Rare unheated ruby and diamond ring

Just exactly how rare is an unheated ruby? Regardless of its origin?

Much has been said and written about the differences in value between an unheated and heated ruby. In addition, there is also a category reserved for “glass-filled” or “lead-filled” or “lead glass-filled” rubies. These 3 terms pretty much mean the same thing, which essentially means, rubies that have been filled with high-lead-content glass, which made the rubies appear more transparent after the treatment process. Filling ruby material with lead glass enabled what would have been nothing more than material specimen mainly used for gemological studies; definitely nothing of decent commercial value. In addition, filling gemstones with lead glass actually adds carat weight to the material. What does this mean for end consumers? Essentially, consumers will pay more for glass instead of gemstones. More can be read about lead-filled rubies here: https://www.gia.edu/doc/SP06A2.pdf

Heated rubies in our present, modern-day gemstone and jewellery market have become more commonplace because it remains a fact that unheated, 100% natural rubies oftentimes, have a lacklustre and dull appearance. Ruby material is heated to improve the colour and clarity of the rough and ultimately, the polished gemstone. It is important to recognise this because it impacts the price differences between heated and unheated rubies and the market premium accorded to unheated rubies. Without the heating process, commercial quality rubies would have a lot more eye-visible inclusions, opacity and dullness, which would result in these rubies being unable to be sold at fair prices or worse, not sold at all.

Unheated rubies as mentioned above, are typically heavily included with a dull appearance. To understand it in a nutshell, as this article aptly describes: “Very few of the recovered rubies are of high enough quality to be sold on the market. In fact, only about 1% of all corundum found is gem quality. Of those rubies, only a fraction remains untreated.” https://thenaturalrubycompany.com/education/ruby-characteristics/ruby-rarity-value/

Let’s all take a moment to consider this statement: of the 1% of all corundum mined from earth being gem quality, only a fraction of this 1% remains untreated and unheated.

“Gem quality” usually means a gem has the aesthetic appeal to the human eye. Eye-clean, with even colour tones throughout the gemstone, with good brilliance and lustre.

Seen below is a rare unheated 1+ ct ruby, set in diamond halo with 18K Natural Gold. It is becoming increasingly difficult to source for eye-clean unheated rubies that are facetted and polished with a nice finish and cutting symmetry. In addition, unheated rubies are almost always presenting themselves in a somewhat dull and lacklustre appearance, oftentimes looking somewhat cloudy.

To find a ruby that checks the following will involve more than just luck:
1. Unheated
2. Eye-clean
3. Lively appearance with fair – good brilliance. Not dull and not cloudy looking
4. In a properly facetted, well-proportioned symmetry

Anniversary Ring in Organic Style (Singapore)

A ring that was customised as a wedding anniversary gift with 3 coloured diamonds to signify the couple’s 3 children.

A style that is unique, yet understated and wearable daily with somewhat of a cool factor and definitely not something off-the-shelf. The lady wanted a design that symbolised the pure, natural love for her family, husband and children, hence the organic-styled design of this ring. As with any family dynamics, there is always undulating up and downs symbolised by the uneven texture of this ring. But at the end of the day, everything comes full circle, symbolised by the circle of this ring.

What is special about this ring is that no 2 sides or faces about this ring is remotely the same.

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Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Ear Drops

A stellar pair of Tahitian pearls and diamond cluster ear-drops. At 13mm diameter, this pair of Tahitian pearls are of AAA, fine quality with no blemish and very good reflective lustre. Specially sourced on a commissioned basis, this pair of perfectly round Tahitian pearls are of superb quality.

Factors that affect price of pearls:

  • Roundness: Pearls are classified according to perfectly round, semi-round, oval, button, baroque, cercled (yes, you read that right. There is no spelling error – it is not circled).
  • Shine/Lustre: Excellent mirror-like lustre, very good lustre, good lustre, average lustre and weak lustre.
  • Surface: No imperfection/blemish, minimal imperfections, imperfections and important imperfections

 

Size also plays a big role in price point. Assuming all other assessing factors of quality being the same, the larger the pearl, the more expensive. For example, a 15mm pearl that is perfect round with very good lustre and no blemish would command a much higher price than a 15mm pearl that is semi-round, average lustre and has imperfections.

The pair of Tahitian pearl ear drops were commissioned to complement our client’s existing Tahitian baroque pearl necklace and we must say it is stunning.

The design of the pearl earrings were conceptualised from the natural environment of the ocean where oysters and corals are a part of the natural landscape.

At first glance, it seems the diamonds have been randomly clustered into a somewhat irregular shape. However, on closer look, one would realise there is actually symmetry to be found in the design and the placement of the diamonds. It makes for a very natural piece of art one would wear on herself.

 

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