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Popularity of Ruby and Sapphire:
Ruby and sapphire are extremely popular gemstones. Virtually every jewelry store that features colored gemstones in jewelry will have a generous portion of their display dedicated to ruby and sapphire items. Ruby is the most popular red gemstone, and sapphire is the most popular blue gemstone. The pie chart on this page shows the share…
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Sapphire Treatments:
Just like ruby, sapphires are subjected to a wide variety of heat and fracture-filling treatments. And, just like ruby, any heat, fracture-filling or other type of treatment should be disclosed to buyers. Spectacular Heat Treatment Results: Some rough materials that have no trace of blue color can be heated to produce a spectacular blue. Some…
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What Makes a Sapphire?
Trace amounts of iron and titanium can produce a blue color in corundum. Blue corundums are known as “sapphires.” The name “sapphire” is used for corundums that range from a very light blue to a very dark blue color. The blue can range from a greenish blue to violetish blue. Gems with a rich blue to violetish…
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Ruby Treatments:
Very few specimens of corundum have a natural color within the range required for a ruby. Very few also have the clarity required to produce a nice faceted stone. Long ago, people who prepared gem materials for cutting began experimenting with ways to improve their color and clarity. Physical Properties of Corundum: Chemical Classification Oxide Color A…
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What Makes a Ruby?
Rubies are gem corundums with a dominant red color. The color can range from orangy red to purplish red or brownish red. The most desirable color range is a pure vibrant red to a slightly purplish red. The red color of ruby is produced by the presence of chromium in the gem. A small trace of chromium…
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Ruby and Sapphire Birthstones:
Ruby and sapphire both serve as modern birthstones. Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July. Sapphire is the birthstone for the month of September. They are excellet choices for birthstones because they are well know gems and because many people love red and blue gemstones. Ruby and sapphre are not inexpensive gems and that…
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Ruby, Sapphire, and Fancy Sapphire:
Red corundums are rubies. Blue corundums are sapphires. Trace elements produce their colors. Most people don’t realize that ruby and sapphire are both gems of the mineral corundum. Both of these gemstones have the same chemical composition and the same mineral structure. Trace amounts of impurities determine if a gem corundum will be a brilliant red ruby or a beautiful…
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Tumbled Stone Treatments:
Many manufacturers treat tumbled stones with heat, dye, oil, or wax. These treatments can improve the appearance and marketability of the stones. Heat and dye can change the color of a stone. Oil and wax can conceal fractures, hide a bad polishing job, or make a smooth rough stone look like it has been polished.…
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Tumbled Stones in Alternative Medicine:
A large percentage of the world’s tumbled stone production is sold in spa, massage, alternative medicine and New Age markets. Here their uses include: “healing crystals,” “chakra stones,” “energy stones,” and “massage stones.” In some types of alternative medicine, stones are placed on the body at points of discomfort or on “spiritual centers” known as…
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How Are Tumbled Stones Used?
Tumbled stones are used for a wide variety of purposes. Each year a few thousand tons of tumbled stones are produced at commercial tumbling facilities, located in several different countries. They are then sold individually or by the pound or used to produce jewelry or items of decor. Depending upon the size of the stones…