The Different Treatments in Ruby: What You Should Know
Rubies have captivated the human eye for centuries with their fiery red brilliance and deep symbolism. Known as the "king of gemstones," rubies have long been associated with love, passion, and protection. However, not all rubies sparkle in their natural form. To meet the demands of the gemstone market, various treatments are used to enhance the appearance, durability, and value of rubies.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the different treatments that rubies often undergo, helping you understand what’s behind that mesmerizing red glow.
1. Heat Treatment: The Most Common Enhancement
Heat treatment is by far the most widely used treatment for rubies. It has been practiced for thousands of years and is generally accepted within the gem trade. In this process, rubies are exposed to high temperatures, typically between 1600°C to 1800°C, which can enhance their color and clarity.
- Purpose: To improve the overall appearance by deepening the red hue and reducing visible inclusions.
- Impact: Heat-treated rubies often exhibit a more intense red color with fewer internal flaws.
- Value: Heat-treated rubies are still considered natural and hold significant value, though they are priced lower than untreated rubies.
2. Fracture Filling: Enhancing Clarity
Fracture filling is a technique used to fill surface-reaching cracks and fractures in rubies with glass or resin-like substances. These fillers enhance clarity and durability, making rubies with significant fractures appear nearly flawless.
- Purpose: To hide surface cracks and improve the gemstone’s overall appearance.
- Impact: The filler substance can make a ruby appear clearer, but under magnification, the filler is often visible.
- Value: Fracture-filled rubies are less valuable than untreated or heat-treated rubies because the treatment is less durable and more noticeable over time.
3. Lead Glass-Filling: A More Intensive Process
A variation of fracture filling, lead glass-filling, is more controversial. Rubies with significant internal fractures are infused with lead glass to improve both clarity and color. This process can dramatically transform low-quality stones into vibrant, clear-looking rubies, but the durability and quality of the gemstone are significantly reduced.
- Purpose: To significantly improve the clarity and overall appearance of low-grade rubies.
- Impact: Lead glass-filled rubies look striking, but they are much softer and more fragile than natural or heat-treated rubies.
- Value: These rubies are often sold at a much lower price point, and buyers should be aware that they are heavily treated.
4. Flux Healing: A Subtle Approach
Flux healing is a treatment used to reduce the appearance of fractures within a ruby. A mixture of chemicals, known as flux, is added during the heat treatment process. When heated, the flux melts and fills in the cracks, effectively "healing" the ruby.
- Purpose: To minimize the appearance of internal fractures while maintaining a natural look.
- Impact: The gemstone’s clarity is improved, but the healing is not permanent. Under magnification, evidence of flux healing is visible.
- Value: Flux-healed rubies are valued more than lead-glass-filled rubies but are priced lower than untreated or simply heat-treated rubies.
5. Beryllium Diffusion: A Color-Enhancing Method
Another treatment used in the gem trade is beryllium diffusion. In this process, beryllium is added to the ruby during heat treatment to improve its color. This element penetrates the ruby’s surface, creating more intense and desirable hues, often with an orange or pinkish tint.
- Purpose: To significantly alter and enhance the color of the ruby.
- Impact: Beryllium diffusion can result in vibrant, beautiful rubies, but the color change is not confined to the surface and permeates the gemstone.
- Value: Rubies treated with beryllium diffusion are considered less valuable than naturally colored or heat-treated stones.
6. Coating: A Surface-Level Change
Coating involves applying a thin layer of material, such as colored resin, to the surface of a ruby to enhance its color. While this treatment is not as common in high-end rubies, it is sometimes used to improve the appearance of lower-grade stones.
- Purpose: To create an illusion of better color and clarity.
- Impact: Coatings can chip or wear off over time, revealing the natural color underneath.
- Value: Coated rubies are the least valuable and should be considered more as costume jewelry than fine gems.
Why Understanding Ruby Treatments is Important ?
When purchasing a ruby, knowing the type of treatment it has undergone is essential. Treatments can greatly affect the durability, care, and value of the stone. For instance, while a heat-treated ruby requires little more than regular care, lead glass-filled rubies are far more fragile and may need extra attention.
Gemological reports from reputable labs like GIA or AGS can help verify what treatments a ruby has undergone, ensuring you know exactly what you are buying.
Final Thoughts
Rubies are stunning, but treatments have become a standard part of the gemstone industry to enhance their beauty. Whether you’re investing in a ruby for its fiery beauty or its symbolism, knowing the different treatments will help you make an informed decision.
So, the next time you find yourself entranced by a ruby’s red glow, remember that there's more to its story than meets the eye!
This blog post provides a broad overview of the treatments that rubies commonly undergo, giving you the knowledge to make a more informed decision when buying this captivating gemstone.
