US Market Analysis: Heat-Treated Rubies - Demand & Consumer Perception

Question
Hello Peter,

I am a gemstone enhancer from Thailand. I buy rough from various African countries. I heat-treat them with my three electric furnaces. I use lead oxide as one of my chemical compounds.

I need to know US consumer attitude toward heat-treated rubies. Do they accept this practice?  I am selling wholesale at $14.06/carat (sizes 3ct to 5ct).
Any potential market in the US for these quality/prices?

Thank you,

Teera T.

Answer
HI TEERA,

I AM A SELLER OF ENHANCED RUBIES IN AMERICA. THE ATTITUDE BY CONSUMERSW IS MIXED AT THIS TIME. I DISCLOSE ALL TREATMENTS TO THE STONES I SELL. I SELL DIAMONDS AND COLORED STONES. RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN SELLING THE GLASS FILLED FRACTURE RUBIES. THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL AND INEXPENSIVE. BECAUSE OF THE WORLD RECESSION THERE ARE FOLKS WHO WANT AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE HIGHER PRICED UNTREATED STONES. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FOOLED INTO THINKING THAT RUBIES ARE NOT TREATED AND SELL THEM AS UNTREATED STONES. THIS IS FOOLISHNESS, ALMOST ALL COLORED STONES ARE TREATED IN SOME WAY OR OTHER. I AM SELLING THESE RUBIES FOR ABOUT $10 TO $20 PER CARAT FOR THIS SIZE IN LOTS. THERE IS A MARKET IT IS JUST DEVELOPING AND MOST DEALERS WILL HAVE TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT THESE STONES ARE A GOOD BUY. SO I AM DOING O.K. WITH THEM BUT NOT AS WELL AS I THOUGHT. I AM GOING TO TAKE THEM TO THE BIG SHOWS AND SEE IF I CAN OPEN THE MARKET FURTHER. KEEP IN TOUCH I WAS JUST IN THAILAND LAST MONTH AND WILL BE BACK IN MARCH-APRIL. I WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH YOU AND COMPARE NOTES ON THESE NEW STONES. MY EMAIL IS plumetta@aol.com .

PETER