Sometimes delicate, sometimes daring, always romantic and fiery, ruby is part of the exquisite beauty of nature. It is one of the gemstones that are often set on engagement rings, pendants, and other jewelry. How to choose a ruby well?
The origin
The origin of the
ruby stone is an essential criterion for determining the price, as some areas are much more prized than others. Although Burma is the main ruby-producing country, it is mainly its past production volume and the age of its mines that have earned the country its reputation. But there are many other countries that produce exceptional rubies: Thailand, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Kenya. Quality rubies can also be found in Central Asia and East Africa. There are slight differences according to their provenance. The most popular are those from Burma, their silk aspect, their bright color, and their very strong fluorescence. Rubies from Madagascar are raspberry to purple in color. The Ceylon region of Sri Lanka is also known for its rubies of exceptional purity and brilliance.
The color's intensity
The most important criterion in the selection of a ruby remains its color. The rarest and most sought-after is the "Pigeon's Blood" hue, an intense, very frank red with a slight blue hue. The best specimens have a light red color, even transparent allowing light to pass through. Bright red is of course preferred. A ruby that is too dark or too light will tend to lackluster or depth. Ruby is an evening stone. Light rubies will have a deep luster at night but will be less intense during the day. Similarly, darker stones will have a more intense brilliance during the day but will appear brighter in the evening.
The shape and size
Oval, heart, pear, round, cushion, rectangle, ruby is a solid gem, it is possible to cut the rough stone according to the shape desired by the buyer. Like diamonds, the lapidary will cut the faceted stone, taking care to respect certain dimensions, which will ensure a good reflection and color intensity of the stone. Therefore, the work surface must be perpendicular to the optical axis of the gemstone so that light plays on the color.