Ruby

History and Origin of Rubies

One of the most sought after gemstones in the world are rubies. Rubies are made from Corundum.  It should be noted that the mineral corundum creates two distinct gemstones, the first is the Ruby, the second being Sapphires.  Sapphires come in a variety of beautiful colors, however only red Corundum is considered a Ruby.  Since natural occurring rubies are very rare and extremely rare in large sizes over 3 carats, they can demand prices higher than diamonds.

The Ruby is one of the most beautiful gemstones created by nature.  It comes in either a pinkish red or deep, rich red color.  High quality rubies have a wonderful hue to them and are termed “silk” rubies.

Rubies are perhaps one of the oldest known gemstones to man.  They have been revered since the beginning of time and possessed for their beautiful qualities.  Corundum, which Rubies are made from is created from aluminum, iron, small bits of chromium and titanium.  It is usually written scientifically as Al2O3.  It should be noted that Corundum is one of the hardest substances known to man and is second in hardness only to Diamonds.

Rubies were worn by kings and aristocrats since the dawn of time.  Ruby comes from the Latin word ruber which means red.  It was said to ward off sickness and to make one invulnerable to defeat.  During ancient times it was said that those that possess Rubies will never have their wealth or belongings taken from them.  Today, Rubies are used for the highest quality jewelry pieces and can be extremely beautiful in rings, charms, earrings and bracelets.

What are Rubies used for?

Rubies are one of the most valuable gemstones in the world.  Rubies are a gemstone that comes from the mineral Corundum. Corundum is responsible for two popular gemstones, Sapphires and Rubies. Sapphires are known to include a wide variety of colors from whites to blues; however, only red Corundum gemstones are allowed the privilege of being called Rubies.

Rubies are used primarily for ornamental jewelry. The Ruby has wonderful qualities such as an incredible deep rich red color.  However, it does come in a pinkish red as well.  Rubies, which are made from Corundum are extremely hard and rate a 9 on the Moh’s hardness scales.  They are the second hardest substance known to man, second only to the Diamond.  Rubies are made from aluminum, iron and can include chromium and titanium.

Rubies are usually the perfect gemstone to create wonderful high quality jewelry out of.  They are extremely strong, resistant to scratches, their color which is usually created by chromium is very stable and won’t fade and the crystal structure is extremely beautiful, shiny and transparent to translucent, making it perfect for rings, bracelets, earrings and charms.

While Rubies only are used for jewelry, Corundum has many uses being that it is extremely hard and usually a common mineral.  It can be found mainly as an abrasive and you might know it as emery, as in emery boards that file down finger and toe nails.  Besides being an exceptionally good abrasive, Corundum is used for several other types of industrial applications.

How and where are Rubies formed and found?

Rubies are formed from the mineral Corundum.  Corundum is a popular mineral known for two valuable gemstones.  The first being Sapphires, this incredibly attractive gemstone comes in a variety of colors including blue, yellow, orange, green, etc.  The second type of Corundum gemstone is a ruby. Rubies have the unique privilege of only coming in a single hue- a magnificent red. 

Corundum is made from aluminum, and oxygen.  It is scientifically written as Al2O3.  It should be noted that many trace elements include iron, chromium and titanium.  Corundum is an extremely hard mineral and scores a 9 on the Moh’s Hardness scale.  It is second only to the hardest substance on earth- the Diamond.  Corundum is found usually where silica sands are not.  While many gemstones come from silica, including Quartz’s, Corundum is usually mined away from these types of rocks.

Rubies are much less common and naturally don’t usually occur often.  Rubies are usually the result of chromium and titanium inclusions in Corundum.  They are truly exquisite stones and the right color ruby at a large size can be worth more than even a Diamond.

Corundum can usually be found in alluvial and eluvia deposits similar to diamonds.  Corundum can also be found in pegmatite’s that are silica poor. Sapphires are the most common type of Corundum. They can be found in many regions around the world from India, to East Africa, to South America, the Hindu Kush and there are even a few deposits in the United States.

