby/yrs134ab/.. Since these are oval, I would get them set in halos. But then I'm not sure if these would need to be custom vs buying a setting since they don't seem to be a standard size, based on what I've seen available on stuller and ebay.

I also found a pair today on diamondbistro that are in size and shape I'm interested in. However not sure if I should be getting flux treated rubies.

Any advice given would be much appreciated.

 

[VirginiaZee]

I'm sure we can find some recommendations! Just a few quick questions:

1. what's your budget?
2. how do you feel about different treatments (untreated, heat, more invasive treatments)?
3. (edited to add...) could you post an inspiration photo or two of the color you're looking for?

 

[LoversKites]

Photos of rubies you like will be immensely helpful. Rubies will vary greatly in price and availability depending on the colour (saturation, modifiers, tone, and such). About the MC ones, some wouldn't even consider those rubies because of the dominant pink colour (in the photo at least) but hot pink sapphires.

 

[chrono]

I agree with the posters above:
1. If you don't mind, please post your budget (might be realistic, might not be).
2. What level of treatment is acceptable?
3. Pictures of the ruby colour you like will be very helpful. Many dark pink sapphires are considered as ruby in Asia.

 

[lumpsy]

My budget is up to $600, I think... (husband did not actually specify) for just the stones. If the stones are set already, I can go higher. I can't figure out how to post photos so I will point to a link instead, which I hope is okay: http://www.gia.edu/ruby-quality-factor.. As for treatments, I prefer heat treated only to any other treatments. If I'm being unrealistic, it's good to know. I think I am and should set aside this purchase until I have more funds. In which case, would anyone be so kind as to share a more realistic budget?

Thank you!

 

[GregS]

Whether or not your $600 budget is sufficient depends on what qualifies as a "nice red color" to you. Top tier red with traditional heat in 5mm rounds (which is actually pretty big) would be extremely difficult to find for $600, if not impossible.

Edit: If I was budgeting for such an item I'd expect to spend $1000 an ear. That'd be 2 rubies, 5mm, very nice red with good life for $2k. The Multicolour pair is pretty but they are leaning more towards pink then red and without a lab report "(h)heat enhancement" is rather open ended. There's a pair on Gemfix that's the size you desire, but again they are leaning more towards pink than red and they're bordering on opaque, they're also over budget at $1k.

 

[chrono]

For $600 total, the rubies will probably have to sacrifice both clarity (opaque instead of transparent) and colour (darker with more brown instead of bright red). I agree with Greg that if you are looking for a nice but not top 5 mm pair, expect to spend in the $2K range.

 

[lumpsy]

Thank you GregS and Chrono for responding and for not laughing in my face at my unrealistic budget. I always appreciate how kind everyone is on this board especially to newbies such as myself. For now I am putting ruby studs on wishlist and will try to come up with something else for my current purchase.

Thank you!

 

[VirginiaZee]

For now I am putting ruby studs on wishlist and will try to come up with something else for my current purchase.

If you have anything else you want help shopping for, please let us know!