Azure Accessories

The Birthstone for the month of July is the stunning Ruby!!

Along with the sapphire, emerald and diamond, the ruby is considered a precious stone. The ruby and its sister stone the Sapphire are a member of the corundum species...the word corundum means “very hard mineral used as an abrasive”.   You might be surprised to know the only difference between the ruby and the sapphire is the color.  

Rubies are found in Afghanistan, Australia, Cambodia, India, Kenya, Pakistan (Kashmir), Russian, United States, (North Carolina), Greenland and Vietnam, with some of the most important finds in Myanmar (formerly Burma), Tanzania, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. 

Deep Red Natural Ruby Crystal and Natural Faceted Ruby Cut StoneA composite terminated crystal from Madagascar and a Burmese (Myanmar) Faceted Stone, both natural

The ruby ranges in color from pink to blood-red in color.  The most desirable red (Latin – ruber) being blood red with a touch of blue, which is called “pigeon’s blood”.  The presence of chromium provides the red and the presence of iron explains any brown tones.  The color of the ruby will vary within each deposit making it difficult to determine the location where found by looking at the gem. When you hear “Burma ruby” or Siam ruby” more often this is referring to the quality not the source location of the gem.

The color is often uneven with stripes and spots throughout the gem, all natural rubies have imperfections including impurities and inclusions such as the needle like rutile, known as “silk” which the Gemologist uses to determine the real ruby from the synthetic ruby.  Rubies with a 3 or 6-point star are cut into cabochons to show the star effect. The presence of chromium provides the red and the presence of iron explains any brown tones.

Ruby Pyrite Marble Matrix Natural Mineral Specimenfrom Ganesh, Hunza Valley, PakistanThis marble containing corundum (the mineralogical name for ruby and saphhire) runs all the way from Afghanistan to Burma (Myanmar).

The ruby in its rough form is dull and greasy, as are most gems, but it is said once the gem is cut “the luster can approach that of the diamond “.  Since the 1960’s it has become common for the ruby to be treated with heat to improve the color, as a result the cost of a natural untreated Burmese ruby of 10ct would be on par with a natural diamond!    Having said that the ruby is one of the most expensive gems, with large ones worth more than diamonds, which is why they are often used for royalty/wealthy jewelry and insignia.

  

Ruby in Fuchsite (green mica) Puff Heart CabochonPuff Pillow cabochonBoth sides polishedStone mined and cut in India 

The ruby is hard with only the diamond harder, but it lacks cleavage*, as a result the ruby is brittle therefore, cutting and setting the stone must be done carefully.

Cleavage*: “Crystal can break along the lines of weakness related to the atomic structure (cleavage) in such a way that a flat surface which is called a cleavage plane is left. Where the break is not related to the fracture, the resulting surface will not be flat or smooth.  Fracture may be described as uneven, splintery.  Cleavage and fracture affect the strength of a gemstone as well as how easy it can be worked/cut/shaped”.

I admit I was surprised to find the natural, untreated ruby is such a valuable gem.  

Some interesting information:

• The ruby is used to celebrate the 15^th and 40^th wedding anniversary.
• It is used in ancient times for bad health and to protect against misfortune.
• Placed on building to ensure good fortune to the building.

 

Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or requests!

     

Watch for healing aspects of semi and semi precious stones coming soon…

Cheers

• Many thanks to the  photographer who so generously allowed her work to be used in my feature!
• Maryanne Fender, Fender Minerals
  

• Gemstones of the World, Walter Schumann,Third Addition,Sterling Publishing Co.Inc.
• The Jeweler's Directory of Gemstones, Judith Crowe, Firefly Books, 2006