Burmese ruby opinions

[VividRed]

Couple of other rubies from the same vendor, again probably have surface-reaching fissure, though not very obvious…

Pardon our interruption...

This one is probably quite dark in real life, may or may not have a big surface-reaching fissures in the crown.

Pardon our interruption...

This one is a bit lighter in tone, but despite its GIA vivid red grading, almost look purplish red rather than vivid red. Inclusion, maybe surface-reaching at 2-3 o’clock direction on the first photo?

Pardon our interruption...

This one looks the cleanest of three as far as the crown is concerned, possibly no big surface-reaching fissures but the colour is bordering on dark red, almost like a garnet.

Guess all three fail the test?!

These pictures are taken under incandescent light (see the yellow background), which is the ideal light for ruby. And yet, unimpressive. They won’t look like this in natural light, in fact they will likely look dark and lifeless. I would stay away

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

These pictures are taken under incandescent light (see the yellow background), which is the ideal light for ruby. And yet, unimpressive. They won’t look like this in natural light, in fact they will likely look dark and lifeless. I would stay away

Expected as much, not to mention surface-reaching fissures and other clarity issues. I just wonder how they managed to score GIA vivid red moniker.

 

[VividRed]

Are you from Australia as well, @VividRed ? I will see what they have now. Not expecting much though other than that 1.30ct, and that might go over AU$20,000.



Beautiful stone but come under 1ct similar to Natural ruby company’s 0.83ct, maybe go with one of the two…

I’m in Switzerland

 

[glitterata]

That rutile silk (in a perfect 60/120 degree crosshatch) would have disappeared with even low-temperature heating.

I think you have an unheated stone there.

What is the white surrounding the exposed area? It looks almost like epoxy or something.

The white is just the microscope light reflecting off the abrasions.

Here's a slightly less zoomed in view of the abraded facets:

 

[Dr_Diesel]

The white is just the microscope light reflecting off the abrasions.

Here's a slightly less zoomed in view of the abraded facets:

Ahhh! That totally makes sense now. Thank you!

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

I have found this stone, just over 1ct, GRS certified as Mogok pigeon red. The vendor sent videos and I took a few screenshots, not the best quality but hope you can see its features. Quite a bit of silky inclusion and a couple of chips on the pavilion but colour looks okay to me. Any feedback from the brains trust panel: tolerable, passable ruby?

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Are you going to love it if you’re using words like “tolerable” and “passable” to describe it?

I get settling, I’m the queen of settling and I’ve settled on two blue sapphires. You have to still love the stone though imo.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Are you going to love it if you’re using words like “tolerable” and “passable” to describe it?

I get settling, I’m the queen of settling and I’ve settled on two blue sapphires. You have to still love the stone though imo.

I love the stone from the videos the vendor sent. The photo screenshots are only glimpses of it. Just wonder if the panel here find a big no-no feature, tolerable and passable were used in terms of experts’ opinions that might flow, but I like this stone very much.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

I have found this stone, just over 1ct, GRS certified as Mogok pigeon red. The vendor sent videos and I took a few screenshots, not the best quality but hope you can see its features. Quite a bit of silky inclusion and a couple of chips on the pavilion but colour looks okay to me. Any feedback from the brains trust panel: tolerable, passable ruby?

So any opinions on this stone? I am ready to go for it after watching the videos several times, hopefully as a forever ruby,

 

[Dreamer_D]

I can’t tell anything from those screenshots that will allow me to offer an opinion .

 

[Avondale]

I have an idea. The vendor video doesn't seem to have any distinguishable markings. You could download it, upload it to imgur (it will even allow you to remove the sound entirely) and then share it here so that people can give you better feedback.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

I have an idea. The vendor video doesn't seem to have any distinguishable markings. You could download it, upload it to imgur (it will even allow you to remove the sound entirely) and then share it here so that people can give you better feedback.

Didn’t know you can do that. Will try that. Thank you.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

I have an idea. The vendor video doesn't seem to have any distinguishable markings. You could download it, upload it to imgur (it will even allow you to remove the sound entirely) and then share it here so that people can give you better feedback.

Okay trying imgur link, hope it works..,

https://imgur.com/a/ExLl7Tj

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Are you after a glow because it doesn’t seem to have that glow that Burmese rubies are famous for. This looks like one of those Mozambique rubies, although more purplish.

I get some Rubellite vibes from it too.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Are you after a glow because it doesn’t seem to have that glow that Burmese rubies are famous for. This looks like one of those Mozambique rubies, although more purplish.

I get some Rubellite vibes from it too.

Glow is a bonus, you mean fluorescence, right? Think it does glow a bit, just not strongly. Agree it’s slightly purplish against certain light settings, but I like the colour. Thank you for your views.

