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 Post subject: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:45 am 
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Hi All,

I am new to this forum, and know very little about gemology. I have a question regarding rubies, any help is welcome please.
I am looking for a dark (blood) red ruby, however due to the huge price tag I am considering to go with a cheaper option. What would be a good alternative to a ruby in a deep (blood) red color for an engagement ring?

Thank you for your time…


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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 12:22 pm 
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Welcome aboard, doglady!

Have you considered a created ruby? Chatham makes some beautiful ones!

Other red gems that are hard enough for an engagement ring are: spinel, tourmaline, topaz (if you don't mind treated), and garnet.

I'm sure others will have some recommendations for you, as well.

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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 12:30 pm 
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Hi and welcome.....a pyrope garnet might be an option as well.


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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:24 pm 
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Thank you for the advice. I am a dog trainer; do you think the pyrope garnet will survive the hammering? It is a very nice color! If not which one of the gemstones would be more likely to hold-up?


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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:31 pm 
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I'm a big fan of created ruby. Same qualities/hardness as natural ruby, but without all the lead glass filler ;) I've got several on order right now, actually.


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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:39 pm 
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Barbara O. Ellis, GG wrote:
Other red gems that are hard enough for an engagement ring are...topaz (if you don't mind treated)

Woah, where are you finding red topaz (heated or not) that would be a discount from a dark red ruby? That stuff is really hard to come by and incredibly expensive in my experience. Pink you'd have more luck with, but a true red (or anything close) is a much taller order.
From my understanding, the "blood red" rubies that they were pushing so hard a while back are Thai in origin, and darker than the theoretical ideal. So spinel and garnet are particularly good substitutes (though garnets in that color range may be too cheap).

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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:41 pm 
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I know absolutely nothing about lead glass filled rubies or any of that! I would just like to have a dark blood red gemstone in my engagement ring that will last for a lifetime, that’s all. What would a blood red natural ruby round cut with a 5mm diameter cost more or less?


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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 3:27 pm 
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Scarodactyl wrote:
Barbara O. Ellis, GG wrote:
Other red gems that are hard enough for an engagement ring are...topaz (if you don't mind treated)

Woah, where are you finding red topaz (heated or not) that would be a discount from a dark red ruby?


Sorry, I wasn't specific enough: I was thinking of the natural white topaz that has been coated. If the coating is limited to the pavilion, I would think it would hold up well enough for an engagement ring. (I could be wrong, though. Others might have more experience with this particular stone.)

I'd still go with Chatham ruby or a nice red spinel :D .

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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 3:36 pm 
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What's your budget Ms. Doglady?


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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 3:44 pm 
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About a $1000.00


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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 4:14 pm 
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tripps has a 5mm ruby for 236.00 and change, but you'd have to call them to get details on the actual stone you'd be purchasing, I would ask about treatments (almost certainly lead glass) and I would ask for a photo of the actual stone. A 5mm created ruby on the other hand will be nearly flawless, 100% (well, near enough) ruby material, and costs about a dollar. Created rubies WILL last a lifetime, they ARE rubies, they just aren't dug from the ground.


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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 8:02 pm 
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Gem2000 has some Burmese (pre-embargo) rubies that are heat only. If you're in the trade, you can purchase directly; if not, your price would depend upon who you buy from.

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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 8:39 pm 
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doglady wrote:
About a $1000.00

Great...I'm optimistic. That is a reasonable budget.
About, what size gem are you interested in?


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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 11:16 pm 
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Barbra Voltaire wrote:
About, what size gem are you interested in?

doglady wrote:
What would a blood red natural ruby round cut with a 5mm diameter cost more or less?

I too am optimistic.

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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 2:58 am 
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Spinel is a good option, it's tough enough to stand up to everyday wear in an engagement ring and much less expensive than ruby.

Do you have any particular size and shape in mind, or are you first looking for the stone and will do the ring around it?


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