ruby from Asia 1948 was loose in bag of small diamonds for 70 yr. could diamonds scratch it?

[Ruby Red]

 

[kenny]

Diamond can scratch anything, even another diamond.

That said I am puzzled when I see pics of many loose polished diamonds together in bags.
Perhaps pros are careful to handle them gently so there's not much force between them.

Since ruby is softer than diamond I guess the answer is yes possibly, unless the ruby and diamonds sat undisturbed in a safe deposit box for those 70 years.
I'd guess it to be more likely the ruby did suffer some scratches.

 

[Ruby Red]

no safe deposit box. my mom had no clue. they were transported through 70 years of moving around in very small bag

 

[kenny]

If there are scratches they can be polished off.

Probably someone here can recommend a reputable vendor who does this work.

 

[ShinyPink]

Are you asking if the ruby is real (in the poll), but also want to know if diamonds can scratch it?

 

[Ruby Red]

Are you asking if the ruby is real (in the poll), but also want to know if diamonds can scratch it?

 

[Ruby Red]

yes. it is hard to visibly judge because I see the ring setting through it. It changes color in the light. breath test fog dissipates immediately.

 

[Bron357]

Seems a bit orange for ruby? Maybe it’s just the lighting. But diamonds can scratch anything, including other diamonds. Orange red sapphire?

 

[Tourmaline]

I agree with Bron357. This color would not qualify as ruby, but it might be an orange sapphire. We can't tell from looking at pictures.

 

[chrono]

The last few pictures remind me of diffused orange sapphire.

 

[T L]

The last few pictures remind me of diffused orange sapphire.

Sure does.

 

[partgypsy]

I was thinking of diffusion as well. Was that around in the 40's?

 

[Ruby Red]

I was thinking of diffusion as well. Was that around in the 40's?

it changes color depending on light source ng on light

 

[Ruby Red]

Gave to mom 1948. original date ?? prior ?

 

[partgypsy]

Maybe check the hardness? It also looks like a Mexican fire opal. Those have been around for a long time.

(example)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/493772...&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=faceted fire opal&ref=sr_gallery-1-34

 

[Ruby Red]

from japan?

 

[kenny]

The color reminded me of Mexican fire opal too.
Many have the uniform single-color look.

Beautiful gem.

 

[partgypsy]

Just because from Japan, doesn't mean the stone is originally from there. I think Fire opal been mined since the 1870s and set into all sorts of jewelry. Regardless, it's a beautiful ring.
ETA I see the stone was set more recently. It is a mystery. If you get a report on the stone let us know what you find. Most local jewelers are not as familiar with colored stones and probably won't be able to help.

 

[Ruby Red]

thank you. submitted elsewhere and have consultation with GIA cert gemologist in NY on what has been called exceptional stone?

 

[Ruby Red]

thank you. waiting on GIA cert report

 

[digdeep]

I'd send to a lab (AGL) or find a GIA person near you that has the equipment to determine the gem type..... there are a number of gem's it could be, but it's all guessing until you get data from the stone to solve the mystery.

Got distracted while responding and other stuff came in. I'm confused if you're asking if it's a real ruby yet saying there is consultation about it. Post that document.....when was it done?

 

[kenny]

I second the recommendation to send it to AGL in NY rather than GIA though in this case determining what the material is a simple question for GIA.

AGL has the highest expertise on colored gems which are not diamonds.
But for a Fancy Colored Diamond GIA is the lab of choice.
For a white diamond GIA in NY or Carlsbad, CA or AGSL in Las Vegas are the go-to labs in the USA.

 

[lambskin]

Fire opal is my guess.

 

[arglthesheep]

fire opal is possible, also garnet (hessonite or spessarite)

 

[chrono]

thank you. submitted elsewhere and have consultation with GIA cert gemologist in NY on what has been called exceptional stone?

Submitted to where? Note that someone with GIA training evaluating the stone is not equivalent to having the GIA lab itself evaluate it. GIA Labs have more experience and better testing equipment.

 

[kenny]

Submitted to where? Note that someone with GIA training evaluating the stone is not equivalent to having the GIA lab itself evaluate it. GIA Labs have more experience and better testing equipment.

+1

OP, GIA does two things, grade gems and train people.
Those trained people may get a job grading gems at GIA or work somewhere else.
If they do not work at GIA then GIA is no more responsible for what they do than a university is responsible for what its graduates do.
IOW an opinion or appraisal from a person merely trained at GIA does not carry the GIA endorsement that a report, issued by GIA itself, has.

Besides the experience and equipment Chrono mentions, part of GIA's charter is to remain independent ... whereas independent pros can have a conflict of interest and (if they'd like to get paid) state whatever the gem seller wants them to state.

Gems are expensive.
Value can vary wildly based on things you and I can't see, so buying gems is risky.
An opinion from any pro does not lower the risk as much as a report from a legit and independent lab like GIA or AGL.

If an appraiser claims or infers that their evaluation is backed by GIA I'd not only not give them my business, I'd give them a piece of my mind.