January 24 Through February 4—TUCSON, ARIZONA: Annual show
Welcome to the GemologyOnline.com Forum
A non-profit Forum for the exchange of gemological ideas
It is currently Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:41 am

All times are UTC - 4 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Enhanced Ruby
PostPosted: Mon Sep 11, 2017 9:45 am 
Offline
Gemology Online Veteran

Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:52 pm
Posts: 576
Location: N Dakota
Working with a friend to determine if the rubys she purchased were real or not. They came up as total fakes.
First thing was a dye that was exposed in warm water, the next thing was that it wasn't just dye. After finding they were dyed we went further and immersed in acetone. It left a gooey substance in the bottom of the cup. The stone which had been used was a shaped granite. The other stones suffered similar issues with bad dye. They were actually corrundum, glass filled and dyed red. The funny part is they all came with India gemological lab cards from the supplier. Good news was she didn't pay much for them and it was a good learning experience for us.

_________________
Dan


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Enhanced Ruby
PostPosted: Mon Sep 11, 2017 3:39 pm 
Offline
Gold Member

Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:29 pm
Posts: 1047
Location: Paris
Actually it is much worse than enhanced, it looks like a very poor kind of a composite.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Enhanced Ruby
PostPosted: Mon Sep 11, 2017 7:28 pm 
Offline
Gemology Online Veteran

Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:52 pm
Posts: 576
Location: N Dakota
It really doesn't matter it was all a scam from the start, the stones, the bogus lab report, just add that dealer to the black list and keep trying

_________________
Dan


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Enhanced Ruby
PostPosted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 10:26 am 
Offline
Gemology Online Veteran

Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:55 am
Posts: 543
Hi Dan, "Enhanced" when applied to ruby is usually taken to mean (or at least in European terms) ruby that has had the clarity improved by being heated and allowed to cool slowly. Since the process is solely one of heating and cooling the improvement will not reverse in fluids. The result is a very nice looking ruby at 1/3 or 1/4 the price of a naturally clear ruby. It is important to make disclosure when selling however, although it takes a hard man or woman to resist the saving!


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Enhanced Ruby
PostPosted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 10:49 pm 
Offline
Gemology Online Veteran

Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:52 pm
Posts: 576
Location: N Dakota
This wasn't enhanced since it wasn't actually Ruby to begin with. Just a fake sold with a fake lab report. It was fun to figure out the lengths they went to producing it. The glass filled and dyed stones were equally an easy spot. The poor quality of workmanship when in hand made it in to dissect. No worries of ruining a stone.

_________________
Dan


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 4 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
Gemology Style ported to phpBB3 by Christian Bullock