Ruby

Ruby

Content

  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. Name, Origin and History
  3. 3. Characteristics
  4. 4. Treatment and Care
  5. 5. Jewellery with Ruby
  6. 6. More gemstones in the lexicon

1. Introduction

The ruby, with its passionate red colour, symbolises love, strength, and passion, and is considered a classic in the world of gemstones.

2. Name, Origin and History

Name

The name ruby comes from the Latin term "ruber," which stands for the colour red.

Origin

Ruby and sapphire are colour varieties of the mineral corundum (crystalline aluminium oxide), whose name is derived from the Sanskrit word for rubies and sapphires, "kuruvinda." Corundum produces allochromatic gemstones. This means that trace elements such as chromium, iron, and titanium, as well as colour centres, create a rainbow of colours. Red corundums are called "rubies," while those in all other colours are known as "sapphires."

History

While many red gemstones were called "ruby" until the development of scientific gemmology in the 18th century, ruby, garnet, spinel, and other red gemstones were grouped under the Latin term "carbunculus" (little coal) in antiquity. These gemstones, known to the ancient Greeks as "anthrax" (burning coal), were beautiful deep red stones that took on the colour of glowing coals when held up to the sun.

The ancient Indians believed that the ruby possessed an inner fire, which not only granted long life but could also help heat a kettle. Aside from supposedly bringing luck in gambling, medieval beliefs held that rubies had prophetic powers and would darken in colour when danger was imminent. The Burmese wore them as talismans to protect against illness, misfortune, and injury, and they were once known as "drops of blood from the heart of Mother Earth." Today, the ruby is the official birthstone for July. Some of the ancient terms used to describe the ruby's colour include "pigeon blood," which has recently come back into vogue, and "ox blood."

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3. Characteristics

Characteristics

As a dichroic (two-coloured: violet-red and orange-red) or pleochroic gemstone, the "finest" ruby is only about 80 percent pure red and shows a secondary tint of orange, pink, purple, or violet. A ruby that is too dark and "garnet-like," too light, too orange, or too purple will have a correspondingly lower price. How dark, light, or secondarily coloured a ruby should preferably be is subjective. The less intense hues often look better under subdued lighting. Most rubies exhibit a strong, glowing electric-red fluorescence in natural light. Along with the silk inclusions, this reduces the impact of dark areas in a stone with a table facet on the top.

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4. Treatment and Care

Gentle cleaning and care without steam and ultrasonic methods are recommended for most varieties of rubies.

Ruby (Channapatna-Star Ruby)

Treatment None explanation N/A Care Instructions None Steam Cleaning Yes Ultrasonic Cleaning Yes

Ruby (Ruby)

Treatment Heating, possibly with the addition of colouring substances, and/or closure of cracks/cavities or introduction of additives (Beryllium) and/or colouring, rarely untreated explanation Generally used to create, intensify or lighten the colour and/or to improve the uniformity of the colour. The lead glass is usually yellow to orange and refines the natural red hue. Increased carat weight possible. In rare cases ruby is also coloured to improve the colour. Care Instructions Fillings in, gaps, cracks and/or open fractures can scratch more easily than the parent stone and are more susceptible to damage by heat or solvents. Steam Cleaning Yes Ultrasonic Cleaning Yes

Ruby (Thai Ruby)

Treatment Heating, possibly with the addition of colouring substances explanation Generally used to emphasise and improve colour Care Instructions Some stones fade or return to their original colour when exposed to strong light; do not expose the gemstones unnecessarily to these conditions for a long time Steam Cleaning No Ultrasonic Cleaning No

Ruby (Burmese Ruby, Johnson Ruby, Kenyan Ruby)

Treatment Heating explanation Generally used to emphasise and improve colour Care Instructions None Steam Cleaning Yes Ultrasonic Cleaning Yes

Ruby (Star Ruby, Star Ruby (unheated), Star Ruby (unheated))

Treatment None or heating and/or oiling or dyeing and/or diffusion treatment explanation Star rubies are heated to improve or create asterism (star) or receive a diffusion treatment. Oiling and dyeing is used for colour enhancement and laminating of natural cracks. Care Instructions None Steam Cleaning Yes Ultrasonic Cleaning Yes

Ruby (AAA Longido Ruby, AAA Mozambique Ruby, Morogoro Ruby, Siam Ruby)

Treatment Heating explanation Generally used to evoke and/or enhance colour. Care Instructions Clean with warm water Steam Cleaning Yes Ultrasonic Cleaning Yes

Ruby (Madagascar Ruby, Malawi Ruby, Sunset Ruby, Tanzanian Ruby)

Treatment Heating, possibly with the addition of colouring substances, and/or sealing of cracks / cavities or introduction of additives (Beryllium) explanation Generally used to create, intensify or lighten the colour and/or to improve the uniformity of the colour. Lead glass is usually yellow to orange and refines the natural red colour. Increased carat weight possible. Care Instructions Fillings in, gaps, cracks and/or open fractures can scratch more easily than the parent stone and are more susceptible to damage by heat or solvents. Steam Cleaning No Ultrasonic Cleaning No

Ruby (Bemainty Ruby, John Saul Ruby, Mozambique Cat's Eye Ruby, Mozambique Ruby, Mozambique Star Ruby)

Treatment Heating with a lead silicate with a high refractive index to fill fractures and cavities and/or introduction of various additives (beryllium) explanation Always used to intensify the colour, lighten and/or improve uniformity, may have an effect on the carat weight. The lead silicate is usually yellow or orange and intensifies the red colour of the gemstone. Care Instructions Fillings in, gaps, cracks and/or open fractures can scratch more easily than the parent stone and are more susceptible to damage by heat or solvents. Steam Cleaning Yes Ultrasonic Cleaning Yes

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5. Jewellery with Ruby

More jewellery with Ruby in our Online-Shop

6. More gemstones in the lexicon

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