What to do with a star ruby?

[Probee]

Hello,

I’m a long time lurker but this is my first time posting. I recently received a star ruby from my dad. He purchased it about 20 years ago from Vietnam. He told me it’s natural but I have no idea as I am clueless when it comes to gemstones. I’m thinking of setting it into a ring. This will be the one and only heirloom piece of jewelry for me so it’s of high sentimental value. I don’t know if it’s worth much to send to the lab, get insurance, or just set the stone. I’m thinking of bezel setting but not sure if I want dainty or substantial piece of jewelry. Second photo is most reflective of actual color

stone is roughly 11x9x4.5 and maybe 4.4 ct.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

That is gorgeous!!!!!

Definitely set it! Have you got any inspiration ring pics?

I think that stone is beautiful and worthy of a lovely setting!

 

[pwsg07]

sometimes the bottom of the stone will indicate the stone is natural

 

[voce]

It's definitely worthy of a lab report. You should set it, but take the time to find a setting that you'll love for a lifetime.

 

[ShinyPink]

Pretty stone, but I want that puppy in your avatar!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

its a beauriful stone
i look forward to seeing what you do with it
good luck

 

[Anne111]

WOW color but needs a lab report.

 

[qubitasaurus]

Definitely a ring. I've always liked this one

My Star Ruby Ring Project with Seven Fingers Jewelry

Wow, that is amazing. Just seeing the progress is an eye opener as to how much detailed and fine work is involved. Any updates as to the estimated completion date? Hi Chrono! Seeing the progress pics just left me in awe. The ring is done! Not sure exactly when, but Tom sent me all of this and...

www.pricescope.com

But send it to a lab first -- it is better to check before you break the bank setting it.

 

[Probee]

Thank you all for your kinda words as they get me more excited about owning the stone. I don’t know how to do multiple quotes yet.

@voce , @Anne111 do you think the stone worth more than the cost of the lab report? Which lab should I consider sending it to? I know without more information it’s hard to put a number on it but any estimation is greatly appreciated.

@mellowyellowgirl I haven’t thought much about it and don’t have many jewelry besides my er, wedding ring, and couple of items I received as wedding gifts. I did a quick google search and like this one.


@pwsg07 what would I be looking for at the bottom?



@MrsKMB I too wanted the puppy so badly but already have two and don’t think I should have more dogs than number of hands to pet them

 

[voce]

The ruby is potentially worth thousands of dollars, so yes, spending $160 on an AGL Prestige ID report would be worth it. The Gem Brief is only $75, but your ruby is too large for the brief, which only covers stones below 3ct. Please consult aglgem.com/pricelist to see their cost for the lab report.

 

[Probee]

The ruby is potentially worth thousands of dollars, so yes, spending $160 on an AGL Prestige ID report would be worth it. The Gem Brief is only $75, but your ruby is too large for the brief, which only covers stones below 3ct. Please consult aglgem.com/pricelist to see their cost for the lab report.

Oh wow. We didn’t come from a lot of money so I don’t think my dad paid a lot for it. Also I don’t even know where to start with lab repor so thank you for the suggestions. I will definitely consider sending it to AGL.

 

[pwsg07]

It looks natural to me based on the bottom of the stone

 

[voce]

Oh wow. We didn’t come from a lot of money so I don’t think my dad paid a lot for it. Also I don’t even know where to start with lab repor so thank you for the suggestions. I will definitely consider sending it to AGL.

Its value today has less to do with what your dad had paid for it twenty years ago and more to do with how much the price of ruby has appreciated over these twenty years.

 

[Probee]

Definitely a ring. I've always liked this one

My Star Ruby Ring Project with Seven Fingers Jewelry

Wow, that is amazing. Just seeing the progress is an eye opener as to how much detailed and fine work is involved. Any updates as to the estimated completion date? Hi Chrono! Seeing the progress pics just left me in awe. The ring is done! Not sure exactly when, but Tom sent me all of this and...

www.pricescope.com

But send it to a lab first -- it is better to check before you break the bank setting it.

That is such a beautiful ring! I appreciate this type of jewelry on others and admire them from distance but feel awkward wearing them. I think I’m more of a clean lines and geometric type with attention to details but short of bells and whistles. Not sure if that makes sense.

