Thoughts on Ruby Rings & Ruby Stones

[hxs01]

I am still in the process of looking for a nice ruby/ruby ring to propose to my girlfriend with. I have some airline points that allow me to use Amazon. I have narrowed it down the seller to AfricaGems after the advice of a few PS folks. Below are four options I am currently looking at. What do you think about these four options for a ruby?

1) http://www.africagems.com/oval-ruby-ic-ru-523.html
2) http://www.africagems.com/ruby-ring-121590.html

3)http://www.africagems.com/oval-redruby-g2k-4411.html

4)http://www.africagems.com/ruby-g2k3660.html

 

[marymm]

#1 - based on the photo I don't like this one at all - but even the description says the image quality is poor - still I prefer a pinkish-red ruby to a purplish-red ruby.

#2 - very small ruby (4.5mm) - this is about 1/3 the carat weight of the other rubies you linked to - and I'm not keen on the ring setting - very much like the red color - but almost looks like there is a small window in the very center of the ruby? If it were me, if I was hooked on the color and the window is nonexistent or would easily close up in the right setting, I'd see about buying the stone loose and buying a ring setting separately.

#3 - like the color, like the clarity, like the cut, like the AGL report - again I wonder if there is a small window but that could be an artifact of the photography. At over $4k, before purchasing I'd probably want to see a video and/or photographs of the ruby out in daylight on someone's hand.

#4 - love love love the color - but no info as to treatment other than indicating heat - also not sure about clarity - the description says clarity is decent/eyeclean, but to me it looks like the stone is translucent rather than transparent? Based on color alone, though, I would definitely want to get more info on this stone for sure.

More importantly, what are YOUR thoughts on these 4 rubies?

 

[chrono]

1) http://www.africagems.com/oval-ruby-ic-ru-523.html
I am curious about this one because the picture does not jive with the description. The inclusions look quite visible and the colour isn't that great but the description states that it is eye clean and only slightly purplish. I think this is a mediocre ruby but still of much higher quality than the usual commercially found ones. It might be something you will want to inquire about if on a tight budget.

2) http://www.africagems.com/ruby-ring-121590.html
Lovely ring but there are a few "buts". The stone is small at 4.5 mm if you are particular about size. It is also heated with no mention of the level of treatment. The open culet is not a deal breaker for me as I think overall, it is quite well cut and the colour looks good. I would definitely inquire about the level of treatment and ask if the SI1 melees are clean and well cut.

3)http://www.africagems.com/oval-redruby-g2k-4411.html
There are issues with this stone as well but it is to be expected for the price. It has a small to medium sized window, colour is a tad orangish with some brown.

4)http://www.africagems.com/ruby-g2k3660.html
Heated but no mention of the level of treatment. I think the clarity might be all right in person but it looks strongly orange in the picture, yet the description calls it red.

 

[Euphony]

If you don't mind a bit of orange in a ruby (I don't!), I think that the third one is the most promising. I agree that the fourth looks very orange, and the first does not look eye-clean. I personally feel that on a limited budget, you do better steering away from the more sought after origins like Burma, as you will always be paying in part for that association. I think you will get a nicer stone for the money with Mozambique rubies.

 

[hxs01]

#1 - based on the photo I don't like this one at all - but even the description says the image quality is poor - still I prefer a pinkish-red ruby to a purplish-red ruby.

#2 - very small ruby (4.5mm) - this is about 1/3 the carat weight of the other rubies you linked to - and I'm not keen on the ring setting - very much like the red color - but almost looks like there is a small window in the very center of the ruby? If it were me, if I was hooked on the color and the window is nonexistent or would easily close up in the right setting, I'd see about buying the stone loose and buying a ring setting separately.

#3 - like the color, like the clarity, like the cut, like the AGL report - again I wonder if there is a small window but that could be an artifact of the photography. At over $4k, before purchasing I'd probably want to see a video and/or photographs of the ruby out in daylight on someone's hand.

#4 - love love love the color - but no info as to treatment other than indicating heat - also not sure about clarity - the description says clarity is decent/eyeclean, but to me it looks like the stone is translucent rather than transparent? Based on color alone, though, I would definitely want to get more info on this stone for sure.

More importantly, what are YOUR thoughts on these 4 rubies?

Thank you so much for the great feedback. I am such a newbie with regards to precious colored stones that I really feel at a loss for how to see imperfections. I liked number 3 the best, but based on your feedback and chronos I am going to keep looking. Your advice is super helpful, thank you so much.

 

[hxs01]

1) http://www.africagems.com/oval-ruby-ic-ru-523.html
I am curious about this one because the picture does not jive with the description. The inclusions look quite visible and the colour isn't that great but the description states that it is eye clean and only slightly purplish. I think this is a mediocre ruby but still of much higher quality than the usual commercially found ones. It might be something you will want to inquire about if on a tight budget.

