It symbolizes value beyond materialism. According to a biblical quote from Job, “the price of wisdom is above rubies.”
The vivid red contains hints of orange or purple, because it is a pleochroic stone. When paired with white diamonds, it becomes even more startling. At home equally in platinum whites or yellow gold, it is usually faceted as a round or square stone. When channel set for a row of solid red color, rubies are very striking. Alternating rubies with white diamonds in an anniversary ring or eternity band is a great combination for color and durability, also.
Paul Gross hand carves and makes these rings with his signature designer style to the specifications of the customer. His channels are strong, to protect the stones, and will last for years to come. You can’t go wrong with Designer Gold and rubies.
]]>Some rubies are cut as cabochons, domed and without facets. Some of these cabochons are star rubies and are some of the more amazing stones to see. A star ruby has a six legged star on it because of the formation of the hexagonal crystals in which there is a fibrous silk, called rutile. This silk causes a star to dance across the surface under strong light. Natural stars have a slight wave to the legs, only synthetics are perfectly straight.
Because a ruby is a specific red form of sapphire, this phenomenon also occurs in blue sapphires. There have been companies that have grown these crystals in the lab, Linde was one brand making star rubies and sapphires. A natural star ruby is quite a valuable commodity and easily distinguished by the color of the stone and the appearance of a perfect star under any light as opposed to the strong light required for a natural stone.
Although all rubies are sapphires, not all sapphires are rubies-some aren’t quite red enough to qualify. Pink sapphires are pretty and quite striking, but shouldn’t be confused with rubies. The phrase pigeon blood has been so overused as to be meaningless in describing color. A reputable lab can verify the nature of a stone and provide certification. A star ruby needn’t be as red as a clear stone to qualify as a ruby rather than a pink sapphire.
Of the better-known gemstone rubies is the Mogok Ruby, a 15.97 carat untreated Burmese stone, that sold in 1988 for $3,630,000, or $227,301 per carat. It was reputed to be used as an engagement ring for one of the wives of the Sultan of Brunei. It is stunningly red, shocking in its lolly-pop candy appearance.
Historically rubies have been found in Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Africa. They are treated with heat and sometimes fillers are used; check with the jeweler or an appraiser. Hardest second only to diamonds, they are as expensive as diamonds or more so, depending on the qualities being compared.
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