Comparison between Clarity Improvements in Ruby-Glass Composites versus Traditional Leaded Glass
**Ruby-Glass Composites and Leaded Glass Treated Rubies: A Closer Look at Two Distinct Gemstone Treatments**
In the world of gemstones, two treatments – Ruby-Glass Composites and Leaded Glass Treated Rubies – have been causing a stir among industry professionals and buyers alike. While both treatments involve glass, they differ significantly in their composition, manufacturing methods, and impact on the final gem product.
**Ruby-Glass Composites** are made from low-grade corundum, the mineral form of rubies, that starts as a rock composed of multiple tiny corundum crystals mixed with other minerals. The extraneous material is leached out, leaving a porous, tangled mass of low-quality corundum crystals. To give this mass structural integrity, glass is added, resulting in a composite containing a significant amount of glass – often 15% glass at minimum, with some specimens up to 50-60% glass content.
The product is not a true natural ruby but a manufactured composite where glass is a major component. Some labs label these as "manufactured products" rather than treated rubies. The high glass content means the stone behaves very differently from a natural ruby in terms of durability, refractive properties, and value. These composites are generally considered inferior and should not be sold as genuine rubies, causing confusion and concern among buyers.
On the other hand, **Leaded Glass Treated Rubies** involve enhancing natural ruby crystals by filling fractures and cavities with leaded glass. The ruby itself is natural, but its clarity is artificially enhanced. The leaded glass fills internal fractures, improves the apparent clarity and translucency, and sometimes enhances color. This treatment is common and accepted in the gem trade but must be disclosed.
The presence of leaded glass significantly improves the visual appeal of otherwise lower-quality natural rubies. However, the durability can be affected as the glass-filled fractures might be more prone to damage or loss of the glass filler if treated roughly.
In summary, Ruby-Glass Composites are essentially hybrid manufactured stones with significant glass content used to hold poor-quality corundum together, making them fundamentally different from natural rubies. In contrast, Leaded Glass Treated Rubies are natural rubies enhanced by filling fractures with leaded glass to improve clarity and appearance. The former is often considered less valuable and less durable, while the latter is a recognized treatment method that enhances usable natural rubies but requires disclosure to buyers.
Recently, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) and other trade organizations submitted a brief to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for vocabulary revisions. However, the JVC's suggestions do not seem to address the issue of Ruby-Glass Composites, and no specific guidelines for the identification of these heavily treated materials were included in the proposed revisions. The LMHC decided to describe this material as "ruby-glass composite" on all future identification reports, a decision that remains in effect as it is not addressed in the JVC's proposed vocabulary revisions. The FTC's Guides are being revised to reflect these proposed vocabulary revisions, but it remains to be seen how the industry will adapt to these changes.
- To better understand the gemstone industry, it's essential to consider the science behind two popular treatments: Ruby-Glass Composites and Leaded Glass Treated Rubies.
- In health and wellness discussions, it's vital to acknowledge that while Leaded Glass Treated Rubies involve a recognized enhancement process, their impact on the durability of the gem might deserve more attention, similar to fitness-and-exercise routines that sometimes prioritize aesthetics over long-term health.
- Furthermore, in a medical-conditions context, Ruby-Glass Composites might be compared to synthetic materials, as they're manufactured products made from low-grade corundum, and their deceptive appearance calls for increased gemology education to ensure accurate identification and proper value assessment.