 

[VividRed]

I am sorry to say this, but I feel that you are not ready to buy a Burmese ruby.

You are looking for confirmation from people on a forum when really YOU need to be convinced. It’s ok, and advised, to look for opinions, but you seem to change your mind too often, too fast. Have you seen any of these rubies in person? We’ve all said it many times, nothing replaces your eyes, pictures and videos are only as helpful as you allow them to be.

May I suggest you pause and take your time, this should not be a rushed decision given the amount of money you are prepared to spend. Buying rubies is hard

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Glow is a bonus, you mean fluorescence, right? Think it does glow a bit, just not strongly. Agree it’s slightly purplish against certain light settings, but I like the colour. Thank you for your views.

Yes fluorescence! Sorry my bad! I hope I haven’t upset you! It’s just that you are going to spend so much on these stones and I worry whether these will look good when you receive them.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

I am sorry to say this, but I feel that you are not ready to buy a Burmese ruby.

You are looking for confirmation from people on a forum when really YOU need to be convinced. It’s ok, and advised, to look for opinions, but you seem to change your mind too often, too fast. Have you seen any of these rubies in person? We’ve all said it many times, nothing replaces your eyes, pictures and videos are only as helpful as you allow them to be.

May I suggest you pause and take your time, this should not be a rushed decision given the amount of money you are prepared to spend. Buying rubies is hard

Thank you for your kind words. Maybe my personality is showing, frequently needing reassurances. You are probably right that I need to slow down and take time, maybe see some rubies in person. Maybe I should visit May’s to see their rubies, though Wai hasn’t come up with any ruby that met my criteria yet.

Yes fluorescence! Sorry my bad! I hope I haven’t upset you! It’s just that you are going to spend so much on these stones and I worry whether these will look good when you receive them.

You haven’t upset me. I just wasn’t sure about fluorescence of this stone, thought there were some. I thank you for your concern, as @VividRed said maybe should take some time to consider these options.

 

[VividRed]

Thank you for your kind words. Maybe my personality is showing, frequently needing reassurances. You are probably right that I need to slow down and take time, maybe see some rubies in person. Maybe I should visit May’s to see their rubies, though Wai hasn’t come up with any ruby that met my criteria yet.



You haven’t upset me. I just wasn’t sure about fluorescence of this stone, thought there were some. I thank you for your concern, as @VividRed said maybe should take some time to consider these options.

You will find your perfect ruby eventually

 

[Avondale]

Here are my 2 cents on the matter.

In order to make a successful purchase, you need to be quite certain what your priorities are. What is important to you in a stone. What you can compromise on.

Because some sort of compromise will be necessary. If one wants perfection, one ought to buy a lab ruby. Natural stones, on the other hand, aren't prone to perfection, and when they are, the price can be exorbitant.

I have followed your thread somewhat closely, but I am not yet sure what your priorities are, entirely. All I know for certain is you want to buy a stone that is untreated, because the heated one you already have doesn't do it for you, and obviously the mind-clean factor is important for you.

But aside from that, there isn't much clarity. The stones you're eyeing look quite different in colour, and it seems you're going more for how that colour is described in the lab report, rather than what the stone actually looks like. We don't know how tolerant you are to inclusions, silkiness and lower clarity overall. Cut seems to be kind of important, but then maybe not really.

From the outside, it seems like you're confused about what you like and what you want in a ruby. And if this is the foundation on which you build your purchase, you're setting yourself up for disappointment with almost any stone you might buy.

Regarding the newest ruby you're considering, here's what I see in the videos:
- it seems to be a saturated colour, it's definitely red on my screen, I don't see a purple modifier;
- judging by the third video, which I assume is in stronger light, it has at least some fluorescence, but it's not strong enough to prevent it going a bit dark in the first video. And that first video is by no means taken in poor light. So we might also attribute it to the phone camera doing shenanigans with the contrast because of the white background;
- there are two very distinct clouds right under the table. I also can't really discern any facets in the movement, so my guess would be that this stone has lower clarity of the crystal overall, even if we don't account for the clouds;
- I'm pretty sure I see a nick on the girdle in the first video, and your screenshot shows a second one.

So, of all these things, which ones matter to you and which ones don't? Because I can't tell you what you should compromise on. You have to be able to decide whether this stone checks the boxes for you. If it does, you can buy it and you'll be happy with it. But if you don't know what boxes you have to begin with, you'll be putting yourself in a situation where you figure that out after you've spent the money and gotten the stone. And by that time it would be too late, if you're unhappy with it.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Here are my 2 cents on the matter.

