Ruby Gemstone

The strikingly red colored ruby gemstone is a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). The term 'Ruby' has originated from the Latin word 'Ruber' meaning red. The bright red color of ruby stone comes from chromium present in it though this gemstone can also be found in shades varying from pink to blood-red. Ruby gemstone is an honored member of the precious stones' group of four. The other three most precious stones are diamond, sapphire and emerald. Some gemologists consider only red corundum to be ruby and all other colors are classified as sapphires.

Ruby Gemstone Properties and Characteristics

Ruby gemstone is one of the three hardest natural stones, the other two being diamond and moissanite. While ruby has a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs scale, diamonds has a hardness 10 and moissonite falls between ruby and diamond in hardness. Along with fine colors, ruby has good clarity too. Almost all natural rubies have imperfections including color impurities and inclusions of rutile needles that are referred to as "silk". The so-called 'silk' of the ruby gives a wonderful silky shine to some of the ruby gemstones. The phenomenon of forming 'silk' is caused by very fine needles of rutile. The rare star rubies are also formed by mineral rutile where a star-shaped deposit within the ruby causes a captivating light effect (known by the experts as asterism.) When rubies of this type are cut as half-dome shaped cabochons, they lead to formation of a six-spoked star which seems to glide magically across the surface of the stone when the latter is moved.

Ruby Gemstone History

Rubies have been a prized possession since ages. This precious stone finds mention in the Bible as well as in ancient Indian writings as the most precious of all gemstones. Rubies were the gemstones that found place in decorative crowns of emperors and kings throughout the ages. The inner fire of ruby stone has been the inspiration for a lots of legends and myths. Ruby jewelry was one of the most important part of precious treasures of many queens in the past.

Ruby Occurrence

Ruby stone is mined throughout Southeast Asia. Thailand and Myanmar (Burma) produce exquisite examples of this precious gemstone. In fact, the Mogok Valley in Upper Myanmar was, for centuries, the world's main source for rubies. However, in recent years very few good rubies have been found in tis region. The area of Mong Hsu in central Myanmar began manufacturing rubies during the 1990s and rapidly became the world's main ruby mining area. The most recently found ruby deposit in Myanmar is in Namya (Namyazeik) located in the northern state of Kachin. Historically, ruby gemstones have been mined in Thailand, some district of Cambodia, and in Afghanistan. Sometimes, rubies have been found in Sri Lanka too but they are very rare occurrences of mostly pink sapphires. Ruby deposits were also found in Tanzania, Madagascar, Vietnam, Nepal, Tajikistan, and Pakistan. A few rubies have also been found in the U.S. states of Montana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. More recently, large ruby deposits have been found under the receding ice shelf of Greenland.

Ruby Gemstone Value and Ruby Gemstone Price

Ruby gemstone is the most valuable members of the corundum family. Ruby is easily available in sizes up to 2 carats but larger sizes can be obtained too. However, in its finest quality, any size Ruby can be scarce and that is the factor which increases value of ruby gemstones. Larger rubies can even be more valuable than comparably sized diamonds as they are very rare. In readily available small sizes, Ruby makes an excellent accent gemstone because of its intense, pure red color.

Ruby stones of Burmese origin usually are sold at the highest prices. The vast majority of such rubies are "native cut" in the country of origin. High value rough ruby stone is highly controlled and rarely are available to custom cutters. Occasionally, such native stones are cut again to custom proportions but this leads to a loss of weight and diameter. Custom cut and recut ruby stones are usually priced more per carat.

In general prices of ruby stones are dependent upon their origin, color, size, and clarity which can range from a low of $100 to $15,000 per carat at their maximum. For example, a Burmese ruby stone in 1/2 to 1 ct sizes with red color having slightly purple hue and also light inclusions can range from $300 to $3000/ ct.

Ruby Gemstone Benefits

The brilliant crimson colors of ruby gemstone is associated with passion and love. Therefore, ruby is an ideal choice for engagement rings too. There are many metaphysical healing benefits of ruby stone. Ruby brings integrity, devotion and happiness to one who wears any kind of ruby jewelry or keeps ruby with oneself in any form. It also enhances generosity and brings prosperity. Ruby gemstone brings and increases romance in one's love life and perhaps therefore is a preferred stone for wedding jewelry too. Ruby is a stone that is believed to be very protective of home, worldly possession, children, and psychic protection. It is a gemstone of high energy and power that promotes healing at all levels as Ruby is associated with the root chakra

Ruby Gemstone Significance

Ruby gemstone is a very powerful stone. By just placing it under the pillow you can ward off bad dreams. Ruby gemstone also signifies love and friendship. If you lack self-love then have ruby and meditate with it. Ruby gemstone also gives the courage to handle and face difficult situations. Ruby gemstone works with the flow of blood and helps in cleaning the blood by killing germs and infections.