How to Assess the Quality of a Rubellite

• 1). Evaluate the gemstone's color. Hold it up to the light to determine intensity and uniformity. Rubellites can vary somewhat in shading, from a deep, almost purplish, shade to a lighter, pinkish red, but they should always be basically red.
  
  
• 2). Look at the cut of the gemstone. The rubellite should be well-proportioned and cut so light plays through it. Like color, cut usually can be evaluated with the naked eye.
  
  
• 3). Check for enhancements. Rubellites are sometimes heated to enhance their color; this is a trade-accepted enhancement and will not affect the value of the gem. However, other enhancements, such as filling in tiny cracks, indicate a lower-quality rubellite.
  
  
• 4). Weigh your gem with a jeweler's scale. Gems are weighed in carats, and if all other elements are equal, a larger rubellite is worth more than a smaller one.