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Ruby types @ Jewel Info 4 U
By:
Madhubanti Rudra
Ruby Classification
Summary: Going to buy rubies?
Read on. The article below teaches
you about the classifications of
this outstanding jewel and will help
you make an informed decision about
its purchase.
Are you in search of a unique gift
to impress your Valentine? Or are
you a person into many years of
marriage who wants to add some spice
to his love life? Are you looking
for some unusual way for expressing
love to the special person in your
life? Whatever may be the case, say,
"I love you" with a ruby and see the
sparks fly instantly. This is a gem,
which has often been equated with
human passion of the highest level.
What could be more expressive than
letting a part of your thought be
known through this remarkable gem?
So if you want to share the warmth
of your heart with the person you
love or you wish to express your
passion, make a ruby the conduit of
your emotions. Since antiquity, this
red member of the corundum family
has been adored by Royals, as well
as commoners for its blood red hues
and flaming radiance. The original
grade one rubies, which are rare to
the point of extinction, often out
price diamond of similar size.
If you want to learn about the types
of rubies, you have to first
understand the chemical composition
of this magnificent stone. Rubies
originate from the ore of Aluminum
oxide or corundum. The hardness of
ruby is measured 9 on Mohs scale and
its specific gravity is 3.96 - 4.01.
Its glow is due to its refractive
index, which is 1.759 - 1.767 to
1.770 - 1.779. These qualities make
the rubies especially suitable for
jewellery making.
We borrow the name of ruby whenever
we try to describe anything red. But
you can find many variations in
shades of red in this July
birthstone. These variations are the
result of the presence of inclusions
in the stone. While the chromic
oxide is responsible for the red
hues, ferric oxide lends it
yellowish tints. Intense reds in
certain rubies are the function of
titanium. You can even find rubies
with pink, purple, orange and brown
shades as a result of the presence
of chromium and iron in varied
degrees.
Apart from the color, it is the
places of origin that accounts for
the broader classification of
rubies. If you are a gemstone
enthusiast, you might know about the
value of Burma rubies. Even if you
are not, it is likely you might have
heard about them. These are the
rubies with the greatest fame and in
optimum demand. Its fame stretches
long back to the days of Marco Polo
who has made a mention of these
precious stones in his travel
accounts.
You will find that the rubies mined
in Thailand finish a close second in
the race for the top position.
However, more or less the same
quality of rubies can also be found
in the countries like Vietnam, Sri
Lanka, Afghanistan and Africa. They
are similar in the sense, that they
possess similar chemical as well as
physical properties. Then how are
they distinguished from each other?
It is their unique shades that make
them distinguishable according to
their places of origin. Let us
examine the discernible qualities of
some of the world famous varieties
of rubies.
Burmese rubies
Burma has been the source of the
world's most superior quality
rubies. It is the fierce red
displayed under any kind of light
that makes these Burmese rubies one
of the most coveted jewels in the
world. The unique color in Burmese
rubies is described as 'pigeon's
blood'. The chromium impurities are
accountable for this flaming red in
Burmese rubies. The regions around
Mogok in northern Burma and Mong-Hsu
to the east of Mandalay are famous
for ruby mining. Kinds of blemishes
are the essential attributes of any
natural stone. Burmese rubies
contain the least of them. Sometimes
they do come with inclusions in blue
or pink shades.
Thai rubies
Next in order of quality, Thai
rubies come second. Thai rubies come
with rather darker undertones caused
by the presence of iron along with
chromium. Thus you find the Thai
rubies with brownish to burgundy
hues. Also known as Siam rubies,
these of course are no match for
their Burmese cousins. Most of them
are heat-treated. Chantaburi and
Trat provinces lying in the
south-east of Bangkok are famous for
ruby mining.
Sri-Lankan rubies
If you want a match for those
gorgeous Burmese rubies you can some
times find it in the Sri-Lankan
rubies. These rubies with pink tints
have a unique beauty of their own.
Vietnam rubies
Vietnamese rubies have a standard as
high as Burmese rubies. Yen Bai and
Nghe are two of the prime mines of
Vietnam. They have an unpredictable
supply.
Tanzania Rubies
In Tanzania, ruby deposits are found
in regions near Songea. The color of
these rubies resembles the garnet so
closely that even jewelers are often
baffled by their closeness. It has
been noticed that the intensity of
color diminishes with size.
Therefore, the smaller the Tanzanian
rubies are, the more they command
price.
Madagascar rubies
Two regions in Madagascar;
Andilamena and Vatomandry are recent
additions in the world ruby mining
map. Here ruby occurs in a large
number of igneous rocks. Apply a
little bit heat treatment and wow!
They are almost equal to their
Burmese cousins in beauty and
vitality. They are special from the
aspects of gemological and
mineralogical properties too.
 The
deposit discovered in the Andilamena
region is quite substantial and has
been much into production of rubies
in recent years. The rubies mined in
the Vatomandry region do not require
heat treatment. The rubies mined
here are found in attractive crystal
forms in shades of orange, red and
pink.
Afghanistan rubies
Little is known about ruby mining in
Afghanistan. However we find its
reference in the writings of
travelers as early as 951 A.D. Ibn
Batuta, Al Biruni and Marco Polo
discussed about ruby mining in
Afghanistan in their travelogues.
Balas ruby mines of Badakshan and
Jagdalek appear to be authentic
sources of rubies in Afghanistan.
Not much is known about the
gemological properties of Badakshan
rubies. However the physical and
chemical properties of Jagdalek
rubies account for ruby crystals in
faint colors to deep red. Often they
are slightly purplish and strongly
fluorescent. Occasionally violet
rubies have been mined in these
desolate mining regions.
Afghanistan Ruby image courtesy:
mineral.galleries.com
Synthetic rubies
Synthetic rubies are primarily of
three types- doublets, Verneuil or
flame fusion and flux grown.
Doublets:
This type of synthetic rubies are
not much in vogue nowadays. However
they make great gifts. Doublets are
usually stones of imitation backing
with a natural corundum crown,
generally made out of green or white
corundum. When viewed carefully the
joint made with glue can be noticed.
Verneiul or flame fusion:
The name is attributed to the
process of production. They are
easily distinguishable from natural
rubies. These synthetic rubies are
typically characterized by certain
curved color banding known as
striae. You can also find inclusions
in the form of gas bubbles in them.
Flux grown:
This is the synthetic variety that
you can not easily distinguish from
a real one. Molten flux is
crystallized under specified
conditions of temperature and
pressure to produce these versions
of synthetic rubies. The stones
might develop fractures when the
pressure is released. Different
processes of flux-grown rubies
produce different types of
inclusions. Often inclusions
resemble that of natural rubies.
Do you want to see the smiling face
of your beloved? Then present her a
gorgeous ruby and eternalize your
love. The types of ruby described
above will guide you through your
purchase.
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