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Gemstone Infocenter
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Comprehensive Gemstone
Information
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Ruby -
The Queen of Gems
Introduction
History
Location
Valuation of Rubies
Jewelry Design Considerations
Therapeutic Properties of Ruby
Identification
How to Buy Rubies
The queen of gems, deep red ruby is the rarest and most valuable of
gemstones. The earliest record for the mining of Rubies goes back to more than
2,500 years ago in Sri Lanka.
Historically, many believe that ruby possess mystical powers. The ancient
Burmese believed that when you insert ruby beneath the skin, the stone
generates a mystical force, which protects the wearer from accidents and
attacks. In the ancient world, many believed Rubies to contain prophetic powers,
enabling wearers to predict their future based on the color changes of their
gemstones.
Rubies have been so loved by royalty, they have always included them in their
insignias and famous jewelry.
Ruby is the birthstone of July. It is the anniversary gemstone for the 15th
and 40th year of marriage.
The word 'Ruby' was derived from the Latin word 'rubens' meaning 'red'. In
the Sanskrit language Ruby is called 'ratnaraj, which does translate as (ratna
means gem and raj means king) 'King of Gemstones.' Because of its beauty and
rarity, the Greeks called it the mother of all gemstones. The Romans called it
'a flower among stones.'
Ruby is the red variety of corundum. It is one of the world's rarest and the
most costly gem stone, the second hardest natural mineral known to mankind,
second only to diamond. Above all other gemstones, including Diamonds, Rubies
command the greatest per Carat prices. For example, a 15.97 Carat faceted Mogok
Ruby was sold at Sotheby’s in New York for a staggering $3,630,000 in October
1988. This comes to $227,301 per Carat!
The red color in ruby is caused by trace amounts of the element chromium.
Ruby without inclusions are very rare to find. Most rubies have inclusions which
are not visible to the naked eye. Such inclusions do not reduce the value of the
stone as long as there is brilliance. It is used in all types of jewelry.
Burma is the world's largest provider of high quality Rubies. Burmese Rubies
from the Mogok Valley are considered to be the world's finest rubies and are
highly sought after. Vietnam, Kenya, Tanzania, India and Sri Lanka are some of
the other providers. Thailand, with large deposits near the Cambodian border,
was previously the world's largest provider of Rubies, but the mining of
gemstones has been greatly reduced here recently. Thai Rubies tend to have a
darker color and less intensity than Burmese Rubies. African Rubies tend to have
heavy inclusions. India is famous for supplying Indian Star Rubies.
Next: Valuation of Rubies
[ Ruby Page 1 ] [
Ruby Page 2 ] [
Ruby Page 3 ]
See Also:
Products with Ruby
Therapeutic Properties of Ruby
Gemstone Infocenter Home
Gift Selections incorporating Gemstones
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