Interesting Facts about Ruby!

The red-hot ruby is the gemstone designated as the birthstone for the month of July. Rubies are rich in color and adored for their rarity and durability.

Let’s take a look at some interesting facts about this incredible gemstone!

Ruby Facts

1. Here’s a biggie to start with! Did you know that two well-known rubies (it is their name after all) aren’t rubies? The Black Prince’s Ruby and the Timur Ruby are part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom are red spinel, which has a different chemical composition of magnesium, iron, oxygen, and chromium. A ruby is the mineral corundum, which is much more durable. Until the year 1783, all red gemstones were called ruby.

2. Ruby is the gem-quality, red variety of corundum, which is the crystalline form of aluminum oxide. Sapphire is also corundum and is found in just about every color (except red). According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Ruby is the most valuable form of this crystalline. Ruby is a very hard gemstone, measuring 9 on Mohs Scale of Hardness which makes it a practical choice for everyday wear.

3. It is nearly impossible to find a ruby without any inclusions – they are virtually nonexistent. In fact, a natural inclusion that occurs in rubies and sapphires that can increase value is sometimes referred to as silk. The silk is actually rutile needles which is a mineral typically comprised of titanium dioxide, which can sometimes produce a star effect. It is an uncommon occurrence when it happens naturally, so those stones demand higher prices due to the rarity of the stone.

4. One of the largest rough rubies in the world is known as the 125West Ruby and weighs 18,696 carats. There is some debate as to whether it is in fact the largest, but there is no disputing that it is surely a top contender for the first-place position! It measures an astounding
122.4mm x 112.3mm x 133.9mm.

5. According to GIA.com: “Ruby is one of the most historically significant colored stones. Rubies are mentioned four times in the Bible, in association with attributes like beauty and wisdom. In the ancient language of Sanskrit, ruby is called ratnaraj, or “king of precious stones.”

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