Rubies are red corundum gemstones, with the most desirable being deep red. They are found in Myanmar, Africa, and Asia, and are the second hardest gemstone after diamonds. Rubies are associated with love and are used in jewelry. The largest ruby in the world is privately owned and has asterisms. Prices for rubies vary based on clarity and size.
Rubies, the birthstone for July, are gemstones composed of corundum, chromium bonded with aluminum oxide. Corundum comes in a variety of colors, but when it’s red, it’s always a ruby. Blue or pink varieties of corundum are always known as sapphires, although there is some dispute as to whether pink sapphire is simply a lighter colored ruby.
Most rubies are mined in Myanmar, formerly Burma, and other parts of Asia and Africa. Some high quality rubies have recently been found in Kenya. Some US states, Montana and the Carolinas, have also discovered rubies, but most of the best gems are found in Myanmar.
Next to diamonds, rubies are the hardest gemstones, with a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale. Their hardness makes them ideal for jewelry of all kinds, since you don’t have to take special care when using them. The shade of red varies, but the most desirable rubies are deep red, sometimes called pigeon’s blood. Lighter variations can make gemstones and are less expensive.
Mr. G. Vidyaraj, residing in India, privately owns the largest ruby in the world. The stone, called the Rajaratna ruby, is an impressive 2,475 carats. The stone has asterisms, tiny fibers that are actually slight malformations, but the overall appearance of the asterism causes the stone to refract light into a star shape. Such rubies are highly valued and are known as Star Rubies.
As with most natural gems, rubies are not perfect. However, many look for rubies with an asterism or flawless stones that have the highest clarity. With greater clarity and fewer defects, prices skyrocket. Larger flawless rubies, those larger than three or four carats, are typically much more expensive than smaller flawless gems, as they are much more difficult to obtain. In 2006, an eight-carat stone sold for nearly four million US dollars (USD). The price per carat was approximately 500,000 USD.
For those of us who are not collectors, a medium or jewelry grade stone is usually quite satisfactory and much less expensive. Medium clarity two carat wholesale loose stones are generally under $1,000. A smaller, better quality stone is generally preferable to a larger, flawed stone.
Various cultures have referred to the value of rubies. In Proverbs 31:10, the value of a virtuous wife is “far above rubies.” “Rubies” has also been translated as pearls, jewels, and precious stones, depending on the source. Ariovedic traditions believe that these gemstones strengthen the heart, restore balance in both love and spiritual relationships, and help prevent miscarriages.
Modern ruby lore suggests that a man who gives a woman a ruby engagement ring expresses passionate love. The blood red color of rubies symbolizes the heart. Therefore, rubies are today the stone most associated with love.
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