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Physical Characteristics
COLOUR
Colour is the most significant factor affecting a ruby’s value. Ruby has a pure, vibrant red to slightly purplish red colour. As the colour becomes too orangy or more purplish, the ruby reduces in value. Fine ruby glows with intense red in sunlight due to red fluorescence, which intensifies its red colour. The highest-quality rubies have vivid colour saturation. If the colour is too dark it reduces the stone’s brightness. Too light and the stone is considered pink sapphire. Rubies have pleochroism, (where different colours can be observed when viewed from different angles) red/purplish to orangy/red in rubies.
CLARITY
Inclusion-free rubies are practically nonexistent. Inclusions that reduce transparency or brightness reduce a ruby’s value significantly. These can be small crystals, zones of colour variation called zoning or banding, or resemble fingerprints.
CUT
A ruby’s rough crystal shape dictates its cut. Ruby rough is very expensive, so cutters try to conserve as much weight as possible. The most common shape is a flat tabular hexagonal shape though some longer shapes also occur. Rubies are mainly cut into ovals and cushions, with brilliant-cut crowns, and step-cut pavilions. Round, emerald-cut, square, triangular, pear and marquise rubies are also available. But these shapes are rare in larger sizes and higher qualities. Less transparent rubies are often cut as cabochons or beads. Rubies that have the optical phenomenon of asterism (the star effect caused by the intersection of needle-like inclusions) are always cut as cabochons.
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Spiritual & Health Benefits
Its name derives from Latin rubeus – meaning red. This hue can be a symbol of passion and desire as well as temperament and aggression. Red is also associated with love.
Through the ages, the ruby has represented nobility, purity, and passion. From ancient times through the modern-day, rubies have been valued by cultures around the world.
The ruby is known as a protective stone that can bring happiness and passion into the life of the wearer. … The ruby is also believed to protect the wearer from negative entities that leach positive energy, promoting spiritual vitality and wellness overall.
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Care
Ruby, like sapphire, is the hardest of all gemstones, but it does still require some care. Remove ruby jewellery when exercising, cleaning, playing sports or engaging in vigorous physical activities. Ruby can easily scratch other gems or precious metals so avoid direct contact with other jewellery by storing them separately.
Warm soapy water and tissue or a soft cloth can be used to clean ruby jewellery. Be sure to rinse the stones well to remove all soapy residue. Also, ultrasonic cleaners won’t harm ruby so they are ideal for removing dirt embedded around your ruby settings.
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Other Red Gems
Other red gems include red coral, red garnet, red jasper and red spinel.
Ruby Guide
Ruby is the July birthstone and the gem for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.
According to legend, a mysterious inner fire that could not be extinguished lit the gem. The Sanskrit word for ruby is Ratnaraj or “king of precious stones.” It is one of the most prized and pricy gems due to its hardness, brilliance, and rarity. Rubies can have the highest per-carat price of any coloured stone, even higher than diamonds in the larger sizes. Rubies of over one carat are very rare. The most desirable rubies have a pure, vibrant red to slightly purplish red colour. Ruby represents love and passion, making it an extremely popular gift for all romantic occasions.
