| Rubies are a little softer than the sapphire, which | | | | with the best color, are usually from Burma, and |
| may seem strange as they are both made of the | | | | can actually be as valuable as diamonds, or even |
| same mineral. The ruby has excellent hardness, | | | | more so. These precious gemstones of nature, |
| 3rd only to sapphires and diamonds. | | | | offers breathtaking color, ranging from brownish |
| It is almost impossible to find a ruby of fine | | | | red to light red similar to ripe raspberries. The |
| quality over 3 carats in size, therefore, minor | | | | color of ruby is accompanied by a marked |
| inclusions are deemed acceptable and most ruby | | | | fluorescence, which is stimulated by natural and |
| jewelry is made with stones under 3 carats. In | | | | artificial light making rubies turn brighter red under |
| fact, inclusions within a ruby are like fingerprints, | | | | such light. The color is ruby's most important |
| proving its authenticity and revealing the beauty | | | | attribute, while its transparency is secondary. |
| and the individuality of each stone. | | | | The most rare, highly valued ruby is the star |
| Although the finest rubies come from the Mogok | | | | ruby, which is also called pigeon or dove blood |
| region in Burma, traditionally, India was considered | | | | because its color resembles the blood of a pigeon |
| to be the source of all rubies, as testified by an | | | | or dove. It is a deep pure red with a hint of bluish |
| overwhelming collection of literature for over two | | | | purple, and is the most sought after shade. Inside |
| thousand years. Rubies also come from Tanzania, | | | | of the ruby is what appears to be a star, a |
| Madagascar, Russia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Kenya, | | | | six-ray star with perfect symmetry. The center |
| Mexico, Afghanistan, USA and Pakistan. Pakistan | | | | of the star moves when the stone is moved. A |
| provides rubies of excellent color, only with less | | | | perfect star ruby is very rare. Sometimes, the |
| frequency than from Mogok. | | | | stone is flawed, or too cloudy, or the six points of |
| Many beautiful rubies also come from Thailand, | | | | the star are vague or unequal.Star rubies are |
| today's main source for rubies. Thai rubies tend to | | | | usually given a mixed cut, which is generally oval, |
| be a little darker in shade, with a red so deep | | | | but can be round, or other shapes as well. |
| they are almost violet. The island of Ceylon, which | | | | Were you or someone you know born in July? Do |
| is the "island of gems," has also been long famous | | | | you just like the color red? Are you or is |
| for it's rubies, which are of a lighter shade. Marco | | | | someone you know having a 40th Anniversary? |
| Polo once said that no other place had rubies as | | | | Remember rubies represent 40th anniversaries. |
| beautiful as those from Ceylon. | | | | Indeed, the ruby is the perfect gift! |
| The highest quality rubies, the most transparent | | | | |