Ruby

Ruby

Ruby is red in color. Ruby is derived from the Latin word Rubrum which means red. Ruby red color is like pigeons blood. The most valuable variety of corundum is ruby. Its hardness is second only to diamond, and it wears well in all kind of jewelry.

Hardness: 9.0

Appearance:
The color varies from fiery vermilion to violet red. The color is also accompanied by marked fluorescence which is stimulated by ordinary, artificial light and above all, by the ultraviolet rays of direct sunlight. Thus rubies turn brighter red under such light and the purplish ones look redder. The most valuable and the most magnificent rubies are found from Burma often have area full of inclusions in the form of minute rutile needles which interfere with the light, producing a distinctive silky sheen known as silk, lighter the silk higher the price and more attractive the stone is.

Occurrence:
The finest rubies are from magok region in Burma. These rubies are of pigeon’s blood color and are highly priced. Burmese rubies are found to be the most expensive. But today the main source of rubies is Thailand. Thai rubies are considered second grade as compare to Burmese rubies. Thai rubies are usually less attractive, a bit darker with violet tinge but they often have fewer inclusions. Rubies are also found in India, Sri Lanka and Kenya in small quantity. 

Value:
The pigeon’s blood rubies, highest quality and transparent stones weighing from 3-5 carats, are very highly priced. Very good quality rubies of rubies of even greater weight are extremely rare and are exceptionally highly priced. Stones of less than a carat which are too dark in color, and have inclusions clearly visible to the naked eye are of lesser

Astrology:
Ruby is a birth stone of people who are born in July. It cleans heart makes valiant denotes braveness and fulfills desire. According to the Indian beliefs it is lord of gems

Star Rubies:
Rubies with asterism in them caused by mineral inclusions presents a pleasing glow of six rayed star. A ruby star is very rarely found and is a collector’s item. These ruby stars are highly priced. They are priced according to there size and the strength of the star.