Ruby
Ruby
The classic ruby
The ruby – together with diamond, emerald and blue sapphire – belongs to the ‘Big’ of gemstones. It is known for its warm, strong and unique red.Its name is derived from the Latin term ‘ruber’, which stands for the color red. According to the story, the ruby embodies passion, love and romance. Thus, the ancient Indians saw in him an imperishable inner fire that could give a long life.
Wherea in the Middle Ages it was believed that rubies should bring luck to the game and that they – like many other gemstones – had predictive powers. Supposedly, they darkened their color when disaster was imminent.
The ruby – a gemstone in the characteristic color ruby red
All red gemstones from the mineral group of the Corunde – which also includes the sapphire
– are called rubies. Thus, the name ruby is derived from the Latin term for red, rubens, and
in reference to the desirable gemstone, the name ruby red is common for an intense, deep
red color.
– are called rubies. Thus, the name ruby is derived from the Latin term for red, rubens, and
in reference to the desirable gemstone, the name ruby red is common for an intense, deep
red color.
However, the color palette in which a ruby can appear includes other nuances that
can have orange or pink undertones – but the most valuable is the pigeon blood red with a
slight blue shimmer.
can have orange or pink undertones – but the most valuable is the pigeon blood red with a
slight blue shimmer.
Ruby
The ruby and its unique colour spectrum
The ruby is one of the most expensive and rare gemstones – much rarer than the diamond.
In particular, the pure red tones are only available to a very limited extent and are therefore
very special.
In particular, the pure red tones are only available to a very limited extent and are therefore
very special.
An optical phenomenon that can be observed in a ruby is the so-called pleochroism. This refers to the fact that a gemstone varies in its colouring depending on the direction of view from which one looks at it. Thus, the ruby is only about eighty percent pure red and has a secondary tone in orange, pink or violet. The color range typical of a ruby thus ranges from a yellow-red to a deep red.
The importance of purity and cut of a ruby
Coloured jewels are divided into three categories in terms of their degree of purity, whereby
the ruby belongs to type II, for which internal inclusions are the rule. Thus, clear rubies
without inclusions are almost not available.
the ruby belongs to type II, for which internal inclusions are the rule. Thus, clear rubies
without inclusions are almost not available.
As with many gemstones, those specimens that have the highest possible transparency are considered particularly precious in rubies.
However, impurities are not to be equated with a lower quality, but can make an enchantingly beautiful unique piece out of a ruby – provided that they are not too large and conspicuous and do not have a negative effect on the durability of the gemstone. Through a carefully and perfectly symmetrically executed facet cut, the beauty of a ruby can only really be brought to the fore.
Ruby
Attractive lighting effects with a ruby
Due to inclusions in the form of rutile needles, a ruby can have certain light effects. For example, a cat’s eye effect can be observed in some rubies, which is characterized by the fact that a narrow, bright strip of light travels over the surface when the gemstone is moved.
In special cases, three lines intersecting in a point form the shape of a six-pointed star, an optical phenomenon called asterism. In addition, it can come to a surface schiller, in which the ruby has a silky shimmer.
Ruby
Overview
Naming
In Latin, rubens stands for ‘red, the red’ – hence the term ‘ruby red’.
In Latin, rubens stands for ‘red, the red’ – hence the term ‘ruby red’.
Mineral group
Red variety of the rock corundum. With a Mohs hardness of 9, corundum is the second hardest
mineral after diamond.
Red variety of the rock corundum. With a Mohs hardness of 9, corundum is the second hardest
mineral after diamond.
Colour
The gemstone owes its red coloration to an admixture of chromium and, in the case of brownish tones, iron. From dark red to light red to an elegant pale red, rubies can be found in many variants.
The gemstone owes its red coloration to an admixture of chromium and, in the case of brownish tones, iron. From dark red to light red to an elegant pale red, rubies can be found in many variants.
Polish
The cuts for gemstone processing in ruby range from cabochon cut to facet cut. Heart, octagon or
oval are also popular ruby shapes. The facet cut is best suited for clear rubies, the cabochon cut more for those with optical effects.
The cuts for gemstone processing in ruby range from cabochon cut to facet cut. Heart, octagon or
oval are also popular ruby shapes. The facet cut is best suited for clear rubies, the cabochon cut more for those with optical effects.
Feature
The so-called rutile needles give the ruby a very special shine. Due to the fluorescence of the gemstone, the red color looks all the more intense.
The so-called rutile needles give the ruby a very special shine. Due to the fluorescence of the gemstone, the red color looks all the more intense.
Ruby
Quality Factors
Purity
Purity is of great importance in ruby. Even if there are hardly any completely pure gemstones of this
variety, large inclusions reduce the value – but also make the gemstone something very special.
Purity is of great importance in ruby. Even if there are hardly any completely pure gemstones of this
variety, large inclusions reduce the value – but also make the gemstone something very special.
Colour
The color of the ruby is decisive for its value. Especially popular are rubies in pigeon blood red, the
reddest shade.
The color of the ruby is decisive for its value. Especially popular are rubies in pigeon blood red, the
reddest shade.
Carat
Carat indicates the weight of a gemstone. 0.2 grams corresponds to one carat (ct). The larger the carat weight,the more valuable the stone, whereby stones of higher purity and better color can have a higher value despite lower carat weight.
Carat indicates the weight of a gemstone. 0.2 grams corresponds to one carat (ct). The larger the carat weight,the more valuable the stone, whereby stones of higher purity and better color can have a higher value despite lower carat weight.
Polish
The cut is important because it makes the ruby shine. Whether you want a faceted ruby or cabochon cut is up to your personal taste.
The cut is important because it makes the ruby shine. Whether you want a faceted ruby or cabochon cut is up to your personal taste.
Ruby
The rutile needles
The so-called rutile needles give a ruby a special visual elegance. If a stone contains a few rutile needles arranged parallel to each other, the gemstone gets a silky shine. The more rutile needles are found in the ruby, the cloudier the stone.
The coveted cat’s eye effect (Chatoyance) can also be createdby the arrangement of many rutile needles parallel to the crystal axis. Among the most sought-after rubies are the star rubies (star effect or also called asterism).
Special rubies
The most sought-after rubies are the real burmarubines, preferably in the color pigeon blood red: a pure red with a slight blue cast. Due to the low occurrences, Mozambique rubies are also very rare and popular.
Ruby
Occurrence of ruby
Asia
The most beautiful rubies are found in Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka (Ceylon) or Thailand (Siam). However, ruby deposits are also found in India, Afghanistan, China and Colombia.
The most beautiful rubies are found in Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka (Ceylon) or Thailand (Siam). However, ruby deposits are also found in India, Afghanistan, China and Colombia.
East Africa
Unique rubies are also found in Mozambique, Tanzania and Madagascar, which impress with their intense color. In quality and size, the Mozambique rubies are particularly convincing, which have also gained in importance for investment purposes, in addition to the Burmese rubies.
Jewelry with rubies
Ruby jewelry pieces are beautiful. The ruby is known as a gemstone and is extremely popular. Whether in a ring, a magnificent necklace or earrings. The intense red ruby enchants.