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- Jul 7, 2013
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Thank you so much. Is beautiful. Probably by fusion flame.
The price is outrageous. Judging by the au domain, I'll assume it's in AUD, which should equal about 300 USD, and it's still outrageous for a 1ct lab ruby.
This is nearly 3ct, precision cut by a very skilled cutter: https://precisiongem.com/gemstorenew/gemstore.html?store-page=Ruby-Lab-Created-p709305410
Nearly 3 times the size, and still less expensive.
I think I just bought that one recently! Here are a couple pics. It's very sparkly, but it doesn't look like any natural ruby I've ever seen. In terms of natural stones, I would say it's a little bit more like an almadine or rhodalite garnet, one with absolutely zero brown. It sparkles a LOT but it doesn't seem to have flouro - I took it outside to see if it pops and it didn't seem like it did. I could be wrong though. The sparkle is absolutely insane and the precision cutting is beautiful. The color is a little dark and it feels very fairytale Ruby if that makes any sense - like the kind of deep red you would see it in an illustration or a movie.
There are only a handful of companies producing lab grown gem material. I would suspect that most cutters are buying from the same sources. The differences you see are in the photos. The same gem photographed with different cameras can look different. Now factor in the type of light, and the RAW image processor when converting the image from RAW to a JPG. Also you need to consider any processing on the photo. Most photos need some processing to make them look for realistic. Take the images above by Indylady. The color balance is off. The white on the gem jar should be white, but it has a strong blue with green. This needs to be corrected and is very simple to do, even your iPhone Photos app and fix this.
All lab grown ruby will have very strong fluorescence, usually stronger than most natural ruby material.
As someone else in this thread pointed out, you could never tell the difference between a flame fusion ruby and a pulled Czochralski once the material is cut. It would take a well equipped lab to tell them apart.
@Jade2 Please be aware that some sellers will claim they are using Czochralski pulled material (because it fetches a higher price), but in fact sell you flame fusion material. Unless you plan to get a lab certificate for your lab-grown ruby (or have a microscope and know what to look for), you may never know the truth about what you actually purchased.
$300 for a traditionally cut 1ct lab ruby is truly an absurd price. I would be suspicious of any seller who is asking such a price. It sends up big red flags for me.
You can buy stones like the one you're showing for literally 8-10 baht per carat ($0.23-$0.29) in Bangkok's Chinatown, which is a big hub for lab-grown corundum.
The cost comes from the supply chain, cutting costs, etc. That stone probably cost no more than 200 baht ($5.77) to cut. A precision-cut stone, especially from a skilled US cutter, costs significantly more.
Caveat Emptor
I found a few nano sital that might be red-red, if you're interested. Or maybe not. I really can't tell from the pics:
Nano Sital Garnet Red Light #C-14 - Cubic Zirconia (CZ), Natural & Synthetic Gemstones on Sale | Gemsngems.com
GEMSTONE DETAIL Origin: Grown in Lab Dimensions: 3mm to 50mm Grade: AAA Clarity: Eye Clean Shape: Can supply all shapes Make: Very Good Symmetry: Very Good Cut: Very Good Polish: Verywww.gemsngems.com
Nano Sital Red Spinel #B-30 - Cubic Zirconia (CZ), Natural & Synthetic Gemstones on Sale | Gemsngems.com
GEMSTONE DETAIL Origin: Grown in Lab Dimensions: 3mm to 50mm Grade: AAA Clarity: Eye Clean Shape: Can supply all shapes Make: Very Good Symmetry: Very Good Cut: Very Good Polish: Verywww.gemsngems.com
Nano Sital Ruby #R-4 - Cubic Zirconia (CZ), Natural & Synthetic Gemstones on Sale | Gemsngems.com
GEMSTONE DETAIL Origin: Grown in Lab Dimensions: 3mm to 50mm Grade: AAA Clarity: Eye Clean Shape: Can supply all shapes Make: Very Good Symmetry: Very Good Cut: Very Good Polish: Verywww.gemsngems.com
Thank you so much
Here are a couple pics. It's very sparkly, but it doesn't look like any natural ruby I've ever seen. In terms of natural stones, I would say it's a little bit more like an almadine or rhodalite garnet, one with absolutely zero brown. It sparkles a LOT but it doesn't seem to have flouro - I took it outside to see if it pops and it didn't seem like it did. I could be wrong though. The sparkle is absolutely insane and the precision cutting is beautiful. The color is a little dark and it feels very fairytale Ruby if that makes any sense - like the kind of deep red you would see it in an illustration or a movie.
My experiences with various lab rubies was exactly the same.
Zero brown - dark red. Some with touch of purple. Some with the man made inclusions - some not.
Sparkly. Very.
Fluorescent under a torch - but not with that ‘natural ruby lively aspect’ under normal natural lighting.
Pictures were incredibly hard to take and get accurate results - as was pointed out upthread - to what the various lab rubies looked like in comparison to natural ones sitting next to them - to my eye.
I think it comes down to what specific ruby look one is wanting to duplicate with mm material. If it’s not the look you want - as much as someone else states it looks just ‘like a ruby’ - if it doesn’t scratch the particular itch you want, It doesn’t.
My experiences with various lab rubies was exactly the same.
Zero brown - dark red. Some with touch of purple. Some with the man made inclusions - some not.
Sparkly. Very.
Fluorescent under a torch - but not with that ‘natural ruby lively aspect’ under normal natural lighting.
Pictures were incredibly hard to take and get accurate results - as was pointed out upthread - to what the various lab rubies looked like in comparison to natural ones sitting next to them - to my eye.
I think it comes down to what specific ruby look one is wanting to duplicate with mm material. If it’s not the look you want - as much as someone else states it looks just ‘like a ruby’ - if it doesn’t scratch the particular itch you want, It doesn’t.
@Jade2 - imo it’s well worth bringing in multiples from different vendors/sources to find what your eye is looking for.
Have you by chance one Ruby made by Jeff? I would want to see more "natural" photos of hes stones.
Thank you.
Nope, sorry.
DK