| Ruby the blood red colored gemstone is a rare | | | | the rubies reflecting orange overtones should not |
| beauty. Ruby is believed to be from the family of | | | | be considered much. |
| corundum. There are basically two types of | | | | 2. The cut of the stone is another decisive factor |
| corundum. One is ruby and the other is popularly | | | | and it should be as close to the original shape of |
| known as sapphire. There are subcategories of | | | | the stone as possible. Cutting also decides the |
| sapphire too. Ruby is the red corundum which | | | | appraisal of the stone and therefore cutting flaws |
| may be transparent or translucent and it is very | | | | like striations and pitting should be as minimal as |
| hard. It is chemically aluminum oxide and the red | | | | possible. |
| color is contributed by the presence of chromium | | | | 3. The weight, brightness, shape are the other |
| oxide. The depth of the color may vary from | | | | few factors to be considered while judging the |
| medium to deep and the tone of the color may | | | | stones. |
| vary from red to deep red purple. | | | | Jewellery like choker, tiara, pendent, ear rings, |
| There are a few famous varieties available in the | | | | necklace made in ruby are very exclusive. Rubies |
| market. Of all of them Burmese ruby is | | | | studded in silver and gold, look equally good and |
| considered to the most expensive and rare. It is | | | | when ruby is used in combination with other |
| deep red in color with a touch of blue commonly | | | | gemstones then the sight is enthralling. The value |
| referred to as pigeon's blood and is a very fine | | | | of the jewellery made out of ruby depends a lot |
| variety of ruby. There are Sri-Lanka rubies too. | | | | on the size of the gemstone and the material in |
| These semiprecious stones are mined on the | | | | which it is embedded. Consequently the ruby with |
| Ceylon islands. They are bright red in color and | | | | gold is costlier than ruby in silver. Similarly if ruby |
| very pure. The other category is of Thai rubies | | | | is used in combination with other gemstones then |
| which are characterized by deep red color with | | | | here too the price varies. Rubies are generally |
| brownish tones reflected in it and at times | | | | used in combination with diamond and this item of |
| resemble the garnet. The last variety is of African | | | | jewellery is quiet expensive. |
| rubies which are of purplish red color and are | | | | Ruby is rarely available since it is not mined much |
| very small in size. | | | | across the world. There are synthetic rubies too |
| Ruby is a very precious buy and there are few | | | | available in the markets, which are cheep but one |
| factors to be considered before investing in them. | | | | has to decide the purpose of buy. If one is only |
| 1. The foremost thing to be considered is the | | | | interested in costume jewellery then a fake ruby |
| color of the stone. The deep red showing purplish | | | | is a wise investment. But for collectors and |
| overtones are considered to be more expensive | | | | wearers of precious gemstones, a pure ruby is |
| than the one with brown overtones. Moreover | | | | like a breath of fresh air. |