What does a ruby look like raw?

It is much easier to tell if a ruby is real when it is raw and uncut, for a variety of reasons. Rubies like to grow in a flat, hexagonal shape. If the uncut gem shows this natural growth characteristic, along with parts of its host rock (marble or alkali basalt) still attached, it is very likely it is a real ruby.

How can you tell if a raw ruby is real?

Real rubies glow with a deep, vivid, almost "stoplight" red. Fake gems are often dull: they are "light, but not bright." If the gem is more of a dark red, then it may be garnet instead of a ruby. If it is a real ruby, however, know that darker stones are usually worth more than lighter stones.

What do natural rubies look like?

Rubies are red gemstones that consist in the corundum family. Most rubies have a strong red color, although the precise color of rubies can range from blood-red to orangy-red, purple-red, brown-red or even a pink-red tone.

How do you tell if it's a ruby?

The rub test includes rubbing your ruby across a smooth (but hard) surface, like glass, and seeing if the gem leaves any color behind. Glass only has a hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale, so it's much softer than actual rubies. Real rubies and some gems shouldn't leave any color behind, but cheap fakes or imitations can.

Are raw rubies valuable?

Fine-quality rubies are some of the most expensive gemstones, with record prices over $1,000,000 per carat. However, rubies are also subjected to more treatments than almost any other gem.

Rough and raw Ruby and Sapphire crystals - what Ruby and Sapphire look like as they are mined

What does a ruby in the rough look like?

It is much easier to tell if a ruby is real when it is raw and uncut, for a variety of reasons. Rubies like to grow in a flat, hexagonal shape. If the uncut gem shows this natural growth characteristic, along with parts of its host rock (marble or alkali basalt) still attached, it is very likely it is a real ruby.

What is an uncut ruby worth?

Rubies can run as little as $1 a carat to $100,000+ a carat, depending on the 4Cs. One of the most expensive rubies ever sold is the Sunrise Ruby, selling for over a million dollars a carat at 25 carats.

How do you test a ruby gemstone at home?

Grind a coin or fingernail into your ruby's surface and see if it is getting scratches. If your stone is showing a scratch, then it is not a real ruby. Scratch the ruby against a hard surface such as a piece of clear glass or a porcelain tile. Keep in mind to check if the ruby stone leaves a red mark on the surface.

How can you tell the difference between a ruby and a garnet?

Rubies are harder, a much more brilliant red, and much more expensive. Examine the color closely. If the stone has hints of orange or other earthy tones — other than red — it's likely a garnet. Rubies are considered best with a vivid redness, but sometimes they have purplish or bluish secondary hues.

Do rubies glow under UV light?

In addition, rubies found in marble typically fluoresce red under ultraviolet light—even the ultraviolet light in sunlight. Fluorescence can make a ruby's color even more intense and increase its value.

What does ruby look like in the ground?

Raw Ruby Appearance

The type of host rock in which a ruby grows may impact its overall shape, with some raw rubies appearing blocky and others adopting a more tapered shape. Although a raw ruby won't have the sheen of a cut and polished stone, rubies in nature will still have a distinctive red hue.

What color are raw rubies?

Rubies are the red variety of corundum, chemically written as Al2O3. Pure corundum is colorless, with the red color caused by chromium (Cr) being present in the right amount (approximately 2% of total mass is the ideal, maximum amount found in nature).

What kind of rock do you find rubies in?

Corundum, (sapphire and ruby) forms deep in the Earth's crust and is brought to the surface in igneous rocks that are high in aluminium but low in silicon, such as basalts. Corundum is also found in rocks that have been metamorphosed.

Can a ruby be scratched?

Ruby Scratch Tests

As we mentioned earlier, Ruby is one of the hardest gemstones, therefore it should not be easily scratched: With a damp of cloth or a toothbrush clean the ruby, in order to remove any debris or marks. Then dig your fingernail into the gemstone to see if you can leave a scratch.

How do you get a ruby out of a rock?

A high-pressure stream of water washes the gravel away from the stream deposits. As the rocks containing the rubies are dense therefore they remain in place while the smaller deposits wash away. The gemstone is extracted by hand from these deposits as they are small and irregularly shaped.

How can you tell if a gemstone is raw?

To identify a rough gemstone, review its mineral qualities, inspect its streak and examine its luster. Each gemstone has its own particular set of qualities you can catalog to help you with identification. Check with your state's department of mines and minerals to locate regions suitable for rockhounding in your area.

Can you test a ruby with a diamond tester?

Yes! A diamond tester will also work on ruby or and other real gemstones. A diamond tester uses the same technology to detect if a gemstone is truly real. Diamond testers not only work on diamonds and rubies but all other types of jewelry and stones.

How can you tell a ruby from glass?

Use the ruby to scratch a hard, smooth surface, such as a piece of glass. If there is a streak of red color left behind on the surface, then it is clear that your stone is a fake.

What can you do with raw ruby?

How do I sell raw rubies?

This is why it is better to negotiate with a retail jeweler who sells rubies than with a dealer that resells stones to stores. Selling your ruby at an auction is another option, and you can even use some online auction websites like Worthy, which actually specializes in jewelry auctions.

What is raw ruby good for?

In crystal healing, the ruby is used to alleviate body pain and help with blood and circulatory problems, low energy, heart problems, and detoxification. In history, rubies were rubbed on the skin to promote vitality and youth. Ruby is said to promote overall wellness in these areas and inspire better health.

Do real rubies sparkle?

Yes.

Specifically, its sparkle is a subtle red and orange/pink, whereas diamond gives off an extreme rainbow and white sparkle. So, if intense sparkle is your goal, you may wish to consider red diamond (we offer natural and color enhanced red diamonds too!) That said, ruby's sparkle is elegant and stunning!

How can you tell a natural ruby from synthetic?

Chemical traces are left in the stone of a lab-created ruby and this is not seen in natural rubies. Minimal internal flaws, higher quality at a lower price and a larger ruby for the same price as a smaller one will tell you that it is synthetic.