Unique Antique Ruby Engagement Rings: History, Meaning

Ruby Jewelry Education, Complete Buying Guides, Online Shopping Tips

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Ruby Buying Guide: Sndgems Ruby buying guide is designed to answer all your questions about Rubies like Ruby characteristics, judging ruby color, how to differentiate between cuts and clarity, real and fake rubies, ruby certification, famous ruby mines, ruby history, ruby types and many more gemstone ruby topics that will help you make a well informed decision while making a purchase. Read more here

All About Gemstone Ruby

All about Ruby 4 C`s

Ruby History

July`s Birthstone "ruby" derives from the Latin word rubeus, which means red. Ruby is the name given to the red variety of corundum. All other colors of corundum are called "sapphire," as in blue sapphires.The Ruby was considered to have magical powers, and was worn by royalty as a talisman against evil.It was believed to represent heat and power. Read more here about precious gemstone ruby and its gemological properties.

There are no ‘defined’ 4Cs for grading rubies alike other colored gems as there are with diamond grading. Natural rubies can be evaluated using the many of diamond 4 C's together with their size and geographic origin. Finest rubies have vivid medium-dark toned red. Additional hues reduce the fineness of the ruby. Pink, orange, and purple are the normal secondary hues in ruby. Of the three colors, purple is preferred as, purple strengthens the red making it appear richer also purple hue occupies a position on the color wheel halfway between red and blue. Read more about ruby 4Cs.

Ruby is one of the most expensive gem, large rubies being rarer than comparable diamonds. The largest cuttable ruby weighed 400 carat and was found in Burma. Many rubies are important part of royal insigma and other famous jewelry. The Bohemian St. Wenzel's crown (Prague), for instance, holds a nonfaceted ruby of about 250 carat. The coloring agent is chrome, sometimes iron. The color is very stable against light and heat. The color distribution is often uneven, in stripes and spots, a so-called "pigeon's blood", pure red with a hint of blue. Read more about Ruby History.

Ruby Mining and Origins

Judging Ruby Color

Determining Ruby Clarity

Rubies are mined in many places across the world. But historically, the highest percentage of high quality rubies have originated from the Mogok Region in Myanmar. Hence, Myanmar is known as the finest source of rubies. Beautiful top quality rubies also mined in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Vietnam and Afghanistan. Some of the world`s best labs have mistakenly identified Cambodian or Tanzanian rubies as burmese rubies. However not all burmese rubies are excellent for eg: The Mong Hsu rubies discovered in around 1990 are poor quality rubies with numerous fractures, requiring very high temperature heat treatment to make them saleable. Read more about ruby mining and origins.

Unlike Diamonds whose beauty depends on it brilliance. Ruby is judged more so by its color. Judging and determing the color of a ruby is not easy task. It requires an expery jewelr to differentiate between the quality of two rubies depending on its color. To understand the color factors that affect the ruby color we need to understand terms like Hue, Tone (Light or Dark), Color purity, Saturation (Vivid and Strong) and intensity that are frequently used in a gemdialogue by appraisers and jewelers.Even though it is debatable as to what is most valuable ruby hues and tones, gem dealers agree that pure, vivid colors are far more desirable than dull, muddy, brownish colors. Read more on how to determine and judge ruby colors.

Clarity and transparency are very important factors, more important than color, in determing the value of a ruby. Looking through a microscope to determine the clarity of a ruby is like looking through the telescope into outer space. Rubies which have areas full of inclusions which interferes with the light, producing a distinctive silky sheen are not very desirable. Some rubies in the market are also opaque are considered inferior quality.To determine ruby clarity you need to understand terms like, transparency, texture, types of inclusions like negative crystals and voids, silk, needles, fluid inclusions, cracks or fractures or fissures, false cleavage, twinning, halos, fingerprints, color zoning, cavities, chips etc. Read more to know about ruby clarity.

