RUBY
the red variety of corundum

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VARIETY INFORMATION:

  • VARIETY OF: Corundum , Al2O3 .
  • USES: Gemstone.
  • BIRTHSTONE FOR: July
  • COLOR: various shades of red.
  • INDEX OF REFRACTION: 1.76 - 1.78
  • BIREFRINGENCE: 0.009
  • HARDNESS: 9
  • CLEAVAGE: none, although there is a rhombic parting
  • CRYSTAL SYSTEM: trigonal
  • PLEOCHROIC: strongly
  • For natural ruby mineral specimens see our For Sale or Sold lists
    For Ruby Jewelry, see --> RUBY JEWELRY

Ruby is the red variety of corundum, the second hardest natural mineral known to antiquity. The non-red variety of corundum is Sapphire. Sapphires are well known among the general public as being blue, but can be nearly any color. The red color in ruby is caused by trace amounts of the element chromium. The best shade of red for ruby is often given the name "pigeon blood red", but ruby can be any shade of red up to almost pink.

Oriented rutile crystal inclusions cause a six-rayed-star light effect (called asterism) to form the popular Star Ruby.

Rubies come from all over the world but good gemstones are found at Thailand, India, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, North Carolina in the U.S., Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Kampuchea, and perhaps most notably, Burma.

Rubies have a famous place in science - the first lasers were made from artificial ruby crystals.  They still are used for this purpose although other materials offer improved efficiency.  Some ruby crystals show the fluorescence (actually very short term phosphorescence) that makes a laser possible.