 

[Probee]

It looks natural to me based on the bottom of the stone

That’s a much appreciated feedback. I think it has a nice red fluorescence in the sunlight. I need to confirm but it’s been cloudy where I’m at.

 

[Bron357]

It’s beautiful, fortunately most synthetic Star sapphires are obvious. I don’t think there’s much doubt that its natural.
and yes, do get a lab report before setting. It’s a worthwhile investment to have formal confirmation and an opinion on origin. Also helps for valuation/ insurance purposes too.
I love your inspiration setting, yellow gold looks best with rubies in my opinion. Depending on your budget, where the gold “bars” are on either side of the ruby you could add in some wee melee stones, diamonds would look fabulous but a lot of us like to be a bit adventurous and add in extra colour. You might consider wee emeralds or garnets for green, sapphires for blue or yellow, amethyst for purple and to really go for wow, Paraiba tourmalines (neon blue).
very exciting for you.

 

[qubitasaurus]

That is such a beautiful ring! I appreciate this type of jewelry on others and admire them from distance but feel awkward wearing them. I think I’m more of a clean lines and geometric type with attention to details but short of bells and whistles. Not sure if that makes sense.

Yes fair enough, usually I take most of the complex elements out of any plan I am contemplating immediately before execution. So I completely understand what you mean.

 

[Probee]

@Bron357 thats a lot of great ideas. I love the idea of adding accent diamonds, or green shade of emerald/garnet. @voce has a tray of beautiful pieces in another thread.

I also love the brushed finish so maybe something like this for the bezel and shank.



too much?

 

[Probee]

I’m trying to learn more about star ruby but can’t find much info online. When looking for similar stones for pricing and entertaining my sister’s idea of earrings, there are plenty from eBay and Etsy for dirt cheap or ridiculously expensive from auction house, high end pieces. I couldn’t find much in the 1k-5k range at all. With diamonds there are local jewelry stores, the big box like Macy’s, chain like Zared, warehouse like Costco, all the way up to fancy patented ideal cuts and designer benches. I started the thread thinking I have a stone that came from my dad’s ring that’s probably worth few hundred dollars and would like to make it into a nice piece of jewelry to cherish. Now I’m thinking how rare is natural star ruby/sapphire? Is this the gem aficionado territory?

 

[Bron357]

Star ruby is reasonably uncommon especially in sizes above 10 carats.
factors that affect price are colour, your star ruby might actually be classed as a pink sapphire so in lower value, the appearance of the star ie centred and with prominent star rays. This effect is what makes a star ruby a star ruby so it’s very important. Size obviously, over 10 carats is uncommon and origin. A Burmese origin can add thousands to the value.
star rubies are usually untreated because heating removes the rutile silk which would break up the look of the star rays.
Im no valuer or assessor but I’d have to guess your star sapphire is worth around $20,000. So worthy of a lovely setting to create a future family heirloom.

 

[voce]

4.75ct Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Oval Pink Star Sapphire - S2265

One beautiful translucent 4.75 carat oval shape pink star sapphire with dimensions of 9.40 x 7.74 x 5.98 mm. It has a cabochon cut, and a clarity grade of very slightly included (evaluated at eye level), medium intense color intensity, and an excellent polish. The origin of this star sapphire is...

www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com

4.60ct Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Oval Pink Star Sapphire - S2100

<p>Imagine a gem so mesmerizing, so captivating, that envy fills the eyes of all who lay eyes upon it. At The Natural Sapphire Company, we present you with a treasure that will leave onlookers spellbound - a 4.60 Ct. Oval Pink Star Sapphire. As you adorn yourself with this exceptional gem, watch...

www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com

The first one is really light color and lesser value than yours. The second one is more comparable. I don't think yours would be worth $20k since it's pinkish and not Burmese origin, but $3k is reasonable.