Ideal Cut Rubies- Judging Cuts

Ruby Certification

Ruby Shapes & Settings

Ruby alike other colored gemstones should display maximumcolor. However if they `re cut improperly their color potential is diminished in what is called a window. Cut plays a critical role while valuing a ruby because it affects its color, clarity and brilliance. Ruby cut referes to its shape(Cushion or marquise) cutting style ( brilliant or step cut, single or full cut) propotions and finish. Read more about ideal cut rubies.

There are various gem laboratories providing their independent judgments on gemstone specifications. But these labs often vary in their strictness in grading of Rubies and other gemstones.When getting a certification for your rubies or ruby jewelry choose a lab that is different from the lab selling the item to eliminate chances of incorrect certification. For this reason, all of sparkle and dazzle gemstones over $1000 in value come with independent lab certification. Read more here

The beauty of an exquisite ruby jewelry depends on the its cut, shape and setting. Rubies are cut in different styles like ruby briollete beads, ruby cabochons, ruby cabs, ruby carvings, ruby drops and ruby faceted beads to make rings , earrings, pendants and necklaces. Rubies are cut in different shapes like Round, Ovals, Pears or drops, Octagons, Squares, Princess, Emeralds,Baguettes, Marquises, Hearts, Trillions, cushions, Cabochons and fancy shaped Rubies. Read more about ruby shapes, cuts and settings

Ruby Care and Cleaning

Blood Rubies

Synthetic Rubies

Rubies like diamonds and sapphires are very tough, durable gemstone and can be passes over generations like a heirloom piece of jewelry if you properly care for it, clean and maintain it regularly. We see a lot of ruby jewelry displayed at museums gleaming as if it were just designed. This is due to the fact that it has been properly taken care of over years. You too can add years to your ruby jewelry by following our jewelry expert recommended tips. Read more here

The film Blood Diamonds helped spur media interest and public awareness about conflict diamonds. But the “ethical jewelry” movement extends beyond one region and one gem. It is concerned with all the factors, from the effect of mining on land to the conditions of the people who do that mining.The jewelry industry is yet develop strict guidelines to ensure that the jewelry that you adore didn’t come at the expense of people and land on another continent. Read more here

Synthetic Rubies have been sold commercially since 1904.Today lab grown rubies are very popular in birthstone jewelry, class rings. It is also found in designer jewelry.Synthetic Rubies have the same crystal structure & fundemental composition as the natural rubies. They also have similar physical and optical properties.However they differ with respect to price, rarity, durabity, emotional value, growing time etc. Read more about synthetic rubies.

Ruby Enhancements

Spotting Imitation Rubies

Fine Authentic Ruby Jewelry

Most rubies used in jewelry have been heated at very high temperatures to permanently enhance their color and are an expected part of the polishing process and are accepted by the jewelry industry. Because of the new enhancement technologies corundum, previously considered unsaleable can now be treated to produce acceptable gems to meet the increasing demands of rubies. Read more about ruby enhancements

Today sellers are devising new techniques to trick buyers into thinking that their gemstone is better quality than it actually is.Traders foisting fake gems as real one`s practise different techniques like foil backing, coatings, quench crackling etc to cheat their buyers.But how hard they try with an expert eye it can always be found whether a ruby is natural or not and is its source or origin. To prevent you from being cheated we have compiled a guide for spotting fake rubies. Read more here.

Today the competion is so high in the market that every seller to push his sale is making claims that he is selling fine jewelry, authentic jewelry, premium jewelry, designer jewelry etc. They are using varied tag lines for their jewelry. In order to help you make an informed decision while buying an expensive piece of jewelry we have listed out the criteris that a jewelry must meet inorder to be tagged as Fine, Authentic and Genuine. Read more here about Fine Authentic Ruby Jewelry

Ruby FAQ`s

Ruby Dictionary

Ruby Jewelry Designs & Styles

For the convinience of our customers we have compiled a list of FAq`s like: Should I buy a loose Rubies or do I get a better deal buying finished Ruby ring? What Ruby shape is best for the ring?What has the greatest effect on price? and many more questions. Read here to know more

