Sapphire & Ruby
Ruby and sapphire have traditionally been linked with power and royalty. Because of the intensity of their colours, they are greatly sought after as two of the four primary valuable gemstones, along with diamonds and emeralds.
This Sapphire and Ruby reference will educate you on their similarities, important distinctions, historical and cultural significance, and the facts to consider when purchasing and maintaining Sapphire and Ruby jewellery.
What Makes a Sapphire and Ruby
Sapphires and rubies are both made of the same material, corundum. Corundum, in its purest form, is colourless. Color in minerals is produced solely by the presence of impurities.
Before and after a Sapphire gemstone is cut.
Corundum is transformed into the gemstone Sapphire by trace quantities of iron and titanium. Sapphires may have a broad range of colours depending on the amounts of iron and titanium in the corundum, but blue is the most well-known.
There are "fancy Sapphires," which are Sapphires that are coloured violet, green, orange, pink, grey, black, brown, and every colour in between.
"Particoloured Sapphires" can have many colours at the same time. There are also sapphires that change colour, reflecting blue in sunlight and fluorescent illumination but showing purple in incandescent lighting.
Rubies are one of the most precious coloured gemstones, with per-carat prices sometimes exceeding those of sapphires and emeralds.
Sapphires and rubies both have a Mohs hardness grade of 9. Their hardness is only second to diamond, which has a Mohs value of 10 out of 10. As a result, both diamonds are exceptionally scratch-resistant.
Natural sapphires and rubies feature inclusions, which are cracks visible within the stones. This phenomenon is known as "asterism" when these inclusions resemble three or six-point stars. Sapphires and rubies with this feature are known as "Star Sapphires" and "Star Rubies," and such uncommon varieties are highly valued.
Where Sapphires and Rubies Are Mined
Sri Lanka was a major supply of sapphires in the ancient world, and its mines are being used to harvest the gemstone today. The Kashmir area of India was once recognised for its sapphires, giving rise to the Kashmir Sapphire, which is known for its strong purplish-blue tint and silky inclusions, but the region's sapphire supply has since been considerably diminished. Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Australia, and Montana in the United States are other key suppliers now.
Myanmar is the world's leading supplier of rubies, with the Mogok and Möng Hsu districts producing the best coloured stones. Thailand's Chanthaburi Province, which produces excellent clarity rubies, is another important site in the ruby trade. In the year 2000, Madagascar rose to prominence as a source of rubies. Among other nations, rubies are mined in Kenya, Vietnam, and Afghanistan.
General Tips on Buying and Maintaining Sapphire and Ruby Jewellery
The most essential element in judging coloured gemstones is, naturally, their colour. Ruby and sapphire are no exceptions. The colour subcategories that define value are hue, tone, and saturation.
The closer the colour is to pure blue (cornflower blue) for Sapphires and pure red (pigeon blood red) for Rubies, the more expensive it is. Tone relates to the darkness or brightness of the colour, and for both stones, a medium to dark tone is ideal. Deeply rich colours also make rubies and sapphires more expensive.
Since inclusions are natural in Sapphires and Rubies, heat treatment is frequently used to reduce such faults. Pricing takes clarity into account, and just the naked eye is necessary to decide for that measure. However, reputable merchants should state whether or not their Sapphire and Ruby jewellery has been treated in this manner.
The cut of a Ruby or Sapphire is largely personal taste. It should be OK as long as it reflects light in a way that accentuates the inherent beauty of the stone. Rubies and Sapphires are commonly cut with a brilliant cut on the crown and a step cut on the pavilion.
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The larger the carat, like with other gemstones, the more costly the Ruby or Sapphire. Because they are heavier than diamonds, they will appear smaller even though they have the same carat value. Large Rubies are often more expensive than large Sapphires of comparable quality.
Sapphires and rubies are easy to care for due to their hardness. Although ultrasonic jewellery cleaners are effective, hand-cleaning with mild soap and warm water is recommended. They can scratch softer jewels, so keep your Ruby and Sapphire jewellery separate.