Ruby

A symbol of wealth and nobility.

Referred to as the king of precious stones, ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum. The name comes from the Latin “ruber,” meaning red. Red is the color of our most intense emotions—love and anger, passion and fury. It’s associated with objects of power and desire—like fast cars and red roses.
Early cultures valued rubies for their similarity to the redness of the blood that flowed through their veins, and believed rubies held the power of life. Ruby retained its importance with the birth of the western world and became one of the most sought-after gems of European royalty and the upper classes. Many medieval Europeans wore rubies to guarantee health, wealth, wisdom and success in love.

Color
The color of ruby is caused by traces of chromium. Color is the most significant factor affecting a ruby’s value. Rubies are available in rich red to dark red and
orangey red to purplish red. The most sought-after color by collectors worldwide is a deep red sometimes with a hint of purple, called “pigeon’s blood” in the trade. A symbol of wealth and nobility.

Clarity
Inclusion-free ruby is practically nonexistent so the value varies with how visible the inclusions are. Inclusions can also impact a ruby’s durability, especially if there is a surface-reaching fracture. Typical clarity characteristics include thin mineral inclusions called needles. Rutile needles, or “silk,” can sometimes
contribute positively to a gem’s appearance. 

Sources
The most famous ruby mines are in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) but rubies can also be found in Vietnam, Mozambique, Madagascar, Kenya, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Treatments
Heat treatment is often used to improve the color or
clarity of a ruby. Heat can also cause some fractures
to “heal” in certain conditions. Lower quality material
may have surface-reaching fractures filled with a
glass to decrease their visibility and make the gem
more transparent.

Major Sources
Afghanistan, Greenland, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique,
Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam

Mineral
Corundum

Mohs Hardness
9

Toughness
Excellent

Color
Red

Birthstone
July

Care and Cleaning
Warm, soapy water is always safe. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion treated stones. Fracture-filled, cavity-filled or dyed material should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Various chemicals, even mild substances like lemon juice, can cause change in some glass-filled rubies. Color is the most significant factor affecting a ruby’s value. Fine gems are a pure, vibrant red to slightly purplish red.

Source: The Passion of Colored Gemstones by G.I.A.