|
|
|
| |
      |
 |
| |
|
 |
 |
|
|
| |
The most important factor to be considered while buying ruby or any gemstone
for that matter is color. As a general rule for all gemstones, more vivid
the color, more valuable the gem. Stones of Burmese origin generally command
the highest prices. One thing typical to rubies is that a vast majority of
these gems are "native cut" in the country of origin. Custom cut stones are
usually valued more per carat.
Close
 |
|
|
| |
Passionate, powerful, exotic and vivacious red - the color
of Ruby. Throughout history ruby has been known to adorn
mortals and immortals with its beauty and brilliance. The
dramatic color and the regal heritage make this precious
gemstone even more prized.
Ruby gets its name from the Latin word 'ruber' meaning
'red'. The ancient legends from the east talked of rubies as
the glint of life - "a deep drop of the heart's blood of
Mother Earth". According to other legends, ruby was believed
to be self-illuminated, and was also referred to as the
glowing stone. According to Hindu mythology the palaces of
Gods are lit by enormous emeralds and rubies. The Emperor of
China used a ruby to light-up his room. More folklore talks
of ruby as promoting long, healthy and happy life. Women in
ancient times used it as a charm to assist in fertility, and
warriors from Burma inserted genuine rubies beneath their
skin as they believed it would protect them from being
wounded in battle. |
|
Traditionally India was regarded as ruby's classical country
of origin. Ancient Indian literature, composed some two
thousand years ago, has a rich store of knowledge about
gemstones and their effect on one's life. The term
'corundum', which we use today for this particular mineral,
is derived from the Sanskrit word 'kuruvinda' meaning 'hard
stone'. The Sanskrit word for ruby is 'ratnaraj' meaning
'king of the gems'.
Prior to the 20th century, Rubies were considered more
precious than diamonds, and in the mid-16th century were
even valued around 8 times greater than comparable diamonds.
Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July and the
anniversary gift for the 15th and 40th years of marriage. It
is the astrological stone for the zodiac sign Capricorn. |
| |
 |
The stones from Burma (now Myanmar) are the finest quality
rubies available. These stones have the purest and the most
vivid red that can be imagined. The color is popularly known
as 'pigeon-blood-red', but the term 'Burmese color' is a
more apt description. These rubies are rare, valuable and
often found adorning a connoisseur's collection. These
stones are typically found in Mogok, North of Myanmar. Here,
the much celebrated stones lie in a mountain valley
surrounded by high peaks in a tough terrain. Another
important deposit is from a small town of Mong Hsu in the
North-East of Myanmar. These gemstones had a purple black
core with a bright red periphery. These stones were
initially not accepted in the jewelry market for the typical
color characteristic. But when it was discovered that heat
treatment could transform the dark core into deep red, the
gems became an instant hit.
Other sources of ruby include Vietnam (the celebrated
'Siamese color'), Northern Pakistan in the Hunza Valley,
Tadzhikistan, Laos, Nepal, Afghanistan and India (Kashmir,
Mysore and Orissa). A new emerging source, East Africa, has
lately emerged as an important cradle of fine rubies. |
| |
 |
From the mines, the rough crystal is taken for lapidary. The
crystal is carefully cut into different parts optimizing the
size of each piece for the best color and quality available.
Once this is done, the best suited shape and cut for that
particular piece is determined. The crystal is then shaped
and faceted accordingly. The facets are important as they
help in reflection and refraction of the light from the
inside of gem which gives the gemstone its luster. A skilled
lapidist can transform a rough stone into an exquisite piece
of jewel.
The transparent or the lighter hues of ruby are most often
faceted. In lighter hues it is important that the light that
enters the gem should reflect back evenly across the face of
the gemstone, making it vivacious and more lustrous. The
darker gemstones look good in all shapes and cuts. Rubies
can be found in a variety of cuts and fancy shapes including
triangles, squares, emerald cuts, marquises, pear shapes,
baguette shapes, and cabochon cuts (dome shape). The rare
star rubies with an unusual kind of tiny needle-like
inclusions are cut in a cabochon shape to display a
six-rayed white star on its surface.
|
| |
 |
Ruby (Aluminum Oxide, AL2 O3) is the red variety of the
mineral corundum with a hardness of 9 on Mohs scale.
Corundum is the hardest of all minerals only next to
diamond, which has a hardness of 10 on Mohs scale. Higher
the level of hardness, better the chances of the gemstone's
resistance to scratches and abrasion. Also, the chemical
structure of ruby makes it very tough, helping in resistance
to breaking, chipping and cracking. The hardness of this
gemstone combined with the toughness makes ruby perfect
choice for daily wear.
Sapphire is the sister stone of ruby belonging to the
corundum mineral family. Red corundum is called ruby rest
all are sapphire. Even the pink variety with a tint of red
is classified as sapphire. The finest quality of ruby is the
one that is intensely saturated, pure red with no overtones
of brown or blue. This color is reflected in the gems from
Burma which have the much celebrated 'pigeon-blood-red' hue.
Rubies, like the other precious stones (diamonds, sapphires
and emeralds), are usually not free of inclusions. Flawless
rubies are found rarely and are very valuable. But for the
beauty of the vivacious color, the inclusions are accepted.
Moreover, these inclusions are finger prints of the gems
giving a distinct character to each piece. It is said that a
perfect ruby is as rare as perfect love.
Up to 2 carats, rubies are readily available but the gems
are extremely rare in large sizes. Top quality rubies can be
more valuable than colorless diamonds particularly in sizes
above 5 carats. For instance, in the year 1995, a ring
mounted with Burmese ruby weighing 27.37 carats was sold for
$4 million at Sotheby's in Geneva, Switzerland - an
astounding $146,145 per carat! |
| |
 |
| Like other gemstones, rubies are rarely found perfect in
nature - which is why these gemstones are heat-treated to
intensify or lighten their color or improve their clarity.
Heat enhancement for gemstones is a permanent, stable
process and an accepted norm in the jewelry industry. |
| |
|
| The
most important factor to be considered while buying ruby or
any gemstone for that matter is color. As a general rule for
all gemstones, more vivid the color, more valuable the gem.
Stones of Burmese origin generally command the highest
prices. One thing typical to rubies is that a vast majority
of these gems are "native cut" in the country of origin.
Custom cut stones are usually valued more per carat. |
| |
 |
| The
passionate color combined with the excellent brilliance
makes ruby irresistible for jewelry lovers. Fine, large
rubies may be worth more than clear diamonds of comparable
size. They make elegant center stones for rings and
pendants. Smaller stones make great accents for these pieces
as well as brooches, bracelets, and earrings. Small rubies
combined with diamonds make lovely ornaments. Rubies look
stunning against a backdrop of white, black, royal blue or
emerald green. |
| |
 |
| Ruby jewelry can be cleaned using hot soapy water, or mild
detergent. Brushing with an old tooth brush to remove dirt
and grease, or using a soft cloth damped in warm water
cleans it very well. Cleaning agents containing chlorine or
harsh chemicals, or petroleum products must be avoided. |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
