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 Post subject: Ruby
PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 3:46 pm 
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Hello folks, so I bought some rubies thinking they were real. The guy who examined the stones for me assured me that they were real by looking at them through a ruby filter and tested its hardness using a diamond mate tester saying if the hardness is close to the diamond's, then it must be real rubies. However, I took my gems to a gemologist and after he looked at them through a microscope, he told me they were synthetic :((((
My question is how can I tell a genuine ruby without carrying a microscope? Thanks.


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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:46 pm 
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Hi and welcome to the forum.

There is no quick and easy answer to your question. The synthetic rubies are indeed real rubies...just not natural. Learning gemmology takes time and study, same as any other discipline. You could start by reading through some of the free gemmology courses linked to on the left of the page. The course by Barbara Smigel seems to be well liked by everyone.

Rubies are amongst the most difficult gems to learn about due the the large numbers of treatments which they are subjected to and the variety of synthetics available. Start to learn the basics first then practice and experience will help you in the future.

Never do hardness testing on cut stones unless you want to damage them.

Hope this is helpful...happy studies and welcome to the forum

Frank


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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:17 am 
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Thanks a lot for the reply Frank. So since my rubies are not natural what value do you think it has if any? The gemologist told me it has 0 value. I am not convinced.


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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:42 am 
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The price of synthetic cut ruby is not 0 USD/ct but depending on what type of synthetic the price may vary between a couple of dollars per carat for the Flame Fusion synthetic rubies to maybe 50-100 dollars per carat for the more advanced flux grown rubies. I suspect your stones are Flame Fusion rubies as they make up more than 95% of the synthetic ruby market and are videly available.

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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:38 am 
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Conny Forsberg wrote:
The price of synthetic cut ruby is not 0 USD/ct but depending on what type of synthetic the price may vary between a couple of dollars per carat for the Flame Fusion synthetic rubies to maybe 50-100 dollars per carat for the more advanced flux grown rubies. I suspect your stones are Flame Fusion rubies as they make up more than 95% of the synthetic ruby market and are videly available.


DITTO.

ciao
albé

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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:43 pm 
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Interesting topic.
Sorry Alberto can I ask to you how it's said in italian: flux grown rubies and flame fusion?

Grazie

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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 5:22 pm 
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fusione alla fiamma (Verneuil et als), fusione in fondente o accresciuti in fondente (più bruttino...) per Chatham et als....

ciao
alberto

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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:25 am 
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Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Read as many materials and articles about gemology to build a strong fundamental knowledge base on this niche of Science. The links at the left hand side are very informative and helpful! Then try some practicals whenever possible. Learning ways of using a luope is a good and important start :) !

And keep following up the progress, trend, and discovery of any new gem treatment in the industry. Fine ruby is one of the most coveted gems in the world, and of course, various ruby treatments and imitations have been developed and created. Keep learning and exploring! Don't be shy to ask around.

I am new to gemology too! Luckily for us, this is a fantastic platform to learn gemology. Let's learn as much as possible from the experts here! :D

Best regards,
WClee


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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 9:16 pm 
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Alberto wrote:
fusione alla fiamma (Verneuil et als), fusione in fondente o accresciuti in fondente (più bruttino...) per Chatham et als....

ciao
alberto


Thanks

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 Post subject: Re: Ruby
PostPosted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:48 am 
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friend,u dont have to carry any microscope if the ruby cut like this..obviously.


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