Interesting Facts About Rubies
A ruby is a red precious variety of corundum. Rubies are the second hardest gemstone, registering a nine on the Mohs hardness scale. They are slightly softer than diamonds, which register as a 10. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Rubies have been treasured by royalty, religions and many different cultures. As a result, rubies have, at times, achieved a value of more than seven times that of a diamond.
Colors
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Rubies range in color from a deep, dark red to a shade of light pink. The trace amounts of the mineral chromium in the gem are responsible for the ruby's red coloring.
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Geography
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Rubies have been found in countries throughout the world. The majority of rubies are found in Asian and African countries that include Afghanistan, Burma, Thailand and Vietnam.
Imperfections
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Like other gems, it is rare for a ruby to be without imperfections. Rubies are heat treated to improve the strength and color of the gem. A ruby that is cut correctly will have a brilliance and sparkle that can rival a diamond.
Fun Facts
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The birthstone for the month of July is a ruby. It is also one of the traditional gifts for those celebrating their 15th, 40th, 60th, and 80th wedding anniversaries.
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References
- Photo Credit rubis et diamant image by WSC from Fotolia.com
