Star Rubies are a rare variety of the gemstone Ruby. These magnificent gems display a sharp six-rayed star which seems to glide magically across the surface of the gem when the latter is moved. This is caused due to an optical phenomenon known as "Asterism". The star is best visible when the star ruby is seen in a single light source such as sunlight and spotlight.
Star-effect or "asterism" is caused by the dense inclusions of tiny fibers of rutile (also known as "silk"). The stars are caused by the light reflecting from needle-like inclusions of rutile aligned perpendicular to the rays of the star. However, since rutile is always present in star rubies, they are never completely transparent. In fact, star ruby is one of those few gemstones which actually require inclusions (i.e. rutile).
Today, out of every 100 rough corundum (ruby and sapphire) mined; only three will have stars apparent after being cut into cabochons. Out of these three, one will have a poor color but a good star; one will have a poor star but a good color and only one out of hundred will have both a good star and a good color! Most original sources of star rubies such as Mogok (Burma) have run out of supplies. Worldwide production today is yielding a very small quantity of fine stars (especially in sizes above 5 carats). Star rubies are becoming rare as most rough today is cut into faceted stones after heating instead of being cut into cabochons to display the star. Till the 1960’s star rubies fetched more prices than faceted rubies!
cutting
Cutting is very important to exhibit the star effect in ruby. They need to be cut into medium to high, domed cabochons to get the perfect star effect. The cabochons must be round or oval-shaped. The stone should not be too flat on the top or too heavy on the bottom. Many a times, bottoms of star rubies are kept unpolished so that the light is trapped inside the gemstone.
color
Generally rubies are red. But star ruby is usually not red. Most star rubies are available in pinkish-red, purplish-red or purplish-brown col\our. The distribution of color is often uneven, in stripes and spots. A red ruby with a perfect star is very rare and costly. As a general rule, pink star rubies have the best stars.
clarity
As mentioned earlier, due to the presence of rutile (silk) star rubies are never transparent. Most natural star rubies found are translucent and opaque (mostly opaque).
carat size (weight)
Normally, star rubies are available in the sizes ranging from 1 carat to 15 carats. Fine star rubies of large sizes are extremely rare and cost a lot of money.
