Natural vs. Lab Created Ruby

Arguments for lab created vs natural ruby gemstones and jewelry is well documented. For those deciding between which to purchase, take a look at our guide for the facts of each and decide what works best for you.

Natural Rubies

Are the ones that were formed over time by the components of the earth crust. Natural rubies are found in nature and require no other treatment than to be cut and polished. These are the real stones with high price tags. They vary widely due to their imperfections and impurities. This is due to the fact their process of formation is not controlled or not under moderation conditions. Often, different forms and types of gemstones can be found in just one dig. A good representation of this can be a find of smoky quartz together with amethyst and citrine. Although they are all crystals, they all possess their distinct impurities which express different colors.

Synthetic Rubies

Are created in a laboratory under controlled and monitored conditions. The process is started with a “seed” given by a natural ruby. The growth and creation are precisely regulated that the resulting gemstones have the desired attributes. In laboratory gemstones, the irrelevant inclusions and impurities that are often found in natural gems are not present in laboratory ones. Still, these lab created rubies possess the same chemical, physical, and optical characteristics as the naturally occurring rubies. This fact makes them seem “too” perfect. Some of the more famous laboratory gemstones are sapphires and emeralds.

Genuine Rubies

Are stones that started as natural stones but were treated in one or more media which has influenced their appearance. These types of treatments are often used to improve the appearance of stones towards the desired color or to make them luster.

The type of rubies you want and prefer for yourself greatly depends on the money you have to yourself. Natural rubies are costly than the lab created ones. The value of natural ones tend to appreciate with time and the majority of investors and collectors tend to prefer authentic rubies to laboratory ones.

Lab-made Rubies

Give a more affordable option for jewelry lovers to own more. The perfectness factor is undoubtedly an attractive index that draws lots of attention. This factor adds to the beauty of the jewelry as well.

All about natural versus lab rubies

Buying gemstones can be a very difficult process, especially when the deal involves some of the rather unscrupulous sellers of nowadays. Hence, how would you know if a ruby is natural or lab created? It is always better if the decision is made by oneself but if you cannot, then make an inquiry.

A reputable jeweler or seller should be honest with you concerning the origin of the stone. In case they do not know or they are not willing to say, you may consider going somewhere else to make your purchase.

Although the differences between the two pieces of jewelry may not be readily visible on physical examination, there may exist vivid and significant differences between the pieces. The choice between a real and otherwise jewelry relies solemnly on your budget and preferences. Below are some of the necessary terms you should understand in an attempt to differentiate between a real and laboratory rubies.

How to know if a ruby is natural or lab created

Lab created or Manmade rubies are stones that are being made in the laboratory. Laboratory stones are designed to look exactly like natural ones and usually share the same appearance, properties, and size with the natural ones. On the other hand, laboratory stones will possess the same physical appearance with natural ones but different chemical and optical properties. Cubic zirconia is a typical example of a laboratory gemstone that was produced in the United States. Although it has the same physical appearance as a diamond, it does not have the same properties with respect to hardness or clarity.

Should I Buy a Natural Ruby or a Lab Created Ruby?

Expensive gemstones are those that are formed and exist freely in nature and possess the fewest flaws. A notable example is the Ruby family which has more value than other gemstones. The ruby is recognized by its fiery red color and it is very rare. If you consider choosing ruby, you may want to decide whether to order a natural or lab created rubies depending on the characteristics you desire. If you desire the quality and color of the stone, then a natural stone that is almost flawless is highly recommended. On the other hand, if you require a red stone for a necklace or other accessories and you are operating on a fixed budget, then a synthetic/laboratory ruby is what you should consider. The differences between these two can only be differentiated by an expert or professional dealers/sellers.

If you consider buying a real and authentic stone for its value and properties, then it is very essential to deal with a well-known, reputable, and honest dealer that you can trust. This is because the differences between the stones can only be differentiated by an expert or the buyer would face the risk of getting less than what you require. If you are looking for such a dealer, contact us today!

Types of Rubies

What is a ruby? Rubies are considered to be the most popular gems. They are known for their bright red color and are more favored than other gemstones. Ruby is also the birthstone that represents the month of July. Other factors that make ruby a preferred gemstone are how they are so rare, hard, durable, and have great luster. They are used in many different types of jewelry, such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, real ruby rings, or pendants. Natural ruby rings can also be used to complement diamond rings.

Value of Rubies

If the ruby gem is large, then it becomes rarer and even more valuable. If it is a fine, deep red ruby, with great transparency, and can increase in price to thousands of dollars for each carat. Synthetic ruby is a ruby that is laboratory-created and is typically less expensive than real rubies and is oftentimes used to substitute natural rubies.

One type of ruby, a Star Ruby can be polished in the same way as cabochons and if it becomes clear, it can be very valuable. A cabochon is categorized as a gemstone, which is not faceted, but shaped and polished. If the ruby gem is large, then it becomes rarer and even more valuable. If it is a fine-a deep red ruby, with great transparency, and can increase in price to thousands of dollars for each carat. Synthetic ruby is a ruby that comes in less expensive than real rubies and is oftentimes used to substitute natural rubies, albeit a cheap substitute.

Is Ruby a Sapphire?

