Show your Star sapphires and rubies

[stracci2000]

This, shown before, is not quite complete:
It's next to impossible to make the stars align in a group photo...
Here are the others:


My favourite, and the best by conventional standards, is the purple sapphire (above, right).

The lower stone is 4-ray star garnet that I've never shown before because it's not really PS quality. The cool feature of star garnet (for nerds) is that it has six separate star axes. This high-domed stone shows them all. But not in one photo.

You will notice that not one of my star stones is top quality by conventional standards. (The purple sapphire comes closest.) Cool stones are much more budget-friendly that good ones...


Thank you! As I said, 'unusual' is budget friendly...


Yes! It's not my best stone, but it is the most fascinating. I still don't understand the weird waviness.

What an amazing collection! I love them all

 

[Starstruck8]

I love the soft pink one on your ring finger.

That was the gateway drug. It was the first piece of 'fine jewellery' that I ever bought. It's still a favourite. It sometimes shows a magic soft pink glow on the side opposite the light:

(The dark stripe at top left is strong zoning, not an inclusion.)

How do you decide which to wear on any given day?

That's just the star stones! I also have many other cabs and faceted stones...

I wish you would make a thread about your 4-ray star garnet! I would love to see it showing off all its axes.

The weather not the best at the moment. And you can only see one star at a time. But I will see what I can do in the next few days.

 

[Lexililac]

2.5ct. star ruby with blue zonings and hexagon zoned "milk". Very sharp and strong star!

 

[empliau]

9.7 carat star ruby, anyone?

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/platinum-star-ruby-and-diamond-ring-16-c-7084a6bb4c?objectID=196001405&algIndex=upcoming_lots_lotNumber_asc_prod&queryID=1aa471becc73e9eda8a1c5e171b9096e

 

[lovedogs]

So I hadn’t realized that lab star rubies had come such a long way since I grew up with the opaque Lindy stars you could spot a mile away. This one from Gary is lovely and translucent though. Had no idea this was an option until I saw it on his site so thought I’d share in case anyone was looking for a holy grail star gem but can’t find or spend for an earth mined one lol. I hope Gary sells more of these in the future!

Compared to my earth mined star sapphire

Sorry, I know im quoting a very old post. But do you happen to have a video of the lab star sapphire? I really love this--its much more translucent than I wojld have thojgjt possible for a lab!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Sorry, I know im quoting a very old post. But do you happen to have a video of the lab star sapphire? I really love this--its much more translucent than I wojld have thojgjt possible for a lab!

Hi! Hmm I don’t but I can probably make one sometime this week

 

[fiona00004]

This star sapphire ring had a reno:

Before:



After:


All bought preloved. Bought a plain wedding band in a matching gold and used it to change the shank on the ring. Much better!

 

[fiona00004]

One more of this one.

 

[glitterata]

I just scored a vintage (mid-20th century) Japanese natural star ruby ring from Poshmark for a song:

https://imgur.com/untos4n

Obviously it's not the greatest quality--the star is not well centered, and the inclusions, fractures, etc. are pretty intense--but I do love the color and general feel of the thing.

 

[Odyssey44]

This is not my stone, but one I am thinking about and could use some help evaluating. Please critique this. The 6th leg of the star only seems visible at one angle I think? It is being offered to me at $2500 per ct and is 7 cts. Is there color zoning?

https://imgur.com/a/hJXXiBa

 

[glitterata]

This is not my stone, but one I am thinking about and could use some help evaluating. Please critique this. The 6th leg of the star only seems visible at one angle I think? It is being offered to me at $2500 per ct and is 7 cts. Is there color zoning?

https://imgur.com/a/hJXXiBa

The video is not very sharp, so it's hard to tell about zoning and inclusions. The color is nice, if it's true to life. That leg isn't showing up well. It's not very clear to me where the light is coming from, but I suspect the star may not be well centered. Is there a good return policy so you can see it in person? Will it come certified? Do you have a profile photo so you can see how much weight it's carrying in its belly and how high its dome is?

 

[Odyssey44]

The video is not very sharp, so it's hard to tell about zoning and inclusions. The color is nice, if it's true to life. That leg isn't showing up well. It's not very clear to me where the light is coming from, but I suspect the star may not be well centered. Is there a good return policy so you can see it in person? Will it come certified? Do you have a profile photo so you can see how much weight it's carrying in its belly and how high its dome is?

