Note: Ruby is the lighter red stone in the ring and the one on top of the citrine and garnet
The gemstone ruby is a corundum or aluminum oxide whose name comes from the Latin word
ruber which
means red. This gemstone is found in over a dozen countries worldwide
including in the United States. Other varieties of gem quality corundum
known as sapphires. All natural rubies have imperfections in them
including color impurities and inclusions of rutile needles called silk.
Gemologists use rutile needles to distinguish natural rubies from
synthetics, stimulants, or ruby substitutes that lack silk.
Natural
ruby colors include all shades of red including pink. They also have
primary hues in addition to its natural color these include a vibrant
shade of red called
pigeons blood as
well as other colors such as orange, yellow, green, violet, or the
most popular hue blue. And rubies can also have a secondary hue or
color. The possible colors include: orange, purple, violet, or pink.
Determination of a ruby's grade through analysis of their color, cut
clarity and weight. Color is the most important evaluation specifically
from hue, saturation and tone.
The
most common cuts for rubies are oval and cushions which hold up best.
However rubies can also be cut circular, triangular, emerald cut, pear,
marquise cuts all of which do not always hold up as well. Generally the
size of a ruby is under a karat to keep cost reasonable any larger and its price will vary greatly.
Rubies
are generally heat-treated to cut down on or eradicate impurities
inside of the natural fractures in the gemstone. Or a rough ruby is only
given a pre-polish and maybe a cleaning with hydrogen fluoride. If
there are fractures in the specimen lead glass fills them in. Or if the
gemstone’s color is lacking a glass powder with copper and another
metal oxide like sodium or calcium are given a try to enhance the
natural color of the ruby. Otherwise rubies are left as natural as
possible.
Cliptomania.com carries ruby jewelry including rings, bracelets and earrings from designers such as Michelle Pressler, Michal Golan, ThereseMade , and Emilie Shapiro Contemporary Metals.
All
gemstones including ruby can safely be cleaned with warn soapy water
with or without using a tooth-brush. After cleaning the gemstone wipe
it with a soft cloth. Avoid contact of any type of gemstone with
household cleaning chemicals and protect them from extreme heat to
prevent permanent damage to the gemstone.
Always
store gemstone jewelry inside a fabric lined box or wrap it in a soft
cloth then store it separately from other gemstones.
References: gemselect.com and minerals.net
