The Search for Ruby Studs

[swanny]

I am in search of ruby stud earrings for my daughter who will be graduating High School this year and going off to college. This is a big accomplishment as she is on the autism spectrum. She doesn't ask for much- the only gift ever requested was a specific rose gold scientific calculator one year, and I know she will wear them for years to come. She wears fake ruby studs given to her as a young child which are so awful, but she wears them. She mentioned once that one day she would get real rubies. I want to get her real rubies....her current earrings are 5mm round and so I would like to have them be at least that size. A local (overpriced) jeweler brought in 5mm rubies which were not great color or size for the money, and so I have begin searching online but cannot figure out who is reputable. When I lived outside NYC, I would go to 47th street and always feel I received a fair deal...but where I am is leaving me with only the ability to spend way too much for too little.

Can someone tell me if there are trustworthy on line jewelers? I have read mixed reviews of GemsNY although they do not offer AGL cert, only GIA. I know that I will need to spend about $3,000 but I want to make sure I am getting the most quality for the spend. Any advice is appreciated.

currently looking at these: https://www.gemsny.com/ruby/2.03-Carat-Round-ruby-R21751RD/?type=earring&r=12143983

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

I'm not an expert on colored stones, but I would reach out to @Rockdiamond at Diamonds By Lauren. I would trust him to find you some great clean natural rubies on budget. And his bench can make you a setting too.

 

[reirei]

@swanny these Burma rubies from gemfix look perfect and they are well under budget ($995 for 1.66cts - they are 5mm): https://gemfix.com/gems/ruby-19-572




Gemfix is a famous, trusted cutter in the pricescope community. He has a great return policy too if the stones aren't to your liking.

Do you know what stud setting style you want? I would vouch for la pousette/guardian backings so your daughter will never lose a stud!

I would personally get them set by the amazing David Klass but there are other setters recommended from pricescopers. David Klass can probably source you the rubies too if you reach out to him. https://www.facebook.com/david.klass.jewelry/

+1 also for reaching out to diamonds by lauren. They can source you a pair of rubies in your budget.
They had a 5mm+ pair that sold for $1,199.00 and can make you a similar one http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/123ctw-round-ruby-earrings-r6657

If you're not afraid of instagram sellers, you should reach out to Tandi at desertrose_gems to see if she has any ruby pairs in stock. I bought from her multiple times and she has the best prices - she can have her jeweler set them for you too: https://www.instagram.com/desertrose_gems/?hl=en

Yvonne Raley Designs has lovely stones and she can source them for you too as well as set them in one of her lovely settings: https://www.etsy.com/shop/yvonneraley?#

I think you can spend much less than 3k for 5mm ruby studs!

I would not use GemsNY because they are overpriced. The pinned colored stones vendors list is a good place to look: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/list-of-vendors-for-reference.208782/

 

[PinkAndBlueBling]

I would ask Yvonne if she has any. She's quick, reasonable, and does great work. I'm not sure I'd pay the DK premium for ruby studs.

 

[reirei]

Also, I highly recommend with Sara Commers - she’s a Jewelers of America Certified Bench Jeweler and an award winning designer. She can set those stones above for you (or any other). She is responsive, has reasonable quotes, and is very fast in turnaround time! I just talked to her today and she is amazing to work with!

If you want different stones than the ones I recommended above, I would reach out to check her inventory or if she can source you rubies.

Sara Commers Private Jeweler | Custom Jewelry

Sara Commers is a Jewelers of America Certified Bench Jeweler and an Award-Winning Jewelry Designer. Sara Commers specializes in creating original and unique designs for their clients in a variety of precious metals.

www.saracommers.com

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

I have purchased from GemFix and was very happy. Their photos are in north light and are fairly representative in my limited experience.

 

[kgizo]

Congrats on your daughter’s graduation!! Sounds like she will be thrilled with special ruby earrings to mark the occasion.

 

[Adam95]

Just make sure the rubies are not semitransparent/translucent, which it looks like some of those options above are. Combined with the darker red color, you get no brilliance of the stone.

When a ruby is mostly transparent while still having that top red color, it is just something else.