While it may not be something to try with a family heirloom, scientists have discovered that putting rubies in a microwave can make them look brighter. In a series of experiments, researchers found ...

* Photo: Corbis * Getting a perfect diamond or ruby from a raw stone has always been more art than science. Each gem must be meticulously cut and polished by hand. The problem: It can take up to four ...

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Gem hunters have always been natural geologists, seeking the mother lode long before researchers explained how gems and minerals form. Now, scientists want to officially link precious gems to their ...