Ruby - The Red Gemstone

Rubies are one of the most popular gemstones in the world. The color of rubies ranges from pink to blood red. Rubies belong to the mineral group corundum which is also the mineral group for another popular gemstone, the sapphire.

Rubies are mined in Asia mainly in Thailand, Afghanistan and Cambodia. Myanmar used to be abundant in rubies and they were not just ordinary rubies found there. The rubies that were found in Myanmar is one of the finest rubies that were ever mined. The rubies in Myanmar were the brightest and the most valuable rubies known as the pigeon\'s blood. However, because of the constant mining and the exploitation of the rubies, the rubies that were once abundant in Myanmar are no longer there. There are others who say that there are still rubies left to be found in Myanmar but others also say that all the rubies in Myanmar are all gone.

Like any other gemstones, there are factors to look at on determining the price and quality of rubies. The prices of rubies are determined by its color and clarity. The redder and clearer the ruby is, the higher the price will be for the ruby. The other factors that determines its price is the cut and the ruby\'s carat.

In terms of hardness, the diamond is on top with a mohs scale of 10 while the ruby\'s hardness is 9. However, the ruby is the most stable form of aluminum oxide. Because it is very stable, some of the aluminum ions can be replaced by chromium.

In 1960, a man named Theodore Maiman has successfully made the laser for the first time in history and it was based on the ruby.

You can find rubies in pawnshops, jewelry shops and jewelry auctions and since rubies are judged by its cut, carat, clarity and color, you will then know what jewelries are more exquisite than the other. The color of the gemstone is what everyone notices at first so you may want to put emphasis on that factor when buying gemstones such as rubies.

Jewelries can be a statement that you belong to the upper class of society and it is only suitable for you to choose rubies that are authentic and not just duplicates or fake so it is important to know your rubies and to be able to be knowledgeable in the factors that determine the price of the rubies.

Rubies continue to be one of the most popular gemstones today from the time they were first mined in Myanmar and since then has been captivating the interest of the people by the perfect ruby that was called the pigeon\'s blood which was abundant then but is rare now.