The different colors, shapes and sizes that Rubies come in

One of the most impressive gemstones in the world is the Ruby.  The Ruby comes from the mineral Corundum.  There are two major gems that come from this mineral and they include the Sapphire and Ruby. It wasn’t known until the early 1800’s that both the Ruby and Sapphire were both the same mineral.

Rubies have the honorable distinction of being the red colored gemstone from the mineral Corundum.  Rubies come in two major hues reddish pink and Ruby red.  Rubies can include the most beautiful intense and deep reds of any gemstone and because of this trait; the Ruby was possessed by many kings and queens from the beginning of civilization.

It should be noted that Rubies are a great gemstone for ornamental jewelry and they are extremely hard due to the mineral Corundum which the Ruby is made of, only the diamond is harder than the Ruby.  Rubies can be cut into a multitude of shapes and can be set in almost any type of jewelry piece such as rings, bracelets, earrings, charms and brooches.  However, for top quality rubies, they are usually set in beautiful gold or platinum rings.

A beautiful red ruby usually comes in sizes of less than 3 carats.  While a few stones are bigger, they are usually not as good in color quality.  Large Ruby stones that are excellent quality, can easily rival diamonds in price.

Synthetic Rubies are also available and they are an option for those that are looking for a more affordable gemstone.  Usually synthetic Rubies look very convincing and besides coming in red, they can come in other types of Corundum.

Precious gemstones in Cambodia: myths vs facts

Land of Cambodia is rich in many varieties of gems,but let's talk here about precious gems only – sapphires,

rubies and emeralds. The most famous Cambodian mines are located in Pailin. Sapphires from Pailin are considered among the best sapphires in the world, there’s even a special color grade "Pailin" used in jewelry for classification of blue sapphires. Besides sapphires, Pailin has ruby and emerald mines, however, production of emerald is minor. Most part of emeralds you can find in Cambodia are imported from India.
If you plan to purchase precious gemstones in Cambodia, mention that there are no gemological institutes neither professional expert who may verify your stone and provide you with an official certificate. Your success depends on your knowledge in this domain, seller's honesty, your personal luck and your intuition of course.

When buying stones don't forget that export of precious gemstones is illegal in Cambodia unless you buy finished jewelry products – rings, bracelets or pendants with gems. But is it still profitable: the price you pay for a sapphire ring will anyway be much lower comparing with European market. Gold used for jewelry in Cambodia is often a base-alloy and doesn't correspond to international standards. If you are serious about jewelry business, you’d better to test local gold with reagents; you can find them in many specialized shops.Cambodian jewelry market is flooded by fake stones. Don't even pay attention to an extraordinary $17 offer for a silver bracelet massively decorated with small blue "Cambodian sapphires" – it is fake for sure, as well as two-carat rubies just for $50 each. Even in big central shops you risk to pay a sapphire price for a piece of colored glass. Certificates issued by street jewelry boutiques are not to be trusted. Another common fraud – sellers show you a positive reply from a diamond tester. What a genial idea! – considering that diamond testers may never be used for sapphires.

Natural sapphires cost $12 per stone for smallest specimens of 0.05 – 0.30 carat, $20 for half-carat stones and over $100 for stones bigger then 1 carat. Ruby prices are slightly higher. The value of the stone is highly depends on color intensity, clarity and quality of cut. Moreover, price depends on a special treatment method: heat treatment significantly improves the color of sapphire crystal. Such stones are known as "heated". Heat treatment is officially accepted in gemology world, over 90% of all sapphires and rubies selling worldwide are heated. However, real connoisseurs and collectors hunt for unheated gems.In average, prices of unheated stones are 25-30% higher.

So where to buy? You can find jewelry booths on any

big market in Phnom Penh or Siem-Reap. Russian market (Psaa Tul Tum Pum) or Yellow market (Psaa Tmai) in Phnom Penh have large jewelry areas. There are several big shops around Yellow market, with similar choice and quality of goods. Prices in these shops are higher but you shouldn't rely on it. In addition, prices are never indicated – this is an old Khmer tradition to set up the price by eye. Bargain! Long negotiation may help obtaining a discount up to 30%. The best way is to find a reputable jeweler. Ask somebody who already bought gemstones and check them after – they certainly can recommend you a reliable seller.

