It's the month of July and what better way to celebrate the month than with a write-up on July's birthstone, ruby. Did You Know? A ruby in any other color would be considered a sapphire. How? Sapphires are corundum and when they appear red, a dark purplish red, a blue red, or pinkish-red they are considered a ruby. To learn everything you need to know about ruby, view our favorite red carpet ruby jewelry looks, and shop ruby jewelry, keep reading:
Where Is Ruby On The Mohs Scale?
Ruby is positioned at a 9 on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness. Therefore, ruby is considered to be a very strong gemstone. Ruby can be used in everyday jewelry such as engagement rings, right-hand rings, pendant necklaces, and bracelets.
How Is Ruby Priced?
The price of a ruby is determined by the 4Cs - Color, Cut, Clarity, and Carat-weight. The clearer a ruby is the more valuable it is. Due to the scarcity of rubies, they're considered to be quite expensive. If you're shopping for a ruby with a tight budget, you may want to consider an included ruby or alternatively a lab-grown ruby. Did You Know? The inception of lab-grown rubies dates as far back as the 1940s and has been highly accepted by society just as lab-grown diamonds are now.
Fun Fact: Ruby is considered one of the cardinal gems. Cardinal gems are gemstones that have traditionally been considered precious above all others. Other cardinal gemstones include diamond (of course), emerald, sapphire, and amethyst. So what exactly differentiates cardinal gemstones from the rest? Since ancient times, the rarity and ceremonial or religious usage of the cardinal gemstones have primarily defined how they are classified.
What Is The Most Expensive Ruby?
A Pigeon Ruby. A pigeon ruby is described as a dark red ruby with a hint of blue.
Where Are Rubies Mined?
Rubies are often mined in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Thailand. However, it is interesting to note that rubies have recently been discovered in Greenland.
What Does Ruby Symbolize?
Rubies symbolize power and protection.
Which Gemstones Are Often Confused With Ruby?
Pink sapphires, spinel, and tourmaline in a ruby color.
How To Test Whether A Ruby Is Real?
The Liberty Bell Ruby
The DeLong Star Ruby
The Liberty Bell Ruby, which was discovered in east Africa in the 1950s, is the biggest ruby ever mined. It has an approximate weight of four pounds, carat weight of 8,500, and is shaped like a miniature version of the Liberty Bell. It contains fifty diamonds embedded in it.
The DeLong Star Ruby is a deep red ruby with a 6-rayed star and a carat weight of 100.32.
The Hope Ruby
The Hixon Ruby
The Hope Ruby is a Chaumet cushion-shaped Burmese ruby and diamond ring once owned by American-born billionaire Lily Safra.
Frederick Hixon donated this 196.10-carat diamond to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. It remains one of the finest crystals of Burmese ruby ever discovered.
Elizabeth Taylor wearing The Cartier Ruby Suite gifted to her by Mike Todd in 1957.
Rihanna wearing Chopard at the 2014 Diamond Ball.
