Rubies, Ruby Rings and Jewelry
Ruby History
From the beginning of time, many cultures and peoples have admired
ruby jewelry
because of its beauty and color. Rubies are red gemstones that represent
love, passion, sexual desire and power.
Presently, rubies are found in Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka and
Vietnam. On the Mohs scale of hardness, rubies rank 9- strongest
after diamonds. The durable, strong gemstones have a beautiful luster,
not as bright as diamonds, but beautiful in their unique way.
Popular ruby shapes are antique cushions or cabochons. However,
they do come in many shapes and styles both in a ring and in earrings.
Perfect natural rubies that are pure red with no brown or blue
overtones are rare and expensive. Some producers do heat enhancement
on rubies. Heat enhancement intensifies or lightens the color; it
is a permanent and stable process. Other types of enhancements are
surface diffusion, fracture filling, and cavity filling. Surface
diffusion makes a colorless or light sapphire red by adding a layer
of red color. Fracture filling is when the gem's fractures are filled
with oil or resin. Cavity filling improves clarity by filling cavities.
Heat and surface diffusion are stable enhancements, but fracture
and cavity fillings are fair. Heat or chemicals can damage or destroy
the filling.
Rubies are birthstones for July and are recommended for the 15th
year wedding anniversary.
How to Buy
When looking for ruby
rings or ruby earrings, always compare prices from retail stores
and online vendors. Do some homework to see what is important to
you in your purchase.
Just like diamonds, the 4 C's are important. Compare the cut,
clarity, color, and carat weights of the rubies you want to purchase.
The cut should not be too shallow or too deep because the light
will not be refracted efficiently.
The ruby should have clarity that is clear without too many inclusions
or flaws.
The ruby color is not as important as with a diamond purchase
because 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder.' Some people want
deep red rubies while other people prefer lighter colored rubies;
however the ruby you are purchasing should have not too many brown
or blue overtones.
The carat weight is also important because it is what you are
paying for. You want to get the best deal for your money.
Some questions to ask when purchasing a ruby are:
- Has the ruby been treated?
- Is the ruby natural or synthetic?
- Are there any noticeable scratches, chips or inclusions?
- Is the color even throughout the ruby?
- How good is the color of the ruby?
As with all other purchases, comparison-shop and see how much different
retailers are selling the same item. Research information on ruby
jewelry to make sure you get the best value for your purchase.
Care
Rubies can be cleaned with soapy water or a commercial solvent and
brush. Mechanical cleaners are safe, except for heavily included
gems or treated gems.
Always store your ruby
rings and jewelry in a fabric-lined box to keep it safe from
other pieces of jewelry. Never wear your jewelry when doing rough
work or working with harsh chemicals.
With these tips, your beautiful ruby earrings and jewelry should
last you for many years.
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