Are most rubies treated?
Ruby is one of the most sought-after gemstones of our time. It was known thousands of years ago. At that time, people did not yet know how to calculate minerals by their characteristic features, so they classified all red-colored minerals as rubies. The ancient Indians considered ruby to be the stone of the Sun, and in Europe it was the patron saint of brave people. In the countries of the East, the stone symbolized the energy of life, which constantly gives strength, as well as health and love.
Description of the stone
- transparency;
- variety of red colors;
- Smooth surface;
- tangible weight.
The crystals have the correct cylinder or prism shape even if they have not been processed. A natural ruby may be of poor quality, but in this case it is considered a fake.
Varieties and colors
In the classic version, the stone is red. However, there are other options:
- pink. Mined in Sri Lanka;
- purple, called “pigeon blood”;
- brown – mined in Thailand.
No other shades of ruby are found in nature. A black stone that is similar in characteristics to a ruby is extremely rare. It is a variety of spinel. Blue, green – types of corundum. They have their own unique chemical composition.
Star gems are especially highly prized. A six-pointed star is clearly visible inside the stone. Before making jewelry from such stones, they are subjected to heat treatment.
History and origin of the mineral
The first records of ruby appeared in the Bronze Age. Due to their appearance, the samples became known. The mineral has had many names over time and has become the cause of many myths. Its protective properties have been known since ancient times. They were confirmed by people of various nationalities.
In India it was used to create jewelry for kings. Many believed that the stone protected people from bad dreams.
Materials
Ruby is a type of red corundum. Color varies from pink to burgundy. Depends on the volume of impurities. The most expensive products are those with a lilac tint. Ruby is a stone of the highest category, the composition is similar to the chemical elements of sapphire. The mineral is very durable, only diamond is stronger than it.
The stone is transparent and shiny. He looks very nice. Gemstones other than diamond do not have such characteristic features. Due to its characteristics, a ruby can be more expensive than a diamond of identical size.
Physicochemical characteristics
Ruby contains chromium atoms, which, depending on the amount, impart brightness to the shade.
- hardness. The only thing harder than a ruby is a diamond;
- beautiful shine;
- The density is 4 grams per cubic cm.
Treatment
Ruby helps to cure many diseases:
- spine pathologies;
- joint problems;
- impaired kidney function;
- gallbladder disease;
- liver disease;
- pathologies of the bladder;
- respiratory system disorders.
The mineral helps restore blood circulation. Makes you feel better when your body temperature rises and restores sleep. For treatment, the stone should be placed on the diseased organ. To normalize sleep, it should be placed under the pillow.
Gradation by quality and price of rubies
The most relevant and in demand is red ruby. In jewelry, it is valued at the highest possible price. The cost of the products is identical to diamonds.
Rubies can be of different colors:
- red;
- pink;
- scarlet;
- burgundy.
Sometimes there are stones with a multi-colored shine and a unique shape. In some cases, cutting is not done, but simply polished so that the natural convex shape remains. Burmese rubies are considered the most expensive. The cost of 1 carat is estimated from 50 dollars and reaches a maximum of 500 US dollars.
Indian stones have a lighter shade, and there are cracks and specks inside. The cost of this option will be much lower, since the quality is inferior to more expensive products.
The stones of Tanzania are of a darker shade. They are monochromatic. The mineral is considered second-rate. Therefore the cost is more affordable. Products mined in Kenya, Afghanistan and Madagascar are distinguished by a unique shine that shimmers beautifully.
Modern technologies today make it possible for people to grow red corundum in artificial conditions. The mineral will fully correspond to natural ruby in appearance and characteristic features.
The artificial version is actively used in the industrial environment. To distinguish an artificial mineral from a real one at home, just dip it in milk. The surface of the liquid should turn pink if the product is natural.
Features of ruby mining
Extraction of minerals is carried out manually. The method remains the same as hundreds of years ago.
The disadvantage of this method is that there is a very high probability of damaging or destroying the ruby. The work requires serious physical effort. But first, a person must obtain a special permit, which is very expensive.
- Determining suitable terrain. In most cases, people prefer scattering.
- Organization of mines with installation of special equipment for pumping water.
- Excavation of rock, which in most cases is clay. After extraction, the minerals are purified.
This extraction method is not only inconvenient, but also extremely dangerous. Not every person is able to do such colossal work to get a ruby. It is quite difficult to determine the volume of extraction, so individual specialists are hired for the work.
Mining ruby is a very difficult job, taking place in rocks at a depth of up to 30 m. But for many people, this is the only way to survive and earn money.
Gemstone processing
After extraction, the mineral does not immediately go to the store, but undergoes special processing:
- heat treatment;
- beryllium treatment to obtain rich, bright color;
- processing with liquid transparent glass if the product has cracks and voids.
The crystal is given a beautiful appearance, hiding flaws. They create a perfectly flat, smooth surface and also give a rich color. Before correction, the mineral may have minor flaws that do not have a strong effect on the shade and transparency.
Where are rubies used?
Artificial ruby is used mainly in industry. It is as durable as natural, which is why it is used on the surface of sandpaper and in watch mechanisms. Often used in the production of lasers.
In folk medicine, ruby provides healing benefits. Carrying it with you helps people normalize sleep, improve vision, and reduce pain in the back. In Asia, it was believed that the mineral helps get rid of heart disease, as well as improve brain function and restore energy levels.
In alternative medicine, the mineral is used to prevent epilepsy attacks, restore the nervous system after severe stress, and depression. Many peoples consider ruby to be a magical stone. Its main purpose is to use it as jewelry. It looks very beautiful and elegant.
Artificial ruby
The artificial version is produced in special laboratories, under conditions as close as possible to natural ones. It can be made from corundum melt at a high level of pressure, as well as temperatures above 1500 degrees.
