Crack Mark on Ruby Stone

by Nihar
(India)

There is fine crack mark on a ruby gemstone, it is a visible line that can be seen on the stone. Can you please tell me whether it's a good stone or not. If it's cracked, will it bring misfortune?

Hi Nihar,

The answer to your question will depend on the severity of the crack and if the ruby has any additional cracks in the inside of the stone (known as inclusions).

Rubies are extremely hard gemstones, with a 9.0 Mohs hardness rating, and they can generally hold up well even if they have small cracks on the outside. However, if the crack is deep or if the ruby also has inner cracks then you may not want to use this stone in a piece of jewelry and particularly not for a wedding ring.

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Outside and inside cracks can affect the stability of the stone – and if the stone is exposed to a hard knock or blow the cracks can either grow or – in a worst case scenario – the stone could break.

If the crack is very minor, you may either have the gemstone set in a protected setting by a professional jeweler – or you might want to consider paying to have the gemstone professionally enhanced with a fill material (like lead glass) to smooth the surface and reduce the outside crack – although a fill enhancement will increase the stability of the stone and decrease the visibility of the crack it will also dramatically lower the overall value of the ruby.

Either way, if you decide to wear the gemstone do not expose the stone to any hard knocks or blows and do not use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean the gemstone.

Will the crack bring misfortune? I don’t believe so. The ruby is believed to be a stone of passion, guidance, knowledge and decisions – but the gemstone is not specifically believed to bring about fortune.

If you are thinking about purchasing the gemstone, use caution. Any visible cracks will affect the value of the ruby, even fine ones, in addition to the stability of the ruby. But if the ruby is priced well, the crack is small and no cracks are inside the ruby, then it could be a good purchase - especially if you are fond of ruby gemstones.

I hope this info helps. If at all possible, take the ruby to a trusted jeweler in your area – and seek the professional opinion of the jeweler as to the severity of the crack and if the crack will affect the ruby’s stability, also how much of the ruby's value is affected by the crack.

Thank-you,

Suzanne Gardner
Everything Wedding Rings

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Remedy for Cracked Ruby Gemstone
by: Anonymous

If there is a small crack which occurred after hitting a ruby, what precautions should be taken to keep the crack from growing or splitting the gemstone?

- If a crack developed after the ruby experienced a hard blow, it is a good idea to have the ruby assessed by a certified gemologist. The gemologist can analyze the depth and severity of the crack and identify if the crack poses risks to the ruby's stability.

Until you can have the ruby assessed, avoid cleaning the ruby in an ultrasonic cleaner - and definitely try not to wear the ruby at any time when the ruby could be damaged again. Likewise, if the ruby is set in white gold avoid re-rhodium plating the jewelry as the plating process can further damage gemstones that have cracks or fissures.

Ideally, it is best to avoid wearing the ruby until a gemologist can analyze the crack and see how much of a danger it poses to the ruby's structure.

It may be possible to repair or at least stabilize the ruby, depending on the severity of the crack. Setting the ruby in a protective setting too can help to stabilize the gem enough so that it can be worn without worry.

Suzanne - Everything Wedding Rings

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What is the Ruby has a pit on its surface?
by: Anonymous

What if the Ruby has a pit on its surface?... No cracks just a small pit.. Does that lower the value of the gem too?

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Yes, pits on a gemstone will lower the value of the gemstone regardless of the type of gemstone. Any blemishes will lower the value - whether on the outside or inside.
- Suzanne, Everything Wedding Rings

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What would it take to crack a ruby in a ring?
by: Anonymous

What would it take to make a ruby crack when it is already in the setting?

If the ruby already had a blemish or inclusion, a weak spot in the stone, and the stone is under pressure or exposed to a hard knock this could cause a crack in the ruby. This is why it is so important to buy quality gemstones that are free of inclusions and blemishes. Suzanne Gardner - Everything Wedding Rings

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Uncertain ruby
by: Anonymous

Hiya. I have a ring that I was given from my grandmother...I always thought it wasn't any special gem until I cleaned it up and realized it has the most beautiful red throughout it. I thought it could be just glass so I tried a few things on it. First I soaked it in lemon juice and found there was no sign of filling. I tried to scratch the top of it with coins, knives and all sorts but it scratched the paint off everything else. It does have blemishes on the top of it from when my grandmother owned it. She use to wear it every day and she also worked on the farm with it....could it be a ruby or just imitation?

Hello, it could possibly be a ruby but it could also be a dark red garnet, red spinel, colored glass or another type of synthetic stone. To be sure, have the ring checked out by a certified gemologist. Suzanne Gardner - Everything Wedding Rings

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Crack on ruby
by: Anonymous

What of the ruby has a very small crack on the surface,no inner crack,after 10 years of using? Is it still effective or not?

Hi, the crack will affect the value of the ruby - but if it is still standing up to wear and tear without any additional damage it seems to be working for you! To be safe, have the ruby checked by a certified gemologist to make sure the crack will not affect the long-term durability of your gemstone. Suzanne Gardner - Everything Wedding Rings

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My cracked ruby, what to do?
by: Andy S

I have the same issue but the ruby is large and surrounded by lots of high quality diamonds in a pendant so not prone to being knocked around. I wish I knew whether the surface reaching fracture was original or if stone was damaged by humans.

Hello, it can be difficult to ascertain how an original fracture was created - generally inclusions are the result of how the stone formed, while blemishes (outer flaws) are often the result of inexperienced cutters or a very hard blow to the gemstone. To determine how much the fracture is affecting the strength and durability of the ruby, have it checked out by a certified gemologist. Suzanne Gardner - Everything Wedding Rings

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Will reparing Ruby hurt value more than leaving it alone?
by: Anonymous

I have read all the comments and am curious to know if the ruby is stable should repairs like filling be avoided as they would devalue the stone. Or is the crack worse for the value. I am talking about a quite large stone, i.e. 12 carats. I was trying to included a photo.
Thanks

Hello - that would depend on a lot of factors such as if the crack is threatening the stability of the entire gemstone. Any fill will devalue a gemstone - but if the fill is needed to maintain the integrity of the stone, and if the fill is performed by a professional, it might be the only option to keep the stone whole. At any rate, it is best to have the stone assessed by a certified gemologist to examine the crack and consult on any needed fill plus specifics on how that would impact the value. (Suzanne - Everything Wedding Rings)

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My 8 years used Rubi got a hairline crack surface. will it affect ?
by: Debkanti

I am using a Rubi gem since 8 years . But today to enlarge the size of my ring there is a hairline crack or scratch on its surface. Now will this gem work for me ?

Hi Debkanti, it depends on how deep the crack is, and where it is on the stone. If the crack is on the side of the stone, it could be possible for the stone to eventually chip off, if the crack is more in the middle and not deep, and it is securely set and treated with care it should work. Best - Suzanne Gardner with Everything Wedding Rings

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Extreme heat
by: Anonymous

Hi just wondering much the value decreases when a ruby has exposure to extreme heat causing the inclusions?

Hello - any flaw, including inclusions, will reduce the value of a ruby. Multiple inclusions even more so - if the inclusions are readily visible and/or destabilize the stone the value will go down even more. (Suzanne - Everything Wedding Rings)

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