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Thinking about buying this ruby gemstone

I think that ruby has a very good color, which is the most important thing when it comes to appreciating rubies. The inclusions are visible, but I'd be ok with it. It's also got a nice calibrated size, which makes for easy setting. Lotus Gemology is a lab that was started by Richard W. Hughes, who is considered one of, if not THE foremost expert on rubies and sapphires, since he wrote a book on them and continues to publish articles in the gemology journals. They are as good as, and perhaps better, than AGL for rubies imho. The ruby is being listed for more than what I would pay for it, but since it is rather rare, and prices could be creeping up, you have to decide if you're happy enough with the size and look of the stone to pay close to $4k.
 
I am far from an expert, but I love the color in the photos. Can you get a video, too?

I was tempted by this ruby but I am looking for something larger.
 
What is the return policy? I’d want more straight up pictures. The ruby is on the shallow end but otherwise has no red flags (colour, treatment, and clarity).
 
I want something larger too, but haven't had any luck yet finding it with this color and having it be untreated. Are there any other comparables out there I should look into?

Aside from asking if they have more photos, video and the return policy, what else should I ask?
 
It is so difficult to find unheated rubies of good color that are affordable, much less ones that are on the larger size.

If the refund policy works for you and a return wouldn't be too much hassle, I would go ahead and order it.
 
It looks like I am too late and back to square one. It's on hold and I guess pretty much sold. I've looked into other recommended vendors here and usually see ones that have too much pink or they are more of a purplish red. If I find the right color, then it is usually very included.

The search continues.
 
Oh I'm so sorry. I saw on the link that it was on hold but I thought it was on hold by you!

I have a pretty included ruby but it doesn't bother me because I like the colour. It just looks like a red heart if that makes sense so I don't really focus on the facets or sparkle but that's just me.
 
5E193B85-EDAF-4D65-8D80-8D78B0D2D27F.jpeg Three of mine are finally going in for a lab report. Next week I have an appt.
The 1.14 cushion is spoken for, the other two, in photo, are 1.45 and 1.70 (I think) I’m expecting all 3 to come back as unheated and possibly Burmese (these are all vintage gems). Fingers crossed
 
@blingheaven I think this looks like top color, even if (probably) unaffordable:
https://ivynewyork.com/products/ruby-and-diamond-ring-r13292
Also, Cushion Gem has expensive unheated rubies. Priced higher, but more eye-clean.
https://www.cushiongem.com/ruby/

I think that many of the finest rubies newly mined/cut go straight to jewellers, who can buy right away and set them into fine jewellery for even higher profit. Most don't make their way to retail buyers like you or me. Good luck on your hunt!
 
voce said:
@blingheaven I think this looks like top color, even if (probably) unaffordable:
https://ivynewyork.com/products/ruby-and-diamond-ring-r13292
Also, Cushion Gem has expensive unheated rubies. Priced higher, but more eye-clean.
https://www.cushiongem.com/ruby/

I think that many of the finest rubies newly mined/cut go straight to jewellers, who can buy right away and set them into fine jewellery for even higher profit. Most don't make their way to retail buyers like you or me. Good luck on your hunt!
Click to expand...
Wow, that IvyNewYork ring is to die for. It is perfection.
Though I think asking for it’s price would be :eek2:
 
Unfortunately I didn't have time to reach out to the seller earlier. Oh well, I'm only starting my search and in no rush.

Those are such beautiful rubies Bron. I wouldn't even mind vintage gems if I could find ones like yours with a proper report.

Voce, the Ivy ring would be a dream come true. Sadly, I've learned whenever I have to inquire about the price, it usually means I can't afford it. I like a few gems that are listed from Cushion Gem, but none of them list the dimensions. They seem priced higher too, but they are very nice. I agree, there is a limited supply available directly to consumers. It's such a shame.
 
And those Custom Gem rubies look very nice but it’s a bit annoying how they give no dimensions. And all the big stuff is “price upon application” = scary stuff.
I noticed that they had had a 10.24 Alexandrite, now that is a true unicorn, and it sold, for the price of a house I presume.
 
Yes, that was a rare bargain, assuming that all the facts with the report were true and real, it might have been called too good to be true. No wonder somebody snatched it away. If something was wrong we will probably hear about it?
 
blingheaven said:
Unfortunately I didn't have time to reach out to the seller earlier. Oh well, I'm only starting my search and in no rush.

Those are such beautiful rubies Bron. I wouldn't even mind vintage gems if I could find ones like yours with a proper report.

Voce, the Ivy ring would be a dream come true. Sadly, I've learned whenever I have to inquire about the price, it usually means I can't afford it. I like a few gems that are listed from Cushion Gem, but none of them list the dimensions. They seem priced higher too, but they are very nice. I agree, there is a limited supply available directly to consumers. It's such a shame.
Click to expand...

I noticed this vendor (/EnhoerningJewelry) sells a lot of rubies. It’s not from a personal collection. Might be worth messaging to see if he or she can source another for you at the size you want.
 
I think it's distractingly and asymmetrically included in that southeast corner -- and that first photo is tilted to minimize the impact.

Color looks orange-y on my screen but I would trust a Lotus (Hughes) report for color. Note that he distinguishes between the darker "pigeon blood" and the brighter somebody-else's blood, if memory serves. I have the Lotus color guide somewhere around here. :loopy:
 
What size do you want? Bron has some really lovely rubies that are probably Burmese and untreated which is about the best you can buy IMHO and I have some tiny ones that I will eventually be listing for sale some untreated Burmese and some heat only (no glass or anything else) African origin.

And yes Richard Hughes the guy that owns Lotus Lab is the person that literally wrote the book/s on Rubies and sapphires. His reports IMHO are as good if not better than AGL for rubies, sapphires and spinel, which they specialise in.
 
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