Help finding small rubies

[the_mother_thing]

I first posted in the cafe/preloved in hopes someone might have something available in their own collection. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/wtb-small-rubies-t200735.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/wtb-small-rubies-t200735.html[/URL]

Katharath kindly recommended Jeff Davies, who I have reached out to also, and he will be getting back to me later this week. But thought maybe there are other vendors you might recommend for small rubies (2-3 mm wide). I am seeking a matched pair of round, square or marquise shaped ruby stones (more red thank pink) for a ring for my daughter's upcoming 16th birthday. I have a lovely marquise diamond already, and ruby is her birthstone, so would like to have a pretty ring made with the rubies flanking the horizontal set marquise diamond.

Any ideas or suggestions for where else I might look? Heat is okay but prefer no filling.

Thanks much in advance for any suggestions!

 

[mohsin95]

For that size, I wouldn't go with anything other than ebay because a lot of the sellers are going direct from the mine so the prices are extremely low.

Round, heated but not filled, 4mm beautiful matched pair $99.99 + $8 shipping

http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-63Cts-Shimming-Vivied-Pigeon-Blood-Red-Natural-Ruby-Round-Pair-/221178207842?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item337f3f9e62

These are my personal favorite (I might bid on them myself ) Stunning red, heated but not filled. 4.1 x 3.2 mm
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SENSATIONAL-VVS-PAIR-OVAL-FIERY-RED-RUBY-NATURAL-/271454570454?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item3f33f407d6

Hurry on those bidding closes in 11 hours!!

A couple of very affordable options to consider bidding on if you have time:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMAZING-FINEST-NATURAL-VS-36-CT-SUNSET-RED-RUBY-PAIR-3MM-ROUND-/151284268064?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item23393ebc20

http://www.ebay.com/itm/75-CTW-6X3MM-Faceted-Marquise-Shaped-Natural-Ruby-Paired-Gemstones-Grade-AA-/281313221731?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item417f931c63 (Maybe a bit too pinkish)

If you want to search yourself:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=ruby+pair&Shape=Marquise%7CRound%7CSquare&_dcat=10254&_osacat=3827&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xruby+pair+3mm&_nkw=ruby+pair+3mm&_sacat=3827

I called up a couple vendors in New York, LA and one in Houston... the prices they quoted me were $500+ for heated!!

 

[JewelFreak]

For matched rubies that size, you might ask the jeweler who makes your ring to source them.

--- Laurie

 

[LoversKites]

I'd advise against Ebay for rubies because they are commonly heavily treated and you really can't know what you get (without a report from a respected lab). But maybe others have a stronger heart than I!

As JF said your jeweler should be able to source them for you. Otherwise, I'd contact the vendors with a larger inventory, like Multicolour or Africagems -- they have a good chance of having what you want.

 

[the_mother_thing]

I'd advise against Ebay for rubies because they are commonly heavily treated and you really can't know what you get (without a report from a respected lab). But maybe others have a stronger heart than I!

As JF said your jeweler should be able to source them for you. Otherwise, I'd contact the vendors with a larger inventory, like Multicolour or Africagems -- they have a good chance of having what you want.

Thank you! For the reasons you noted, I had only considered ebay vendors noted by PSers as reputable, and came up short. It's simply too hard to discern what is real & untreated to my untrained eyes, and unfortunately, don't feel comfortable going on advertised claims & feedback alone. That's why I was asking for gem vendors others have dealt with.

I had reached out to Jeff, who was traveling this week and will get back to me on Thursday. I am also looking at David's inventory as I might place another purchase through him also so that is an option. If those don't pan out, I will ask the jeweler to see what they have or can get.

Appreciate everyone's feedback & input. Thanks so much.

 

[chrono]

Mohsin,
There are reasons why one heated ruby cost more than another heated ruby. The level of heat treatment matters as well as the type of heat treatment. Diffusion falls under heat and flux healing is also considered heat only by unscrupulous vendors, yet these two types of heat treatment are considered very invasive and makes these rubies extremely affordable. I did an extensive write-up here if you are interested:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/corundum-sapphire-and-ruby-treatment.175354/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/corundum-sapphire-and-ruby-treatment.175354/[/URL]

 

[chrono]

Jenn,
Those on MC in your size range did not look very nice, other than some hot pink looking rubies. If you don't mind something smaller, I thought these have potential. I would follow up on the enhancement with David since treatment matters to you.
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?851813147

Pricier but potentially nice looking and most likely truly heat only (no diffusion).
http://www.africagems.com/calibrated-ruby-round-aaa.html

 

[the_mother_thing]

Mohsin,
There are reasons why one heated ruby cost more than another heated ruby. The level of heat treatment matters as well as the type of heat treatment. Diffusion falls under heat and flux healing is also considered heat only by unscrupulous vendors, yet these two types of heat treatment are considered very invasive and makes these rubies extremely affordable. I did an extensive write-up here if you are interested:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/corundum-sapphire-and-ruby-treatment.175354/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/corundum-sapphire-and-ruby-treatment.175354/[/URL]

Separate but related, is there a thread somewhere that explains most of the common treatments to colored gemstones for us newbies? That would be an excellent read (much like LD did for "new to colored gemstones"). Something that explains the different treatment terms and maybe what stones are most often subjected to what treatment types.

 

[chrono]

I think everything is pretty much in the "New to CS", with all the embedded links. The problem with treatment is that they are continually evolving. Stones that used to be guaranteed untreated are now sometimes treated and sold without disclosure, which makes it difficult to keep running tabs on what's happening. Oiling is more commonly seen now on stones that used to be 100% untreated (paraiba tourmaline, ruby and spinel), some garnets (spessartite) are now resin filled, some tourmalines (indicolite and rubellite) are now irradiated, etc.

 

[the_mother_thing]

I will go back to that thread and re-read it, thank you. Maybe I skimmed passed the treatment parts.

So for the purposes of this ring project, I am not trying to put thousands of dollars into it; rather, I just wanted to start her "grown up" jewelry collection with something meaningful & memorable for her with real stones. I am not looking for perfection in them; just a nice starting piece that she can appreciate and build upon later in life if she chooses. The rubies do not have to be of the highest quality ... I really just want more red than pink, and for them to be natural, and they will be bezel set.

That all said, are there some treatments (besides heat) that maybe I CAN or might consider flexing on to keep the cost down that won't compromise the structural integrity of the stones? I was thinking of spending no more than $150 for the rubies, since I also purchased the diamond, and will have to get it set in a ring. I just want a nice ring she will be happy and proud to wear as she migrates into adulthood; not looking to have "Crown Jewels" on her finger, if that makes sense.

I guess the question I am asking is - what treatments would maybe be considered "safe" to consider besides heat

 

[chrono]

Flux healing and diffusion treatments are permanent, stable and safe. I would not do any clarity enhancement for a ruby because then you have to be concerned with heat and acids damaging the ruby.

 

[the_mother_thing]

Flux healing and diffusion treatments are permanent, stable and safe. I would not do any clarity enhancement for a ruby because then you have to be concerned with heat and acids damaging the ruby.

Thank you! I get so confused with all the terminology that it makes it hard to decipher those that would be "safe" vs those that might not be ... Throw in figuring out who are reputable sellers vs those unknown ...

 

[chrono]

You may not want a stone that has strong signs of flux healing though.
http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/foreign-affairs.htm