What Is A Ruby?
Rating at 9 on the Mohs scale, rubies, just like sapphires are excellent choices for engagement rings. This precious gemstone has been popular throughout history and will always have a place in the Top 3 of precious stones (Rubies, Sapphires and Emeralds).
Characteristics
Hardness: 9 Mohs
Enhancement Code: Heating
Quality Information:
A: Medium pinkish red; slightly included; good cut; good polish
AA: Medium dark pinkish red; eye clean; good cut; good polish
Care: Rated “excellent” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
Major Sources: Afghanistan, Cambodia, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand
Belonging to the mineral family Corundum, a sister to the well known Sapphire. The “king of gems,” Ruby is one of the world’s oldest and most revered gemstones. It is also one of the rarest. The mineral Chromium is responsible for the gem’s startling colour. Rubies with hardly any inclusions are so rare that large stones of good colour fetch higher prices at auction than even diamonds. The top quality ruby is nicknamed ‘pigeon’s blood’ ruby. Originating from Burma where the Burmese name for the finest and most vivid stones is ‘ko-twe’ which literally means pigeon blood. If the stone has secondary colours which gives it more of a pink or purplish colour it could also be classified as pink or purple sapphire.
The 23.1 carat Carmen Lucía ruby is one of the greatest treasures of the Smithsonian, although Elizabeth Taylor’s 8.24 carat ring may carry more glamour.
Star Ruby:
Hardness: 9 Mohs
Enhancement Code: Heat treatment
Quality Information:
Light to dark purplish red to purple-red. The more intense the star, the higher the quality.
Care: Rated “excellent” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
Major Sources: Australia, Cambodia, East Africa, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand
Like star sapphire’s these rubies have many rutile needles which when the stone is cut into a cabochon can feature a ‘phenomenon’ called ‘Asterism’. This means you can see a 6 pointed star which glides across the stone as the stone, the viewer or the light source moves. The best stones have a sharp star and a rich red colour similar to the best ruby colours. The biggest stone is known as the ‘Rosser Reeves Star Ruby’ which is 138.7ct, which is on show in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington.
Ruby is the gem for those born in July as well as those born under the sign of Aries. It’s also a stunning option for the celebration of the 40th wedding anniversary.
To learn more about rubies and how you could incorporate these into your perfect piece of jewellery, get in touch with one of our gemstone experts today.
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