Ruby is distinguished for its bright red colour, being the
most famed and fabled red gemstone. Beside for its bright colour, it is a most
desirable gem due to its hardness, durability, luster, and rarity. Transparent
rubies of large sizes are even rarer than Diamonds. Ruby is the red variety of
the mineral Corundum.
For a long time India was regarded as the ruby's classical
country of origin. In the major works of Indian literature, a rich store of
knowledge about gemstones has been handed down over a period of more than two
thousand years. The term 'corundum', which we use today, is derived from the
Sanskrit word 'kuruvinda'. The Sanskrit word for ruby is 'ratnaraj', which
means something like 'king of the gemstones'. And it was a royal welcome indeed
which used to be prepared for it. Whenever a particularly beautiful ruby
crystal was found, the ruler sent high dignitaries out to meet the precious
gemstone and welcome it in appropriate style.
Ruby is one of the most popular gemstones, and is used
extensively in Jewellery. Ruby is used in all forms of jewellery, including bracelets,
necklaces, rings, and earrings. It is used both as centerpiece gemstone in
pendants and rings, as well as a secondary stone to complement other gemstones
such as Diamonds. Star Ruby is polished as cabochons, and, if clear, can be
extremely valuable.
Large Ruby gems are extremely rare and valuable. Fine coloured
Ruby with a deep red colour and excellent transparency can reach several
thousand dollars a carat. Synthetic Rubies are inexpensive and often used as a
cheap substitute for natural rubies.
Ruby is the birthstone for July
Sun and Its Gemstone Ruby
The Sun is the ruler of all the planets that rotate around
the sun. He represents the fire and creates the day. He is one of the stars of
the planetary system. The sun is considered as the soul and the king of all
planets. The Gemstone Ruby representing the sun, has reddish purple colour, its
nature is bile-dominated and it is the Lord of the direction East.
Ruby is a mineral (stone). In terms of chemistry, it is a
mixture of Aluminum, Oxygen, Iron and Chromium. The ruby is found in a variety
of crimson and scarlet red colours ranging from pink to a deep ruddy violet colour.
The ruby gemstone is solid and possesses high specific gravity. The red tint in
ruby comes from a light combination of iron and chromium. The finest quality
ruby gemstone has a delicate rose colour.
Ruby gem keeps on affecting the wearer for four years since the very day
when it is worn.
Types of ruby-
Burmese rubies
Burma has been the source of the world's most superior
quality rubies. It is the fierce red displayed under any kind of light that
makes these Burmese rubies one of the most coveted jewels in the world. The unique
colour in Burmese rubies is described as 'pigeon's blood'. The chromium
impurities are accountable for this flaming red in Burmese rubies. The regions
around Mogok in northern Burma and Mong-Hsu to the east of Mandalay are famous
for ruby mining. Kinds of blemishes are the essential attributes of any natural
stone. Burmese rubies contain the least of them. Sometimes they do come with
inclusions in blue or pink shades.
Thai rubies
Next in order of quality, Thai rubies come second. Thai
rubies come with rather darker undertones caused by the presence of iron along
with chromium. Thus you find the Thai rubies with brownish to burgundy hues.
Also known as Siam rubies, these of course are no match for their Burmese
cousins. Most of them are heat-treated. Chantaburi and Trat provinces lying in
the south-east of Bangkok are famous for ruby mining.
Sri-Lankan rubies
If you want a match for those gorgeous Burmese rubies you
can some times find it in the Sri-Lankan rubies. These rubies with pink tints
have a unique beauty of their own.
Vietnam rubies
Vietnamese rubies have a standard as high as Burmese rubies.
Yen Bai and Nghe are two of the prime mines of Vietnam. They have an
unpredictable supply.
Tanzania Rubies
In Tanzania, ruby deposits are found in regions near Songea.
The colour of these rubies resembles the garnet so closely that even jewelers
are often baffled by their closeness. It has been noticed that the intensity of
colour diminishes with size. Therefore, the smaller the Tanzanian rubies are,
the more they command price.
Afghanistan rubies
Little is known about ruby mining in Afghanistan. However we
find its reference in the writings of travelers as early as 951 A.D. Ibn
Batuta, Al Biruni and Marco Polo discussed about ruby mining in Afghanistan in
their travelogues. Balas ruby mines of Badakshan and Jagdalek appear to be
authentic sources of rubies in Afghanistan. Not much is known about the
gemological properties of Badakshan rubies. However the physical and chemical
properties of Jagdalek rubies account for ruby crystals in faint colours to
deep red. Often they are slightly purplish and strongly fluorescent.
Synthetic rubies
Synthetic rubies are primarily of three types- doublets,
Verneuil or flame fusion and flux grown.
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