The ruby is the July birthstone. Famous for its red color,
this gemstone is easy to recognize by newcomers to jewelry collecting. But even
here, there are differences when it comes to quality and cost. What do you need
to know before buying your first ruby? Our insider’s guide to rubies spells it
out.
Why is a Ruby Red?
When you get right down to chemistry, a ruby is a stone
featuring corundum. It is the same material as a sapphire. The difference is
the presence of chromium, which gives the stone its iconic red color.
How Red is Red Enough?
The price of the stone relates directly to the shade of red
your chosen ruby possesses. At the top of the scale is the deep red ruby with
purple overtones. Jewelers refer to the purest color as “pigeon blood red,” and
it sells at startling prices. At the bottom, you notice the reddish stone with
distinct purple or orange qualities. When the color features too much pink, we
like to refer to the stone as a sapphire rather than a ruby. Buyers should
beware when sourcing stones directly from producing nations since in these
regions even the pink specimens are considered rubies.
Untreated or
Enhanced?
Enhancing the natural qualities of a gem is not unusual.
Untreated gems, those that are only cut and polished but do not undergo any
further treatments, command the highest prices. Heat treatments can improve the
natural good looks of the stone, but retailers should take care to disclose
them. At the other end of the spectrum are gems that we would typically reject
but that manufacturers have treated with a variety of methods to imitate the
look of a high-quality ruby. For example, it is possible to inject fillers into
a stone and add reddening color additives that easily fool novice buyers.
What Should the Stone
Look Like?
Now that we have covered the color palette, it is time to
focus on the secondary feature of a jewelry-grade ruby. For starters, consider
the presence (or absence) of inclusions. Although these are critical to the values
of some stones, they detract from the beauty of rubies. Ideally, there should
be few inclusions, and they are not easily visible. The higher the count of
these impurities, the lower the value of the stone. The one exception would be
the presence of inclusions that result in the formation of asterism, which
presents as a star effect at the surface of the stone.
At Peter Suchy Jewelers we are experts in all types of
vintage, estate and antique jewelry. We hope you’ll stop by our showroom
located at 1137 High Ridge Road in Stamford Connecticut.
Or, hop on over to our top-rated BigCommerce Store where you’ll
find all the vintage ruby gemstone jewelry you see here. If you find a
listing has ended, please email us at info@petersuchyjewelers.com as we
may still have the item in stock.
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