Rubies are among the most coveted gemstones in the world, symbolizing passion, protection, and prosperity. As a gemologist, understanding how to identify the most beautiful ruby is crucial, whether you’re a collector, a jeweler, or simply an enthusiast. This article will guide you through the expert tips and criteria used to determine a ruby’s quality, ensuring that you can confidently recognize a gem that truly stands out.
1. Understanding the Basics: What Makes a Ruby Beautiful?
Color: The Heart of a Ruby’s Beauty
The color of a ruby is the most critical factor in determining its beauty and value. Rubies are known for their rich red hues, but not all reds are created equal. The most beautiful rubies display a vibrant, deep red color with a hint of blue, often referred to as “pigeon blood red.” This term, originating from Burma (now Myanmar), describes the most prized ruby color, reminiscent of the first two drops of blood from a freshly killed pigeon.
However, the intensity and uniformity of the color are equally important. A beautiful ruby will have an even distribution of color throughout the stone, with no zoning (areas of different color within the gem). Rubies with purplish or brownish hues are generally less desirable.
Clarity: Finding the Balance
While rubies are almost always included (containing internal flaws or inclusions), the clarity of the stone still plays a significant role in its overall beauty. The most beautiful rubies have inclusions that are not easily visible to the naked eye and do not detract from the gem’s transparency and brilliance.
Inclusions that are too prominent can cause the ruby to appear cloudy or dull, which diminishes its appeal. However, a ruby with minor, well-positioned inclusions can still be highly valuable, as these inclusions can sometimes create the desirable “silk” effect, enhancing the stone’s luster.
Cut: The Art of Revealing Beauty
The cut of a ruby is another vital aspect that affects its beauty. A well-cut ruby will reflect light internally from one facet to another and then return it to the viewer’s eye, resulting in maximum brilliance and sparkle.
Experts recommend looking for rubies with symmetrical cuts and proportions. The most common cuts for rubies include oval, cushion, and round. These shapes are popular because they tend to minimize wastage of the rough stone while maximizing the gem’s visual appeal. A poorly cut ruby, regardless of its color or clarity, will lack the brilliance that characterizes a truly beautiful gem.
2. Evaluating the Origin: Does It Matter?
The Prestige of Burmese Rubies
The origin of a ruby can significantly influence its beauty and value. Rubies from Myanmar (formerly Burma) are considered the finest in the world. These rubies, particularly those from the Mogok region, are known for their intense color and exceptional quality. Burmese rubies often display the coveted “pigeon blood red” color, making them highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs.
Other Notable Sources: Thailand, Mozambique, and Madagascar
While Burmese rubies are the most famous, other locations also produce beautiful rubies. Thai rubies, for example, are known for their deep red color with slight brownish undertones. Rubies from Mozambique and Madagascar are relatively newer on the market but have gained popularity due to their vibrant red hues and affordability compared to Burmese rubies.
When evaluating a ruby, its origin can provide insight into its potential quality, but it should not be the sole factor in determining its beauty. A ruby from Mozambique or Madagascar can be just as beautiful, if not more so, than one from Burma, depending on its individual characteristics.
3. The Role of Treatments in Enhancing Ruby Beauty
Heat Treatment: A Common Practice
Heat treatment is a widely accepted practice in the gemstone industry to enhance a ruby’s color and clarity. The majority of rubies on the market have undergone heat treatment, which can improve the stone’s overall appearance. A heat-treated ruby can still be considered natural and beautiful, but it is essential to disclose this treatment when buying or selling.
Lead Glass Filling: A Less Desirable Treatment
Lead glass filling is another treatment used to improve a ruby’s clarity by filling fractures with lead glass. While this process can make a ruby appear more transparent and free of inclusions, it significantly lowers the stone’s durability and value. A beautiful ruby should ideally be free from such treatments, or if treated, the process should not detract from the gem’s natural beauty and integrity.
Unheated Rubies: The Ultimate Rarity
Unheated rubies, which have not undergone any treatment, are exceedingly rare and highly prized. These rubies are valued for their natural beauty, with their color and clarity untouched by human intervention. If you come across an unheated ruby with excellent color and clarity, you’ve found a truly exceptional gem.
See Also: Are Bubbles in Synthetic Rubies a Sign of Low Quality?
4. Judging the Carat Weight: Bigger Isn’t Always Better
The Importance of Proportion and Balance
While larger rubies are often more valuable due to their rarity, size alone does not determine a ruby’s beauty. A smaller ruby with exceptional color, clarity, and cut can be far more beautiful than a larger one that lacks these qualities.
When evaluating a ruby’s beauty, consider the overall proportion and balance of the gem. A ruby that is well-proportioned in terms of its size, shape, and cut will have a more harmonious and visually appealing appearance, regardless of its carat weight.
Understanding Price Per Carat
As rubies increase in size, their price per carat typically rises significantly, especially for stones with superior color and clarity. However, it’s important to remember that the most beautiful ruby isn’t always the biggest one. Prioritize quality over size to find a ruby that truly stands out for its beauty.
5. Practical Tips for Buying a Beautiful Ruby
Certification: Verifying Authenticity and Quality
Always insist on a certificate from a reputable gemological laboratory when purchasing a ruby. Certification ensures that the ruby has been evaluated by experts and provides details on its color, clarity, cut, carat weight, and any treatments it may have undergone. Trusted laboratories include the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the American Gemological Laboratories (AGL), and the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF).
Viewing Conditions: How to Best Appreciate a Ruby’s Beauty
To accurately judge a ruby’s color and clarity, view the gemstone under natural daylight or daylight-equivalent lighting. Artificial lighting, especially fluorescent lights, can distort the ruby’s color and make it appear different than it would in natural light.
Additionally, inspect the ruby from various angles and distances. A truly beautiful ruby will look stunning from every perspective, displaying its color and brilliance consistently.
Seek Expert Advice
If you’re unsure about identifying a beautiful ruby, seek advice from a professional gemologist. Experts can provide invaluable insights into a ruby’s quality, helping you make an informed decision.
6. Conclusion
Identifying the most beautiful ruby requires a blend of scientific knowledge and an appreciation for the gem’s aesthetic qualities. By focusing on the key factors of color, clarity, cut, origin, and treatments, you can confidently select a ruby that is not only valuable but also breathtakingly beautiful.
Remember, the most beautiful ruby is the one that captivates your eye and resonates with your sense of beauty. Whether you’re purchasing for personal enjoyment or investment, these expert tips will help you recognize a ruby that truly stands out.