Artificial minerals are initially white and then colored. Painting is carried out by spraying small particles of chromium. Such a ruby is not considered a fake, since its composition is completely identical to the natural one.
How to distinguish a real ruby from a fake
Rubies are counterfeited quite often. This is due to the fact that it has a fairly high cost and is also very difficult to mine. To determine authenticity, it is necessary to carefully study the signs of a natural mineral:
- When viewing a ruby with magnification, small inclusions are visible;
- heavy weight when compared with a fake made of glass or plastic;
- When dropped into a glass of milk, the crystal will turn the liquid pink;
- turns orange when exposed to ultraviolet rays;
- has a cool surface.
Using such methods, anyone can distinguish a natural ruby from a glass or plastic product. You can even make a fake out of plastic at home.
Artificial stone can only be made in a special laboratory, since a certain technology is used there. The synthetic version differs only slightly from the natural one, so only a specialist can distinguish it.
Rubies, they are surrounded by myths and legends. The precious red mineral has attracted kings, emperors and wealthy nobles since ancient times, was revered by ancient Burmese soldiers and mentioned in the Bible. Ruby was a symbol of the energy of the sun and fire, power and authority.
On request
Jewelry weight: 8.71 g.
70 000 000 ₽
Jewelry weight: 6.74 g.
Jewelry weight: 4.47 g.
72 540 000 ₽
Jewelry weight: 15.72 g.
On request
Jewelry weight: 5 g.
Jewelry weight: 24.29 g.
On request
Jewelry weight: 17.78 g.
People believed that a gemstone could make a person independent and self-confident, capable of conquering the whole world. Many famous historical figures preferred this particular stone: Ivan the Terrible, Cardinal Richelieu, Maria de Medici, etc.
The rich history, desire and even passion for owning rubies gives these stones the status of one of the most valuable and desirable.
Its palette ranges from dark red to light crimson with a pinkish tint.
The term pigeon’s blood occupies a special place in the color scheme of rubies. This name for the shade arose in relation to the unique corundums mined in Burma, Mogok region. Experts describe pigeon’s blood as a rich red with a slight bluish tint.
In the Russian classification, the color of rubies is divided into three groups.
Group 1 – bright red (Pigeon’s blood);
Group 2 – medium red;
Group 3 – light red.
CHAMOVSKIKH experts advise before purchasing to pay attention to three main parameters related to color: hue, saturation and brightness.
Ruby is known not only for its amazing color, but also for its special brilliance. Compared to other precious stones, it seems to glow from within, emitting a special fiery glow.
Cleanliness
Natural rubies will always have inclusions; despite this, they do not lose much value due to their rarity.
In the Russian classification, stones are divided into three groups according to purity:
Group 1 – clean or with barely noticeable inclusions in various zones;
Group 2 – transparent with small inclusions that form thickenings and a veil in certain areas of the stone;
Group 3 – cracked stone surface with cloudy and opaque areas.
However, there is a type of inclusion called rutile silk. Light reflection creates a special optical effect of a softly sparkling glow, so moderate dispersion without loss of transparency can be an advantage for ruby.
Ennoblement.
The color of most rubies is improved by heating. The stone must be accompanied by a certificate from a recognized international laboratory such as GRS, SSEF, Gubelin, LOTUS or GIA, which will indicate the presence or absence of heat treatment. There is nothing wrong with heated rubies, but if you are buying it as an investment, then of course it should be tamper-free.
Place of Birth
For more than 800 years, Burma (Myanmar) was the main supplier of rubies to the royal dynasties of Europe and Asia. The Mogok region is known as the main place for the extraction of historical rubies, the most expensive in the world, spinel was also mined here, but now the deposit is almost exhausted.
For a long time, spinel remained a misclassified mineral, often mistaken for ruby. There are now many famous “rubies” that are actually spinels, such as the Black Prince Ruby, a red spinel that forms the obverse of the Crown of the British Empire.
Burmese rubies are primarily colored with chrome. This chemical element is responsible for the stone’s unique red hue and strong fluorescence. These features, quality characteristics and rarity make up the value of Burmese rubies. A pure, deep red Burmese ruby weighing over two carats is considered a very rare stone and therefore worthy of an outstanding collection.
Currently, deposits have been discovered in Thailand, Madagascar, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, as well as Vietnam, Cambodia, India and Pakistan, but the main source of production is the African continent, in particular Mozambique. Significant production began in September 2008 in Lichiga (Niassa province), and in May 2009 in Montepez (Cabo Delgabo province). It should be noted that at present, gem-quality rubies are practically not mined in Myanmar, so Mozambique occupies a leading position in the production of high-quality rubies. At the moment, the red minerals mined there can be marked by world gemological laboratories as Pigeon’s blood.
Rubies with a certificate rating of Vibrant or glowing from within deserve special attention. This term is a rather complex characteristic for assessing the color, clarity and cut of a stone. The combination of the highest levels of these three parameters contributes to a unique inner glow with the highest possible level of play. Only a few samples can qualify for such an assessment in the certificate.
The collection weight for rubies marked Vibrant or Vivid starts at 5 carats. Top gemological laboratories, for example GRS, attach a special series to their certificates – GRS Platinum, denoting the special status of the gemstone.
Rubies, which in ancient times conquered the world with their color, inspire CHAMOVSKIKH jewelers and artists to create luxurious works of High Jewelry, for example, the L’amour de ma vie brooch, magnificent solitaire rings or earrings from the NeoCity collection. For its masterpieces, the brand chooses rubies with a particularly attractive color, with the highest characteristics, mined from the best deposits in the world.
By choosing CHAMOVSKIKH, you will enjoy the luxurious color of rubies and the craftsmanship of timeless jewelry.