Ruby is a red type of the corundum mineral, along with sapphire. Sapphires have each color of the corundum, except red, which is the color of the ruby. In essence, ruby could also be considered a red sapphire due to its chemical and physical similarities. For historical purposes and the allure of the red pigment, ruby has been known as an original gemstone and cannot be classified as sapphire.

Star, Burmese, Pigeon's Blood Ruby, and More

Some of the other types of rubies are Burmese/Burma, Pigeon's Blood, Fuchsite ruby, and Zoisite ruby. An Indian ruby has a dark red hue. And a green, fuchsite matrix, is called Fuchsite Ruby, and those that are mixed with opaque red and set in a green zoisite are used in place of a smaller gemstone. It is polished and carved.

Star Rubies

The Star Ruby, a popular gem that impressively displays a six-pointed star. A Star Ruby can be polished in the same way as cabochons. Moreover, if the Star Ruby becomes clear, it can be very valuable. A cabochon is categorized as a gemstone that is not faceted, but shaped and polished.

Burmese and Burma Rubies

A ruby from Myanmar is called a Burma Ruby, while the ones that possess an exceptionally red color are known as Burmese Ruby. Burma or Burmese rubies - are rubies that possess small silk looking inclusions that are scattered on the facets, which gives a soft color and is dispersed better across the face of the gem. Approximately four or five million years ago, deposits of ruby and sapphire were created from Tajikistan, through some places in India, China, and Vietnam. Currently, Burmese rubies are not available in Myanmar.

Pigeon's Blood Rubies

If the ruby has a deep bloody-red color, it is known as the Pigeons Blood Ruby. In Myanmar, there is a saying that goes, “for the ruby to be perfect, it has to be the same color of a drop or two of blood from a pigeon that is killed, hence the name Pigeon's blood ruby. There are claims from other cultures regarding the naming of the ruby. In some ancient cultures, it is also said that rubies can build stamina, so if it is placed under the skin; it makes warriors more invincible when they go to war.

Most Expensive Rubies

The rubies that have full, red colors and just a hint of blue are the ones that are considered to be most precious. Myanmar, or Burma, is known for mining the finest rubies and the name, Burmese rubies were derived from that mining activity. Most rubies are flawed, but those that have no flaws are very rare and are priced higher than diamonds which have the same weight or quality.

Difference in What Rubies Are Made Of

What are rubies made of? Rubies are made from sapphire, which is available in golden, white, black, or an orange-looking pink. The naturally formed crystal from sapphire is a three-sided prism. Other varieties of sapphire are formed from rutile, which is the ore from titanium. Intrusions cause a shape that is similar to a six-point star to create the star sapphire. The six-point effect is called asterism, which is not as pure as the natural sapphire. Every color that is used in the translucent form of corundum results in the formation of sapphire. If the chromium and corundum are measured in the correct quantities then it becomes a ruby.

Natural Rubies

As mentioned above, the composition of a natural ruby is aluminum oxide or Al2 O3. The gemstone's exact magnitude is 3.99 to 4.00 and has a refractive index series of 1.760-1.768 to 1.770-1.779. In terms of hardness, rubies have a score of 9 on the Mohs scale. This makes them the second hardest stone after the diamond.

Lab Created Rubies

Lab made rubies have an identical chemical composition of natural rubies, consisting of aluminum oxide. The only difference is that these rubies are made in a controlled environment. This means that these gemstones can be made with all of their desired attributes and exclude inclusions. Ultimately, lab made rubies are virtually identical to natural rubies in terms of chemical composition, optical, and physical properties.

Tips to Keep in Mind When Buying Natural or Lab Created Rubies

If you have ever wondered, how much does a ruby cost? Then some of the things to keep in mind when buying a lab created ruby or a natural ruby are: to be able to tell whether rubies are synthetic or natural by the structure. This entails looking at what is known as the 'growth lines', which are formed during growth. This is only visible through a microscope. If they are lab created they will have the formation of bubbles as a result of their manufacturing process. Chemical traces are left in the stone of a lab-created ruby and this is not seen in natural rubies. Minimal internal flaws, higher quality at a lower price and a larger ruby for the same price as a smaller one will tell you that it is synthetic. The best way to ensure that your ruby is real is to request a certificate of authenticity, as the processes of creating lab grown rubies have improved over time, so it becomes more difficult when you need to know how to tell if a ruby is real, or they are artificial. Rubies can cost anywhere between $100 up to as much as $15,000/carat, depending on the color, clarity, origin and size.

Telling the Difference Between Natural vs Lab Created Ruby

Almost all rubies that are created in a lab are strengthened with dye. Lab-created rubies are made using the same materials that can be found in a natural ruby ring. They are identical in their chemical composition, but lab-created rubies are less expensive than natural ones and unlike natural rubies, they are not flawed.

How to Tell if a Ruby is Real

Lab grown rubies or Synthetic rubies were created using an artificial process that involves both high pressure and high temperature. Lab-created rubies are considered real because they are not much different from the natural ones. Rubies that are artificially produced are not the same as fake rubies, as they have different chemical structures from natural rubies. To test if a ruby is not created means one would have to analyze its physical structure and the chemical composition. Even though lab-created and natural rubies are similar there are ways in which it can be tested using the right equipment.