Ruby 3 carats: The red variety of corundum
3 carats (ct) equals 0.6 grams. A high-quality 3-carat ruby can be very valuable. High quality refers to natural stones with a deep red color, few inclusions and a clean cut.
The word ruby is derived from the Latin word “ruber”, meaning red. Since about the 17th century, the term has been used for the red variety of corundum; before that, all red stones were called rubies. In addition to the ruby, the corundum group also includes the sapphire. The two stones have a lot in common; they differ only in color. The red color is characteristic of the ruby, but still sparks debate among experts.
Ruby red
Ruby red is not a clearly defined color. Whether a gemstone is a ruby or a pink sapphire is often a matter of opinion. The distinction is particularly important for the price: a ruby fetches a higher price than a pink sapphire.
In addition, the hue plays an important role when determining the value of a stone. The jeweler Louis Cartier allegedly argued with the Maharaja of Nawangar about which shade of red was the best for a ruby. The jeweler won the argument, and since then a vivid deep red (“pigeon blood red”) has been considered the most valuable color for a ruby.
Use: Jewelry in the color of love
Red is the color of love, but also of fire and passion. A piece of jewelry with a ruby is a fitting token of love, a sign of loving appreciation and affection. According to the American Gem Society, it is also a popular stone for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries, even after many years of marriage.
If you want to give your beloved a piece of jewelry with a 3-carat ruby, you can have the gem set in a ring, a bracelet or a valuable necklace. As a single stone or in combination with small diamonds, this stone goes well with both white and yellow gold.
3-carat ruby: origin and mines
The most valuable rubies come from the Burmese Mogok Valley. They are famous for their “pigeon blood red” color with violet highlights.
In Myanmar, there is a second mining site in the Mong Hsu region. The rubies mined here are usually heat-treated to improve the color saturation.
In 2007, rubies of very good quality were found in Winza, Tanzania. However, the finds dried up in 2009.
The world's largest production of high-quality rubies takes place in Mozambique. The largest known deposit of rubies to date was discovered near the city of Montepuez. Here, rubies are mined by machine.
There are also smaller deposits, for example in Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Hardness & inclusions
With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, rubies are very hard. Only diamonds are harder. This makes the red gem particularly resistant to scratches and signs of wear.
Rubies often have inclusions, ranging from fine rutile needles to healing cracks. These inclusions reduce the value, but at the same time they are a sure sign that the stone is genuine.
Most common cuts
The cut of a gemstone depends on the size and shape of the rough stone. By cutting the stone, gem cutters try to emphasize certain advantages of the rough stone. These can be special light reflections or high-quality colors.
The faceted oval cut is used most often. However, rubies can also be found with a round brilliant cut and emeralds with an emerald cut.
