Stargate Cyber Trading Company

[Elvis]

Anybody ever bought from them? Are they reputable and trustworthy? Will I the stone I get live up to their description. They trade under http://www.israel-diamonds.com. Any help would be appreciated. Also if you know of another good source here in America for Burmese Rubys I would appreciate the advice.

Thanks

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome Elvis

If you use the search tool above you will see this question has been asked previously and this should help you decide. One thing that is generally noted is that they tend to place very high appraisal figures on their diamonds. Hope this helps.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 4/18/2006 2:22:23 PM
Author:Elvis


Thanks

Hi!

Why the ''

'' ?

Eons ago, a bit before joining the forum I''ve got a little something (sapphire cab) from them. It wasn''t much, and the transaction went fine.

I am not terribly surprised at the ''appraisal value'' - lots of shops do the same (not that I like the practice). Just ignore that random number.

Even if someone comes with more substantial feedback, I would not purchase valuable stuff from them (or elsewhere), unless there is some return policy. It can''t hurt to have an independent party check the stone and verify the seller''s claims (thinking of an appraisal). Even if the stone looks good when it reaches you, allot of a ruby''s price depends on hard to see details - such as treatments improving color and/or clarity. Perhaps for a stone priced at a couple of hundred, this makes little difference - for a couple of thousands, I would check! Lab report help ID treatments, but would not help estimate the value of the thing... so there is still something left to wonder about after all is said and done.

About alternative sources - there are a few shops talked about here, at least the feedback counts for something. The gallery at Richard Wises'' website, Palagems and Cherrypicked.com should contain some top choices (and prices - although there hardly is any bargain among rubies - diamonds are easier to shop around for!). There are quite a few more on record, including some intriguing things on list here and there, say...



Ever seen a concave cut ruby before? I haven''t - and there can''t be too many of them. Here''s one.


It isn''t small feat to find a good looking stone that is not worth a fortune, apparently, it takes a careful ballance of color and clarity features that manage to lower value without making the stone ugly in the process. Wonder how many times such stones are touted as the best of the best onlin

. Here''s one that comes with the deserved description for once.

It is harder to judge ''interesting'' options than pay whatever it takes for ''perfection''. ''Guess everyone knows what a perfect ruby look like - talk about legends

What are you looking for?



And... sure you will find allot more interesting bits online. Asking a jeweler to bring in a couple of choices should work great, in the end. Especially once you know what to expect.

My 2c.


Best of luck!