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Precious Stones: Rubies

Rubies are beautiful gemstones that have been treasured for centuries. The name comes from rubber, Latin for red. These stones are red members of the corundum family of minerals. Any other coloured corundum is called sapphire.

Natural rubies come in a variety of shades from light to dark. They range in colour from pink to blood-red. They may also contain undertones, such as a purplish cast, that adds to the uniqueness of each stone.

Rubies have stood the test of time with regard to their popularity. A ruby’s red colour is often associated with feelings of love and passion.

While a diamond rates at a 10 on the Mohs scale, a ruby is just below that, with a rating of 9. Most rubies are treated with heat to improve their colour and clarity. Dyes are also used sometimes to make a ruby’s colour appear more intense.

Burmese rubies are thought to be some of the most beautiful examples of a ruby. There are other high quality rubies that come from Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Thailand. Rubies are found in the United States as well, but they are not always as beautiful as rubies found in other countries.

As with many other gemstones, it is rare to find large, high-quality rubies. These stones are rare and expensive when they are available for purchase. Such stones should always have a report from a qualified gem laboratory to certify their authenticity. It’s important to make sure that you get a gemological report for any large rubies you intend to purchase so you don’t end up spending more money than a stone is worth.

Another thing you should do if you intend to purchase ruby jewellery is to make sure that you buy from a reputable salesperson. The person you buy the stone from should know what they are selling and also should be able to disclose the treatments that were performed on the gemstone.

The price of a ruby is determined mostly by the intensity of its colour. The brightest red rubies fetch a high price over rubies of similar quality. The clarity of rubies is also a consideration with regards to the price of the ruby. A clear stone fetches a higher price than a stone that has inclusions.

As with many gemstones, rubies can be created in a laboratory. If you can’t afford a natural ruby, lab created rubies are an affordable option. 

 

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