Precious and semi precious gemstones have been used as many ornaments by men and women. Studded as pretty trinkets, they look good on people of all ages. While buying them one has to check for color, size shape and scrutinize if it has any defects that will devalue them as pieces of ornaments. Many gemstones have their share of myths and legendary stories which have existed for centuries. They have added to the glitter of the pieces also. Always a status symbol for the rich and famous and asset or investment for the poor, gemstones are chosen with care by jewelers themselves. Reputed jewelers not only produce masterpieces but also use the best gemstones to keep their clients happy.
Past history tells us that diamonds, emeralds and ruby have been most sought after rocks to make trinkets, earrings rings and necklaces. All gemstones are colored and referred as semi-precious stones for convenience by jewelers and consumers. Some of the most popular gemstones that are used include agate, amethyst, citrine, garnet, topaz, peridot etc. They can be worn on precious metals like yellow gold and silver.
Most earrings are purchased as a set with the necklace and sometimes even the bracelet is included. While buying stones focus on genuine and reputed stores. They can be trusted with the best quality and also service. Different stones combine to make earrings in vast variety of designs. Many women who chose to wear the expensive earrings for special functions can wear earrings made of semi-precious gemstones for daily wear. They are quite fashionable and accentuate the personality of the person. Gemstones have spiritual and physic value also. They are recommended by astrologers to make an impact with the colors and vibrations they provide. A garnet earring or ring helps in handling a break up. Jade helps in relieving one from nightmares. Emeralds are known to give luck in love, and rubies are very passionate in nature. That is why gemstones are associated with birth signs and a matter of faith for the person wearing them.
Physics teaches us that no matter how hard a substance is, it can be broken down to bits if applied some pressure at the right points. During exercise, we sometimes strain our muscles at various points, particularly our fingers. Therefore it is advisable to remove any rings before attempting any strenuous exercise. Cleaning gemstones requires a simple knowledge about gemstones. There are generally two kinds of gemstones; transparent and opaque. Transparent gemstones will make dust visible even if it gathers behind the stone on the ring or any form of jewelry that holds them. These are mostly single crystal stones and therefore application of water will not affect them too much. The use of a soaked cloth to clean the dust gather behind the stone is therefore not a bad move. You may even use a brush to clean the dust if you like. However, opaque gemstones or organic gemstones are affected by water or any chemical substance. These are usually porous and will allow the water or chemical to flow inside the gemstone. Once inside they can either build up inside, make the stone loose its color or even cause it to crack. Therefore these kind of gemstones should be kept away direct contact with any kind of chemical in sprays, cosmetics and even from water.
There are advanced methods using certain technology to help clean gemstones. Expert jewelers and dealers are well-versed with all these methods and know how to clean each specific kind of gemstone. Therefore it is advised that you do not do the cleaning yourself and rather, have it done by someone who knows more about how to deal with them. If you can afford to buy a gemstone, why not spend a little more money on keeping them safe and clean? Gemstones are hard materials. In contact with some other gemstone or the metals which contain them such as gold, they can crack each other or the metal. Therefore care must be taken with jewelry how it is kept and handled. Jewelry is expensive and valuable, especially those with precious gemstones in them, therefore they should be treated with care.
Ruby is one of the four precious gemstones along with Sapphire, Emerald and the Diamond. Ruby as a mineral is hard; it only comes second to the diamond when it comes to hardness.
The color of the Ruby comes in different shades of red – from light pink to blood red. This color is due to chromium. The word “Ruby” come from “rubber”, the Latin word for red.
Although Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July, it is a common gift for lovers in February in time for the Valentines. Its deep red color shows passion and power. In the past, royalties wear a Ruby to make use of its believed to be magical powers to fight against evil. According to myths and legends, the stone grows darker to warn the wearer of imminent perils. Even today’s modern royalties still use Rubies to adorn the insignia of their households.
Ruby is faceted into different styles of cuts and marketed as high class jewelries. The most preferred cuts are the brilliant and step cuts. Some rubies that have asterism are polished and shaped (the result is called cabochon) instead of faceted to display the best effect of the stone. Asterism is an inclusion that can greatly increase the value of the Ruby. Rubies with transparent asterism are highly prized. Some rubies, although extremely rarely, can show color changes, an effect called chatoyancy.
The prices of Rubies are highly depended on the color. The Pigeon Blood Red, which is the brightest red Ruby, is exceedingly expensive. Clarity follows color in determining the Ruby’s price. Clear Rubies have higher prices. It is easy to spot any clear Ruby that has been treated to fool buyers. This can be noted with the absence of needle like rutile inclusion.
There are many acceptable practices to treat Rubies to enhance the quality. The most common accepted treatment practice is using heat. Heat treatment can improve color, and remove blemishes on the stone. Most lower cost rubies are heat treated.
A notorious way of treating Rubies to enhance them is the Lead Glass Filling method. This is done by filling the fractures inside the ruby with lead glass to greatly improve the look and shine.
There are also synthetic Rubies that have been in the market since the 19th century. The introduction of the flame fusion process has made synthetic Ruby production possible. To the unaided eye, synthetic rubies may have no apparent imperfections. These imperfections can only be noticed hen magnified. Synthetic rubies are the answer to the people who want to avail of the stone’s elegance without spending huge amount of money. But synthetic rubies cannot be considered an investment compared to the natural ones.
Some Ruby varieties include Burmese Ruby, Star Ruby, Cat’s Eye Ruby, Stynthetic Verneuil Ruby. An unnamed 38.12 carat ruby holds the record for having been sold for $5,860,000 at an auction in 2006.
Science laboratories have used rubies for the first laser which used artificial ruby crystals. The phosphorescence property of ruby makes it perfect for lasers.