Don't discuss this matter with local tourist guides – they will address you to places they work for and receive commissions from sales. They don't care if their favorite sellers are honest or not, they suppose you will never be back in Cambodia in the future. But, regardless big risks, some lucky foreigners still have chance to live the country with a high quality gems bought for relatively low prices. Good luck!

Emerald

The name emerald derives from Greek smaragdos. It means "green stone" and, in ancient times,  referred not only to emeralds but also probably to most green stones.

Emerald is the most precious stone in the beryl group. Its green is incomparable, and is therefore called "emerald green." The coloring agent for the "real emerald" is chrome. Beryls that are colored by vanadium ought to be called​​​​ "green beryl" and not emerald. The color is very stable against light and heat, and alters at 700-800 degree C. The color distribution is often irregular; a dark slightly bluish green is most desired.

Only the finest specimens are transparent. Often the emerald is clouded by inclusions. These are not necessarily classified as faults, but are evidence as to the genuineness  of the stone as compare with with synthetic and other imitations. The expert refers to these inclusion as jardin ( French -Garden ).
The physical property, especially the density, refractive index, and double refraction, as well as the pleochroism, vary according to source area. All emeralds are brittle and combined with internal stress, sensitive to pressure; care must be taken in heating the. They are resistant to all chemicals which are normally used in the household.

Deposits Emeralds are formed by hydrothermal processes associated with magma and also by metamorphism. Deposit are found in biotire schists, clayshales, in lime-stones, wtih pigmatites.

Mining is nearly exclusively from host rock, where the emerald has grown into small veins or on wall of cavities. Alluvial placer are very unlikely to come about as the density of emerald is near that of quartz. Therefore, rare secondary deposits are mostly formed by weathering.

Significant deposits are in Colombia, especial​​y the Muzo mine northwest of Bogota. First mined by native tribes, the Muzo deposit was abandoned and rediscovered in the 17th century. The mine yields fine quality stones of a deep green color. Mining apart from shafts , is mainly by step form terraces. The emerald bearing, soft broken rock is loosened with sticks, lately also through blasting or with bulldozers, and the emeralds picked out by hand. the host rock is a dark carbonaceous limestone. Accompanying minerals are albite, apartite, arangonite, barite, calcite, dolomite, fluorite, and pyrite.

Another important Colombian deposit, the Chivor Mine, is northeast of Bogota. It was also mined by Native Americans. The host rock is gray-black shale and gray limestone. It is mined in terrace, and also from shafts.

During recent decades further emerald deposits, which promise to be successful, have been found in Columbia. There is always a high demand for the rare, so called Trapiche emerald found exclusively in Colombia, a wheel like growth of several prismatic crystals. Only a third of the Colombian emeralds are worth cutting Stones larger than nut size are usually low quality or broken.

In Brazil there are various deposit in Bahia, Goias, and Minas Gerais. Stone are lighter than Colobian ones, mostly yellow green, but they are often free of inclusions. Through deposits newly discovered since the beginning of the 1980s, Brazil has become one of the most important suppliers of emeralds.

Since the second half of the 1950s, emerald deposits have been explored in Zimbabwe. Most important is the Sandawana mine in the south. Crystals are small, but of very good quality.

In the northern Transvaal (South Africa ), emeralds are mined by modern methods using machinery ( Cobra and Somerset Mines ). Only five percent of the production is of good quality. Most stone are light or turbid and only suitable for cabochons.

Emerald deposits were discovered in 1830 in Russia in the Urals north of Yeka

Aquamarine

Aquamarine ( Latin-water of the sea) is so named because of its seawater color. A dark blue is the most desired color. The coloring agent is iron. Lower qualities are heated to 400-450 degrees C to change them to the desired, permanent aquamarine blue. Higher heat will lead to discoloration. Care must be taken when making jewelry Color can also be improved with neutron and gamma irradiation, but these changes do not last. Aquamarine is brittle and sensitive to pressure. Inclusions of fine, oriented hollow rods or aligned foreign minerals rarely cause a cat's-eye effect or aster-ism with six-ray stars with a vivid sheen.