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Ruby Jewelry - Hover over an item for more information
Written in the Stars Ring Round Ruby Sterling Silver Ring with Pink Tourmaline
Two glittering gemstones and numerous star etchings rest atop the hollowed upper band of this gleaming ring, designed for the stargazers among us.Only $168.00 at Gemvara
no photoWritten in the Stars Ring Round Ruby Sterling Silver Ring with Pink Tourmaline
$168.00
Gemvara
Written in the Stars Ring Round Ruby Sterling Silver Ring with Yellow Sapphire
Two glittering gemstones and numerous star etchings rest atop the hollowed upper band of this gleaming ring, designed for the stargazers among us.Only $173.00 at Gemvara
no photoWritten in the Stars Ring Round Ruby Sterling Silver Ring with Yellow Sapphire
$173.00
Gemvara
Roberto Coin Exclusive Pave Cross Medallion Bracelet
A dazzling cross pendant suspends from a lovely, simple link-chain bracelet with pave diamond stations. Exclusively ours. 18-karat white gold. Evenly spaced pave diamond stations lead to a diamond cross pendant at center; 0.18 total carat weight....Only $740.00 at Neiman Marcus
no photoRoberto Coin Exclusive Pave Cross Medallion Bracelet
$740.00
Neiman Marcus
Sterling Silver White Topaz, Ruby, Rubellite Tourmaline Tennis Bracelet Jewelry
This Bracelet was handmade by a master artisan and is one of a kind.Only $746.24 at JeGem.com
no photoSterling Silver White Topaz, Ruby, Rubellite Tourmaline Tennis Bracelet Jewelry
$746.24
JeGem.com
Modern Flower Ring Round Ruby Sterling Silver Ring with Fire Opal & Black Onyx
Six, sparkling petals surround a seventh round-cut stone. The bezel setting gives a stylish, modern feel to a classic, star-shaped flower ring.Only $213.00 at Gemvara
no photoModern Flower Ring Round Ruby Sterling Silver Ring with Fire Opal & Black Onyx
$213.00
Gemvara
Created Ruby Heart Ring with Diamonds 7/8 Carat (ctw) in 10K Yellow Gold, Size 5
Created Ruby Heart Ring with Diamonds 7/8 Carat (ctw) in 10K Yellow Gold, Size 5 #08ES41008CRU:V5. An incredible heart felt ruby gemstone rests regally as the glistening center stone in this 10 karat yellow gold ring while two crisp diamonds serve to...Only $149.00 at MyJewelryBox.com
no photoCreated Ruby Heart Ring with Diamonds 7/8 Carat (ctw) in 10K Yellow Gold, Size 5
$149.00
MyJewelryBox.com
1/2 TCW Genuine Sapphire Lab-Created Ruby Platinum Over Sterling Silver Heart Pendant and Chain 18'' by PalmBeach Jewelry
Rated by 25,000+ Customers. 1/2 TCW Genuine Sapphire Lab-Created Ruby Platinum Over Sterling Silver Heart Pendant and Chain 18''Only $119.99 at PalmBeachJewelry
no photo1/2 TCW Genuine Sapphire Lab-Created Ruby Platinum Over Sterling Silver Heart Pendant and Chain 18'' by PalmBeach Jewelry
$119.99
PalmBeachJewelry
Claddagh Ring Heart Red Garnet Sterling Silver Ring with Rhodolite Garnet & Ruby
This timeless design is inspired by the traditional Irish Claddagh Ring, which is given as a token of love or of marriage. The heart symbolizes love, the hands friendship and the crown, loyalty.Only $428.00 at Gemvara
no photoCladdagh Ring Heart Red Garnet Sterling Silver Ring with Rhodolite Garnet & Ruby
$428.00
Gemvara
Written in the Stars Ring Round Ruby Sterling Silver Ring with Black Onyx
Two glittering gemstones and numerous star etchings rest atop the hollowed upper band of this gleaming ring, designed for the stargazers among us.Only $161.00 at Gemvara
no photoWritten in the Stars Ring Round Ruby Sterling Silver Ring with Black Onyx
$161.00
Gemvara
Initials 'J' Disc Charm Pendant with Gem Sterling Silver Necklace with Ruby
Your initial, or that of someone you love, is engraved in elegant script on a disc of precious metal, and accented by a single, sparkling gemstone. You choose the letter, metal and gem. Our artisans set to work, handcrafting the kind of pendant you'll...Only $196.00 at Gemvara
no photoInitials 'J' Disc Charm Pendant with Gem Sterling Silver Necklace with Ruby
$196.00
Gemvara
Lover's Knot Ring Sterling Silver Ring with Ruby & Black Onyx
Two knots intertwine in an unending braid that symbolizes the love that ties you together. Two gems, two people, forever. Add your birthstones for extra significance.Only $209.00 at Gemvara
no photoLover's Knot Ring Sterling Silver Ring with Ruby & Black Onyx
$209.00
Gemvara
Written in the Stars Ring Round Ruby Sterling Silver Ring with Smoky Quartz
Two glittering gemstones and numerous star etchings rest atop the hollowed upper band of this gleaming ring, designed for the stargazers among us.Only $162.00 at Gemvara
no photoWritten in the Stars Ring Round Ruby Sterling Silver Ring with Smoky Quartz
$162.00
Gemvara
Created Ruby Heart Ring with Diamonds 7/8 Carat (ctw) in 10K Yellow Gold, Size 7
Created Ruby Heart Ring with Diamonds 7/8 Carat (ctw) in 10K Yellow Gold, Size 7 #08ES41008CRU:V7. An incredible heart felt ruby gemstone rests regally as the glistening center stone in this 10 karat yellow gold ring while two crisp diamonds serve to...Only $149.00 at MyJewelryBox.com
no photoCreated Ruby Heart Ring with Diamonds 7/8 Carat (ctw) in 10K Yellow Gold, Size 7
$149.00
MyJewelryBox.com
Created Ruby Heart Ring with Diamonds 7/8 Carat (ctw) in 10K Yellow Gold
Created Ruby Heart Ring with Diamonds 7/8 Carat (ctw) in 10K Yellow Gold #08ES41008CRU. An incredible heart felt ruby gemstone rests regally as the glistening center stone in this 10 karat yellow gold ring while two crisp diamonds serve to complete the...Only $149.00 at MyJewelryBox.com
no photoCreated Ruby Heart Ring with Diamonds 7/8 Carat (ctw) in 10K Yellow Gold
$149.00
MyJewelryBox.com
"14K Yellow Gold 14Mm Ladies Synthetic Ruby Ring"
"Solid 14k yellow gold synthetic ruby ring. The ring width is 14mm. Made In USA"Only $196.00 at Sarraf Jewelry
no photo"14K Yellow Gold 14Mm Ladies Synthetic Ruby Ring"
$196.00
Sarraf Jewelry

This Site Awarded
Available RUBY specimens:
RUBY specimen RUB-52
$ 45.00 -40% = $ 27.00
Dims: 1.89x1.55x1.49in (4.80x3.94x3.77cm) .... Wt: 5.1oz (144g) .... Loc: Madagascar
The cross-section of this sapphire crystal shows good hexagonal form and most of one natural termination. Part of the specimen is a mass of brown to black muscovite plus minor amounts of albite.
no photo
RUB-52
$ 27.00
no photo
RUBY specimen RUB-48
$ 25.00 -10% = $ 22.50
Dims: 0.88x0.84x0.64in (2.22x2.14x1.62cm) .... Wt: 0.40oz (11.3g) .... Loc: Rai-Iz, Polar Ural, Russia
This small specimen contains four ruby crystals, but only one is significantly exposed - the others show a single face. Still, it is a nice ruby crystal, with excellent color and a pleasing appearance when examined using a loupe.
no photo
RUB-48
$ 22.50
no photo
see this List of ALL specimens including SOLD ones
 

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