|
If you want a firey rich red, Ruby is the answer. No red gemstone can compare! Ruby is the red variety of corundum.
Ruby is a red, gem-quality corundum and is one of the best gemstones for jewelry settings. It is hardness is 9 (1-10) on the Mohs' scale. The hardness of a Ruby is second only to the Diamond. Which means to me that you can wear the jewelry daily without worry about chipping or fractures. It can also by cleaned in an ultrasonic machine. The finest gems come from Myanmar; those from Thailand, the primary source, are brownish red; Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Vietnam yield bright red stones; those from India, the USA (North Carolina), Russia, Australia, and Norway are dark to opaque. It is considered the Gem of Gems. Byrnese rubies are considered the finest. They have a vivid, almost pure spectral red with a very faint undertone of blue.
Because of the characteristics and hardness of Ruby, it is a perfect accent to, lets say a diamond. Or it can be used as an engagement ring in itself. It is the symbolic of love and passion, considered to be an aid to firm friendship, and believed to ensure beauty. Rubies come in varied shapes and sizes, almost anything - Emerald shape, round, cabochon, square, trillion and many more.
One variety exhibits a six-ray star effect when cut as a cabochon, called the Star Ruby. It makes a very interesting gift, one that even a man would appreciate. |