RUBY! (pt. 2)

Yes, I am still obsessed with Gemology, and happy to be so. My collection has now expanded beyond 100 stones. All dirt cheap, yet many of them natural and beautiful, thanks to what seems to be a talented eye that I have (according to three people so far). Note that this is only my left eye, which an x-ray shows as significantly more oval (elongated) than my right eye. Any insight on that, PI?

I have actually made one gem dealer uneasy by selecting the best stone out of his discount stock. He almost didn't want to sell it to me, because he knew that that particular one was worth at least 3 times what he charged for it.

Today I have ascended yet another major step on the ladder: I have finally managed to to identify a synthetic ruby as such. If you remember my last entry titled "ruby", I said that this was a major obstacle. Not anymore .

Rubies are synthesized by a technique known as "verneuil". The way the crystals grow causes them to have concentric curved lines. These lines are the most tell-tale inclusion of a synthetic ruby.

(Synthetic ruby under magnification)

This, along with other inclusions I've learnt of, have come together today to reveal one of my stones as definitely synthetic.

I think, if I ever go into this business, I will specialize in rubies. I seem to find them the easiest to identify and learn about, and seem to have a knack for them. After all, Ruby is my zodiac stone!

 

I thought garnet was January's birthstone? Is there a difference between zodiac stones and birthstones?

 

Quite easy to spotfakes Jam. Nothing is perfect, EXCEPT synthetics. Never buy yellow stones dealing with diamonds, blah, blah, blah man we learn that junk on our fathers' knees as Jews. After a couple of eons you get good at it, wink.

 

Also, hate to be a dic^head although it might be in my nature but synths do not have inclusions, just fingerprints, which you noted correctly on rubies. Modern techology is nowhere as good as it ought to be. Synthetic diamonds are as ugly as zicron. Nothing can get it right like G-D. Well, at least you are in the Eastern Center of the trade you will elarn alot but if you wish, you should start netowkriking at places like CHABAD House, not for the religion but that is where all the (Jewish) traders can be found on Shabbat, etc. It is a closed business bit with careful footsteps you can make real inroads. Maybe one day i will see you on 47th in NY!

 

^ Haha, perhaps. Once again, I appreciate the advice.

I know where to find a CHABAD house - both here and back home in London, ON... but do you think they'll accept me, given my background?

Spork: Yep, they are different. Garnet is for January, you are correct. But ruby is for Capricorn

 

We have the same birthstone and zodiac stone then! :D

 

Can I just say that I loathe that you are in the epicentre of the birth of rubies and sapphires?

Which reminds me, I need to take a photo of my ruby encrusted schist for you. :D

 

Well Jam, if you do not tell them how would the know?For example, when I went to Peshwar, or even to Jakarta do you imagine I wore a Chai or Star of David? Hahahahaha. CHABADniks are almost a sect already, they are an inch away from breaking away from the religion but in their minds they are VERY Jewish. thei whole thing is to encourage Ba'al T'shuoovah, to get all Jews to become totally Observant and thus hasten the arrival of Moshiach (Messiah). So tell them you are Jewish if you want, or even you do not know but feel drawn to it, though if you wish to really make moves in your interest (gems) better go for broke and walk the walk, talk the talk. On Friday nights, especially in BK, they have the free dinner and noone is really into your business, people meeting, hooking up, etc. All good, try it. It cannot hurt to try, yes? Too bad i am not there, I could bring you but I will not be up that way for months yet.