Ruby Guide

Guide for Ruby Quality

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Ruby Guide

Guide for Ruby Quality

Uploaded by

gpendarovski

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Ruby Guide 12th April, 2008

The quality and value of a ruby depend on a combination of the following criteria:

A ruby’s weight is measured in carats. 5 carats = 1 gram.

All other criteria being equal, the greater the carat weight, the rarer the ruby and therefore greater its value.
Illustrated below is the approximate appearance of a well cut oval shaped ruby for a given carat weight.
CARAT

Shape
To optimize the natural rough, rubies are made in a wide variety of shapes such as those illustrated below.

CUT

Profile.
Cut refers to the accuracy of the angles, proportions, symmetry
and polish of the ruby. It greatly affect how light travels within the
ruby, and how it exits in the form of brilliance.

Colour is a matter of personal preference. Rubies vary in colour depending mainly upon their chromium
and iron content. Therefore rubies from different countries* and mines have different predominant colours.
Primarily red, rubies range from brownish and purplish shades to orangish and pinkish ones. But, a natural
colour will always have a greater value than an equivalent colour obtained by heating or other processes.

COLOUR

* Main countries where rubies are mined: Afghanistan, Cambodia, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Myanmar (Burma),
Pakistan, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand (Siam), Vietnam

The clarity of a ruby is determined by the number, size and location of inclusions
which are natural materials present in the stone. They reflect its fascinating geological
aspects. Internally and externally too, there may be the presence of fissures, fractures
and cavities which affect clarity.
Inclusions

CLARITY
Eye Clean ------------------------Slightly Included----------------------------Included
Transparency Transparency refers to the ability of a ruby to transmit light. It is affected by the
quantity or absence of opacity and brilliance present in the stone.

Opaque --------------------Translucent------------------Transparent

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING RUBY MODIFICATIONS,

SYNTHETICS AND IMITATIONS REFER TO THE BACK.
Gemstone Modification

Besides cutting and polishing Rubies are commonly modified to improve their colour and clarity.

It is required that customers be informed about such modifications.

Ask for a written confirmation.

The correct nomenclature of modified gemstones, can be found in the CIBJO Gemstone Book .

Value of a gemstone

The value of a gemstone is defined by the combination of the three gemstone characteristics: relative
beauty, rarity and durability.

Synthetic and imitation stones can be produced in industrial plants in any quantity and are therefore not
rare or considered precious. As a result, they cost much less than their natural counterparts of equal
characteristics.

For additional information and knowledge, please refer to the CIBJO Gemstone Book available at: