Known for being the birthstone of July, the ruby has rightfully earned its place as one of the world’s most sought-after precious jewels. And while this gem has several claims to fame, its incredible hue is arguably the most important one. But what is responsible for giving the ruby its signature bold red colour?
Let’s find out…
But First, Some Background
A symbol of love and power, the ruby is an extremely tough gemstone that has been revered throughout history. The rich, dramatic beauty of this jewel is responsible for its famous moniker the ‘King of Gems’. It is interesting to note that rubies of excellent quality that weigh more than one carat are extremely rare and equally valuable.
Also read: Do Rubies Symbolize Anything?
Where Does It Get Its Colour From?
The chemical composition is responsible for every gem’s unique colour, including that of a ruby. This jewel belongs to the corundum family – a colourless mineral that has tightly packed oxygen and aluminium atoms.
During the ruby’s formation, a small percentage of the aluminium atoms in its composition get swapped with trace amounts of chromium – this is the element responsible for giving the ruby its bold red hue. However, depending upon the geographical conditions, the shade of this gem could vary from orangey-red to a strong purplish-red.
Does the Ruby Undergo Any Colour-Enhancing Treatments?
Yes, it does!
Majority of the rubies available in the market today are subjected to heat treatment. During this process, the stones are exposed to extremely high temperatures, which deepens their colour and reduces the appearance of imperfections/inclusions on the gem. Typically, the effects of this treatment are permanent, and do not affect the durability of the gem in any way.
In rare cases, the cracks on a ruby may also be filled with lead or glass. This is primarily done to improve the clarity, and such stones need to be handled with care. Such enhancements lower the price of ruby, making ruby sparklers highly affordable. As a result, anyone can purchase a large ruby ring without going overboard with their budget.
Maintenance Tips for Your Ruby Jewellery
If you’d like to maintain the beauty of this gem and keep it looking brilliant for years to come, then make sure to keep the following tips in mind…
- Do not expose this gemstone to harsh light or high temperatures.
- Soap water solution is a simple way to clean your ruby jewellery at home. However, avoid vigorous scrubbing and the use of strong detergents.
- Ultrasonic and steam cleaners can be used on untreated and heat-treated rubies.
- In case there are fractures or cavity fillings on your ruby, then use only a damp cloth for cleaning.
- The chemicals present in everyday products like cleaning supplies and makeup can negatively impact the brilliance of this gem in the long run. So make sure to keep them away from your ruby jewellery.
- Store separately in a soft cloth pouch or a velvet-lined box.
- Consider getting your pieces chequeed and cleaned by a professional at least once a year.
If you wish to make the most of this gem’s beauty and brilliance then focus on the quality grade, and not the carat weight or size. We also recommend buying ruby jewellery only from a reputed brand that provides you with the Certificate of Authenticity.
Also read: Why is Citrine Yellow in colour?
