The Gemstone: Ruby

Multi Gemstone Earrings, Bracelet and Ring

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

 

Emilie Shapiro @ Cliptomania.com

A Emilie Shapire bracelet featuring garnet, citrine,and ruby

Jewelry artisan Emilie Shapiro grew up close to the Atlantic Ocean where water has been a source of constant inspiration. It isn’t surprising since her family is full of creative entrepreneurs, inventors and free spirits who have encouraged her to explore different medium throughout her artistic life.

As an adult Emilie attended Syracuse University and received a BFA in Art and Design with a concentration in jewelry and metalsmithing. She also studied at Alchimia, a contemporary school of jewelry  with locations in Florence and Italy where she learned from artists like Peter Bauhuis, Yoko Shimizu, and Marzia Rossi. Emilie learned a lot including how to sculpt hard wax pieces so she could cast her work in metal and how to merge rough gemstones in her work to show their natural beauty.

Once her studies were complete Emilie worked as the Production Manager at Pamela Love and then in the same job at Allforthemountain before launching her own jewelry line.  As much as possible she resources all her jewelry production locally, hand making every piece of jewelry in her New York Studio.  Emilie also teaches jewelry workshops at Liloeve Jewelry School, The 92Y, as well as giving private lessons in her studio.  You can view her handcrafted jewelry by clicking on the photo above.

Birthstones: June & July (Updated Pictures)

June's Birthstone is Alexandrite.

Alexandrite is a main variety of Chrysoberyl and very scarce due to its chemical composition.  Known for its ability to change color, called the alexandrite effect, the phenomenon occurs with a change in the source of illumination. Exhibiting green or bluish-green in daylight, it will be a soft shade of red, purplish-red or raspberry in incandescent light.

Did you know Alexandrite was named for Alexander II, the future tsar, because it was discovered on his 16th birthday?  Alexandrite displays the colors of old Imperial Russia and remains the country's national stone.

Opal

June's Alternate Birthstone is Opal.

Light enters an opal, curves around edges of wee particles of hydrated silicia, chips of silicon and oxygen suspended in water and is diffracted. The light that is made up of all visible colors of the spectrum, each in its own wavelength, produces a rainbow of colors.

Did you know Opal is the national gemstone of Australia? They produce 97% of the world's supply, which includes the production of the state of South Australia, which amounts to 80% of the world's supply.

Opaline is on the top right

June's Birth Crystal is Opaline.

Opaline is a word synonymous with Opal Matrix which is a thin layer of opal on a host rock; matrix. A matrix is a rock or mineral that has an embedded crystal or crystals emerging from it.

Did you know that opaline can also be a term for an opaque or semi-opaque whitish glass resembling a true opal?


July's Birthstone is Ruby

Pink to blood red in color, rubies are a variety of the mineral corundum. The color is caused by the presence of chromium.  Natural rubies have imperfections; inclusions (needles known as silk) and color impurities.

Did you know that the United States has a standard for minimum color saturation that must be met in order for the gemstone to be called a ruby? Otherwise the stone will be called a pink sapphire.


July's Alternate Birthstone is Carnelian.

Carnelian is a translucent chalcedony of orange or red or brown color. As a hard stone with bright

Carnelian

color, it is popular with jeweler's and is reasonably priced.

Did you know that individuals holding a high status were often buried with Carnelian?  Egyptians considered it "magical armor" for life after death.


July's Birth Crystal is Ruby.

Raw Ruby

Did you know that Catherine of Aragon wore a ruby that supposedly turned dark the day before Henry VII announced that he was divorcing her?


Cliptomania®, an Internet store, selling 100s of clip earring styles. including gemstone, designer, sterling, nickel-free, crystal, hoops, gold and many, many more! Want to search quickly? Use our Advance Search feature.


Sources:
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5120594_alexandrite.html#ixzz2Yl9V9GDJ
http://www.gemselect.com/gem-info/opal/opal-info.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby
http://geology.com/rock-tumbler/gemstones/carnelian.shtml
http://www.shimmerlings.com/gemstones/carnelian.htm
All Photos Royalty Free from dreamstime.com