Talk to me about star sapphires/rubies

[lovedogs]

So I paused my star sapphire search for a long time to learn more about them. Sadly I think Im still confused haha.

For example: why is this pair so cheap??? To my eye the color is nice and stars are sharp.

https://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/3.68ct-round-bluish-grey-sapphire-pair-pr10564-/#AssetData10

This is probably cheap bc more opaque and the "zoning lines" in normal light, right?

https://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/2.96ct-ceylon-sri-lanka-oval-violet-star-sapphire-s24897-/#AssetData6

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yes grey with vet obvious opaque inclusions is less desirable. In my experience the opaque stones have strong stars but you lose the veiled effect where the legs permeate into the stone. Less 3D. You really need transparency to fill appreciate the asterism. Opaque stones are interesting as well, but less desirable for this reason.

 

[Dreamer_D]

This is probably cheap bc more opaque and the "zoning lines" in normal light, right?

https://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/2.96ct-ceylon-sri-lanka-oval-violet-star-sapphire-s24897-/#AssetData6

And the flat top. More doming is desirable. It enhances the play of the star and the 3D effect of the asterism I mentioned.

 

[HootDice]

I would love to know people’s thoughts on this ring - I inherited it from my grandmother and know nothing other than “ooh, pretty!” Anything people can tell me is very much appreciated

 

[glitterata]

I would love to know people’s thoughts on this ring - I inherited it from my grandmother and know nothing other than “ooh, pretty!” Anything people can tell me is very much appreciated

Oooo pretty!

My guess would be 1960s, natural opals, synthetic star ruby. Can you show us the back of the ruby?

 

[toomuch8]

Can't help with the questions, but I just saw this fine Burma star ruby, have to share
Not sure I've seen such high translucency before.

jewel planet 公式サイト / 【完売！】PT950 ビルマ産スタールビー 2.06ct ダイヤモンド 0.93ct リング

www.jewel-planet.jp

 

[HootDice]

Oooo pretty!

My guess would be 1960s, natural opals, synthetic star ruby. Can you show us the back of the ruby?

The back is pretty hard to see because of the way it’s set but here are a few other angles



edit: photos were taken under a VERY bright desk lamp with my cell phone, so I apologize if the quality isn't great

 

[Starstruck8]

My guess would be 1960s, natural opals, synthetic star ruby. Can you show us the back of the ruby?

The star ruby looks synthetic (uniform opaque body, bright sharp star). The opals may by synthetic too - I don't know enough about opals to tell. But it would be unusual to set a synthetic star ruby with natural opals.

 

[glitterata]

The star ruby looks synthetic (uniform opaque body, bright sharp star). The opals may by synthetic too - I don't know enough about opals to tell. But it would be unusual to set a synthetic star ruby with natural opals.

I don't know all that much about opals either, but the synthetic ones I've seen have been bluer and brighter. Poking around the internet, I'm finding a 1974 date for the invention of synthetic opal. So if the designer wanted to pair opals with a synthetic star ruby before that, s/he would have had to use natural ones.

 

[Niel]

I don't know all that much about opals either, but the synthetic ones I've seen have been bluer and brighter. Poking around the internet, I'm finding a 1974 date for the invention of synthetic opal. So if the designer wanted to pair opals with a synthetic star ruby before that, s/he would have had to use natural ones.

That is a synthetic sapphire. Looks like a pink Lindy/linde star.

 

[LilAlex]

These look like the tiny opals in some '60s-era stuff that my relatives had so I am betting natural but not of any real value. I agree the star looks synthetic.