There is a return policy but I am doing everything I can to avoid needing to return it because it will be price as it is in Asia. This is all I have been sent so far. I'll ask for a profile picture. What other picture/video would you ask for to judge how the light effects it? Low light? It will not be certified but I can ask for it to be and pay the extra.
Thanks for your help glitterata!!

 

[Starstruck8]

This is not my stone, but one I am thinking about and could use some help evaluating. Please critique this. The 6th leg of the star only seems visible at one angle I think? It is being offered to me at $2500 per ct and is 7 cts. Is there color zoning?

https://imgur.com/a/hJXXiBa

As far as I can see, the star-forming silk seems to be confined to the grey patch at the top of the stone. That would make the stone an interesting specimen, but it's a fault by conventional standards. The colour outside the grey starry patch is attractive dark blue. The video is not sharp enough to say much more.

]ust to be sure, the price is 7ct @ $2500/ct = $17500, right? I'm not the guy to ask about price - I routinely overpay - but that seems way too high for a 'cool specimen'.

If you want more pictures, you could ask for:

(a) a close-up showing the star with a single small light (or direct sunlight). Look for the sharpness and depth of the star and translucency/opacity of the body.

(b) a square-on close-up in soft even light. This should show the shape of the grey patch (it might be a cool hexagon) and the 'true' colours of the grey patch and the darker blue areas.

But I doubt that the stone is going to be worth anything like the asking price.

 

[glitterata]

There is a return policy but I am doing everything I can to avoid needing to return it because it will be price as it is in Asia. This is all I have been sent so far. I'll ask for a profile picture. What other picture/video would you ask for to judge how the light effects it? Low light? It will not be certified but I can ask for it to be and pay the extra.
Thanks for your help glitterata!!

Oh, I think @Starstruck8 is right--it seems to be a gray star sapphire with star-free blue edges! That would be a cool oddity, not for everybody. I would ask for very clear close-ups from all angles in both point-source and diffused light, and I would ask about how centered the star is.

And if it does turn out to be a $17.5K oddity, I would pass on it, myself. I love oddities, but that seems like a LOT to pay for one, even if I had $17K+ to spend on jewels.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think the large grey cloud of silk will be distracting. You need pictures showing the transparency of the stone, but I think outside of spot lighting it will look like a blue stone with a larger grey cloud/patch and won’t be very attractive.

 

[Odyssey44]

As far as I can see, the star-forming silk seems to be confined to the grey patch at the top of the stone. That would make the stone an interesting specimen, but it's a fault by conventional standards. The colour outside the grey starry patch is attractive dark blue. The video is not sharp enough to say much more.

]ust to be sure, the price is 7ct @ $2500/ct = $17500, right? I'm not the guy to ask about price - I routinely overpay - but that seems way too high for a 'cool specimen'.

If you want more pictures, you could ask for:

(a) a close-up showing the star with a single small light (or direct sunlight). Look for the sharpness and depth of the star and translucency/opacity of the body.

(b) a square-on close-up in soft even light. This should show the shape of the grey patch (it might be a cool hexagon) and the 'true' colours of the grey patch and the darker blue areas.

But I doubt that the stone is going to be worth anything like the asking price.

Wow, thanks so much Starstruck! I am so glad I asked here. I knew something was weird about the color, but did not know how to describe it other than color zoning. The video I was sent is sharper, but for some reason it goes blurry uploading it to imgr. I don't know how to fix that.

Yes, the price would be $17.5k and I thought that was silly. But I am trying to evaluate if I even want to make an offer. I will ask for the photos you suggest and post them here.

Oh, I think @Starstruck8 is right--it seems to be a gray star sapphire with star-free blue edges! That would be a cool oddity, not for everybody. I would ask for very clear close-ups from all angles in both point-source and diffused light, and I would ask about how centered the star is.

And if it does turn out to be a $17.5K oddity, I would pass on it, myself. I love oddities, but that seems like a LOT to pay for one, even if I had $17K+ to spend on jewels.

