Some Of The Common Questions People Ask About Rubies
Rubies have been popular gemstones for jewellery for hundreds, if not thousands of years. One of the things that attract so many people to these precious gems is the colour, and rubies are available in various shades of red. There are many common questions that buyers ask jewellers about rubies when they are looking to purchase them, and below are some of the most common ones. If you are considering buying rubies, below is all the information you need about them to ensure you get an excellent deal.
What Are Rubies?
Rubies belong to the corundum mineral group of gemstones and are made from aluminium oxide, and it is the element chromium that gives them their colour. They form underground under intense pressure, and oxygen and aluminium atoms combine to make these beautiful gems.
Where Do Rubies Come From That Are Found In Jewellery?
Whether you purchase ruby gemstone online or from a local jewellery store, there is a high chance these red gemstones would have come from one of several countries. Some of the most common places mining the highest quality rubies include:
- Myanmar (Formally Burma)
- Thailand
- Pakistan
- India
- Nepal
- Mozambique
How Durable Are Rubies, Can You Wear Them Every Day?
Another factor of rubies that make them so popular for use in jewellery is that they are highly durable. You measure the hardness of gemstones using the Mohs scale, and rubies score a nine, with ten being the hardest. The only gem that is harder than rubies are diamonds, so they are suitable for wearing in your daily life and should not get damaged.
Are Rubies Available In Different Colours?
Rubies are all a shade of red, and if you have corundum that is not red, it will be a sapphire. You can get various shades of reds for rubies, including:
- Purplish Red
- Deep Red
- Light Red
- Orangey Red
- Brownish Red
- Medium Red
You do find that different countries worldwide grade the colours of rubies differently. As such, you can have a gem that in America is classed as a pin sapphire, while in other places, it is classed as a ruby.
What Makes A Ruby Valuable?
As with all gemstones, jewellers use the 4 Cs to grade these beautiful gemstones, and the higher they are graded, the more valuable they are. The 4 Cs are as follows:
- Cut – The shape the ruby is cut in and how many facets the gem has.
- Colour – The colour of the ruby and how intense it is.
- Clarity – How clear the internal structure of the gem is and whether it has any inclusions or imperfections.
- Carat – The size of the ruby, with bigger higher quality gems being more valuable.
What Does A Ruby Symbolise?
Rubies are often said to symbolise courage, good fortune, and love, and they are also the birthstone for Leo and the month of July. They are often associated with wealth and prosperity and are usually found in the crowns of monarchs of many different cultures worldwide.
These are some of the most common questions people ask about rubies, and if you have more, contact your local jeweller today and see what they have to say.