I purchased a 14k 6 1/2 ring adorned with a 8-9 mm pinkish red stone that was thought to be a ruby by previous owner’s great grandmother who brought the heirloom ring over from Poland along with just a suitcase to immigrate to US. That was 1890s. was born 1864. Thoughts? The seller was being genuine. I have photographed under different lighting and magnified. Given age of ring, it would only be synthetic if the original stone was lost from the bezel and replaced. I have reached out to a gemologist through BriteCo for Massachusetts.
Hi Chris! Welcome to the community!
I agree that a synthetic ruby of that size is unlikely, unless it was a replacement (circa 1920’s).
Can you describe what light sources you used in the images? In IMG_1261 (and a few others): I see some purplish reflections on the facet surfaces… was that from using a UV light? If so, is it LW or SW?
The claw type prongs were used in the Victorian Era. The facet cut resembles some styles that had two rows of step cuts on the crown, but the square table is not a common shape for a round stone. (At least from what I have observed).
The meet-points and the facet edges seem very precise and somewhat “new/crisp” for an older stone. That is not what I would expect to see from a hand-cut or machine cut ruby from that era. However, corundum is very durable and wear-resistant, so that’s not a tell-tale.
The “old-mine cut” was not exclusively used for diamonds in that era, but this stone doesn’t seem to fit that category either.
Interesting…
I think it is a hot pink sapphire. Old French cut. Looks to me, the stone under UV glows.
My impression from your description and photos is Rubellite Tourmaline. A simple Refractive Index measurement can separate tourmaline from corundum. Rubellite RI is 1.624 - 1.644 Doubly Refractive and Corundum RI is 1.762 - 1.770 DR. Look for typical tourmaline growth tube inclusions as well.
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It could be Ruby/Sapphire. I see (in one photo) what looks like a “seed-like” inclusion sometimes found in Corundum or Songea Sapphires. It definitely “looks” like it was cut overseas with the Step-Cut Pavilion and Brilliant cut Crown. I agree with whoever mentioned the Square Table. That is unusual.
BUT It could also be Tourmaline or even a Garnet. There is just no way to ID properly without putting the stone in the hands of someone (ie. gemologist) who can Test the stone any maybe even look under a microscope. It is a nice color regardless. It’s pretty large looking too.
Definately a ruby.