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     Ruby

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Ancient Indians called it “the king of precious stones.” Burmese warriors thought it made them invulnerable in battle. Medieval Europeans believed it cured hemorrhages and inflammatory diseases. The ruby has been prized since ancient times and we still cherish it today.

 

Ruby is a precious gemstone that is known for its vibrant red colour. The colour of a ruby is due to the element chromium. It is a stone within of the mineral corundum group, which are composed of aluminium oxide.  Other examples of stones within the corundum group are sapphires.

Ruby has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, which means that is one of the hardest gemstones and is very resistant to scratches and abrasions. In comparison, diamonds have a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, making them the hardest mineral on the earth.

 

Rubies can command the highest per-carat price of any coloured stone, making it one of the most valuable gemstones in the world.

Some gemstones that are popularly or historically called rubies, such as the Black Prince's Ruby in the British Imperial State Crown, are actually spinels. These were once known as "Balas rubies".

Ruby is the birthstone for July and the gem used for the 15th and 40th anniversaries.

Quality

The quality of a ruby is determined by its colour, cut, and clarity, which, along with carat weight, affect its value. The brightest and most valuable shade of red, called blood-red or pigeon blood, commands a large premium over other rubies of similar quality. After colour follows clarity: similar to diamonds, a clear stone will command a premium, but a ruby without any needle-like rutile inclusions may indicate that the stone has been treated.

Ruby Colors:

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Ruby Cutting Shapes:

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The quality of a ruby is determined by its colour, cut, and clarity, which, along with carat weight, affect its value. The brightest and most valuable shade of red, called blood-red or pigeon blood, commands a large premium over other rubies of similar quality. After colour follows clarity: similar to diamonds, a clear stone will command a premium, but a ruby without any needle-like rutile inclusions may indicate that the stone has been treated.

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Ruby Clarity

1. Typical Natural Ruby Inclusions:

2. Typical Treated Ruby Inclusions:

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3. Typical Synthetic Ruby Inclusions:

Ruby Resources:

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1. Myanmar (Burma): Myanmar is known to produce some of the finest quality of rubies     in the world. The Mogok region in Myanmar is famous for its pigeon blood rubies           which are highly prized.

2. Thailand: Thailand is another major producer of rubies. The Chanthaburi province in       Thailand is known for its deep red rubies.

3.  Tanzania: Tanzania is known for its high-quality rubies that are often a bright red or        pinkish-red colour.

4.  Mozambique: The Montepuez ruby mine in northeastern Mozambique is situated on       one of the most significant ruby deposits in the world, although, rubies were only             discovered here for the first time in 2009. In less than a decade, Mozambique has             become the world’s most productive source for gem-quality ruby.

 

5. Vietnam: Vietnam is a newer source of rubies and is know for producing rubies that         are a deep red color.

6.  Afghanistan: Produces rubies that are a deep red color and are highly prized for their       quality.

7.  India: India is a historic source of rubies and produces rubies that have a deep red            color.

8.  Madagascar: produces a variety of rubies in different colours including pink, red,            and brownish-red.

9. Greenland: The rubies in Greenland are said to be among the oldest in the world at         approximately 3 billion years old. The Aappaluttoq mine in Greenland is located 160       kilometers south of Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. The rubies are traceable from           mine to market.

Rubies auction Prices

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