How to Grade Rubies
Grading rubies is a centuries-old profession and a necessity for dealers and others looking to understand this gem's beauty. The red intensity of a ruby has always been associated with deep passion or expression of love. It takes its name from the Latin word "rubens," or red. Finding just the right ruby is an exercise in patience and personal preference, yet not an entirely impossible endeavor.
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Instructions
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Determine the ruby's clarity. Take a magnifying glass and look into the stone for defects or inclusions. Deeper red rubies are harder to peer into, and the severity of some inclusions can be overlooked.
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Find the weight of the gem. Ask the dealer to weight the stone in carats or points. Typically, one carat is equivalent to 100 points. The weight determines the value in grams.
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Inspect the ruby for its true color. Rubies can be created in many subtly different shades of red. Many exhibit a pink coloration, and others have a deep, blood red appearance. Burmese rubies are highly sought after for their deep red with slight blue tones.
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Assess the cut of the ruby. Much like diamonds, rubies respond best to a diligent and deliberate faceted cut. Cabochon cut and oval cuts are common as they show off the natural "star" pattern that is common in these gems.
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Tips & Warnings
All rubies have inclusions. Finding a ruby that is considered "clear" is extremely rare.
Inclusions and "needles" within the stone can actually identify the gem as real and not synthetic.
Avoid fakes and reproductions in the market. Buy from reputable jewelers and dealers.
