Gemstone Spotlight: Ruby, Birthstone of July

Has the gleam of a fiery red stone ever caught your eye, leaving you mesmerized by its captivating beauty? If yes, then you've likely had an encounter with a Ruby, a gemstone that radiates an inner fire resonating with the peak of summer, making it the ideal birthstone for the month of July.

In this blog we will go on a journey through the fascinating world of Rubies. From their physical properties and origin to their common treatments and enhancements, this guide aims to be a comprehensive resource for those of you considering purchasing Ruby jewelry.

Unraveling the Physical Properties of July Birthstone: Ruby

To appreciate the allure of July Birthstone: Rubies, we must first understand their physical properties. Ruby, a variety of the mineral corundum, shares its geological origins with its equally famous sibling, the sapphire. What sets a Ruby apart from sapphires is its red hue, thanks to the strong presence of chromium. The color spectrum of Rubies can range anywhere from pinkish-red, to purplish-red, to orangey-red, to pure deep red color.

Rubies are extremely hard, second only to diamonds on the Mohs scale of hardness, scoring an impressive 9 out of 10. This not only makes them a beauty to behold but also an ideal choice for all kinds of jewelry, even those meant for everyday wear.

Most natural Rubies, like other gemstones, contain inclusions, unique fingerprints showcasing their natural origin. Sometimes, these inclusions align to create fascinating visual effects, like asterism, which forms a star-like pattern on the surface of the gemstone when viewed under a direct light source.

Rubies are also known for their fluorescence, or the ability to glow under UV light. A high-quality Ruby with strong fluorescence can appear to glow like a burning ember, further enhancing its visual appeal and association with fiery passion.

 

 

Sourcing Ruby Gemstones: Mining Locations and Origins

The journey of July Birthstone -- Ruby, from its birthplace deep in the earth to a cherished piece of jewelry, is truly fascinating. Delving into the geographical origins of this gem gives us an intriguing perspective on how varied and fascinating our planet truly is.

 

The crown jewel among Ruby sources is Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The Mogok Stone Tract of this region is renowned for producing some of the world's most exquisite Rubies. Burmese ruby are recognized for their unrivaled "pigeon's blood" hue and exceptional quality.

 

Thailand, with its Chanthaburi and Bo Rai districts, is another significant Ruby source, producing Rubies with a unique depth of color, characterized by darker tones tinged with brown or burgundy. While these Rubies may lack the fluorescent glow of a Burmese Ruby, they possess their own mesmerizing charm.

 

 

African Rubies are often noted for their larger size, while countries like Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar, produce Rubies with a wide range of red hues.

In the quest for these red gems, it's crucial to stress ethical sourcing and responsible mining. Unfortunately, not all operations uphold these standards. As consumers, we should question the origin and the supply chain of our Rubies. Our vigilance ensures that our pursuit of beauty doesn't come at the cost of our environment or human rights.

 

 

Understanding Precious Stones: Lab-Grown and Imitation Rubies

Venturing further into the world of Rubies, we come across lab-grown and imitation Rubies, each fulfilling its own important niche in the jewelry market.

Lab-grown Rubies share the same chemical composition, and physical makeup as their natural counterparts, making them a very convincing substitute for natural rubies. Natural Rubies form over millions of years under specific geological conditions, while lab-grown Rubies, also known as synthetic or created Rubies, are produced in controlled laboratory environments over the course of weeks to months. The three most common methods for producing lab-grown Rubies are flame fusion, flux growth, and hydrothermal; with each method having its own unique pros and cons.

While imitation Rubies may resemble the real deal, they do not share the same chemical makeup. They can be natural gemstones such as Spinel and garnet, or manmade materials such as colored glass and plastic. With more sophisticated imitations is a mix of both natural and manmade, like Ruby doublets (a slice of natural Ruby or sapphire glued on top of either lab-grown ruby, or glass).

Both lab-grown and imitation Rubies serve an important purpose in the jewelry trade. Lab-grown Rubies offers the beauty and durability of natural Rubies at a more affordable price point. Imitations, while lacking the physical and chemical properties of Rubies, are often even cheaper than lab-grown, and do well in costume jewelry, or for those on a tight budget.

