A Journey Through Time

Rubies have been revered throughout history as symbols of passion, power, and prosperity. These striking gems, with their intense red color, have not only adorned royalty but have also captivated cultures worldwide with their breathtaking beauty and compelling lore.

The Dawn of Ruby Desire

The allure of rubies began in ancient India, where they were first mined and treasured as the 'Ratnaraj' or the king of gems. Their vibrant red hue, often compared to the color of blood, was believed to hold the power of life itself. This belief made rubies a prized possession of emperors and kings, a symbol of invincibility and strength.

From Ancient Markets to Modern Marvels

Over the centuries, rubies have been at the center of nobility and aristocracy, signifying not just wealth but also wisdom and success in love. The discovery of new deposits in Myanmar, the Himalayas, and Vietnam has further solidified ruby's status in the gem market, making it one of the most important colored stones valued by collectors and jewelers alike.

The Essence and Creation of Rubies

Ruby Formation: Nature's Artistry

Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum and is sister to sapphire, distinguished primarily by its rich red color caused by chromium impurities. The formation of rubies requires specific conditions—mainly the right amount of heat, pressure, and chemical elements—making their occurrence a rare and special event.

Chromium is the key element that gives rubies their iconic red color by replacing some of the aluminum atoms in the corundum (aluminum oxide) structure. This substitution allows rubies to absorb green and blue light, reflecting red light which we perceive as their characteristic hue. Additionally, chromium can contribute to fluorescence in rubies, a property that can enhance their appearance under certain lighting conditions by making them appear more vibrant.

However, not all rubies exhibit fluorescence. The presence of iron in the crystal structure of some rubies inhibits this property by absorbing the energy that would otherwise be emitted as light. Rubies with higher iron content, often found in basaltic environments, typically show little to no fluorescence. Although fluorescence can increase a ruby’s appeal and value, especially if the stone exhibits a strong, bright red glow, its absence does not necessarily detract from the gem's overall value. The value and desirability of a ruby are determined by a combination of factors, including its color intensity, clarity, cut, and carat weight, rather than fluorescence alone.

Marble-hosted vs. Basalt-hosted Rubies

Rubies are typically found in two types of geological settings: marble-hosted, which often produces the intensely colored stones with minimal iron content, and basalt-hosted, where the rubies tend to have higher iron content and a darker, less intense color. Understanding these differences is crucial for gemologists and collectors to assess the quality and origin of rubies.

Historical Significance

 

Legends and Symbolism

Historically, rubies have been laden with myth and legend. In Burma, now Myanmar, warriors believed that rubies made them invincible in battle, even to the extent of inserting them into their flesh. Rubies have also been associated with attributes like beauty and wisdom in biblical references and were thought to bring peace and ward off evil in ancient Indian cultures.

Rubies in Modern Times

Today, rubies continue to be a symbol of wealth and success, making them a popular choice for gifts of passion and romance. Their enduring appeal ensures that they remain highly sought after in jewelry markets around the world.

Quality Factors

Color and Clarity

The value of a ruby is highly dependent on its color, with the most prized rubies displaying a saturated, bright red without any overtones. Clarity also plays a significant role, though rubies without any visible inclusions are exceedingly rare.

Cut and Carat Weight

The cut of a ruby is essential to enhancing its color, brightness, and overall visual appeal. Carat weight, like with other gemstones, significantly impacts the value, with larger rubies typically being much rarer and more valuable.

Ruby Treatments: Enhancing Beauty and Color

Both rubies and sapphires, members of the corundum family, undergo similar treatments to enhance their color and clarity. Two common methods are lattice diffusion and heat treatment, each with specific effects on the appearance and properties of these gemstones.

Lattice Diffusion

• Objective: Lattice diffusion is a treatment process where certain elements are introduced into the atomic lattice of a gemstone during heat treatment to change or enhance its color.
• Process and Elements: Initially, experiments in the 1980s focused on diffusing titanium and chromium (natural coloring agents in corundum) but met with limited success in fully penetrating the stones. A breakthrough occurred in 2003 with the introduction of beryllium diffusion. Beryllium atoms, being smaller than titanium or chromium, can penetrate the entire depth of the gemstone, even in large sapphires, effectively altering their color throughout.
• Impact on Rubies: Beryllium diffusion is capable of enhancing the color of rubies accentuating the depth and intensity of the red color.

Heat Treatment

• Purpose: Heat treatment is employed to alter the color and clarity of rubies.
• Effects: Heating rubies can remove any purplish hue, resulting in a purer red color. It can also dissolve silk (fine needle-like inclusions), which lightens the gemstone's color and increases its transparency. Additionally, heating can cause the recrystallization of silk inclusions, enhancing the stone’s asterism—a star-like reflective effect.

Considerations and Care

• Durability and Stability: While these treatments can significantly enhance the gemstone's aesthetic qualities, they may affect its durability and require specific care, particularly avoiding environments that could reverse the treatment effects, such as extreme heat or certain chemicals. However, treatments that involve extreme heat such as the majority of heat treatment and lattice diffusion, are generally considered to be permanent and stable.
• Impact on Value: Rubies that have undergone heat treatment or lattice diffusion are valued differently that untreated rubies. Within the industry, heat treatment for rubies is ubiquitous and considered to be standard. On the other hand, lattice diffusion is like heat treatment with additional color-enhancing properties, and is not considered standard. Because of this, rubies that have undergone heat treatment only are substantially more valuable than comparable looking rubies that have undergone lattice diffusion. Furthermore, rubies that are treatment free (often referred to in the trade as “No Heat”) are rare and can be highly valuable.
• Disclosure: Due to the meaningful impact on value, it is crucial for sellers to disclose these treatments to buyers. Furthermore, they can affect the gemstone's care requirements.