Value of Rubies Part Two
Different Rubies
As most rubies are synthetic it is important when being offered a ‘natural’ ruby to be able to tell the difference. A natural ruby has a much higher value of course.
Most synthetic rubies can only be identified using at least a 10x magnification microscope or a jewelers loupe or a light source such as a lamp or a penlight.
One can then see curved growth lines and the ruby may also show included gas bubbles. Also
curved growth lines, translucent to opaque crystals or liquids and wispy like veils (cloud like structure within a ruby) or wavy fingerprint-like inclusions may be seen.
Other than fluorescence, magnification is really the only way to differentiate between a synthetic and a natural ruby.
Ruby Price
Although pieces of red corundum have been found weighing many kilograms, these are generally of too low quality to be valuable as gemstones.
As part of finding the value of a ruby, auction prices are a good indicator of a stone’s true value. Prices do not necessarily correlate with size.
In 2006, the record price paid at auction for a single stone was $5,860,000 for an unnamed 38.12 carat cabochon-cut ruby. It is likely however that other rubies with an even greater value may have been bought and sold privately.
Ruby Facts
A synthetic ruby crystal was used to create the first laser.
According to Wikipedia, “(According to Rebbenu Bachya, the word odem in the verse Exodus 28:17 means “ruby”; it was the stone on the Ephod representing the tribe of Reuben. Modern Hebrew has taken this meaning.
Ruby is also the most commonly named precious stone in the Bible; an example being Proverbs 31: “A virtuous wife is worth more than rubies.”
The famous lighted “Red Stars” mounted above Kremlin spires are thought to be giant rubies mined in Siberia, are actually colored glass.
Ruby is the birthstone associated with July.
Ruby symbolizes passionate love.”
End of Part 2 of Value of Rubie