A Complete Guide to Birthstone Gems
Ruby: An Intense Fiery Glow
From Dorothy's slippers to Julia Roberts' necklace in Pretty Woman, the ruby is an iconic gemstone. Considered the King of Gems (and the birthstone for July), the word "ruby" stems from the Latin word "ruber," which means "red"—and, indeed, a bright red is the most desirable color for rubies and one that commands the highest price, too. Before spending top dollar on ruby gemstones, let's learn the history of rubies and look at some common questions before purchasing that perfect piece for your collection.
Where is Ruby Most Commonly Found?
Ruby is a member of the mineral family corundum. (The word "corundum" is derived from the Sanskrit word "kuruvinda"). Gemstones are formed under the Earth's crust when exposed to the right amount of heat and pressure. But while corundum is relatively abundant in nature, it requires a specific amount of oxygen and aluminum for a ruby to form. The corundum also needs small amounts of chromium, which adds a red color. In addition, rubies can't exist when corundum is in the presence of silica (also found in the Earth's crust). So, it takes a lot of specifics to create a red ruby—and this is why rubies are considered rare.
A significant source of rubies is located in the Southeast Asian countries of Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Pakistan, and Nepal, along with the Himalayan mountain range. Some of the rubies in this area date back to 50 million years! Additional ruby sites are located in Madagascar (Africa), Macedonia (Southeast Europe), and Montana (United States).
Myanmar (formerly Burma)
More than 90% of the world's rubies come from this Southeast Asian nation. For many years, the Mogok Valley in Burma was known as the world's number one source for rubies. The red rubies in this area are known as "pigeon's blood" and "Burmese rubies." They are prized for their durability and beauty and are the most sought-after rubies in the world. These are the gems against which all other rubies are measured.
Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon)
Known for its wealth of gemstones (not just rubies), Sri Lanka is nicknamed "Ratnadeepa," meaning "Island of Gems." The rubies found here have pink and bluish hues—and many consider the "red rubies" are actually "pink sapphires."
Cambodia and Thailand
The rubies found in Cambodia and Thailand are located on the border, separating the two countries. The rubies mined in these areas are a dark, deep purplish-red color; eye-clean (which means you can't see any inclusions with the naked eye; the stones lack fluorescence because of the gem's high iron concentration. (Fluorescence adds intensity to the red color).
Is a Ruby a Sapphire?
Or is a sapphire a ruby? You could say it's a "corundum conundrum." Rubies and sapphires are minerals and part of the corundum family of gemstones, comprising the same structure and chemical composition (aluminum oxide). But while rubies and sapphires are related in this one way, the big difference between the two is the color: red corundum is always considered a ruby. Every other color—including blue—is considered sapphire.
But what makes the gem red or blue? Trace amounts of impurities determine the color. (Chromium needs to be present to make a red ruby.) And what happens when the corundum is free of contaminants? A colorless gem—or "white sapphire"—is formed.
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