Deposits The most important deposits are in Brazil, spread throughout the country. The well-known deposits in Russia ( the Urals ) seem to be worked out. Other deposits of some commercial significance are in Australia ( Queensland ), Burma ( Myanmar ), China,  India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the United States. The host rock is pegmatite  and coarse grained granite as well as their weathered material.
The largest aquamarine of gemstone quality was found in 1910 in Marambaya, Minas Gerais (Brazil). It weighed 243 lb ( 110.5kg ), was 18 in ( 48.5 cm ) long and 15.5 in ( 42 cm ) in diameter, and was cut into many stones with a total weight of over 100,000 ct. There have been finds weighing a few tones, but these aquamarines are opaque and gray, not suitable for cutting.
The preferred cuts are step ( emerald ) and brilliant-cut with rectangular or long oval shapes. Turbid stones are cut en cabochon ore are used for necklace beads.

Possibilities for Confusion with eudase, kyanite, topaz, tourmaline, zircon, and glass imitation. Synthetic aquamarine can be produced but is uneconomical. The "synthetic aquamarine" sold in the trade is really aquamarine-colored synthetic spinel.

Famous Sapphire and Possibilities for Confusion

Large sapphires are rare. They are sometime named in the same way as famous diamonds. The American Museum of Natural History ( New York) owns the "Star of India" perhaps the largest cut star sapphire (536ct); also the "Midnight Star" a black star sapphire (116ct). The "Star of Asia" a star sapphire weighing 330ct, is owned by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.
Two famous sapphires (St. Edward's and the Stuart sapphire) are part of the Lincoln, and Eisenhower have been carved out of three large sapphire, each weighing roughly 2000ct.

Sapphire can be confused with various stones. The blue sapphire looks similar to benitoite, indicolite, iolite, kyanite, spinel, tanzanite, topaz, and zircon, as well as blue glass.
Some imitation are made from doublets-blue cobalt glass with a crown of garnet or crown of green sapphire and a pavilion of synthetic blue sapphire. Lately, doublets have appeared using two small natural sapphire. Star sapphire is imitated by using star rose quartz with blue enamel on a flat back; alternatively the star is engraved on the flat back of a synthetic cabochon or on glass.
Synthetic sapphire was produced with properties identical to the natural stone at the beginning of this century. Since 1947 synthetic star sapphire of gem quality have been sold.

December Gemstones

December-Turquoise, blue topaz and tanzanite represent a happy life that is filled with good fortune. Headaches may be relieved or prevented. Ancient practitioners believed that turquoise would actually change color when the wearer was ill or in danger.

The history of Turquoise.

What exactly are Turquoise? The word Turquoise is derived from the Greek word "Turkois" meaning "Turkish" because it was first brought from Turkey. Turquoise is formed over millions of years by a chemical reaction that occurs when water leaks through rocks which contain specific minerals such as copper and aluminium. The percentage of the minerals in the rock dictate the shade of the turquoise.

Turquoise meaning.

 Is regarded as a love charm. It is also a symbol of good fortune and success, and it is believed to relax the mind and to protect its wearer from harm. Turquoise rings, in particular, are thought to keep away evil spirits.

The history of Blue Topaz.

The word “topaz” is believed to derive from the Sanskrit word “tapas,” which can mean fire, heat, and passion. Others believe “topaz” comes from the Greek word “topazos,” which means “to search.” In 1969, Texas named blue topaz as its official state gem after miners discovered a small deposit of natural blue topaz underground.

Blue Topaz meaning.

Of all the precious stones in the world, blue topaz is the perfect fit for intellectuals. Writers, artists, and scholars give blue topaz meaning by wearing it because it is indeed made for them, promoting higher thinking and cognition. Other feelings attached to blue topaz are serenity, friendship, fidelity, integrity, and gentleness. Just looking into its calm, cool shade of sparkling blue can make you breathe a sigh of relief.

