Ruby
A red gemstone variety of corundum, prized for durability and color.
Last updated
Along with diamond, emerald, sapphire, and amethyst, ruby is counted among the traditional cardinal gems.[1] The Latin term "ruber," meaning red, is the origin of the word ruby.[1]
Key facts and history
Ruby, along with sapphire, is in the corundum group.[2] When chromium replaces one percent of the aluminum ions in ruby, the resulting absorption of yellow-green light gives the gem a red appearance.[3] The most prized red shade, known as pigeon blood or blood-red, is significantly more expensive than other rubies of comparable quality.[4] July's traditional birthstone is ruby, which typically has a pinker tone than garnet.[4]
Thailand, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, Namibia, Japan, and Scotland are all places where rubies have been historically extracted.[5] Although rubies were first found there in 2009, the Montepuez mine in northeastern Mozambique sits atop one of the globe's most important ruby deposits.[6] Naturally occurring rubies in mainland Europe are found exclusively in the Republic of North Macedonia.[7]
What the research sources say
A 55.22-carat ruby became both the largest and most valuable gem of its kind ever to sell at auction, netting $34.8 million.[8] The previous auction record for a ruby was set by the Sunrise Ruby, a 25.59-carat stone found in Myanmar that fetched $30.3 million in 2015.[8] Mozambique is now one of the world’s most productive ruby-mining countries.[8] The hardest mineral after the diamond, the ruby’s brittleness requires care when cutting.[2]
Macedonian rubies have a unique raspberry color, and the Caucaso account notes they have a specific raspberry-pink colour.[7][9] The most common treatment is the application of heat, and most rubies at the lower end of the market are heat treated to improve color.[10]
References
- Wikipedia, "Ruby" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Precious Stones , Max Bauer, p. 2 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- "Ruby: causes of color". facts only, no text reused. webexhibits.org
- Wikipedia, "Ruby" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Ruby: causes of color"; "Ruby Crystal Fluorescence", PhysicsOpenLab (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Ruby" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Holland, "Largest ruby ever to come to auction sells for record-breaking $34.8 million", CNN, 8 June 2023 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Ruby" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Ruby and Sapphire Origins", International Gem Society; "Ruby", www.mindat.org (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Ruby" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Mozambique: A Ruby Discovery for the 21st Century Gems & Gemology", www.gia.edu (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Ruby" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Caucaso, "A Macedonian Ruby", OBC Transeuropa (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Holland, "Largest ruby ever to come to auction sells for record-breaking $34.8 million", CNN, 8 June 2023. facts only, no text reused. cnn.com
- Caucaso, "A Macedonian Ruby", OBC Transeuropa. facts only, no text reused. balcanicaucaso.org
- Wikipedia, "Ruby" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "The Heat Treatment of Ruby and Sapphire", Gemlab Inc., 1992 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Ruby (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
Also in the Codexery
More in Minerals & Crystals
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Ruby (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the , each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced