About Rubies and Ruby Jewelry

Ruby is the name given for transparent, red, corundum. Corundum is the mineral name given for aluminum oxide, and it may be red, pink, black, orange, brown, yellow, green indigo mauve or violet. While the red and pink ones are known as rubies, the blue ones (and virtually of the other colors), are known as a sapphires. Typically corundum is colorless if it is pure, or white, but this color stone is not very valuable due to its general lack of brilliance. It is Chromic oxide in corundum that gives it is red coloration and makes it a ruby. Along with the diamond, the sapphire and the emerald, the ruby is considered one of the four precious stones.

Hardness

Rubies are extremely hard, coming up as a 9 on the Moh's scale, which is just one shy of the ever-powerful and near-indestructible diamond, which makes a 10 on that scale. Topaz, by comparison is an 8 on Moh's scale and so is not quite as hard, or as desirable as a ruby. Because of this hardness, corundum is sometimes used as an abrasive or in watch bearings.

Where Rubies Come From

Rubies originally came from Burma as the best and only source of the precious red stone. They are also mined in Thailand now, however, and that market is critical in providing much of the world's supply of rubies. Thai rubies are valued because they are usually more pink than red in color and have a silky appearance to them that is often lacking in the Burmese rubies. Today, rubies may also be found in Cambodia, Afghanistan, Sri Lana, Madagascar, Vietnam, and Nepal. They have sometimes but rarely been found in Montana, and North and South Carolinas as well.

Ruby Coloration

The most valuable rubies are the ones that are the most fiery red in color. The darker rubies tend toward black in color and the lightest ones are a very pale pink or nearly transparent in color. Though not invaluable the color red that is associated with rubies makes the ones that show off that color the most sought after and valuable on the market. When choosing your ruby, be sure to look for the most red color you can find.

History

For many thousands of years the ruby has been mined, traditionally in India alone and was a valuable export for the country (it still is). The word "corundum" actually comes from a Sanskrit word "kuruvinda". The Sanskrit word for the red corundum or ruby, is ratnarag, which, roughly translated means "king of the gemstones," and indeed, the stone graced much of Indian royalty in its heyday.

Rubies are corundum that have the element chromium present in them. While they are known as ratnarag at the source in India, the English word for ruby comes from the Latin word ruber, which means 'red.'

Pricing for Rubies

Usually the price of a ruby is determined by its color. The most valuable "red" color for a ruby is very bright and called pigeon blood-red. These stones command the largest premium of all when it comes to ruby pricing. Following color, rubies, like diamond are also graded based on their clarity, cut and carat, or size, as well.