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Ruby, called “Ratnaraj” in Sanskrit, refers to the “king of gemstones.” What makes this beautiful gemstone stand out from the rest and take the crown of being the king? There are many factors one can relate to. It has been revered as one of the precious stones that hold meaningful value in history. It was considered sacred and offered to Gods in order to get wealth and power. The ruby stone color is the most beautiful, symbolizing love and passion. This red gemstone is called Manik Ratna in Hindi, and in Vedic astrology, it is the stone for the planet Sun. In Western astrology, natural ruby is the birthstone for July. So, this beautiful gem comes with a treasure of benefits and beauty, and finding it is real is essential. Picking an original Manik stone is perfect for bestowing yourself with astrological benefits, amazing jewelry choices, or a valuable long-term investment. Let's see what are the factors that help you to choose a quality ruby:
Ruby stone is a precious gem that comes from the corundum mineral family. Rubies have a chemical formula, Al2O3, with two aluminum and three oxygen atoms combining to form a hexagonal crystal system. These natural gems were formed millions of years ago below the earth’s surface, and each has a characteristic feature that differentiates it from the other. Know how the chemical composition is different from sapphires in our blog: What is the Chemical Composition of Ruby and Sapphire? The color of Manik, however, is always red, but the stones differ in their quality. Let's examine all the factors that help identify the gemstone’s quality:
The primary color of rubies is red, and secondary overtones can be pink or purple. The intense red color of the stone is due to the trace element chromium, whereas secondary hues can be due to the presence of iron, manganese, titanium, nickel, and more.
These gems can be categorized into three colors: red rubies, purplish-red rubies, and pinkish-red rubies. In all these three categories, red is the predominant color. Pink ruby stone has a pink overtone, which can be pale or dark. In the gemstone marketplace, there are various stimulants that look like the original Manik Ratna but are not the same. For instance, some sellers sell pink sapphires as rubies, and one cannot find the dissimilarities in terms of hardness and color. Thus, it is vital to know the difference between them. Pink sapphires have pink as the predominant color, and in natural ruby, you only find traces of this as a secondary overtone. Spot the Difference: Ruby vs Pink Sapphire: The Major Differences
The color of the stone is categorized into three aspects such as hue, tone, and saturation. Hue refers to the color, tone is how light or dark the color is, and saturation is its intensity. The most sought-after original Manik Ratna is the one with a red hue, medium tone, and high saturation.
Read More Here: The Enigmatic Color of Ruby Stones: Significance and Symbolism
This variety of rubies is worth mentioning because of the rare color it features. Sourced from Burma (Myanmar), these gems display a vivid red color, which resembles the color of a pigeon’s eye. Pigeon blood red ruby color is the most valuable. The vibrant color of the stone is due to the presence of chromium elements; the higher the intensity of this element, the richer the hue.
Rubies can be more expensive than diamonds and sapphires, especially those sourced from Burma. This is because the vivid pigeon blood red ruby color is rare to find. The Old Mogok Valley from which these gems were obtained earlier is closed, and there are few specimens left. Thus, scarcity of these gems is on the rise.
How to identify ruby quality is not restricted to only its color but also to many other factors like clarity, carat weight and cut. Clarity refers to the eye-clean transparency of the stone. Gemstones are characterized by inclusions that are present inside the stone during its formation. The presence of inclusions is also an indicator that the Manikam stone is real. The most common Ruby inclusions are silk rutile needles. Other than these fingerprints, circular fractures and pinpoints are also common. The rubies clarity quality chart is as follows:
VVS: Very, very slightly included, minor inclusions that are not visible to the naked eye, high brilliance
VS: Very slightly included; few inclusions present
SI1: Slightly included, Visible to naked eyes, slight effect on brilliance
SI2: Inclusions that can be seen under a microscope
I1, I2, and I3 gems have prominent inclusions, effect brilliance, and transparency
Explore More Here: See Deeper in Life with Ruby Inclusions
Ruby stone looks beautiful in every cut, from brilliant round to fancy octagon or marquise. Other typical cuts, like the heart shape, also give this stone an attractive appearance that reflects its meaning of love and compassion. A well-cut gemstone is one with fine facets and clean symmetry, and the same applies to Manik Ratna as well. So, a quality cut maximizes brilliance and weight. Moreover, it minimizes inclusions, enhancing the color and clarity of the stone.
Also Read: Ruby Stone Price Guide - How Much is a Ruby Worth
This refers to the weight of the gemstone, and 1 carat is equal to 0.2 gms. Rubies with 1 carat weight are common, while above 3 carats, they are scarce to find. Hence, the price also varies. You might get 1 carat natural Manik stone in India for INR 2,000, while 3 carat ruby stone can cost you above INR 10,000 depending upon the 4C’s. However, it's important to look for other factors also, such as color, clarity, and cut. For instance, a high-carat gemstone can cost you less compared to a carat weight. This is only in the case that the low ratti Ratna displays a vivid red color, high clarity, and precise cut.
To choose a quality ruby, it's essential to know its source or the place from which it is obtained. These corundums are distributed worldwide, the most famous being from Burma, Mozambique, India, Madagascar, the US, and Australia. Manickam stone from Burma is considered a quality ruby for astrological purposes. Read Here: Astrological Benefits of Ruby Stone It shows the vivid pigeon's blood-red color and good clarity, which is indeed the prime aspect of choosing a gemstone for astrology.
To conclude, rubies are precious gemstones known for their exceptional color and benefits. Manik Ratna's benefits in astrology include enhancing confidence and bringing name and fame to the wearer. Hence, to own these advantages, one must always choose a quality ruby from reputable gem dealer like Navratan, the best place to buy gemstone in India.
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