2,300ct Rough Ruby Opinions...

[Dowser]

Hello Pricescope! This is my first post here and I would like some
opinions on a big piece of ruby rough I am considering purchasing
at a VERY fair price.

Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3

It is a Tanzanian ruby weighing about 2,300 carats. It is
estimated to be over 95% solid ruby with only a thin portion of
matrix. I understand it is hard to tell whether one should purchase
a specimen by simply looking at a picture, but what do you guys
think? Any input is appreciated.

 

[strmrdr]

External links aren''t allowed so I''m uploading your pictures for you.
What are you planning on doing with it?

 

[strmrdr]

next

 

[strmrdr]

next

 

[partgypsy]

Thanks for showing us the pic. I think what Storm was trying to ask, is whether you were buying it to cut into gems, or something else. I am no means a gem expert and it is hard to tell something from one pic. While it does look like solid ruby, the areas that show clear crystal areas are not large. However it looks like a fantastic specimen, in fact I like specimen pieces that show part of the matrix, which you have on the back. I would really have no idea how much a piece like that would go for.

 

[Pandora II]

If you want to carve a sculpture then its possibly worth considering - but I''d forget about it if you are thinking of gemstones.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Looks like it would make a great paperweight.

 

[The Joker]

IMHO, it would make an excellent mineral specimen, and very poor faceting rough for gem stones.
It also looks like someone has already broke it open to check for faceting material.

Joker....

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/13/2008 12:09:19 PM
Author: The Joker
IMHO, it would make an excellent mineral specimen, and very poor faceting rough for gem stones.

It also looks like someone has already broke it open to check for faceting material.


Joker....

That was my thought also which is why I asked what it was intended for.

 

[Dowser]

I mainly was looking for opinions on whether it was decent faceting material, but apparently it is not. I just got into the gem field and have sent out my first lot of ~1100 carats of Brazilian emerald rough to get cut. What makes this ruby not worthy of faceting and what should I be looking for in my searches for capable rough? I am willing and eager to learn as much as possible.

 

[chrono]

Facetable rough should have a very clear, see through quality. Not opaque at all. If you go to www.customgemstones.com, you can see Dan's before (rough) and after to get a feel of how facetable rough should look like.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/13/2008 4:41:45 PM
Author: Dowser
I mainly was looking for opinions on whether it was decent faceting material, but apparently it is not. I just got into the gem field and have sent out my first lot of ~1100 carats of Brazilian emerald rough to get cut. What makes this ruby not worthy of faceting and what should I be looking for in my searches for capable rough? I am willing and eager to learn as much as possible.

The odds of you finding facetable ruby rough at a price worth having it cut are close to zero.
You have to know where to look and know someone and even then the best rough will be cut before it is ever offered for sale.