19.25k Gold Ring w/ Ruby (Age Unknown)

[glostikwilly]

I bought this ring at a pawn shop as a 14k gold ring with red stone for around $350. It is stamped on the band 800 which I have found is a 19k Portugal gold stamp. The ring weighs 10.7g

I am very good with stones and I'm certain this is a ruby. It measures 12.7mm x 9.5mm roughly. It has an inclusion in it but if you hold it to your eye you can see right through it.

Obviously the pawn shop had no idea what they had so I would say this was a treasure find! I can't find anything even close online. Please let me know if you have any idea what its worth or the best way to get it properly appraised.

 

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[DeepseekerADS]

I don't think I'm qualified to say anything about this ring. But if you find it is a ruby, then the expected re-sale would be well over your purchase price. You need to check out that stone.

 

[huntsman53]

Although I can't be sure that the color of the stone is correct as in the pics but if so, then I would say that it is an Almandine Garnet! While there are other Garnets with such coloring such as Pyrope, Spessartite and Pyrope Spessartite (containing the properties of both) Garnets, the most commonly used with such coloring as your' stone, is the Almandine.

I believe that the design of the Ring itself, could date from the 1980's to current and possibly even earlier.


Frank

 

[gunsil]

I also think the stone is a garnet, does not have a real ruby color. If garnet you paid high retail for the ring.

 

[hvacker]

Anything bought at pawn is bought from a pro. Exception is some unknown gadget they don't know what to do with.

 

[randazzo1]

I agree with the other comments - if that's a natural ruby, the value is in the tens of thousands of dollars. Generally - the redder (sometimes called "blood" or "pigeon blood") the color (as opposed to the pinker hues you see in lower grade stones) the more valuable the stone. Depending on depth - I would guess that stone (if its a ruby) is somewhere around 3 carats. With that level of clarity you'd have to be talking upwards of $25,000.00. That said, I think I agree that it is more likely a garnet or spinel for two reasons - first, as others said - the color is off - it's more of muted/brownish red than the blood red you would expect from a ruby; second - the setting is very weak for such a valuable stone. I would take it to your jeweler for an assessment. If you do this regularly, you can get a decent refractometer second hand for a few hundred bucks and that will allow you to identify the chemical composition with a good degree of accuracy. That will pretty much rule out whether it's a corundum or not - the issue then though is determining whether it's a lab made corundum or a natural ruby (both have the same RI in my experience). I made this mistake with a piece about a year ago, but fortunately nothing was harmed other than my ego. Let us know if you get it verified - I'll keep my finger crossed for you. Regardless - its an awesome looking ring.


One more thing -- I agree on the pawn guys - while they do make mistakes - most of them are really good at this stuff - even if they seem "folksy" - they depend on it for a living. The most common mistake I see in pawn shops is misidentification of non-identification of important artisans/makers - I've never encountered a gemstone error.

 

[huntsman53]

A genuine Ruby roughly measuring 12.7mm x 9.5mm with a depth of around 5mm would likely weigh in at 5 carats or more.


Frank

 

[bradyboy]

keep in mind, every one here is assuming that what they see on the computer screen is a correct and accurate interpret of the color of the stone
I don't think you can make a judgement on a stone over the internet
everyone has different settings for color on their computers
IMO
Brady

 

[filthylucre59]

Never buy or sell anything at a pawn shop,those guys know what their doing.Have you ever seen a pawn shop go out of business?I haven't and a lot of other types of stores and shops have gone out of business in these uncertain times.