Description
Ruby, Natural, Chips, approx. 4x6mm, One 16in Strand
Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum. Any other color of gem-quality corundum, such as blue, pink, or yellow, is classified as sapphire. The vivid red hue comes from trace amounts of chromium. Higher chromium content yields a deeper red, while slight traces of iron can introduce brownish or orange undertones.
Many rubies fluoresce under ultraviolet light, and even sunlight, due to chromium content. This gives them a distinct inner glow or look of "burning embers." The world's first working optical laser, built by Theodore Maiman in 1960, used a synthetic ruby crystal to generate a focused red laser beam.
The most expensive colored gemstone ever sold at auction is the Sunrise Ruby, a 25.59-carat untreated Burmese "Pigeon's Blood" ruby mounted by Cartier. It sold for over $30 million in 2015.
Primary global sources include Myanmar (Burma), historically the premier source of rubies; Mozambique, currently the largest global supplier; Madagascar; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Vietnam; Tanzania; Afghanistan; and the United States.
Ruby is the official birthstone for July. It is also traditional for marking 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.
Hardness 9
This is a natural stone with no treatment other than cutting, drilling, and polishing in China
