As the gem of love, Ruby is the red member of Corundum family and is often given as a gift to show the strength of one’s relationship. The rich red colours are due to the presence of chromium, and its almost identical twin sister, the Sapphire is similar in all but colour. In fact, many people in the jewellery trade experience problems in correctly identifying the difference between some Rubies and pink or orange Sapphires

Ruby has been a popular gemstone for centuries and has been set in many famous historic pieces or jewellery. The name ruby comes from the latin word rudeus meaning red

Ruby is the only gemstone that has a clear colour grading to differentiate them from dark pink sapphires.

Besides being used in jewellery Rubies are also used extensively in laser technology.

Ruby mining can be traced back over 2,500 years ago in Sri Lanka as was also recorded in the 6th century in Mogok, Burma.

Ruby shows pleochroism which means that the colour varies when viewing the gemstone in different directions. Most stones show purplish red to orangey red, however the overall colour can give the gem and indication of the stone’s geographic origin. Burmese rubies tending to be purplish red in colour and Thai stones tending to be brownish red, this however is not always the case.

Inclusions in rubies are called silk and if sufficiently abundant and precisely arranged this can lead to asterism, and with the correct cutting this creates star rubies.

In the ancient world people believed that rubies could help them predict the future and have been worn as talismans to protect them from illness or misfortune, it has also been said that the wearer of a ruby would bring them romance, friendship, energy, courage and peace.

Ruby is the birthstone for July and is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 40th year of marriage.

Ruby has a hardness of 9 on the mohs scale and is a tough and durable stone although care must be taken to protect it from scratches and sharp blows.

The finest rubies are from Burma but other sources include Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Cambodia, Afghanistan, and India.

Hardness: 9, Refractive Index: 1.76-1.77