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Ruby engagement ring

e-ring_noob

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 1, 2016
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4
I am looking for an engagement ring for my girlfriend. She hadn't though much about what she wanted out of a ring, so we looked at stock rings in a couple of stores. She gave me a list of what she did and didn't want, and then told me to surprise her. I've talked with a jeweler and come up with a ring design and picked the ruby that I like the most.

My question now is, what is a fair price? It is a dark (rabbit blood?), 1.04ct, round, 5.8mm diameter, diamond-cut natural ruby with minimal inclusions (to my eye using the jeweler's loupe). Is there any way to know if the price I've been quoted ($2850 for the stone) is reasonable?

Thanks in advance!
 

chroman

Brilliant_Rock
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If that *is* actually a heat-only ruby with good color, that seems like a reasonable price.

Here's a couple nice stones in the same size and price range for comparison:
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=8329
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=7884

Though, the fact that you say it has minimal inclusions might be a red flag. Rubies should have some degree of inclusion... When you walk into a mall and see eye clean 2ct ruby at low prices, something is up!

I'd also say watch out of overly dark stones - there certainly are plenaty of those around.
 
Joined
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Messages
427
I would insist on a lab report with treatments before putting down serious money. Heat-only seems accepted but all else can be total rip-off. They sell good looking natural rubies for $5 in Bangkok. That is their true value.
 

chrono

Super_Ideal_Rock
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38,364
Depends on how dark the "dark" is and other modifying colours as well.
How is the cut?
Does it have other treatment with the exception of heat (no added minerals)?
 

e-ring_noob

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 1, 2016
Messages
4
chroman|1480658068|4104227 said:
If that *is* actually a heat-only ruby with good color, that seems like a reasonable price.

Here's a couple nice stones in the same size and price range for comparison:
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=8329
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=7884

Though, the fact that you say it has minimal inclusions might be a red flag. Rubies should have some degree of inclusion... When you walk into a mall and see eye clean 2ct ruby at low prices, something is up!

I'd also say watch out of overly dark stones - there certainly are plenaty of those around.
chroman, thanks for the links. The ruby definitely has some inclusions, but it seemed to have more clarity than that other, less expensive stones the jeweler showed me. In terms of being overly dark, the jeweler was definitely pushing me not to go too dark, as he said the stone will look darker once it is set.


normanintheskywithsapphires|1480680253|4104254 said:
I would insist on a lab report with treatments before putting down serious money. Heat-only seems accepted but all else can be total rip-off. They sell good looking natural rubies for $5 in Bangkok. That is their true value.
normanintheskywithsapphires, do I just ask the jeweler for a GIA lab report?


Chrono|1480683450|4104276 said:
Depends on how dark the "dark" is and other modifying colours as well.
How is the cut?
Does it have other treatment with the exception of heat (no added minerals)?
Chrono, what do you mean when you ask "how is the cut"? I have no experience looking at stones, so any guidance is helpful.
 

chrono

Super_Ideal_Rock
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38,364
Can you post a picture of the actual ruby or picture of an online ruby that is similar in colouration?
Is the ruby transparent or translucent?

A well cut ruby will show some sparkle. A poorly cut ruby will have too much extinction, might show windowing, and / or have "dead" areas". A gemstone doesn't need to be precision cut to be beautiful but the same point in this website applies for well cut non-precision cut stones.
http://www.osirisgems.com/precision_cutting
 

e-ring_noob

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 1, 2016
Messages
4
Chrono|1480684497|4104283 said:
Can you post a picture of the actual ruby or picture of an online ruby that is similar in colouration?
Is the ruby transparent or translucent?

A well cut ruby will show some sparkle. A poorly cut ruby will have too much extinction, might show windowing, and / or have "dead" areas". A gemstone doesn't need to be precision cut to be beautiful but the same point in this website applies for well cut non-precision cut stones.
http://www.osirisgems.com/precision_cutting

I would describe it as bright, with sparkle, and more transparent than translucent, more like this one:
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=8329

than like this one:
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=7884

I can try to take a picture.
 

chrono

Super_Ideal_Rock
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38,364
Sounds like a nice looking ruby.
Any idea about the treatment (lead glass filled, diffused, how much flux healing)?
 

e-ring_noob

Rough_Rock
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Messages
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normanintheskywithsapphires|1480680253|4104254 said:
I would insist on a lab report with treatments before putting down serious money. Heat-only seems accepted but all else can be total rip-off. They sell good looking natural rubies for $5 in Bangkok. That is their true value.
My jeweler's assistant just told me the ruby does not have a GIA report. I'm going to talk with my jeweler this afternoon. Given that there is a fee for getting a report, any suggestions on how to negotiate who pays for it?
 

minousbijoux

Super_Ideal_Rock
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12,804
e-ring_noob|1480698668|4104348 said:
normanintheskywithsapphires|1480680253|4104254 said:
I would insist on a lab report with treatments before putting down serious money. Heat-only seems accepted but all else can be total rip-off. They sell good looking natural rubies for $5 in Bangkok. That is their true value.
My jeweler's assistant just told me the ruby does not have a GIA report. I'm going to talk with my jeweler this afternoon. Given that there is a fee for getting a report, any suggestions on how to negotiate who pays for it?

Pretty standard to buy it contingent upon its coming back from GIA as represented. So what is often done is to work it out that the jeweler sends it and if it comes back as anticipated, then the cost of the report would be added to the cost of the stone. If it comes back unexpected - that is, with invasive treatments other than what the jeweler told you - then you are under no obligation to buy the stone or pay for the report. Or, if you had really fallen in love with the stone and you wanted to buy it regardless, you could renegotiate the price to be considerably lower based on the GIA findings.
 
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