How to recognize a real ruby? Do you love colored stones and want to buy quality jewelry? In the world of natural stones, there is a wide variety of red stones, including ruby. Like diamonds, emeralds and sapphires, rubies are precious stones whose beauty arouses admiration. Due to its high price, this bewitching gem is often confronted with imitations. Planetys, a specialist in natural stones and jewelry, helps you recognize the real ruby.
How to choose the right ruby?
To recognize a real ruby, there are a number of important factors to consider. Planetys explains how to choose the right gemstone.
Physical characteristics of rubies
Also known as “ratnaraj” or “king of gems”, the ruby gem is the only variety of red corundum. Its rare, attractive color is due to the presence of chromium oxide, on which the brilliance and purity of the stone’s red color depend. The color can also sometimes show variations of brown and purple. The most popular color is “pigeon’s blood”. You can recognize the gem by its color, but that’s not enough. Nor is its price, which, like that of colored diamonds, is very high.
Other, more advanced characteristics can help you choose your ruby. You should know that real ruby, with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, has inclusions, unlike synthetic ruby. Like sapphire, these impurities give it a touch of authenticity. True ruby is characterized by a refractive index of 1.76 to 1.77, with a trigonal crystal system and uneven fracture. The main ruby mines are located in the following countries and regions:
- Thailand,
- Mozambique
- Australia
- Sri Lanka,
- South Carolina,
- Montana,
- Badakhshan in Afghanistan,
- Kenya,
- Zimbabwe.
- Myanmar (Mogok)
Rough ruby from Myanmar
Rubies are also mined in India, Cambodia, Brazil, Malawi, Madagascar, Vietnam and Pakistan.
However, 90% of all rubies come from Myanmar (formerly Burma).
Ruby appearance
Just by observing gems such as rubies, it is possible to discover their nature and even identify them. This can be based on two factors: either the gem possesses impurities visible to the naked eye, or it reveals itself in an absolute transparency where inclusions are very rare. The cut of the stone can also influence its appearance. Authentic rubies sometimes feature a six-pointed star, which is cut into a cabochon to bring out the star shape. You can observe the stone with a light source to discover its asterism.
Measuring density
Density is one of the most important values for identifying a gemstone. Ruby density ranges from 3.97 to 4.05. These figures show how light or heavy the stone is in relation to an identical volume of liquid. When buying ruby jewelry, always ask your jeweler for a certificate of authenticity.
Properties and virtues of rubies
Whether they come from Tanzania, Kenya or Thailand, rubies have many virtues in lithotherapy.
Benefits for the body
On the physical level, rubies can increase passion and encourage the conception of a child. This beautiful red gemstone brings peaceful, nightmare-free sleep. In lithotherapy, ruby is also used to treat heart and circulatory problems. The gem combats fever, stimulates kidney function and promotes the healing of wounds.
Benefits of ruby for the spirit
On a spiritual level, ruby restores enthusiasm and joie de vivre. Worn as jewelry such as earrings, pendants or rings, the precious gem reinforces courage, willpower and promotes prosperity. As a symbol of passion and love, the ruby increases affection for others, as well as self-love. This gemstone also develops self-confidence and perseverance. So don’t hesitate to order ruby jewelry from Planetys to enjoy the benefits of this fabulous stone.
All ruby varieties
There are many varieties of ruby:
- Sunset ruby
- Malawi ruby
- Tanzania ruby, which is a deep, intense red
- Tanzania ruby AAA quality
- Orisha star ruby
- Pink Kenya ruby
- Mozambique star ruby
- Mozambique star ruby cat’s eye
- Vietnam ruby, with a much more intense pink hue
- Star ruby
The most coveted ruby variety is the uniquely pure AAA ruby from the Tanzanian deposits. AAA refers to exceptional gem quality, in terms of color, cut and purity. This clearly justifies the high price of these gems.
What are the possible confusions and imitations?
Ruby is often imitated by the use of scarlet glass. It is also confused with other red stones such as red spinel and garnet. Here’s how to tell the difference between a ruby and these natural stones.
Identify a ruby from glass
Sometimes, a fake ruby is nothing more than a piece of scarlet glass. To identify this piece of costume jewelry, simply compare it with a piece of glass, and observe the resemblance under natural light. If there’s no fluorescence and the halo is consistent, then it’s a counterfeit.
Distinguishing ruby from red spinel
The color of red spinel is generally pinker than that of ruby. Sri Lankans call it a raspberry hue, with a softer luster than a Burmese ruby. Spinel is highly fluorescent, however, and lacks the silky sheen of ruby. Its refractive index (1.72) is different from that of ruby, and spinel can be distinguished by placing it under a polarized light microscope.
How to tell a garnet from a ruby
Garnet is the stone most often confused with ruby. Fortunately, it’s possible to tell the difference between these two gems using a polarized light microscope. Garnet is dark red, while ruby tends towards raspberry red.
What is a synthetic ruby?
It was in 1837 that synthetic ruby was first cultivated by Mr. Gooden from molten rock. Years later, after 1902, we witnessed the industrial production of fiery corundum, thanks in particular to the ingenuity of Frenchman Auguste Verneuil.
He invented a technology and equipment that enabled ruby crystals (weighing from 2 to 3 carats) to be obtained from pure aluminum oxide after treatment. These synthetic stones are rubies created in the laboratory, imitating natural conditions.
Synthetic rubies have no impurities like natural rubies, and their color is of incredible perfection. While natural rubies, like diamonds, are cut for jewelry, synthetic rubies are used in watch mechanisms.
The ruby has no more secrets for you!
Rely on these elements to tell the difference between a real ruby and a simple red stone, and trust us to offer you the finest ruby creations.
