Name: Ruby comes from the Latin word “Rubeus,” meaning “red”. Ruby has been known as the ‘king of precious stones’.
Family Group: Ruby is a red corundum.
Color: It's color comes from chromium and has a color range from a deep cochineal-red to pale rose-red, purplish-red, and orangey-red. Ruby’s pleochroism is a strong orangey-red or a purplish-red. Today, the most sought-after color of ruby is a medium or medium dark vivid red.
Treatments: Heat and fracture filling with oil, epoxy, or glass are done to improve clarity and/or color. Dyeing is sometimes done to improve color.
Moh’s Hardness: 9.
Locations Found: Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and the United States of America (North Carolina and Montana).
Birthstone: July (1912, National Association of Jeweler’s; Polish).
Historically Used to Treat: protect against illness; hemorrhages; flatulence; biliousness; inflammatory diseases; to staunch bleeding; an antidote to poison.
Care: Ultrasonics and steamers are safe if the stones are not oiled, cavity filled, or heavily flawed. Warm, soapy water, and a soft cloth can be used.
