Ruby is a mineral in the corundum (Al₂O₃) family and it is remarkably valuable as a gemstone. From the physics point of view, the ruby coloration depends on the balance of trace or chromophore impurities and defect complexes in the Al₂O₃ lattice. Shifting this balance into right direction is of paramount importance for the ruby value as the gemstone and ion implantation can be applied for this purpose. Thus, in the present study, we explored the influence of high dose oxygen ion implants on the natural ruby coloration. By performing quantitative colorimetry analysis, we detected prominent coloration changes unambiguously attributed to the effect of the implants, even though the implanted oxygen profile was located at the near surface region of the sample. Moreover, applying near surface sensitive cathodoluminescence measurements we observed spectacular changes in the spectra correlated with the implants. Importantly, the trends observed in the colorimetry and cathodoluminescence as a function of the implantation parameters were consistent. As such, the present paper provides both the scientific perspective and quantitative interpretations potentially paving the way for the ion beams applications in the gemstone industry.

红宝石是刚玉 (Al ₂ O ₃ ) 家族中的一种矿物，作为宝石非常有价值。从物理学的角度来看，红宝石的颜色取决于 Al ₂ O ₃中痕量或发色团杂质和缺陷复合物的平衡格子。将这种平衡转移到正确的方向对红宝石价值至关重要，因为宝石和离子注入可用于此目的。因此，在本研究中，我们探讨了高剂量氧离子注入对天然红宝石颜色的影响。通过进行定量比色分析，我们检测到明显归因于植入物影响的显着着色变化，即使植入的氧分布位于样品的近表面区域。此外，应用近表面敏感的阴极发光测量，我们观察到与植入物相关的光谱发生了惊人的变化。重要的是，在比色法和阴极发光中观察到的作为植入参数函数的趋势是一致的。因此，