Sensational, Sparkling Antique 19th Century Genuine Natural One Carat Exceptionally Good Quality Faceted Dark Blood Red Siamese Ruby. Contemporary High Quality Solid 14kt Gold Ring (Size 7 – Resizing Available).

CLASSIFICATION: Faceted Ruby Precious Gemstone.

ORIGIN: Siam, 19th Century.

SIZE: Diameter: 5 1/2 mm. Depth: 3mm. Measurements approximate.

WEIGHT: 0.91 carats.

NOTES: Resizing is available.

DETAIL: An absolutely exquisite, exceptionally good quality 19th century antique hand faceted ruby from Siam (present day Thailand). Hand crafted by a 19th century Russian artisan, part of an heritage renown for the production of the elaborate gemstones and jewelry of the Czars of Medieval, Renaissance, and Victorian Russia. The faceted cut is a coarse precursor to what eventually became known in the industry as a "brilliant cut" round, the faceted cut generally given to round diamonds. The setting is of contemporary origin. It is a high quality setting manufactured by one of the USA’s leading semi-custom mount producers. It is constructed of solid 14kt gold (NOT merely gold plate). We do have the ability to have the ring sent out for resizing if requested.

Originally used in indigenous jewelry, this is a very pretty precious gemstone, with a highly desirable deep blood red color and rich texture with sparkling brilliant red fiery flashes. It is by and large eye clean, of higher value transparent to translucent character as opposed to lower value opaque rubies. Of course most ruby gemstones are anywhere from lightly to heavily included. Most completely transparent rubies you see offered today at retail are either synthetic (read the fine print carefully) or cost $10,000 a carat. While this particular specimen might not be anywhere near flawless, to casual scrutiny it is at least eye clean. It is somewhere between transparent and translucent; complete transparency impaired by some dispersed colorless crystalline material, evidence of which may be seen in these 600% photo enlargements.

To the eye it is simply a dark blood red ruby of even color, the dispersed crystalline blemishes are not individually discernible to the naked eye, and possesses very handsome luster and fantastic flashes of fiery bright red brilliance. However if you hold the gemstone up to the light, you can see a few wispy blemishes of crystalline material. However you can also appreciate the relative transparency as well as the wonderful tone and color! The gemstone is also very thick, and of course the thicker the material the less light penetrates and the darker the tone. But give it some light, and the depth of the color and its richness is wonderfully apparent, despite the slight fuzzy nature of the transparency. It is worth noting that once mounted, the casual onlooker would not notice the slight haziness caused by the colorless crystalline material except upon very close scrutiny. To the casual view, it would simply appear to be a richly colored, bright blood red ruby.

At magnification (such as these 600% photo enlargements here) the very modest amount of light colorless crystalline material is discernible as a little haziness. Nonetheless this specimen is definitely toward the higher end of the quality spectrum, and possesses the much sought after bright blood red color which has so tantalized mankind for millennia. The trained eye will easily discern tell-tale indications that the gemstone was hand cut and hand faceted. The coarseness of the 19th century finish is considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a detriment. In fact these characteristics of a hand crafted gemstone are considered part and parcel of the magic of such an antique gemstone. Unlike today's computer controlled machine processes, the cut and finish of gemstones such as these is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago. Such antique hand-faceted gemstones possess much greater character and appeal than today's mass-produced machine-faceted gemstones.

This gemstone has great luster and sparkle, and to the eye is essentially transparent, but again, that does not mean it is absolutely flawless without qualification. True, the blemishes it possesses are near invisible to the naked eye, and the gemstone could be characterized, to use trade jargon, as "eye clean". But obviously when enlarged six fold such as in these photo enlargements, a little haziness is evident created by the fine colorless included material. As well you might be able to pick out occasional irregularities in the hand-crafted cut and finish. But these characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, you must also consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques even possible then, let alone in practice, did not allow the ultra deep mining operations which are so commonplace today.

Two centuries ago mankind was more or less limited to surface deposits or near surface deposits of gemstones. Higher quality gemstones which today are routinely mined from beneath hundreds of meters, even kilometers beneath the earth's surface, were simply inaccessible then. So antique gemstone must be appreciated as antiques first, gemstones second. The relatively superlative quality of contemporary gemstones routinely mined from deep beneath the earth's surface today were simply not accessible two centuries ago, or at least, only rarely so. However for most, the unique nature and character of antique gemstones such as this more than makes up for included imperfections which by and large, are only visible under magnification.

SHIPPING OPTIONS: All purchases are backed by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price. Most of these antique gemstones were originally part of two collections, one originating in India principally composed of gemstones originally mined in India, Burma, Ceylon, and Siam, and then hand faceted in India. The addition of a second accumulation of antique gemstones originally mined in the Urals in the mid to late 19th century (including alexandrite) completed the collection. These gemstones as well were hand finished. The Urals have been one of the world's major sources of precious and semi-precious gemstones for many centuries. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers in Eastern Europe and Asia. These antique gemstones are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery.

We ship inventory from the USA order fulfillment center near Seattle, Washington. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipping within 48 hours of payment. A certificate of authenticity is available upon request. We prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment - and we will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no "holds"). We will accept PayPal payments. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE".