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Ruby size?

UserPost

10:08 pm
November 30, 2007


Martha

Guest

Hi.
I stumbled into this website and was very glad to find this forum. I have a silly question. I have an uncut ruby that my dad found years ago at a diamond mine in California. It's oval shaped and about the size of a lady bug. I have not had it tested yet to see if it's a natural ruby or not. I plan to though. Aprox how big is that in gem terms? Is that considered small or large for a natural ruby? I hope my question makes sense. Any help will be appreciated.

10:23 pm
November 30, 2007


Guest

posts

G'day Martha and many thanks for your query

The origin (in a diamond mine?) sounds a little odd, so that is one of the reasons you are going to have to take it to a gemologist and have them test the item for you.

This is the only way you can PROVE it is what you think it is, and can stop guessing.

If it comes out of the ground then it must be natural.

If it's about the size of a lady bug (say one quarter of an inch or approx 6 millimeters) BUT THAT IS UNCUT!

By the time the cutter gets through with it, you might lose half of that in carat weight.

Currently a 6x4mm oval ruby weighs just over half of one carat – so it's not big – but remember I CAN'T SEE IT!

If you lose weight in the cutting – it would be a nice gem but a little on the small size – say one quarter of a carat.

Why not browse in your local FRIENDLY jewelry store window and look for something about that size, but don't take the price too seriously as they may have diamonds in the jewelry also.

My suggestion is get you gemologist (NOT YOUR JEWELER) to test it first.

Hope this helps and welcome to the Forum…

8:02 am
December 1, 2007


Martha

Guest

Thank you very much for the reply. You gave me the exact answer I was looking for! I will go get it tested. I don't think I'll have it cut down or anything though. I keep it in my safe now, but it's fun to get it out and look at it every now and then :)