Ruby Overview

Rubies are one of the most sought-after stones throughout history, and are still immensely popular today. Like their sister stone the Sapphire, Rubies are a precious gemstone made from the mineral corundum. In ancient history, rubies have been said to bring beauty and wisdom. Today, rubies are symbols of passion, as well as wealth and success. It is for these reasons, as well as it's lush color, notable hardness, and association with religion that it continues to enjoy popularity today.

Rubies are known for their shades of red. Its color is obtained due to the presence of Chromium in the mineral corundum. Chromium is a trace element, and when it becomes part of the mineral's crystal structure it causes variations in color ranging from orange-red to deep, purple-red. The presence of Chromium is directly correlated with the strength of the color - the more Chromium present in the mineral, the stronger the color will be. There are other trace elements that can also be found in the corundum, such as aluminum, iron, and magnesium. The presence of these elements create the variety of colors found in the Ruby's sister stone, the Sapphire.

On the Moh's scale of hardness, Rubies are a 9, making it the second hardest gemstone (alongside Sapphires) after diamonds. The durability of rubies helps to make it a popular choice for engagement rings and bracelets as it is able to withstand the wear-and-tear of daily life.

While rubies are best known for their deep red color, they vary in shade, intensity, and transparency. They can also have a secondary hue or undertone, such as orange or purple. Some rubies are transparent pinkish-red, others can be deep red, borderlining on opaque. Like all other gemstones, imperfections exist in rubies which contribute to their unique appearance. These imperfections can include small silk or feather inclusions, and in some rare cases form an asterism known as a "Star Ruby".

Rubies have long been associated with royalty and celebrity throughout history. Queen Elizabeth of England is known for her collection of ruby jewelry, which includes an Edwardian-style diamond and ruby necklace, as well as a Ruby Tiara gifted by the people of Burma. Hollywood film legend Elizabeth Taylor was gifted a ruby necklace designed by Cartier; at the time it was one of the most desired and replicated necklaces amongst women. In 2011, this necklace was auctioned for charity at Christie�s for a whopping $115 million - the most valuable jewelry auction in history! Notable pieces from current celebrities like Victoria Beckham's oval cut ruby engagement ring have reignited the ruby's popularity among a new generation of gemstone aficionados.

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Created on Jan 15th 2021 04:00. Viewed 195 times.

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