Learn the A to Z of a Ruby jewelry. We have compiled a list of terminologies used in the Ruby industry for the convenience of our customers. Learn about Ruby Facet, Ruby Table, Ruby Girdle, Ruby Culet, Ruby Pavilion, Ruby Crown, fire , brilliance etc. Read more here

Rubies are gemstones to warm any heart. They are set in a number of metals like gold, platinum, silver, palladium, titanium, tungsten using different decorating techniques finishes and setting styles. Exotic and classic ruby jewelry designs have been inspired from the jewelry eras. Read more here

All about Star Rubies

Famous Rubies in History

Ruby Jewelry - An ideal Gift

Star Rubies have silky mineral fibers in them that are responsible for creating the star effect. Star rubies are highlt in demand for making ruby jewelry as they look extotic but it is very hard to find them. Indain star rubies are still easier to find. Read more here

Rubies have always by the rich, famous and the Royal. Ruby jewelry has been worn by the kings, queens and maharajas since time immemorial. Some of the ancient rubies have outstanding characterists like cut, color clarity, carat weight along with a rich history. Read more here.

A gift is an expression that you love, care and feel strongly for someone. A Ruby is believed to be symbolic of passion, integrity and devotion. In England, it was used as a coronation ring. Prince Andrew had gifted a ruby engagement ring to Fergie, Duchess of York.Rubies are timeless jewels. Read more here

Your Perfect Ruby Ring Guide

Buying Ruby Earrings

Ruby Pendants-A unique jewelry

Modern brides are embracing rings that highlight richly hued rubies with diamonds. Rings with rubies and diamonds in platinum expresses a woman's unique personality. We have an inspirational collection of ruby rings such as ruby engagement rings, ruby wedding rings and anniversary rings. Add more sparkle with our accompanying ruby earrings, ruby bracelets and pendants. Look for a rich red color ruby in rings with ruby. Read more about ruby rings

Earrings originated in the Middle East in about 2500 BC. Today, Ruby earrings are considered part of everyday life that can be worn day or night for every occasion. Earrings can be fun and flirty or sophisticated and stylish. Wives, mothers, daughters, friends- the special woman deserves a special piece of Ruby jewelry, to show your love choose from stud earrings, hoop earrings, drop earrings to mark the most special occasions in life including engagement, wedding and graduations. Read more here

Pendants were worn by women and men since the very early times cayying different these like religion, power, peace etc.Ruby pendants add a whole new depth to pendant designing and variety.Rubies blend elegantly with various contrasting styles and flavors of pendants. The quality and price of a ruby pendant will depend on its color, cut and clarity. Ruby pendants come in differnt styles like a solitaire round ruby pendant, a cross ruby pendant in platinum or yellow or white Gold etc. Read more here

Ruby Bracelets - Stunning Jewelry

Ruby Prices & Investment

Identifying your Ruby Origin

A ruby diamond bracelet is a piece of jewelry that drapes softly around the wrist. Diamond ruby bracelets are an elegant piece of jewelry that provides a shimmering circle of diamonds and gemstones around the wrist. The proper length of a ruby bracelet will vary with the size of the wrist it is to be worn on. With the bracelet on the wrist, the space between the ruby bracelet and the wrist should be one finger width. If the ruby bracelet is too long it will .... Read more here

Is Ruby jewelry a good investment and are we paying the right price for the Rubies that we buy. What are the demand and supply economics of Rubies? Can I redeem the full value for my Rubies when I sell them? How do I sell my Rubies if needed? Many of us look for answers to questions like this. We have compiled a list of popular queries realting to Ruby buying , selling and investment for the convenience of our customers. Read more here.

Identification of Ruby, Sapphire Sources - If they're from Burma, Ceylon or Thailand. How to evaluate and identify a genuine ruby and sapphire from synthetic or fake ruby and sapphire. Also you should be able to judge quality of ruby and sapphire and also be able to find the source of rubies and sapphires. Read More.

Ruby Jewelry-Online Buying Guide

Ruby News

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EDUCATION & GUIDANCE

Ruby Jewelry Education, Complete Buying Guides, Online Shopping Tips