Ruby - King Of Gemstones

RUBY - King of Gemstones

Ruby, one of the most valuable gemstone, belongs to the corundum family and is considered to be the King of Gemstones. Only the red variety of corundum is at liberty to command the title of Ruby, while all other varieties are categorized as Sapphires.

Rubies consist of aluminium oxide and chrome, the latter giving rubies their wonderful color. But chrome is also responsible for creating multitude of fissures and cracks inside the crystals. It is, therefore, rare to find rubies of considerably big sizes. Some rubies display a splendid and glorious silky shine called the “silk” of the gemstone which is caused by the fine needles of rutile. Sometimes the rutile forms a star-shaped deposit within the ruby causing a mesmerizing light effect called asterism. Such rubies are called Star- Rubies and are precious rarities.

The red of the rubies is a hot, passionate and powerful color. Rubies are considered as a perfect way to expresses compassionate and powerful feelings. Rings set in rubies are, therefore, thought to symbolize passionate love.

The value of a ruby depends on its color and attractiveness of the color. Rubies fall into various categories depending on their color and value. The top most category being the “Burmese Ruby”. It does not necessarily mean that the gemstone is of Burmese origin; it is merely an indication of a rich, full red with slightly bluish hue of the concerned ruby, which is a peculiarity of the stones from the famous deposits of Burma, now Myanmar. The color is sometimes referred to as “pigeon-blood-red”.
Other qualities that are determinants of the value of a ruby are cut, clarity and size, similar to that of other gemstones.