The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Ramaura^TM Cultured Ruby

Q: It isn’t real ruby, is it?

A: Yes, it is. Ramaura^TM Cultured Ruby is real, but not natural.  Real, because it has all the same chemical and physical properties as natural ruby – with the exception of certain differences in some of the inclusions – but not natural since our rubies are dug out of platinum crucibles in our laboratory, not the ground.

Q: How do you grow the ruby?

A: The details are secret. In general terms, we dissolve the constituents of ruby in a hot fluid, called flux, and then lower the temperature slowly until ruby crystals grow spontaneously. This high temperature method is very similar to how Nature grows ruby. Judith Osmer invented the process we use to grow the Ramaura Ruby.

Q: What is a “cultured” ruby?

A: We use the word “cultured” because we know that most people are familiar with cultured pearls. All the necessary ingredients and conditions are brought together by people so that nature can be allowed to grow the pearl or ruby crystal in the same manner as it does naturally. Ramaura^TM Cultured Ruby is grown under conditions very similar to those deep in the earth’s crust. Only an expert, with the aid of the fluorescent dopant, can identify the Ramaura^TM Cultured Ruby from natural ruby.

Q: How can you tell Ramaura^TM Cultured Ruby from naturals?

A: There are two ways. The first is by studying the differences between the inclusions in natural rubies and those in Ramaura^TM Cultured Rubies. Trained gemologists make a study of these differences, and in most instances when they examine our lower grades of Ramaura^TM ruby they are able to make accurate identifications. In some cases, the inclusions in specific Ramaura^TM rubies are very similar to certain inclusions in natural rubies. That makes it tough. There is also a real problem when examining one of our flawless rubies. It is for those reasons that we add a dopant to affect fluorescence, thereby offering a consistent test for Ramaura^TM.

Q: Who makes you add the dopant?

A: This is a question that comes from people when they hear that we add a chemical dopant to our rubies to aid in their identification. The dopant makes Ramaura^TM rubies fluorescence a little differently under ultraviolet light than natural rubies…more orangy-yellow in fact. No one makes us do it. No law requires us to do it. We simply do not want anyone deceived.

Q: Does the color of your ruby fade over time?

A: No. Chromium makes all ruby red, whether it is natural or cultured. The chromium is locked into the crystal structure permanently and therefore the color is also locked in.

Q: What is the hardness of Ramaura^TM Cultured Ruby:

A: It has the same hardness as natural ruby, 9 on the Mohs scale. The only gem material in the world that is harder is diamond.