I would never have known how to describe this! Gray star sapphire with star-free blue edges. A gray stone of any kind is just not for me. I have my training wheels on with star sapphires so I would not dream of buying one without your help! I am going to still follow up.on this for the education.

 

[Odyssey44]

I think the large grey cloud of silk will be distracting. You need pictures showing the transparency of the stone, but I think outside of spot lighting it will look like a blue stone with a larger grey cloud/patch and won’t be very attractive.

Thanks Dreamer! A grey cloud does not sound attractive in the least. Let's see what pictures come back. I am interested to see.

 

[glitterata]

Wow, thanks so much Starstruck! I am so glad I asked here. I knew something was weird about the color, but did not know how to describe it other than color zoning. The video I was sent is sharper, but for some reason it goes blurry uploading it to imgr. I don't know how to fix that.

Yes, the price would be $17.5k and I thought that was silly. But I am trying to evaluate if I even want to make an offer. I will ask for the photos you suggest and post them here.


I would never have known how to describe this! Gray star sapphire with star-free blue edges. A gray stone of any kind is just not for me. I have my training wheels on with star sapphires so I would not dream of buying one without your help! I am going to still follow up.on this for the education.

I don't know if you have particular plans for setting your star sapphire, but if it were me (which it has been, twice this month!), I would be combing ebay, etsy, poshmark, etc. for vintage platinum star sapphire rings from the 1930s through 1970s. Star sapphires were popular then, and silky corundum was less likely to be heated, so there are lots of large star sapphires out there still set in period jewelry, and bargains can be had. Most sellers don't show photos of the stars, for some reason; you have to ask for them. I find the art deco settings from the 1930s-40s very attractive, myself. Those tend to be American, at least the ones sold in the US. There are tons of Japanese star sapphire rings from the 1960s-80s (I think) out there too, and I don't love their settings as much--they tend to be high set, a little wiry looking, with diamond clusters, in a style that doesn't appeal to me as much--but they are abundant and the stones can be lovely. Lots of the star sapphires in vintage rings may be too gray for you. Still, there are lots out there, and it's worth looking.

This 9ct star sapphire ring with a 1942 inscription on the band was supposed to arrive today, but it was delayed by bad weather. I'm hoping the star will be sharp and centered, the material will be translucent, and the sapphire will be blue, though I won't be surprised if it's a lot grayer than the photo. I paid an order of magnitude less for the whole ring than your seller is asking for that stone.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yes I also plan to search for an antique when I eventually buy my 10ct star some day!

 

[Odyssey44]

I don't know if you have particular plans for setting your star sapphire, but if it were me (which it has been, twice this month!), I would be combing ebay, etsy, poshmark, etc. for vintage platinum star sapphire rings from the 1930s through 1970s. Star sapphires were popular then, and silky corundum was less likely to be heated, so there are lots of large star sapphires out there still set in period jewelry, and bargains can be had. Most sellers don't show photos of the stars, for some reason; you have to ask for them. I find the art deco settings from the 1930s-40s very attractive, myself. Those tend to be American, at least the ones sold in the US. There are tons of Japanese star sapphire rings from the 1960s-80s (I think) out there too, and I don't love their settings as much--they tend to be high set, a little wiry looking, with diamond clusters, in a style that doesn't appeal to me as much--but they are abundant and the stones can be lovely. Lots of the star sapphires in vintage rings may be too gray for you. Still, there are lots out there, and it's worth looking.

This 9ct star sapphire ring with a 1942 inscription on the band was supposed to arrive today, but it was delayed by bad weather. I'm hoping the star will be sharp and centered, the material will be translucent, and the sapphire will be blue, though I won't be surprised if it's a lot grayer than the photo. I paid an order of magnitude less for the whole ring than your seller is asking for that stone.

I was not up to plans for setting at all. This is my first toe tip into evaluating star sapphires. But wow, your ring is stunning!!! I adore the setting!!!! I absolutely will look now as you suggest. Do you always ask in any sapphire cabochon you like if there is a star? Because I would not have a clue from the picture you posted that this would have a star. What gives it away, if anything?

