Ruby |
The ruby is part of the corundum group, and its color ranges from a pale pink to a deep red. On the Mohl's scale of hardness, only the diamond is higher, as the ruby rates 9.0, and the diamond, 10.0.The more preferable red of the gemstone is Pigeon Blood Red, and rubies of this color, known as mogok rubies, go for very high prices. The quality of rubies is based on clarity, color, carat size, and cut. The presence of inclusions is also noted as stones without them have been somehow treated.
The gemstones, which are the birthstone for July, are found in Asia, Australia, Madagascar, Greenland, Africa, the Mong Hsu section of Myanmar (formerly Burma), Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Kenya, but are also found in North and South Carolina and Montana. Rubies from Vietnam have a purplish hue. The record price paid at an auction for a single ruby was in 2006 for a 38.12 carat stone, and the price was $5,860,000.
For centuries the ruby has held a place as one of the most valuable gemstones in existence. In India information about gemstones has been handed down through generations, and India was considered as the site of the original ruby. The Sanskrit term "ratnaraj" means ruby, or "king of the gemstones", and the Sanskrit term "kuruvunda" means corundum. Until the 19th century the connection between the sapphire, also a corundum, and the ruby was not recognized. Rather garnets were thought to be rubies. Rubies that weigh more than three carats are considered rare.
When rubies were being created deep inside the earth, chrome was the cause of it deep red color, but also responsible for inclusions and tiny cracks. Perfect ones were hard to come by, and it is why rubies in wonderful condition can demand a higher price than a diamond of the same weight.
When rubies contain a shine called "silk" it is due to very fine rutile inclusions. There is also a star ruby which is similar to the star sapphire, where rays emanate from a center, forming a star-like impression. This is called asterism. It is important as in the sapphire that the "star" appear right in the center of the gemstone. It is visible under an overhead light and moves from side to side as the light moves. In this case inclusions increase the value of the stone.
A ruby referred to as a "Burmese ruby" does not necessarily mean it originated from Burma, but that it is of the finest quality. Regarding quality, inclusions in a ruby can point to their individuality, proof of being natural, and genuineess. They are not disadvantageous unless located in the center of the stone, or affecting it transparency and sheen.