To the untrained eye, many non-rubies can pass as natural, making it vital for buyers to insist on dealing with reputable jewelers and gemological laboratories for accurate identification. After all, part of the allure of the Ruby is not just its captivating color, but also its remarkable journey from the heart of the Earth to the heart of your piece of jewelry.

The Human Touch: Ruby Treatments and Enhancements

Treatments are where human ingenuity meets natural beauty. These processes aim to improve a ruby's color and/or clarity and are important to understand and consider when purchasing a Ruby.

 

Heat treatment

Has been practiced for centuries, and is the most prevalent, and industry-accepted treatment for Rubies. The basic idea is to subject the Ruby to high temperatures, effectively "finishing what nature started," by intensifying the red color and dissolving certain inclusions. This process can improve both the color and clarity of the Ruby, resulting in a more appealing gemstone.

 

Lattice diffusion treatment

A more modern method, involves applying a coloring agent (usually beryllium or chromium) on the Ruby's surface before subjecting it to high heat. This allows the agent to penetrate the ruby's structure, altering its color more significantly. A lattice-diffused Ruby may show impressive color, but it's essential to remember that this color is not entirely natural. Diffused rubies should always be disclosed by reputable jewelers.

 

Fracture filling/glass filling

A more controversial enhancement takes lower-quality Rubies with many surface-reaching fractures and fills them with lead glass to improve its apparent clarity and stability. While this does enhance the gem's look, the filling can be damaged by common jeweler’s practices and household chemicals, leading to a loss of clarity or even breakage. This treatment heavily affects the price of the finished stone and is valued much lower than similar stones without this treatment. Fracture/glass-filled rubies should always be disclosed by reputable jewelers.

Being aware of these enhancements, you can make an informed decision, matching your aesthetic preferences with your comfort level regarding treated gems.

 

Decoding Ruby Quality

If Rubies are the stars of the gemstone universe, then the 4Cs—Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat—are the compass by which we navigate our way to the perfect specimen. Originally devised for diamonds but equally applicable to colored gemstones, the 4Cs offer an invaluable guide to understanding a ruby's quality.

 

Color

More than any other factor influences the value of Rubies. The most desirable Ruby color is known as 'pigeon's blood' – a fiercely intense, almost fluorescent, crimson, with just a touch of blue. The color of a Ruby is assessed based on three parameters: hue, tone, and saturation. Hue refers to the basic color: For Rubies, ranging from pinkish-red to purplish-red to orangey-red to pure red. Tone defines how light or dark the Ruby is: too light lacks the desired intensity, while a too dark may appear almost black and lack brightness. And saturation indicates the color's strength or purity.

The color range for ruby is narrow, and off-colored stones falling outside that range will be categorized as sapphires, rather than ruby. The best way to ensure that you fall within the color range of ruby is to purchase from a reputable jeweler.

 

Clarity

While flawless Rubies are a rarity, those with minimal inclusion are considered top quality. Though some inclusions, like the 'silk' found in some Burmese Rubies, can enhance a gem's value by helping prove its origin or causing phenomenal effects like asterism (a star-like pattern). On the other hand, large and visible inclusions can reduce a ruby's attractiveness and value.

 

Cut

Refers to how well a Ruby has been shaped and facetted While there are no standard cuts for Rubies, an expert cut maximizes the stone's weight while minimizing visible inclusions, and enhancing color.

 

Carat

Refers to the weight of the Ruby. Large, high-quality Rubies are extremely rare and valuable. For example, a 3-carat Ruby with good color and clarity will cost significantly more than three 1-carat Rubies of the same quality.

 

Remember, while the 4Cs offer a valuable starting point, the final judgment should be your personal taste. Each Ruby has its unique charm, and the most important thing is that you genuinely love the gem you choose.

Now that you've dipped your toe into the mesmerizing world of rubies, continue exploring and learning about these incredible gemstones; how did they become July’s birthstone? How they came to be, and how to clean your ruby jewelry. Share your experiences or questions in the comments below – we'd love to hear from you!