Glittering Stones >>Precious Stones >> Ruby

Precious Stone Ruby

A Ruby is a red variety of the gemstone corundum. The color is caused mainly by chromium. They are mined in countries like Africa, Asia and Australia. Rubies are most often found in Myanmar, Sri Lanka and also at Thailand, though they have also been found in Montana and South Carolina; rubies are exceptionally rare, though artificial ones could be manufactured. Sometimes spinals are found along with rubies in the same geological formations and usually are mistaken for the more valuable gem.

Historical Facts of Ruby

Refractive index: 1.762 - 1.770

Mohs Scale hardness: 9.0

Chemical Composition: AL2O3

Crystal Group: Hexagonal

Crystal system: Trigonal

Density: 4.0

Luster: Vitreous

Sign of the Zodiac: Leo

Month of the year: July

Planet: Sun

Color: Red, may be brownish or purplish

Occurrence: Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, U.S. states of Montana, Madagascar, North Carolina, South Carolina, Cambodia, Tanzania, Kenya

Precious Stone Ruby Jewelry