 

[glitterata]

I was not up to plans for setting at all. This is my first toe tip into evaluating star sapphires. But wow, your ring is stunning!!! I adore the setting!!!! I absolutely will look now as you suggest. Do you always ask in any sapphire cabochon you like if there is a star? Because I would not have a clue from the picture you posted that this would have a star. What gives it away, if anything?

It was listed as a star sapphire, though they didn't show a photo of the star. I think a lot of the big vintage jewelry sellers and pawn shops just have a light tent set up with diffused lighting and don't bother shining a beam at their supposed stars because they're not doing that for the rest of the jewelry.

I'd say, look for items that the seller claims are star sapphires, and if they don't have star photos, ask for them.

I'm confident that mine IS a star because it passed ebay's authentication. I spotted it a few hours before the auction ended, so I didn't have time to ask for a photo showing the star. I was taking a chance. But I won it for a good price for the setting alone, and I have some options I can put in it if the sapphire is awful, so I'm not too worried. And I find the inscription encouraging, too--the ring is inscribed from what a take to be a husband to his wife on a June date, so I imagine it was an anniversary gift, which makes me think it's likely to be nice in person. It's the sort of gift someone's less likely to compromise on.

In case this is helpful, here are a few rings I was considering before I bought mine, though they might be too gray for your taste:

1. This one is in a setting that's very, very similar to mine. I think the sapphire might be leaning more opaque than transparent, but it's hard to tell without photos or videos showing the star. The silk is obvious in some of the photos. The video they do show makes it look more translucent than the still photos. I paid much less for mine, but I think this is still not a bad price.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/388312909595

2. This one is well priced. The star is smaller--around 5 carats--and described as "grayish blue." Again, it may be too gray for you. One potential issue is that the listing says it's platinum, but it's marked "PALL" for palladium, and it will go through ebay's authentication. There's some danger they'll cancel the sale over the discrepancy. But the listing has a "certificate card" with wording saying metals in the platinum group test positive for platinum, so maybe the authenticators will accept that. Even if it does pass, palladium is harder for jewelers to work with, which might put you off. https://www.ebay.com/itm/375163229369

3. I love this one. You'd need a photo of the star. I think @Dreamer_D once spotted it on sale, and it's been hanging around etsy for a loooong time, so I expect they'd consider an offer. Again, might be too gray for you.

BIRKS Art Deco Natural 7.78 CT Star Sapphire Platinum Diamond Ring - Etsy

This Statement Rings item by AlpertDiamonds has 220 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Newton, MA. Listed on Mar 20, 2025

www.etsy.com

Here are a few examples of what I take to be later, Japanese ones. I'm not recommending any of these--I haven't scrutinized them and wasn't considering buying them--just giving you a taste of what's out there. There could be bad stars, color manipulation, etc. going on with these. (Not saying there IS, just I haven't checked them out.)

Pardon Our Interruption...

Pardon Our Interruption...

Pardon Our Interruption...

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[Odyssey44]

Thank you, thank you glitterata!! I am enjoying looking at these immensely. i am going to go through them several more times! I don't think these are too gray for me--they look lavender to me. But I have to admit, that color on the Japanese one blew my socks off. Gorgeous! I can't wait to see yours when it gets here!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yvonne Raley sourced my 4ct purple star sapphire. She has a good source. If you continue your search that may be an avenue to explore. She also understands star sapphires and can help evaluate them. The thing is that in my experience they can be a little tricky. There will always be silk but it takes very good photography to show it accurately and how it balances with transparency. And also it is impossible to photograph or video a star sapphire and especially the asterism accurately, because binocular vision is needed to really assess the phenomenon which depends a little on binocular vision. For a lower value item these are risks one might take. But for $5k+ I would personally prefer a return policy and also the advice of someone expert in assessing such things. For example, my stone looks like it has a broken leg is pictures but in person it looks perfect. Mine also has a cloud of silk but it is deep enough that it is not distracting. I was inly able to accurately assess those things in person.

