Different Types Of Ruby Gemstones A Ruby is a blood red colored gemstone. It is a valuable gemstone. A quality of ruby is determined by its color, cut, clarity and the carat weight.
Ruby.org.in
Page 1
The brightest and most valuable shade of red called blood-red or pigeon blood color of ruby gemstone. There are many types of Ruby stone. The names of rubies depend on the place where they are found. Now all types of rubies will be introduced one by one with their brief history and their colors. For understanding the types of rubies, you have to first understand the chemical composition of this magnificent stone. Rubies originate from the ore of Aluminum oxide or corundum. The hardness of ruby measures 9 on Mohs scale and its specific gravity is 3.96 – 4.01. Its glow is due to its refractive index, which is 1.759 – 1.767 to 1.770 – 1.779. These qualities make the rubies especially suitable for jewelry making.
Ruby.org.in
Page 2
1. Burmese ruby: Burma has been the source of the world’s most superior quality rubies. It is the fierce red displayed under any kind of light that makes these Burmese rubies, one of the most coveted jewels in the world. The unique color in Burmese rubies is described as ‘pigeon’s blood’.
Ruby.org.in
Page 3
The chromium impurities are accountable for this flaming red in Burmese rubies. The regions around Mogok in northern Burma and Mong-Hsu to the east of Mandalay are famous for ruby mining. Kinds of blemishes are the essential attributes of any natural stone. Burmese rubies contain the least of them. Sometimes they do come with inclusions in blue or pink shades. 2. Indian Ruby: India has a long history of ruby appreciation. Prior to the 20th century, Rubies were considered to be more valuable than even diamonds. Indian Rubies are mainly found in Orissa and Mysore. They have original cuts and colors of Rubies.
Ruby.org.in
Page 4
3. Sri Lankan Rubies: If you want a match for those gorgeous Burmese rubies you can sometimes find it in the Sri-Lankan rubies. These Rubies with pink tints have a unique beauty of their own.
Ruby.org.in
Page 5
4. Thai Rubies: Next in order of quality, Thai rubies come second. Thai rubies come with rather darker undertones caused by the presence of iron along with chromium. Thus, you find the Thai rubies with brownish to burgundy hues. Also known as Siam rubies, these of course are no match for their Burmese cousins. Most of them are heat-treated. 5. Tanzanian Rubies: In Tanzania, ruby deposits are found in regions near Songea. The color of these rubies resembles the garnet so closely that even jewelers are often baffled by their closeness. It has been noticed that the intensity of color diminishes with size. Therefore, the smaller the Tanzanian rubies are, the more they command a price. Ruby.org.in
Page 6
6. Madagascar Rubies: Two regions in Madagascar; Andilamena and Vatomandry are recent additions in the world ruby mining map.
Here ruby occurs in a large number of igneous rocks. Apply a little bit heat treatment. They are almost equal to their Ruby.org.in
Page 7
Burmese cousins in beauty and vitality. They are special from the aspects of gemological and mineralogical properties too. 7. Afghanistan Rubies: Little is known about ruby mining in Afghanistan.
Ruby.org.in
Page 8
However, we find its reference in the writings of travelers as early as 951 A.D. Ibn Batuta, Al Bruin and Marco Polo discussed about ruby mining in Afghanistan in their travelogues. The Balas ruby mines of Badakshan and Jagdalek appear to be authentic sources of rubies in Afghanistan. However the physical and chemical properties of Jagdalek rubies account for ruby crystals in faint colors of deep red. Often they are slightly purplish and strongly fluorescent. Occasionally violet rubies have been mined in these desolate mining regions. 8. Synthetic Rubies: Synthetic rubies also known as created, cultured, or lab-grown rubies. They are created through an artificial process that usually involves high temperature and pressure. Ruby.org.in
Page 9
Synthetic rubies are primarily of three typesdoublets, Vermeil or flame fusion and flux grown. Doublets: This type of synthetic rubies is not much in vogue nowadays. However, they make great gifts. Ruby.org.in
Page 10
The Doublets are usually stones of imitation backing with a natural corundum crown, generally made out of green or white corundum. When viewed carefully the joint made with glue can be noticed. Vermeil or flame fusion: The name is attributed to the process of production. They are easily distinguishable from natural rubies. These synthetic rubies are typically characterized by certain curved color banding known as striate. You can also find inclusions in the form of gas bubbles in them. Flux Grown: This is the synthetic variety that you cannot easily distinguish from a real one. Molten flux is crystallized under specified conditions of temperature and pressure to produce these versions of synthetic rubies. The stones might Ruby.org.in
Page 11
develop fractures when the pressure is released. Different processes of flux-grown rubies produce different types of inclusions. Often inclusions resemble that of natural rubies. Reference: www.jewelinfo4u
Ruby.org.in
Page 12