If diamonds carry an air of elegance, rubies deliver a flash of drama. That’s why it’s a darling accent that can transform an ordinary everyday outfit of the day with a touch of daring. Want to up the ante for your everyday fashion? Go bold and daring with this unique gemstone of choice. Whether you’re looking for a permanent addition to everyday wear, like in stud earrings or for more meaningful jewelry like engagement rings, rubies are fast becoming a top choice.
An Easy Guide On How To Buy Ruby Jewelry Online
To find the best ruby jewelry to add to your collection, the first step is finding what’s out in the market. Here’s a quick guide on how to buy ruby jewelry online. And don’t forget the factors you need to consider, especially if this is the first ruby jewelry piece in your collection.
What To Look For In Ruby Jewelry
When asking, “How can I buy a high quality ruby?” it’s not so much a specific sourced ruby. Instead, it always boils down to the right mix of facets, including clarity, color, and carat—three of the top criteria needed when evaluating a good ruby.
Clarity counts
Similar to diamonds, rubies can be mined from various locations. Due to how they are made, they can have inclusions of many different types. These may come in the form of small spots that may be dirt or other foreign objects. They may also be slight lines or chipping, depending on how the ruby is harvested.
Rubies also follow the same grading system as diamonds when it comes to inclusions. They can either have very minor inclusions, slight inclusions, or obvious inclusions, the last of which can be visible to the naked eye. As much as some inclusions may give your ruby its character, too much can bring down its value.
Know your preference, know the market
Half of a ruby’s value may be in its color. Jewelry enthusiasts tend to value more intense and richer reds in rubies. If your budget allows it, go for more vivid red rubies. They can look glamorous as standalone pieces or as the centerpiece of fine jewelry.
Most rubies tend to have a shade of red, but these can vary depending on the natural hue. According to Diamonds.pro, it pays to know the exact origin of your ruby. Some mines tend to have expected hues to their rubies, like the mines of Myanmar. Rubies that hail from Myanmar tend to have a slight purple tinge. Knowing where your ruby comes from can help in evaluating color.
Take note that it’s already an accepted practice for rubies to be treated for better color depth. Hence, it’s good to know the appraisal value of your ruby. This reflects any treatments that it has undergone, and it can be a big difference in price point in the long run.
Enhancements: To have or not to have
Since many appraisers put a premium on the ruby’s color, it’s not surprising for some rubies to undergo some artificial enhancements. Perhaps one of the most important things you need to note when asking, “What should I know before buying ruby?” is how to look for enhancements.
Most rubies in the market may have undergone some form of treatment or enhancement to improve some aspects. Some may have been treated to improve and deepen their color for a higher value. Others may be filled in with certain components that would hide any inclusions and flaws to increase clarity rating.
Since this practice is technically legal, it’s imperative for sellers to disclose any treatments done. In this way, buyers know what the ruby’s true nature is and avoid any surprises such as fading or incorrect value assessment.
Why cut matters
When choosing a piece of fine jewelry, some buyers tend to focus on the shape. Some shapes can be more expensive as they are either harder to produce or they may use up a gemstone in the final cut, as in round cuts.
With rubies, color doesn’t merit so much as it does with diamond, which can affect its overall clarity. However, since rubies are valued for their color, it’s best to choose a cut that enhances the color’s richness.
Genuine Ruby Jewelry: Which Pieces Should I Buy?
Whether you are looking to buy yourself or a loved one rubies, more jewelry buyers now try to find out “How to buy ruby jewelry online.” That’s because the online platform offers a far more convenient avenue to not only search for, but also buy ruby jewelry.
Because of the many options available, some may have a hard time deciding which jewelry piece to go for. Since rubies are quite the dynamic and gemstone, a lot of the common pieces would definitely work, especially for specific occasions.
Ruby rings
Just like diamonds, rubies tend to add a classic air to your overall outfit. The deeper the shade of red, the more apt it is for classic cocktail gatherings. Rings tend to be a classic choice, but you can up the ante by choosing the style you want.
Go traditional by mixing the deep red with the classic glow of gold. Some may opt for a more youthful vibe by going with white gold or platinum for the metal setting. Others may take it one step further and go for the romantic vibe with rose gold.
Stud earrings
While diamond stud earrings add a bit of sparkle to everyday wear, nothing catches one’s attention more than ruby stud earrings. Even the smaller stones can still catch one’s attention if it features a vivid red hue. Whether you go the simple route, which are just pronged style ruby stud earrings, or if you prefer a more intricate option with some flair, these can add a punch of color to your outfit.
