which ruby?

[brendaleong]

I am seeking opinions on the following rubies:

http://www.cherrypicked.com/Gallery/Score.aspx?ItemID=1515

http://www.cherrypicked.com/Gallery/Score.aspx?ItemID=1096

http://www.twin-diamonds.com/gemstone/1264.htm


http://www.twin-diamonds.com/gemstone/1267.htm

http://www.twin-diamonds.com/gemstone/2718.htm

Sorry for providing so many choices!

Brenda

 

[bar01]

Some interesting choices - from 2-3cts. Including a star ruby.


I will always go for quality over size - and in the case of cherrypicked I like a 1.92ct one they have - item 1712


Comparison here

 

[brendaleong]

Bertrand

Thanks for providing that comparison - I missed that..

Brenda

 

[widget]

Hi, Brenda:

In my experience, it is virtually impossible to judge a gemstone, (and maybe most of all a red one!) by photographs.

I''d almost want to choose my vendor first, and have him/her "talk me through" the differences between individual stones, with the stones in front of them.

I have purchased stones from CherryPicked, and was very very pleased. Richard Orbach is great to work with. Years ago I bought a heat treated sapphire from Avi Ben-Yair (then at Stargate). I was pleased with his service and the stone as well. Not much help, am I?

Obviously, you''re looking for an untreated ruby. It should probably be noted that the CherryPicked stones have "better" (or at least more widely known) certs. If you decide to go with Twin-Diamonds, I suppose you could purchase a stone contingent on re-certification by AGTA, or whoever.

You might ask the vendors if they have "broker back" policies...willingness to sell the stone for you if at a future time you might want to dispose of it..

I believe that both these dealers have excellent return policies..

Just some random thoughts...probably not much help...

Good luck!
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[brendaleong]

Hi Widget

Thanks for your input. Whilst I know Cherrypicked is well-known, I was not sure about Twin-Diamonds so it''s good to know that someone has had good experience with them.

I am still looking around for THE ONE so any opinions is definitely welcomed. By the way, I am also interested in untreated emeralds and know you made a recent purchase with Nelson Rarities? I have contacted them myself and sent an email as well but did not get any response back. Is this typical?!? Do you know of any other good emerald sources?

Thanks

Brenda

 

[widget]

Hi, Brenda:

Other than the two sites already mentioned, I don''t know of any sources of untreated emeralds. If no one else jumps into this thread you might start another one with your question, or perhaps do a search..

My emerald isn''t certified. That it is either lightly oiled or not at all was the educated guess of the Nelson people. To my knowledge they don''t deal in unmounted stones, only vintage jewelry. I''ve heard comments before regarding unanswered emails. My guess is that they are inundated with inquiries because they don''t list prices on their site. Probably your best bet is to call them...that''s what I did when I first contacted them.

By the way, have you checked out Richard Wise''s site www.rwwise.com ? He has a couple of rubies listed that are stunning...but I don''t remember about their treatment...great eyecandy, anyway...

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[brendaleong]

Widget

funny that you mentioned Richard. Him and I have had a couple of PMs regading this and you are quite right about his stones - real beauties and top notch.

Guess what? I went to a fortune teller today and he said no ''green'' for me this year. Guess I will have to leave the emerald till next year.

 

[colorchange]

I really love the star ruby

, one of the finest quality I have ever seen (unfortynately not very big...)... and I find those of cherry picked much better...

BTW if you want to pay me 4000$ my advice and chose to buy another one, I have the money to buy the star

 

[valeria101]

One more vote for the star : )

Amongthefacetedones the first one from Twin beckons - it is nicely over three carats, very clean ... No comment about that cut - it looks nice face up and that is enough good news for me.

I can only agree with Widget that color is not fairly judged online. The three stones at Twin are Thai - and perhaps deeper color than the one faceted at Cherrypicked. But if those are red enoug - this does not make them worse. They seem a better deal at the moment.

Just a thought.

 

[HERMAN]

You might also check out the National Gemstone website(www.preciousgemstones.com) - they have a nice selection of rubies and other gemstones - most are certified. Maybe this will help.

 

[widget]

Here''s a pic of the star everyone''s talking about...Yummy!

 

[brendaleong]

Thanks for the feedback. That is what is making the decision so difficult - the ones at Twin seem a better deal and whilst I am not usually into star rubies, the red star at Cherrypicked just seems to delicious! I am not sure though what the red looks like in person.