2) http://www.africagems.com/ruby-ring-121590.html
Lovely ring but there are a few "buts". The stone is small at 4.5 mm if you are particular about size. It is also heated with no mention of the level of treatment. The open culet is not a deal breaker for me as I think overall, it is quite well cut and the colour looks good. I would definitely inquire about the level of treatment and ask if the SI1 melees are clean and well cut.

3)http://www.africagems.com/oval-redruby-g2k-4411.html
There are issues with this stone as well but it is to be expected for the price. It has a small to medium sized window, colour is a tad orangish with some brown.

4)http://www.africagems.com/ruby-g2k3660.html
Heated but no mention of the level of treatment. I think the clarity might be all right in person but it looks strongly orange in the picture, yet the description calls it red.

Chrono, you give such awesome and detailed advice. Thank you so much! You have already helped so much in keeping the engagement ring from being a disaster. I am going to keep looking and see what else is out there.

 

[hxs01]

If you don't mind a bit of orange in a ruby (I don't!), I think that the third one is the most promising. I agree that the fourth looks very orange, and the first does not look eye-clean. I personally feel that on a limited budget, you do better steering away from the more sought after origins like Burma, as you will always be paying in part for that association. I think you will get
a nicer stone for the money with Mozambique rubies.

Great suggestion on the location of the ruby. I will look into the Mozambique rubies and see if there are any promising stones. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question. I feel like I am evening up the sides a bit in the purchase
with so many knowledgeable people giving me advice.

 

[hxs01]

http://www.africagems.com/oval-redruby-g2k-4410.html

Chrono and Others what do you think about this one?

 

[chrono]

I would definitely inquire about this one. A bit pinkish in some areas but given that it looks well saturated (rich eye popping colour with hardly any brown), I will certainly accept this trade-off. Given that it costs 2x as much on this other website for the same stone, I would give it serious consideration.
http://www.abragem.com/gallery-colored-gemstones.php (Item 4410)

 

[aaronl]

If you do buy from AfricaGems, I suggest first checking for discounts on their website or through their Amazon store.

 

[hxs01]

I would definitely inquire about this one. A bit pinkish in some areas but given that it looks well saturated (rich eye popping colour with hardly any brown), I will certainly accept this trade-off. Given that it costs 2x as much on this other website for the same stone, I would give it serious consideration.
http://www.abragem.com/gallery-colored-gemstones.php (Item 4410)

Great feedback. Thanks Chrono.

 

[hxs01]

A few more I am considering for the engagement ring. I am going to see if I can get the seller to sell through Amazon

1) http://www.NaturalUnheatedRuby.com/inc/sdetail/119/168

2) http://www.NaturalUnheatedRuby.com/inc/sdetail/116/218

3) http://www.ajsgem.com/ruby/burma-ruby/unheated-burma-ruby-1.29-carats.html

 

[tara3056]

I have no input on the rubies at the moment, but I wanted to bring up a potential issue with your idea of getting one through Amazon...

I'm assuming your have Citi TYP points that can be used for Amazon gift cards? If so, I'm in the frequent flyer mile game and I have redeemed about $4000 worth of those points for merchandise, more than half of it at Amazon. The one caution I want to urge you to take is to make sure that those Amazon GCs are applicable to items that aren't sold by OR fulfilled by Amazon. When I was spending mine, I was under the impression that the gift cards weren't usable on third-party-seller items unless Amazon was the one fulfilling the order. Which isn't to say I wasn't wrong - I just think I read that somewhere. Of course, this is very easy to check - buy a $5 gift card and pretend to check out with something from a third party seller... see if the GC value is applied, but don't actually check out.

I'd hate for you to be limiting your gemstone search unnecessarily, or to find the perfect stone and not have the GC payment method work out!

 

[chrono]

1) http://www.NaturalUnheatedRuby.com/inc/sdetail/119/168
The reason I am hesitant about this one is because the inclusions are black. If they were "clear", it would not be as obvious. From a distance, you might not make out the individual inclusions but they will make the center look darker than the edges. When out in the sun, they might jump out rather obviously at you. Other than that, the colour is nice but the inclusions are the deal breaker for me.

2) http://www.NaturalUnheatedRuby.com/inc/sdetail/116/218
This is a cabochon and isn't everyone's cup of tea. A bit pinkish purple rather than straight red and cabochons are typically not transparent, which this one is as well. If you are hoping for a star, this one is very weak and not well formed. It is also translucent, not transparent.

3) http://www.ajsgem.com/ruby/burma-ruby/unheated-burma-ruby-1.29-carats.html[/quote]
Too pink to be considered a ruby in my book but GRS is a little different in that they tend to accept such stones as ruby. AGL and GIA are unlikely to call this corundum a ruby. Cut is fine and the level of inclusions are probably acceptable because clear inclusions are harder to make out IRL. Expect the level of saturation to be slightly less than shown on AJS' website.