Ruby necklace
In the advent of chunky fashion jewelry, some may think that those can bring more accents to simple wear compared to ruby necklaces. Thus, some wonder, “Are ruby necklaces worth buying?”
Ruby necklaces actually have a lot of potential for giving a unique spin to a lot of clothing ranges. Longer necklaces that feature pops of red can be a great accent to a simple black dress. Pair it with silver or white gold necklace chains so that the rubies will have an even bigger contrast to black fabric.
Want to pair ruby necklaces with casual attire? Transform the simple white shirt and jeans combo into something more elegant with a single ruby pendant necklace. If you have the budget, go for a bigger stone, but even smaller stones can work wonders, especially for eye-catching deep reds.
Ruby bracelet with diamond studs
Rubies and diamonds share the same plane of being expensive yet sought-after gemstones. So why not have both gems in one jewelry piece? Alternate them on a tennis bracelet to give your outfit the level up it deserves. This kind of jewelry piece can take you from morning work to evening gatherings in as easy as a snap.
How to Know The Best Place To Buy Rubies Online
Because of the changes in shopping habits, more people want to know how to buy ruby jewelry online. There are surprisingly a lot of places to buy online, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Whether it’s accessibility or options, make sure to check in with each place to buy and see what suits you.
New jewelry buyers may have either too much or too little confidence when buying ruby jewelry. Scout out these easy places first, as they have been tried and tested by experts.
Online jewelry stores
For a lot of people, online jewelry stores may be the most accessible and convenient way to buy a ruby jewelry piece. Almost everyone now prefers to accomplish tasks online, and it offers a lot of conveniences.
Online jewelry stores also have a comprehensive inventory. Brands like James Allen and Blue Nile feature a number of bejeweled pieces. These come in various ranges and carats. What’s more, they also feature accessible inventories that you can easily search through. If you are strict on your budget, this may allow you to look at the best options possible.
With some online brands, you can even go so far as to work with a designer to create your own design. Considering the interest in customized and handmade jewelry, you can enjoy your own one-of-a-kind ruby ring or necklace, too.
Best of all, online jewelry stores tend to have a good return policy. Since you are buying a brand new jewelry piece, the store offers its own guarantee in terms of return policies. Choose an online jewelry store that caters to their customers needs, so that you won’t have to deal with inconveniences later.
Pawnshops
Traditionalists would vouch for pawnshops, as it has always been a stable way to scout and shop around for rings. Prior to the explosion of online jewelry stores, pawnshops have been the quickest way to buy and sell jewelry. Some even prefer this location when they wonder, “Are rubies going up in price?” because, for the most part, pawnshops’ prices can be flexible with the times and with the operator.
However, one downside to pawnshops is the limited options. Each pawnshop tends to have a different array of jewelry options, depending on what has been pawned to them. Whether by luck or by strategy, your local pawnshop may have a lot of options for you.
Experts would advise to always go with a reputable vendor. Pawnshops also have their own reputation, where the bigger chain stores may have more stringent standards. It’s best to know your local pawnshops, because sometimes, even mom and pop stores can have very stringent standards.
Even though it may sound odd, there’s such a thing as online pawnshops. Think of them as easy buy and easy sell locations. Keep in mind that not everything that is easy will likely end up with a good outcome. But if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to dispose of certain jewelry items, this may be the most convenient.
Online listings
There’s a big difference between online listings and online jewelry stores. Some jewelry owners prefer a fast turnover between selling their jewelry and getting the return on their investment. With online sites like eBay or Craigslist, or others that serve as secondhand selling and trade shops, you can easily list your item with no fuss. Fast and easy does have its trade-offs, and online listing sites are no exception.
Online auctions
It may be harder to trust in auctions when you cannot see the product. But online auctions are a dime a dozen these days. Some auction houses have online counterparts, so if you have one that you trust with their brick and mortar stores, then migrating to an online component may be easier.
But generally, there are no hard and fast limitations when it comes to what can be auctioned. If you’re not sure and are asking, “How much should I pay for a ruby?” auctions may be a nice place to observe. Reserve your bidding for when you get a better grasp of the market. Just make sure that you know your motivations for buying a ruby jewelry piece, as well as your limitations in how far you can bid for one.
Want to know more about investing in gold and jewelry? Read our post, “Hitting Gold: How to Sell Gold Jewelry.”