Michelle Dixon Michelle Dixon

Everything You Need to Know: RUBY Edition

Gem Source Fine Jewelry offers a wide range of CERTIFIED Rubies for any birthday, anniversary, or special occasion. With July right around the corner, Ruby is one of the most stunning birthstones out there! Read more about where this stone comes from, how to buy, and where to purchase on this weeks blog post!

Everything You Need to Know: RUBY Edition

Our world loves rubies! These beautiful stones can command the highest price per-carat of any colored stone... So, let’s find out more about this July birthstone!

WHERE?

Rubies appear in different geologic settings. Some form in metamorphic rock like amphibole and marble, which result from the transformation of preexisting rocks. The most renowned rubies typically form in marble, which is created by heat and pressure acting on limestone.

Myanmar, Vietnam, Kenya, and Mozambique are just a few of the main places rubies are found! However,  production within the country of Myanmar remains unstable. As of 2016, U.S. sanctions remain in place prohibiting the importation of ruby and jade from Myanmar.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR?

Color is the most important factor to look at when purchasing a Ruby. The finest rubies have a bright and vibrant red to slightly purplish red color. A color that has to much orange or purple in it is less desirable.

Clarity and Cut are important when purchasing a ruby as well. It is important to remember that finding a gemstone that has no inclusions within it is difficult. So, the price may vary depending on how visible the inclusions are. A nice even faceted cut on the gemstone will influence price as well!

When looking to purchase a ruby it is important to work with a jeweler you trust! Remember to...

1. Ask about treatments on your Ruby

2. When in doubt, get a lab report!

3. Don't confuse country of origin with quality, it varies!

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR RUBY!

Corundum (ruby and sapphire) is relatively hard—9 on the Mohs scale. It has excellent toughness and no cleavage, which is a tendency to break when struck.

Warm soapy water is always safe to clean your ruby. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion treated stones. Fracture-filled, cavity-filled, or dyed material should only be cleaned with a damp cloth.

Untreated ruby and even heat-treated ruby are very durable. Stones that have undergone lattice diffusion treatment have varying degrees of treated-color penetration. In some stones, the treated color penetrates the entire stone, while others have very shallow treated-color penetration. This may cause your ruby to break within an ultrasonic! This is why it is important you ask your jeweler about treatments on your stone!

 

Gem Source Fine Jewelry offers a wide range of CERTIFIED Rubies for any birthday, anniversary, or special occasion. With July right around the corner, Ruby is one of the most stunning birthstones out there!

Remember when purchasing, always work with a jeweler you can trust for the most important occasions!

 

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