Introduction
For the seller of ruby jewellery, such as ruby pendants, ruby rings and ruby earrings, it is obviously vital that the gemstones that are used are showing their best possible range of colours and purist of clarity.
The treatment of ruby gemstone was increased markedly during the 1990's due to a sudden influx of gems that were of poorer quality, unless they were treated to bring out their "hidden" colours. This helped bring down the ever rising cost of rubies, because many treated stones could now be sold without judgement of being poorer quality.
The treatment of rubies meant that external cracks and blemishes could be lessened, clarity could be increased by diminishing the internal rutile inclusions, and the colour would be enhanced greatly.
Treat with heat
Heat is the most common method used for the treating of gemstones today. Most rough and uncut rubies found today will be heat treated to improve colour by eradicating purples, blues, and yellow colours for instance, and also by removing rutile inclusions and any uneven patched they will be improved in clarity. The two most popular methods are to heat the rubies to a really high temperatures of around 1800 degrees over a short period of time, or alternatively to heat them slowly over a longer period at a lower temperature of around 1300 degrees C. The latter is safer to not damaged the gems, but will usually only remove some of the internal rutile "silk".
These days throughout the jewellery trade, the ruby gemstone is one that is universally accepted as being always heat treated unless marked otherwise. This is accepted basically because it is permanent and will not lessen over the life of the gem.
Other Treatments
Other ways of enhancing ruby gems as well as other varieties include, filling with paste, colouring the surface with dyes, waxes and oils, or by colouring the surface by diffusion. These are not permanent and will only last a certain time without need for repair or re-application, so they are not accepted in the trade as being a "natural" enhancement, and buyers should be made aware if any of these factors are present.
Fake Rubies
Because the ruby is one of the most expensive of precious gems, then it is very unlikely that you will be lucky enough to find a ruby of good quality or size that is at a cheap price. Therefore one should first consider that these cheap offerings are of a fake nature.
These simulants of ruby and other gemstones go back as far as the Roman times, when traders used to try to sell imitations using coloured glass beads.
All around the jewellery trade these days, many different examples and variations of ruby simulants can be found for sale.
In Conclusion
It is important to purchase any of your loose ruby gemstones or ruby jewellery from trusted suppliers, that have a proven track record in supplying gems that are from conflict free regions, and that are mined under ethical conditions. Although most jewellers selling to the public will not actual know where their gems come from, they usually have an understanding from their suppliers that these conditions are met.
Basically you must be able to trust the jeweller of your choice, and feel at ease when purchasing your items, and most reputable jewellers are bound to strict codes of conduct by various jewellery trade organisations in any case, so you should really have no need to worry if you choose your jeweller carefully.
The most obvious reason to choose fake ruby gemstones over that of real varieties, and that is the price. Fake rubies should offer perfect clarity and cut, the exact colour you wish, and probably most important when considering purchasing these is greatly increased size. Having said that, it is still much better in my eyes to have a real item of ruby jewellery, that is completely unique to you. That is the obvious nature of real and natural items, no matter the size or quality!
For the seller of ruby jewellery, such as ruby pendants, ruby rings and ruby earrings, it is obviously vital that the gemstones that are used are showing their best possible range of colours and purist of clarity.
The treatment of ruby gemstone was increased markedly during the 1990's due to a sudden influx of gems that were of poorer quality, unless they were treated to bring out their "hidden" colours. This helped bring down the ever rising cost of rubies, because many treated stones could now be sold without judgement of being poorer quality.
The treatment of rubies meant that external cracks and blemishes could be lessened, clarity could be increased by diminishing the internal rutile inclusions, and the colour would be enhanced greatly.
Treat with heat
Heat is the most common method used for the treating of gemstones today. Most rough and uncut rubies found today will be heat treated to improve colour by eradicating purples, blues, and yellow colours for instance, and also by removing rutile inclusions and any uneven patched they will be improved in clarity. The two most popular methods are to heat the rubies to a really high temperatures of around 1800 degrees over a short period of time, or alternatively to heat them slowly over a longer period at a lower temperature of around 1300 degrees C. The latter is safer to not damaged the gems, but will usually only remove some of the internal rutile "silk".
These days throughout the jewellery trade, the ruby gemstone is one that is universally accepted as being always heat treated unless marked otherwise. This is accepted basically because it is permanent and will not lessen over the life of the gem.
Other Treatments
Other ways of enhancing ruby gems as well as other varieties include, filling with paste, colouring the surface with dyes, waxes and oils, or by colouring the surface by diffusion. These are not permanent and will only last a certain time without need for repair or re-application, so they are not accepted in the trade as being a "natural" enhancement, and buyers should be made aware if any of these factors are present.
Fake Rubies
Because the ruby is one of the most expensive of precious gems, then it is very unlikely that you will be lucky enough to find a ruby of good quality or size that is at a cheap price. Therefore one should first consider that these cheap offerings are of a fake nature.
These simulants of ruby and other gemstones go back as far as the Roman times, when traders used to try to sell imitations using coloured glass beads.
All around the jewellery trade these days, many different examples and variations of ruby simulants can be found for sale.
In Conclusion
It is important to purchase any of your loose ruby gemstones or ruby jewellery from trusted suppliers, that have a proven track record in supplying gems that are from conflict free regions, and that are mined under ethical conditions. Although most jewellers selling to the public will not actual know where their gems come from, they usually have an understanding from their suppliers that these conditions are met.
Basically you must be able to trust the jeweller of your choice, and feel at ease when purchasing your items, and most reputable jewellers are bound to strict codes of conduct by various jewellery trade organisations in any case, so you should really have no need to worry if you choose your jeweller carefully.
The most obvious reason to choose fake ruby gemstones over that of real varieties, and that is the price. Fake rubies should offer perfect clarity and cut, the exact colour you wish, and probably most important when considering purchasing these is greatly increased size. Having said that, it is still much better in my eyes to have a real item of ruby jewellery, that is completely unique to you. That is the obvious nature of real and natural items, no matter the size or quality!
About the Author:
Fabulous Ruby Jewellery can be found at www.GlobeJewellery.co.uk. Such as Fantastic Ruby Rings, Ruby Earrings, Ruby Pendants, and more..,