Rubie : What is it?
| Ruby is a mineral variety of corundum (aluminum corundum) characterized by a red color, which is primarily caused by its chromium content. It is considered as one of the most precious gems in the world together with sapphire, emerald, and the diamond. Natural ruby is rare, thus expensive. Synthetic rubies (also called created rubies) are available, however, for a more affordable price.
Ruby comes from the Latin word ruber, which means “red.” It has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, making it second only to diamond in hardness. It is valued according to color, size, clarity, and cut.
Ruby is usually heated to enhance its color. A ruby that is not heated is considered unusual. Some rubies undergo low tube heat where they are heated over charcoal at about 1,300 degrees Celsius for 20 to 30 minutes |
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Kinds of Rubies include the following: |
Natural ruby
- Natural ruby has inclusions called “silk” and color impurities.
- “Silk” can be reduced by heating the ruby in an oven to a temperature of up to 1,800 degrees Celsius. This process also enhances its color.
- It is heated before cut.
- It is mined in Australia, Asia, Africa, and Greenland.
- It can also be found in Kenya, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Madagascar, and Montana, South Carolina, and North Carolina in the US.
Synthetic ruby
- Synthetic ruby has been available since the late 19th century.
- It has manufactured using flame fusion process, flux process, pulling process, and hydrothermal process.
- It is commonly produced using the flame fusion process because it is low cost.
- It has no visible imperfections but may reveal gas bubbles and curved striae when magnified.
- Dopants can be added to synthetic ruby to be identified as synthetic.
- It usually needs gemmological testing to determine its origin.
Imitation ruby
- Imitation ruby is usually made of red spinel, red garnet, or glass.
- It comes in the trade names of balas ruby and rubellite.
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Color: Look for a ruby with a medium toned red or red with a slight purple color, as it is the most highly regarded ruby color.
Cut: To show off its brilliant color and light reflection, choose a faceted, transparent ruby. An opaque ruby is best formed using a cabochon cut.
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