Ruby gemstone is a pink to blood red, a variety of the stone corundum (aluminium oxide). The general red color is caused mainly by the element chromium. Its name comes from ruber, Latin for red. Other varieties of gem class corundum are called sapphires. It is considered one of the four valuable stones, together with the sapphire, the emerald and the diamond. Ruby and sapphire belong to the same mineral family: corundum, the mineral form of alumina which crystallizes in the hexagonal system. The red color of ruby results from a small admixture of chromic oxide. The most valued shade is blood red known in the trade as "pigeon's blood" red. It normally occurs in crystal of six sided prism. Ruby is the Gemstone, used to improve the powers of the Sun. An individual whose Sun is well located in the birth Chart can never be ineffective. There are numerous attributes which decides the superiority of the ruby. Ruby is use leads to generate the mental and spiritual powers and special divine thoughts rise in mind. Manik (Ruby) balances Surya. Surya represents the king of the solar system in Jyotish.

Prices of rubies are mainly determined by color (the brightest and best "red" called Pigeon Blood Red, command a vast premium over other rubies of similar quality). Cut and size (carat) also determine the price. Rubies have a hardness of 9 on the hardness scale (Mohs scale). Among the natural gems only diamond is harder, with a Mohs 10.

Rubies are mined in Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, and Cambodia, but they have also been found in the U.S. states of Montana, North Carolina and South Carolina. The Mogok Valley in Upper Myanmar has produced some of the best rubies, but in modern years very few good rubies have been found there. The exclusive color in Myanmar (Burmese) rubies is described as "pigeon's blood". They are known in the skill as "Mogok" rubies. In central Myanmar the area of Mong Hsu also produces rubies. The latest ruby deposit to be found in Myanmar is located in Nam Ya. In 2002 rubies were found in the Waseges River area of Kenya. Sometimes spinels are found along with rubies in the same rocks and are wrong for rubies. However, fine red spinels may approach the normal ruby in value.

Ruby Gemstone