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Viewing The Ruby, Emerald and SapphireThe Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire
By otaffy
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Rubies and sapphires are composed of almost pure aluminum and oxygen, and are members of the corundum family. The mineral is often called a ruby when it is red and a sapphire when it is blue. Rubies and sapphires are composed of almost pure aluminum and oxygen, and are members of the corundum family. The mineral is often called a ruby when it is red and a sapphire when it is blue. The ruby and sapphire must be transparent (or nearly so) to be considered gem quality. Few are found this way in the natural state. Rubies and sapphires that are unfit for gem use (as with diamonds) are also used for mechanical purposes because of their hardness. Both gems have a hardness of 9, and a specific gravity of 3.9 to 4.1, only diamonds being harder. The best non gem-quality stones are used for bearings in fine machinery. They are also used as jewels for watches and certain electrical supplies. The color of rubies comes from a small quantity of oxide of chromium. The color in rubies, as well as sapphires, is rarely even throughout. Often this defect can be remedied with the proper application of heat. One of the greatest characteristics of rubies is that they are just as brilliant in natural light as they are in artificial light. Large, flawless, and transparent rubies are extremely rare and oftentimes in large sizes they are more valuable than diamonds. The largest ruby in the world is the Raviratna, weighing 3,600 carats. Both rubies and sapphires were considered protection against poisoning in earlier times. Rubies and sapphires are found in Burma, Siam, Ceylon, Afghanistan, Tibet, Australia, North Carolina, and Connecticut. The finest rubies are found in Burma. The rubies mined in Upper Burma have been mined since the fifteenth century. Rubies are usually found in mines, hill sides, clay, valleys, and rivers. A ruby's color depends often upon which part of the world it came from. Rubies come in all shades of red, black, blue, and purple. Too much heat can destroy a ruby's color entirely, but just enough can enhance color. It is very difficult to tell if these gems have been heat treated. The emerald is a green beryl. A perfect emerald is rarer than any other stone. Some believe that the emerald gets its color from small quantities of organic matter within the gem. Most scientists believe that the color is due to an oxide of chromium. The emerald is subject to many structural defects, flaws, muddiness, and variations of color. Usually, the better the color, the faultier it is. A flawless mineral of very fine color is almost unknown. The emerald is mostly made up of cyclosilicate, an oxide of silica. The rest of the mineral is made up of equal shares of alumina and glucina. Emeralds have been discovered in a few places scattered around the world. Emeralds were first discovered in great quantity in Peru. Many of Peru's emeralds, along with a lot of its precious metals, were stolen by Spanish marauders. It is believed that one ship of marauders returned to Spain in 1587, with two chests, each of which had one hundred weight of emeralds. Emeralds have also been discovered in Africa, Egypt, Columbia, Austria, and some have even been found in North Carolina and Connecticut. The emerald is considered to bring good luck and well being. One of the largest in the world is the Mogul Emerald, which dates back to 1695 and weighs 217.80 carats. About the Author: Mitch Endick is a short article writer for the popular jewelry site, http://www.JewelerWeb.com. This site provides informative advice on buying rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches. The site also has information on diamonds, birthstones, gemstones, pearls, gold, sterling silver, and platinum. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com |
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