In order to make a successful purchase, you need to be quite certain what your priorities are. What is important to you in a stone. What you can compromise on.

Because some sort of compromise will be necessary. If one wants perfection, one ought to buy a lab ruby. Natural stones, on the other hand, aren't prone to perfection, and when they are, the price can be exorbitant.

I have followed your thread somewhat closely, but I am not yet sure what your priorities are, entirely. All I know for certain is you want to buy a stone that is untreated, because the heated one you already have doesn't do it for you, and obviously the mind-clean factor is important for you.

But aside from that, there isn't much clarity. The stones you're eyeing look quite different in colour, and it seems you're going more for how that colour is described in the lab report, rather than what the stone actually looks like. We don't know how tolerant you are to inclusions, silkiness and lower clarity overall. Cut seems to be kind of important, but then maybe not really.

From the outside, it seems like you're confused about what you like and what you want in a ruby. And if this is the foundation on which you build your purchase, you're setting yourself up for disappointment with almost any stone you might buy.

Regarding the newest ruby you're considering, here's what I see in the videos:
- it seems to be a saturated colour, it's definitely red on my screen, I don't see a purple modifier;
- judging by the third video, which I assume is in stronger light, it has at least some fluorescence, but it's not strong enough to prevent it going a bit dark in the first video. And that first video is by no means taken in poor light. So we might also attribute it to the phone camera doing shenanigans with the contrast because of the white background;
- there are two very distinct clouds right under the table. I also can't really discern any facets in the movement, so my guess would be that this stone has lower clarity of the crystal overall, even if we don't account for the clouds;
- I'm pretty sure I see a nick on the girdle in the first video, and your screenshot shows a second one.

So, of all these things, which ones matter to you and which ones don't? Because I can't tell you what you should compromise on. You have to be able to decide whether this stone checks the boxes for you. If it does, you can buy it and you'll be happy with it. But if you don't know what boxes you have to begin with, you'll be putting yourself in a situation where you figure that out after you've spent the money and gotten the stone. And by that time it would be too late, if you're unhappy with it.

Thank you for your detailed input.

It is true I have relied on lab report colour grading as I know colour representation on photos/video are not perfect with variation depending on screen (it’s quite different on my phone and computer screens) and I am not sure if I can distinguish different colours of ruby well. It’s kind of lazy or easy way out, and also stemming from my personality, with tendency to rely on external authority. I need to grow a spine!

The colour I like the most are somewhere between the hexagonal ruby from Starruby.In and this latest ruby with videos. I like the colour of this latest on. Vivid colour is most important factor for me, followed by origin (really wanted Burmese, preferably Mogok) and fluorescence. On those two factors perhaps I over-relied on lab reports’ findings. I think with limited budget I have to make sacrifices on clarity, accommodating some level of silkiness, as long as no major surface-reaching fissures on the crown of the stone or dark distracting inclusions. Cut is a factor as far as minimising windowing and extinction effects, thus preferring depth ratio >60%.

Thank you for your analysis of the latest stone based on videos. The colour is what I like most about it, and clarity to me appear to be passable, though I could be wrong if seeing in real life. I agree there appear to be clouds under the table, guess that’s the sacrifice I have to make with the budget. And the nicks under the crown were known from vendor’s initial photos, not ideal but tolerable. The USD $20K 1.37ct stone from Starruby.In have similar nicks in the girdle/pavilion. So these nicks are not a big problem for me. I guess this latest stone ticks many (colour, origin/fluorescence, cut with symmetry) if not all boxes for me, with clarity being the only major question mark that I am happy to compromise on.

 

[Avondale]

as long as no major surface-reaching fissures on the crown of the stone or dark distracting inclusions.

Some inclusions can be distracting even if they aren't dark.

I have two suggestions that could help with the question mark on the clarity.

1. You could ask the vendor for some photos that make the clouds really very apparent, very visible. Essentially, ask to see them at their worst. If you see them at their worst and you don't immediately think "eew, that's so ugly", and they actually don't bother you that much, then you can feel more confident in the purchase. But if they do bother you, then you'll know where you stand on such types of inclusions in the future.

2. Depending on where the vendor is and how easy and secure it is to return the stone, you can have a solid return policy in place. This is generally the best way, it's just not always possible or feasible. But if it is, it will allow you to hold the stone in your hands, look at it closely from all angles, see it in all different lights and judge with your own eyes whether it's the one for you. If it isn't, you'll only lose money on the shipping expenses, which is better than sinking $$$$ into a stone you don't love.

