Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald & Diamond

RUBINE

As a rule, the most valuable gemstone is considered to be the ruby. Derived from the Latin "ruber", ruby is the name given to red stones made of the mineral corundum. The stronger the red of the stone, the more desirable it is. Vigorous red rubies with a slightly bluish tinge are considered the most valuable stones. Stones in this color variant are called pigeon blood rubies and are especially highly sought after as investment gemstones.

Rubies of the highest quality are mined mainly in Burma. In addition, there are sites in Thailand, India & Sri Lanka. Also high quality rubies come from East Africa, here especially from Kenya and Tanzania. For rubies a facet cut, more rarely a cabochon cut is common.

SAPHIRE

So while red corundum is called ruby, other color variations of the mineral are considered sapphires. The color spectrum here ranges from white stones to yellow, orange, brown, green or blue sapphires. Pink-colored stones are also usually considered to be sapphires, although the border to rubies is fluid here.

However, blue sapphires are the most sought-after, with the shade "cornflower blue" and the color combination "paparajah" making the hearts of gemstone collectors beat the highest. Star sapphires are considered a special variation, where enclosed crystal fibers, needles or channels create a star effect known as "asterism." When light falls on the stone at the right angle, a cross or star appears to sparkle inside the stone.

High quality sapphires from India and Sri Lanka fetch the highest prices, but stones from Madagascar are also very good in quality. For sapphires are most different types of the cut usual. Common are facet cuts, like the cushion cut or brilliant cut, but for star sapphires also smooth cuts to show off the asterism.

SMARAGDE

The third "big" colored gemstone is the emerald. The green gemstone is a variation of the mineral beryl, which gets its green from the elements chromium and vanadium. Other representatives of the beryl group are the blue aquamarine, the pink morganite, the yellow gold beryl and the colorless goshenite.

Die qualitativ hochwertigsten Steine stammen aus Kolumbien. Smaragd Vorkommen gibt es aber im Übrigen auch in Österreich. Das Habachtal im Salzburger Pinzgau birgt das einzige relevante Smaragdvorkommen in Europa. Smaragde aus den österreichischen Alpen finden sich unter anderem in den Kaiserlichen Hofinsignien, die in der Schatzkammer in Wien besichtigt werden können. Smaragde werden meistens im nach ihnen benannten Smaragdschliff geschliffen.

DIAMOND

Diamonds are a crystalline special form of pure carbon, which was exposed to enormous pressure and high heat in the earth's crust. Diamonds are colorless or have a slight yellowish tint due to nitrogen. If the hue of a diamond exceeds the GIA color grade Z or if a stone has a different color, it is considered a "fancy diamond" or colored diamond. The more intense the color, the rarer and therefore the more valuable.

Diamonds have now been found on all continents, but the most significant deposits are in Russia, southern Africa - especially Botswana & Congo - , Canada and Australia. The main transhipment centers are Antwerp in Holland, Israel and Mumbai. The most famous diamond cut is probably the brilliant cut, which reflects the incident light to the maximum and therefore promises a very good "light yield".