The Ultimate Ruby Guide

Rubies Red as a Rose

Rubies are the gemstone of love, as you can probably guess. Ironically, rubies are known for their hardness and range in color from pink to red. Depending on the culture, rubies have a variety of symbolic meanings, including bringing luck, providing healing properties, and enhancing self-confidence.

If you really want to get into symbolism, as far as medical astrology is concerned, wearing a ruby can restore one’s vitality and even assist with eyesight problems, not to mention enhance blood circulation.

At My Jewelry Repair we love rubies so much that we were inspired to provide this Ultimate Ruby Guide. We would be pleased if you turned to this guide as an informative and comprehensive reference,. whether you’re in the market for rubies or looking to care for rubies you already have.

So Much More than a Good-Looking Gemstone

“Enter a mine of rubies and bathe in the splendor of your own light.” ~ Rumi

What Makes a Ruby?

What’s in a Ruby Made of?

Rubies can be composed of corundum or aluminum oxide. When treated with extreme heat and a sizable amount of pressure, Rubies come to light below the surface of the earth.

Densely packed oxygen combined with aluminum atoms form corundum, which at first results in a colorless substance. Once those aluminum atoms get replaced by minerals or substances, this is when the gemstone has the ability to transform and take on a colorful look. Chromium is what ends up creating that deep red color we’ve come to now and adore. There are more rare orange and pink ruby shades that ferric iron teams with chromium to create.

What Makes a Remarkable Ruby?

Rubies come in a range of prices and are among the most expensive gemstones. Record prices have reached over $1,000,000 per carat. Rubies tend to be subjected to numerous treatments, more than nearly other gemstone.

When it comes to rubies, we turn to the 4 C’s yet again…

Cut

  • Rubies are cut with care and will have a minimum amount of natural fractures.
  • Rubies tend to come in flat, hexagonal shapes.

Carat (Size)

  • Ruby size varies as far as weight and density go.
  • Finer rubies over 1 carat are quite rare.
  • Rubies come in a variety of sizes.

Clarity

  • Inclusion-free rubies are very rare and experts assume to find at the very least some inclusions.
  • Ruby value will depend upon how visible inclusions are.
  • Inclusions that reduce transparency or brightness tend to lower a value of a ruby.

Color

  • Color ends up being the most important factor of the 4 C’s.
  • Finer rubies will have a vibrant red or even a slightly purplish color.
  • Rubies that end up orange-hued or more on the purple side end up being lower in value.

To learn more about the Anatomy and Worth of a Diamond, continue reading at Diamond Quality Factors.

How to Care for Your Rubies

Keeping the Sparkle and the Brilliance

Rubies are tough gemstones and can stand up to heat, light, and even a lot of chemicals. Rubies can even withstand such cleaning treatments as ultrasonic as well as steam cleaning.

However, rubies that have fractures and cavities should be polished with a dampened cloth. Use warm, soapy water to soak, then use whatever soft cloth you decide to provide the final polish.

Our At-Home Step by Step Cleaning Process
  • You can clean and polish your rubies once a week.
  • You can also soak your ruby jewelry. If you have a finer gemstone, feel free to use a soft brush (as in a toothbrush with soft bristles) and be gentle as you remove dirt and oil.
  • If you’re using a sink, make sure that you remember to bock the drain — it will save you from potential heartache and inconvenience.

Make sure to stay away from products like toothpaste and other strong cleaning agents. Even though rubies are durable,  these are still abrasive products.

A Step Further in Ruby Jewelry Care

We recommend that you enlist professional services to have your ruby jewelry cleaned, polished, and inspected. Do this every six months if you can.

My Jewelry Repair remains your go-to source for your cleaning, polishing, and inspection service needs. We will also inspect the mounting to ensure your item is in great condition. We also make sure to assess the security and placement (setting) of your stones. We’ll help you keep your rubies looking brand new. Our service starts at $39.99.

Picking Your Perfect Ruby

Sparkling Brilliance that Perfectly Fits Your Personality

Ruby characteristics and the jewelry that encompasses them should reflect your personality .

  • Consider what you’re incorporating rubies with — is it a ring, a tennis bracelet, a necklace, or earrings?
  • Consider which precious metal you prefer (and which looks the most aesthetically pleasing)
  • Think about the cut that you want and what looks best to you.
  • Is the ruby going to be featured alone or will the piece of jewelry have side-stones accompanying the ruby?

Natural vs. Lab-Created

What is Considered “Real” and What is Considered “Fake” When it Comes to Rubies?

Lab-created gemstones are not uncommon these days and rubies are no exception. Lab-created rubies are crafted by a combination of certain minerals, which, again, is what helps to create a fiery red color.

Lastly, flame fusion rubies are among the most inexpensive when it comes to synthetic or lab created rubies. These are also the quickest to produce. Differences between lab-created and authentic rubies can generally only be identified by an expert.

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