 

[Probee]

Star ruby is reasonably uncommon especially in sizes above 10 carats.
factors that affect price are colour, your star ruby might actually be classed as a pink sapphire so in lower value, the appearance of the star ie centred and with prominent star rays. This effect is what makes a star ruby a star ruby so it’s very important. Size obviously, over 10 carats is uncommon and origin. A Burmese origin can add thousands to the value.
star rubies are usually untreated because heating removes the rutile silk which would break up the look of the star rays.
Im no valuer or assessor but I’d have to guess your star sapphire is worth around $20,000. So worthy of a lovely setting to create a future family heirloom.

my jaw just hit the pavement. Now I definitely will send it to the lab. My dad happened to be at the jewelry store when a local came in trying to sell a pair of the stones to the owner. After their negotiations he bought them and set them into two rings. So I think it’s likely from Luc Yen (my dad told me to google the term). There’s not much information online but some indicates that there were mining of star ruby in Vietnam in the 90s and it’s about when he bought them.

 

[Probee]

4.75ct Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Oval Pink Star Sapphire - S2265

One beautiful translucent 4.75 carat oval shape pink star sapphire with dimensions of 9.40 x 7.74 x 5.98 mm. It has a cabochon cut, and a clarity grade of very slightly included (evaluated at eye level), medium intense color intensity, and an excellent polish. The origin of this star sapphire is...

www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com

4.60ct Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Oval Pink Star Sapphire - S2100

<p>Imagine a gem so mesmerizing, so captivating, that envy fills the eyes of all who lay eyes upon it. At The Natural Sapphire Company, we present you with a treasure that will leave onlookers spellbound - a 4.60 Ct. Oval Pink Star Sapphire. As you adorn yourself with this exceptional gem, watch...

www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com

The first one is really light color and lesser value than yours. The second one is more comparable. I don't think yours would be worth $20k since it's pinkish and not Burmese origin, but $3k is reasonable.

Wow, that’s some research skills you have. Thank you! My photos don’t depic the color accurately. It’s also darker/deeper/more saturated in person. I’ll try to get better photos. You are right, it’s unlikely that it’s Burmese. I’m equally excited if it’s $3k.

 

[Bron357]

Wow, that’s some research skills you have. Thank you! My photos don’t depic the color accurately. It’s also darker/deeper/more saturated in person. I’ll try to get better photos. You are right, it’s unlikely that it’s Burmese. I’m equally excited if it’s $3k.

The fact that yours is huge at 15 odd carats means it’s worth much more than just a x3 of a 5 carat one. Even $1,000 a carat makes it $15,000!
In terms of colour, true red ruby would be stratospheric expensive at 15 carats, followed by a fine blue, but a Strong pink is worth more than a pale blue or pale pink or grey or black.
Yours seems to have good tone, a strong and centred star with full and straight star lines plus a lack of any surface imperfections.
a lovely gem.

 

[Probee]

The fact that yours is huge at 15 odd carats means it’s worth much more than just a x3 of a 5 carat one. Even $1,000 a carat makes it $15,000!
In terms of colour, true red ruby would be stratospheric expensive at 15 carats, followed by a fine blue, but a Strong pink is worth more than a pale blue or pale pink or grey or black.
Yours seems to have good tone, a strong and centred star with full and straight star lines plus a lack of any surface imperfections.
a lovely gem.

Mine is not 15ct. It’s roughly about 4.4ct using a scale I have at home that’s not specific for jewelry purpose. It seems to match with the measurements of similar size stones.

 

[voce]

Mine is not 15ct. It’s roughly about 4.4ct using a scale I have at home that’s not specific for jewelry purpose. It seems to match with the measurements of similar size stones.

4.4ct, 9x11mm is still a decently large size. Just to be sure, 4.4 ct means 0.88g if you're using kitchen scales.

 

[Probee]

Luc yen, yen bai rubies information from GIA.

https://www.gia.edu/doc/Gemstones-from-Vietnam-An-Update.pdf

 

[Probee]

4.4ct, 9x11mm is still a decently large size. Just to be sure, 4.4 ct means 0.88g if you're using kitchen scales.

Yes! Kitchen at around 0.88g.

 

[icy_jade]

Is this the gem aficionado territory?

Probably not based on quality factors like translucency, star niceness etc. but imo a lovely reminder of your father so sentimental value is high. I would say $2k-ish.

See:

Vietnamese Star Rubies @ The Star Ruby Shop

Exclusive Collection of Natural & Untreated Vietnamese Star Rubies

www.starruby.in

 

[luv2sparkle]

@voce, so excited for you to have this stone! What a lovely gift from your dad and one you can always cherish!
I hope you take your time and really get something you adore. It is well worth saving to only do it one time. Cant wait to see what you come up with.