The history of Tanzanite.

Tanzanite is the blue/violet variety of the mineral zoisite (a calcium aluminium hydroxyl Sorosilicate) belonging to the epidote group. It was discovered in the Mererani Hills of Manyara Region in Northern Tanzania in 1967, near the city of Arusha and Mount Kilimanjaro. Tanzanite is used as a gemstone, and naturally formed tanzanite is extremely rare, still found only in the Mererani Hills.

Tanzanite meaning.

Tanzanite is called a "stone of magic" that helps with spiritual awareness and psychic insight. It is also sometimes called the "workaholic's stone".  This is because it helps you slow down and take it easy. This in turn, brings success in more areas of life. It relieves stress and depression, and enhances composure, poise, and harmony. Tanzanite is also said to transmute negativity. Physically it is said in healing folklore and crystal healing to be beneficial for stress related illnesses and high blood pressure in particular.  Note that healing crystal meanings are spiritual supports to healing and are not prescriptions or healthcare information. Tanzanite is related primarily to the throat and third eye chakras.

Deposits of Sapphire

Host rock of sapphire are dolomotized lime stones, marble, basalt, or pegmatite. It is mined mainly from alluvial deposits or deposits formed by weathering, rarely from the primary rock. Production methods are usually very simple. The underground gem-bearing layer is worked from hand -dug holes and trenches. The separation of clay, sand, and gravel is done by washing out the gemstones due to their higher density. Final selection is made by hand. Sapphire is much more common than ruby, as the substances which lend color to sapphire are more in Australia, Myanmar, Sri Langka, and Thailand.
Australia deposits have been known since 1870. The host rock is basalt; the sapphire are washed our of the weathered debris. Quality is modest. Under artificial light, the deep blue stones appear inky, blue green, nearly black; lighter qualities have a green tint. In recent decade black star sapphires have been found in Queensland. Accompanying minerals are pyrope, quartz, topaz, tourmaline, and zircon. Since 1918 good blue qualities have been found in New South Wales.
The alluvial deposits in upper Myanmar near Mogok are partially worked with modern methods and yield rubies and spinels as well as sapphires. The host rock is pegmatite. In 1966 the largest star sapphire was found here, a crystal of 63,000 ct (281l/12.6kg ).

Sapphire have been found in Sri Langka since antiquity. The deposits are in the southwest of the island in the region of Ratnapura. The mother rock is dolomotize limestone, which is enclosed in granite gneiss. There are also 10-20-in (30-60 cm) thick river gravel placers ( called illam locally) that are exploited from a depth of 3-33 ft ( 1-10 m). Sapphires are usually light blue, with a tinge of violet. There are also yellow and orange ( Padparadscha ) varieties as well as green, pink, brown, and nearly colorless stones. also star sapphire. Accompanying minerals are apatite, epidote, garnet, quartz, ruby, spinel, topaz, tourmaline, and zircon.

There are two sapphire deposits in Thailand: one in the region of Chantaburi, southeast of Bangkok, the other one near Kanchantaburi, northwest of Bangkok. The host rock is marble and/or basalt; placers and deposits formed by weathering are mined. The stone are of good quality in various colors, including star sapphire. Blue sapphire have a deep color, but tend to have a tings of blue-green.

The most desired sapphire used to come from Kashmir ( India), where the deposits were situated at a height of 16,500 ft (500 m) in the Zaskar mountains. 

Production varied since 1880, and the deposits have apparently been worked out. The host rock is kaolin-rich pegmatite in crystalline schist. The decomposition product yields sapphire of deep cornflower-blue color, often with a silky sheen. Most stones sold today as Kashmir sapphire come from Myanmar.

In the late 1800s sapphire deposits were discovered in Montana( United State). The host rock is andesite dikes. Mining is carried out on the dike rock, also from weathered material. Color of sapphire varies and is often pale blue or steel-blue. Mining has been interrupted repeatedly since the end of the 1920s,  but has been steadier in recent years.

There are also significant sapphire deposit in Brazil, Cambodia, China, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. Isolated star sapphire have found in Finland.