| one of the four precious gemstones along with | | | | Ruby that has been treated to fool buyers. This |
| Sapphire, Emerald and the Diamond. Ruby as a | | | | can be noted with the absence of needle like rutile |
| mineral is hard; it only comes second to the | | | | inclusion. |
| diamond when it comes to hardness. | | | | There are many acceptable practices to treat |
| The color of the Ruby comes in different shades | | | | Rubies to enhance the quality. The most common |
| of red — from light pink to blood red. This | | | | accepted treatment practice is using heat. Heat |
| color is due to chromium. The word "Ruby" come | | | | treatment can improve color, and remove |
| from "rubber", the Latin word for red. | | | | blemishes on the stone. Most lower cost rubies |
| Although Ruby is the birthstone for the month of | | | | are heat treated. |
| July, it is a common gift for lovers in February in | | | | A notorious way of treating Rubies to enhance |
| time for the Valentines. Its deep red color shows | | | | them is the Lead Glass Filling method. This is done |
| passion and power. In the past, royalties wear a | | | | by filling the fractures inside the ruby with lead |
| Ruby to make use of its believed to be magical | | | | glass to greatly improve the look and shine. |
| powers to fight against evil. According to myths | | | | There are also synthetic Rubies that have been in |
| and legends, the stone grows darker to warn the | | | | the market since the 19th century. The |
| wearer of imminent perils. Even today's modern | | | | introduction of the flame fusion process has made |
| royalties still use Rubies to adorn the insignia of | | | | synthetic Ruby production possible. To the unaided |
| their households. | | | | eye, synthetic rubies may have no apparent |
| Ruby is faceted into different styles of cuts and | | | | imperfections. These imperfections can only be |
| marketed as high class jewelries. The most | | | | noticed hen magnified. Synthetic rubies are the |
| preferred cuts are the brilliant and step cuts. | | | | answer to the people who want to avail of the |
| Some rubies that have asterism are polished and | | | | stone's elegance without spending huge amount of |
| shaped (the result is called cabochon) instead of | | | | money. But synthetic rubies cannot be considered |
| faceted to display the best effect of the stone. | | | | an investment compared to the natural ones. |
| Asterism is an inclusion that can greatly increase | | | | Some Ruby varieties include Burmese Ruby, Star |
| the value of the Ruby. Rubies with transparent | | | | Ruby, Cat's Eye Ruby, Stynthetic Verneuil Ruby. |
| asterism are highly prized. Some rubies, although | | | | An unnamed 38.12 carat ruby holds the record |
| extremely rarely, can show color changes, an | | | | for having been sold for $5,860,000 at an auction |
| effect called chatoyancy. | | | | in 2006. |
| The prices of Rubies are highly depended on the | | | | Science laboratories have used rubies for the first |
| color. The Pigeon Blood Red, which is the brightest | | | | laser which used artificial ruby crystals. The |
| red Ruby, is exceedingly expensive. Clarity follows | | | | phosphorescence property of ruby makes it |
| color in determining the Ruby's price. Clear Rubies | | | | perfect for lasers. |
| have higher prices. It is easy to spot any clear | | | | |