| What is a Ruby? | | | | size reduces and they are red/blue/purple in |
| In its simplest terms, a ruby is a red gemstone | | | | colour, similar to Garnet. |
| more officially called aluminum oxide. The name | | | | Madagascan Rubies |
| ruby comes from the Latin term ruber meaning | | | | This area is another great source of rubies, and |
| red and the redness of the stone comes from | | | | these are a newer phenomenon than the other |
| the presence of the element chromium. The ruby | | | | rubies mentioned. The rubies are found in rocks in |
| is one of four precious stones, the other being | | | | the Vatomandry region of Madagascar. The rubies |
| sapphires, diamonds and emeralds. A ruby is part | | | | tend to be Red, Pink and Orange in terms of |
| of the corundum family of gemstones and is also | | | | colouring and highlights. |
| sometimes called a red sapphire. | | | | Afghan Rubies |
| Where are Rubies found? | | | | The Badakshan and Jagdalek regions of |
| Natural sources for rubies produce the finest | | | | Afghanistan are the common sources for Afghan |
| examples of the stone; the main areas for mining | | | | rubies. The Jagdalek rubies are also red in colour. |
| rubies include Burma (now called Myanmar), | | | | Due to the recent troubles in Afghanistan, it has |
| Thailand, Cambodia and in smaller quantities | | | | not been a widely available source of rubies in |
| Afghanistan. | | | | recent times. |
| Other sources of rubies include Pakistan, US, | | | | Main Uses for Rubies |
| Africa, Nepal, Vietnam and some states in the | | | | By far the most popular use for rubies is in |
| Russian republics. | | | | different types of jewellery such as rings, |
| Different Types of Rubies | | | | earrings, necklaces etc. Rubies are also used in |
| There are many types of rubies, but in general | | | | lasers for the removal of tattoos and other |
| the most popular one are: | | | | markings. |
| Burmese Rubies | | | | The Typical Price of a Ruby |
| These are one of the finest qualities of rubies and | | | | There are many factors which help in determining |
| emanate mainly from the Mogok valley region of | | | | the price of a ruby; the main factors are: |
| Burma. Deep red in colour, a key element of | | | | - Colour – the most valuable rubies are those |
| these rubies is the fact they have few marks or | | | | that are the brightest, a form of red called pigeon |
| blemishes, this is unlike rubies from other areas | | | | blood red. These rubies command a much larger |
| around the world. | | | | price than other rubies. |
| Thailand Rubies | | | | - Clarity – no rubies are free from |
| These are also high-quality rubies, second only to | | | | imperfections, but those with fewer marks will |
| the Burmese rubies in quality and are mined in | | | | command a premium. Beware because a clear |
| regions towards the South-east of Bangkok. They | | | | flawless ruby may indicate it has been treated to |
| are much darker than the Burmese rubies | | | | remove imperfections. |
| because in addition to Chromium, they also | | | | - Cut and carat size – in other words, the |
| contains traces of iron. In terms of colour, they | | | | weight and the cut of the ruby will also have a big |
| are liable to have traces of Brown or Burgundy | | | | bearing on price. |
| Tanzanian Rubies | | | | Dependent on the above factors, rubies can cost |
| Mined near the Songea region in Tanzania, the | | | | anywhere from a few dollars to tens of |
| value of these rubies tends to increase as the | | | | thousands of dollars. |