Diamond World (DW) May - June 2020

GIA AdvertorIAl
Stone Talk
Ruby
Rarity, beauty and an incomparable red colour make ruby one of
the most important gems in the coloured stone market. Because
of these attributes, ruby was called the “king of gems” in ancient
India. Today ruby can command the highest per-carat price of any
coloured stone.
Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum. In its purest form, the mineral corundum is colourless.
Trace elements that become part of the mineral’s crystal structure cause variations in its colour.
Chromium is the trace element that causes ruby’s red. The more chromium that is present in the
gemstone, the stronger the colour.
The word “ruby” comes from the Latin “ruber,” meaning red. Ancient Hindus believed that
offering fine rubies to the god Krishna assured rebirth as emperors. Burmese warriors thought
it made them invincible in battle. Medieval Europeans maintained that rubies bestowed
health, wisdom, wealth and success in love.
Colour
Colour is the most significant factor in determining a ruby’s value.
Ruby ranges from a saturated red, to dark red and orangey red,
to purplish red. Desirable rubies include pure, vibrant reds
to slightly purplish reds. The most sought-after colour by
collectors worldwide is a deep red sometimes tinged with
a hint of purple. In the trade, such rubies are occasionally
referred to as “pigeon’s blood,” because of their
deep, unmistakable colour.
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