Red Sapphire = Ruby ?

[txgreeneyes]

I thought red sapphires were rubies?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/18KT-YELLOW-GOLD-RED-SAPPHIRE-DIAMOND-COCKTAIL-RING-5-15-CTS-/200795946136?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item2ec05efc98#ht_500wt_1203

I am bored and looking at red diamond rings on ebay. (I know.. I know..) Found that auction.

When is a red sapphire not a ruby?

 

[ChrisA222]

Corundum, when red, is Ruby of course! I looked at that stone, and I have no idea. It looks red to me, although certainly not a nice red! I know Ive seen some of the orangy-reds called Padparadsha, even though from what I understand, Pad is supposed to be more of a pastel orangy-pink. I think everyone uses all the terms very loosely....

 

[VAgemguy]

I thought I read somewhere that dark orangey-red or brownish-red sapphires, whose color was the result of Be heating, were sometimes called "red sapphires" rather then rubies. Or maybe the vendor just isn't very knowledgeable about corundum. Either way, it's a huge red flag (pardon the expression).

 

[Richard M.]

When is a red sapphire not a ruby?

When the red color is the result of beryllium treatment of sapphire. The name is really an attempt to inform consumers that the corundum was "born" as sapphire and did not originate as natural chromium-based red corundum.

Richard M. (Rick Martin)

 

[chrono]

Technically, ruby is red sapphire and red sapphire is ruby and they are both corundum. I interpret it with more cynism that Richard; I don't see it as a way to differentiate between a diffused ruby or non diffused ruby. Rather, I see it as the vendor playing "name games" fooling the unwary into thinking he/she is selling a "regular" ruby. They are both rubies and red sapphires, only that one is diffused and the other isn't. Why not just state that as the treatment? So what about blue sapphires? What would that vendor call a diffused blue sapphire?

 

[Lee Little]

I agree with Rick, that is the way I have always heard it, if the color comes from Chromium then it is Ruby, if from Be treatment then it is not proper to use the word Ruby but instead a responsible vendor should call it Red Sapphire. Best regards, Lee

 

[innerkitten]

I thought I read somewhere that dark orangey-red or brownish-red sapphires, whose color was the result of Be heating, were sometimes called "red sapphires" rather then rubies. Or maybe the vendor just isn't very knowledgeable about corundum. Either way, it's a huge red flag (pardon the expression).

I've heard the same thing. But then a lot of rubies these days are treated. Go figure.

 

[Lee Little]

That is an interesting point innerkitten. I heard that it is estimated that over 90% of Ruby on today's market are leaded glass filled, not sure how anyone would really know a % though. I know a good Korean Ruby dealer that says that his business is almost dead as his country no longer trust any Ruby to be legit due to the leaded glass prevalence making it almost impossible to sell even fine Ruby there.
Leaded glass filled Ruby will disappoint many consumers in the years to come as they loose their beauty, however, Red Sapphires that were enhanced with Beryllium will likely still be bright and dazzling long after we are all gone.
The ebay vendor selling the original stone/ring should have disclosed the enhancement if it is indeed heated with a Beryl product. Simply stating it is a Red Sapphire rather than saying Ruby is not sufficient disclosure. Best regards, Lee

 

[chrono]

That is an interesting point innerkitten. I heard that it is estimated that over 90% of Ruby on today's market are leaded glass filled, not sure how anyone would really know a % though. I know a good Korean Ruby dealer that says that his business is almost dead as his country no longer trust any Ruby to be legit due to the leaded glass prevalence making it almost impossible to sell even fine Ruby there.

Leaded glass filled Ruby will disappoint many consumers in the years to come as they loose their beauty, however, Red Sapphires that were enhanced with Beryllium will likely still be bright and dazzling long after we are all gone.

The ebay vendor selling the original stone/ring should have disclosed the enhancement if it is indeed heated with a Beryl product. Simply stating it is a Red Sapphire rather than saying Ruby is not sufficient disclosure. Best regards, Lee

I agree wholeheartedly with you on this!

 

[Richard M.]

The ebay vendor selling the original stone/ring should have disclosed the enhancement if it is indeed heated with a Beryl product. Simply stating it is a Red Sapphire rather than saying Ruby is not sufficient disclosure. Best regards, Lee

Certainly they should have. That's never been in contention as far as I can tell. My post was simply a warning that when consumers find a stone described as "red sapphire" it's almost certain to be beryllium-diffused sapphire from Songea, Tanzania, which reacts to Be treatment in that way (among others.) That term is old, going back to the early 1990s at least, and it's been confusing people ever since. The dingy hue and dark tone of the Be treated red sapphires I've seen (quite a few) doesn't come close to true ruby color.

Richard M. (Rick Martin)

 

[Lee Little]

Hi Rick,
Yes, your post was right on target.
I also see bright orangish Red Sapphires, they are mainly red but do not resemble any Ruby I have seen as Ruby usually will have a pink or purple secondary instead of orange. After seeing such a wide range in colors from Be heating, however, it would not surprise me if there are some with pink and purple secondary colors out there as well. Red Sapphires are also are often very clean compared to Ruby thus are likely a category/type 1 or at least a 2 when Ruby is often classified as a 3 due to it usually having inclusions. Best regards, Lee