 

[Odyssey44]

Ok, I was sent this extra video this morning. How wise the advice was to see the side! It looks like a muffin! I am not sure how one would even go about setting something like this. It does look cloudy in the center. It looks more blue but that very abrupt line of blue at the top stays and moves. I am assuming the second star lines at the top are a defect? I am interested on hearing further thoughts.

https://imgur.com/xoMlGT5

 

[Odyssey44]

Yvonne Raley sourced my 4ct purple star sapphire. She has a good source. If you continue your search that may be an avenue to explore. She also understands star sapphires and can help evaluate them. The thing is that in my experience they can be a little tricky. There will always be silk but it takes very good photography to show it accurately and how it balances with transparency. And also it is impossible to photograph or video a star sapphire and especially the asterism accurately, because binocular vision is needed to really assess the phenomenon which depends a little on binocular vision. For a lower value item these are risks one might take. But for $5k+ I would personally prefer a return policy and also the advice of someone expert in assessing such things. For example, my stone looks like it has a broken leg is pictures but in person it looks perfect. Mine also has a cloud of silk but it is deep enough that it is not distracting. I was inly able to accurately assess those things in person.

Very good advice! Thanks Dreamer!

 

[glitterata]

Ok, I was sent this extra video this morning. How wise the advice was to see the side! It looks like a muffin! I am not sure how one would even go about setting something like this. It does look cloudy in the center. It looks more blue but that very abrupt line of blue at the top stays and moves. I am assuming the second star lines at the top are a defect? I am interested on hearing further thoughts.

https://imgur.com/xoMlGT5

Wow, that stone is NUTS! It would be fascinating to play with it in person, but I can't imagine who would buy it, especially for $17.5K.

And a seller who only sends you the side view after you request it, when the stone is an upside-down giraffe? I would be crossing that person off my list.

 

[glitterata]

My 1942 ebay star sapphire ring arrived today. The sapphire is lovely and ethereal, much more transparent than it looked in the photos. The color is a very pale silvery lavender blue. Through a loupe I can see several prominent internal features, mostly feathers (and silk, of course), but they aren't intrusive to the naked eye. The star is very sharp and well centered, with the 3D effect that transparent stones have, but a little weak--I guess that's also because of the transparency? The setting is delicate and very well made. E. must have been so pleased to get this ring from A. on that June day in 1942.



Here it is with my art nouveau stickpin conversion ring:




In indirect light with the converted stickpin and a pair of star sapphire cufflinks:




Close-ups showing the inclusions (and reflections of my phone:





It's so hard to convey what these stones look like with photos. These four sapphires look very similar to one another in photos, but in person they have distinct personalities.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Wow, that stone is NUTS! It would be fascinating to play with it in person, but I can't imagine who would buy it, especially for $17.5K.

And a seller who only sends you the side view after you request it, when the stone is an upside-down giraffe? I would be crossing that person off my list.

Ditto!

Profile is so important bc you want a nice dome and a moderate belly.

The star looks nice, but would want video in natural sun and also video in diffuse daylight to assess transparency. There are multiple stars bc there are multiple pot lights is all. Normal star behavior. For future reference. This stone and seller are OUT.

 

[Dreamer_D]

My 1942 ebay star sapphire ring arrived today. The sapphire is lovely and ethereal, much more transparent than it looked in the photos. The color is a very pale silvery lavender blue. Through a loupe I can see several prominent internal features, mostly feathers (and silk, of course), but they aren't intrusive to the naked eye. The star is very sharp and well centered, with the 3D effect that transparent stones have, but a little weak--I guess that's also because of the transparency? The setting is delicate and very well made. E. must have been so pleased to get this ring from A. on that June day in 1942.



Here it is with my art nouveau stickpin conversion ring:




In indirect light with the converted stickpin and a pair of star sapphire cufflinks:




Close-ups showing the inclusions (and reflections of my phone:





It's so hard to convey what these stones look like with photos. These four sapphires look very similar to one another in photos, but in person they have distinct personalities.

Beautiful!

 

[Odyssey44]

Wow, that stone is NUTS! It would be fascinating to play with it in person, but I can't imagine who would buy it, especially for $17.5K.

And a seller who only sends you the side view after you request it, when the stone is an upside-down giraffe? I would be crossing that person off my list.

Oh, they have been crossed!! Can you imagine the poor person that buys this and opens it up to see that??? The seller actually asked me how I liked it after sending the last video. I replied I hate it--all the weight is in the bottom, and how could they not realize this was a problem on a stone that is supposed to be a cabochon!!