Rubies are the red version of the mineral known as corundum. Pure corundum is made up of aluminum and oxygen and is colorless. In a ruby, however, small amounts of chromium (about one percent) replace aluminum.

When chromium replaces aluminum in corundum, the chromium atoms absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect light in the red part of the visible light spectrum. This reflected red light is what your eyes see and gives rubies their distinctive red coloring.

The name ruby comes from the Latin word ruber, which means red. Rubies vary in color from deep, blood red to light pink. In some areas, light pink rubies go by the name pink sapphire.

The traditional birthstone for July, rubies can be found in many places around the world. The best rubies have traditionally come from the Mogok Valley in Myanmar (formerly Burma).

Other countries known for ruby mining include Thailand, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tanzania, Madagascar, Vietnam, Nepal, and more recently under the receding ice shelf of Greenland. In the United States, a few rubies have been found in Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wyoming.

Rubies are one of the hardest natural gems. In fact, rubies are behind only moissanite and diamond in terms of hardness.

Please leave this field empty

Sign up to Receive Awesome Content in your Inbox, Frequently.

Enter Your Email Address *

We don’t Spam!
Thank You for your Valuable Time

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.