How to Evaluate Rubies

Rubies are stunning gemstones and can be almost as fiery as diamonds when they are of sufficient caliber.

Rubies, just like diamonds, should be evaluated based on several key characteristics before you make a major purchase involving this gemstone. However, the factors that determine the value of a colored gemstone such as a ruby are slightly different from those that determine the value of a diamond. Because colored gemstones come in a wide gradient of hues that are more and less rare, these hues can impact the value of a stone far more than carat, cut or clarity. As a result, you should always have a licensed jeweler or appraiser verify your beliefs about a ruby or a piece of ruby jewelry before you make the final purchase.

Things You'll Need

• Magnifying glass or jeweler's lens

Instructions

1. Factor in color first. When you are dealing with colored gemstones, the color itself is the most important part of determining the value of a stone. Generally, the deeper the color of the stone, the more rare and valuable the stone will be. However, at a certain point the depth of the color begins to affect the degree of radiance that a gem can achieve regardless of how skilfully it is cut, and many people prefer to have a slightly lighter gem in order to maximize brilliance. This is a decision that you will need to make, but bear in mind that if the stone is so dark that it does not sparkle, you may be able to pay a little less while still purchasing an extremely rare gem. Holding the gem against a piece of white paper is the best way to determine if you like the color of the ruby.

2. 

   Check the surface of the ruby for flaws and inclusions. If you cannot see these flaws and inclusions with your naked eye while the stone is sitting in the setting of your choice, then you do not need to worry about them. Inclusions do not impact the sparkle of a colored gem like a ruby nearly as severely as they do a diamond, and in fact many ruby owners prefer that their gems have a significant, unique inclusion that makes the stone easy to identify. However, if the stone is marred by serious problems on the upper face of the gem, then its value will be significantly less. You can spot smaller inclusions by using a jeweler's lens or having an appraiser point them out to you.

3. 

   Rate the cut of the gem. The cut of the gem should maximize the sparkle and fire of the ruby. Sometimes jewelers will use a smooth, unfaceted approach to cutting jewels that are opaque in nature, but unless this applies to your ruby or you wish to have this type of cut for stylish reasons, then you should generally avoid facet-less cuts.

4. Count total carat weight. Rubies are measured by carat just as diamonds are, but not all gemstones weigh the same. A 1 carat ruby should be larger than a one carat diamond, so do not compare the sizes of different stones to try and tell how much a stone weighs. Instead, get a jeweler to weigh the stone for you.

5. Find out where the color came from. If the color of a stone has been lab-induced, this means that the stone has been subjected to chemical processes to make its color deeper or richer. If these processes have been used on a stone, then it will be less valuable than a ruby in which this type of coloring appears naturally.

Tips & Warnings

• Before making a major investment in any type of jewelry, you should consult a trusted, independent jeweler or jewelry appraiser. Even if you are quite knowledgeable about the subject, your emotions may interfere with your objective decision making process, so getting an outside opinion is always the safest way to check the wisdom of your purchase.