 

[lovedogs]

The color of this one is nice and red, bit there are some dark spots that seem to prevent light return. I definitely feel like this one looks more similar to Mozambique rubies vs Burmese.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think you would
Benefit from working with a vendor you can trust who will source what you want and can vet the stones and offer their opinion.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

The color of this one is nice and red, bit there are some dark spots that seem to prevent light return. I definitely feel like this one looks more similar to Mozambique rubies vs Burmese.

This is what I notice, too.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Some inclusions can be distracting even if they aren't dark.

I have two suggestions that could help with the question mark on the clarity.

1. You could ask the vendor for some photos that make the clouds really very apparent, very visible. Essentially, ask to see them at their worst. If you see them at their worst and you don't immediately think "eew, that's so ugly", and they actually don't bother you that much, then you can feel more confident in the purchase. But if they do bother you, then you'll know where you stand on such types of inclusions in the future.

2. Depending on where the vendor is and how easy and secure it is to return the stone, you can have a solid return policy in place. This is generally the best way, it's just not always possible or feasible. But if it is, it will allow you to hold the stone in your hands, look at it closely from all angles, see it in all different lights and judge with your own eyes whether it's the one for you. If it isn't, you'll only lose money on the shipping expenses, which is better than sinking $$$$ into a stone you don't love.

The vendor has 14 days return policy so might be a good idea to call the stone in to have a look. Thank you.

The color of this one is nice and red, bit there are some dark spots that seem to prevent light return. I definitely feel like this one looks more similar to Mozambique rubies vs Burmese.

This is what I notice, too.

Yeah I wondered about that, dark inclusions or just feature of this ruby from cutting? I don’t mind it (from video) too much, might think different if I get them to send it to me with 14 day return policy and have a look. Thank you.

I think you would
Benefit from working with a vendor you can trust who will source what you want and can vet the stones and offer their opinion.

Thank you for this suggestion. I communicated with Inken and he/she is quoting $25-30K USD for a good 1ct ruby, which is unfortunately above my budget at the moment. I thought I might take a risk with lower-priced, okay-looking stone to see if I like it enough to keep it, thus far the 1.53ct Hexagonal from Starruby and this 1.07ct cushion (similarly priced to each other) pop out. Look good for me from videos, but of course not foolproof, so might call it in under returns policy to have a look.

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

Why are you so set on a 1+ carat ruby? Of course there’s the huge markup at stones hitting 1 carat or more, but stone under 1 carat can still be very nice. Some of my collection favorites are barely pushing .50.

With rarities like rubies, a big compromise is size; because a truly good specimen doesn’t need to be large to be impressive. Get yourself a great color, great clarity, perfect cut ruby that’s .60-.80 carats and have a seriously eye catching stone thats mind clean. Maybe get one that faces up larger than it is, if you want it to look big.

Is a meh-quality, ok stone going to satisfy you? If it will, that’s wonderful! But seriously ask yourself if you’ll still be pining for that perfect stone, and then if you’ll have even more money to save up to get there.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yeah I guess I don’t get the point of spending so much $$ for characteristics (size, ubheated) that my budget doesn’t stretch to unless I make serious compromises about color and sparkle.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Why are you so set on a 1+ carat ruby? Of course there’s the huge markup at stones hitting 1 carat or more, but stone under 1 carat can still be very nice. Some of my collection favorites are barely pushing .50.

With rarities like rubies, a big compromise is size; because a truly good specimen doesn’t need to be large to be impressive. Get yourself a great color, great clarity, perfect cut ruby that’s .60-.80 carats and have a seriously eye catching stone thats mind clean. Maybe get one that faces up larger than it is, if you want it to look big.

Is a meh-quality, ok stone going to satisfy you? If it will, that’s wonderful! But seriously ask yourself if you’ll still be pining for that perfect stone, and then if you’ll have even more money to save up to get there.

I am not completely obstinate about >1ct requirements, did consider 0.83ct from the Natural ruby company, basically knocked it back because of a surface-reaching fissure in the pavilion (maybe doesn’t matter so much as below the crown?) and likely MongHsu origin. But that’s a lovely stone as well. Also thought about getting 0.5-1ct from May’s in Australia (that way don’t have to pay 10% import tax), just then stumbled across this 1.07ct stone. I am hoping the colour and fluorescence of the stone will win me over, price is reasonable for a Mogok ruby of this colour (but obviously compromises on clarity and chips on the girdle/pavilion). If this doesn’t work out may settle for a 0.5-1ct stone of good quality, yes.

 

[Sydneyphoenix]

Yeah I guess I don’t get the point of spending so much $$ for characteristics (size, ubheated) that my budget doesn’t stretch to unless I make serious compromises about color and sparkle.

Hope my choice is not irrational. I am not making a compromise on colour or level of sparkle and fluorescence I will accept, just on clarity. I am just hoping the clarity is acceptable too.