Its intense red color never goes unnoticed. The ruby, positioned as one of the most valued gemstones in jewelry for its color, brilliance, chemical composition, and hardness, is the ideal gem to create unparalleled jewels that last over time, as long as it is an authentic ruby, as we explain in the article on how to tell if a ruby is authentic. Discover all the characteristics, properties, and curiosities of this majestic gem on our blog.
Characteristics of the Ruby
Its name
According to its morphology, the word "ruby" comes from the Latin word "ruber," which refers to its red color.
Its origin
Ruby deposits can be found in Burma, Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Thailand, Brazil, Colombia, China, and Russia, but also in smaller quantities in South Africa, Australia, Greenland, and the United States. Rubies from Burma, called "Pigeon's Blood" for their intense red color and fluorescence, can be valued at true fortunes (even more than a diamond) if they have not been treated by man.
The chemical composition of ruby and its hardness
The result of the mixture of iron and chromium, ruby belongs to the corundum family, just like sapphire. The only difference between the two is the color; that is, red corundum is called ruby, and all other colors, including pink, are called sapphire. Ruby has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, surpassed only by diamond, thus considering it one of the four precious stones par excellence: diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald.
The color, brilliance, opacity, and transparency of ruby
The most common is to find a completely transparent ruby; however, some small impurities can make it semi-opaque. Regarding its color and clarity, it is most common for rubies to undergo an ancient heat treatment practice to intensify both aspects. If a client wishes to acquire a ruby without thermal treatment, they can request it from us and will always receive it accompanied by a certificate indicating this.
Some of our designs further highlight the characteristics and beauty of the ruby, such as those found in the Dance collection.
The value of the ruby
We are dealing with one of the most valuable gemstones. Choosing a design with rubies is a winning bet that will not go unnoticed; even combining it with other precious stones is a sure success. Ruby and diamond rings like the Almar ring are a piece of jewelry for life.
Properties of the Ruby
If we want to know what ruby symbolizes in jewelry, we can say that it is associated with properties such as protection, peace, harmony, health, love, and passion. In some countries, like India, it even symbolizes eternal fire. Collections like Tri-Marquise feature matching ruby rings, necklaces, and earrings, which, in contact with the skin, will allow you to experience all their properties and benefits.
Curiosities of the Ruby
Finding rubies of the characteristic red color, with a specific chemical composition, is complex, and as a result, notable synthetic imitations have appeared on the market. We therefore recommend always consulting a professional in case of doubt. Mumit's expert gemologists always verify each individual gemstone for our designs, selecting the best precious stones to create unique, high-quality jewelry pieces.
If you liked our article about the ruby, you can't miss our new post where we compare the ruby and sapphire gemstones and advise you on which is more suitable for your jewelry.
Discover your favorite design on Mumit.com or on our social media (Instagram or Facebook) and consult us with any questions; our team of experts will be happy to help you.
