Ruby, Sapphire, Heated, Faceted Cube, One 4mm Strand

Ruby, Sapphire, Heated, Faceted Cube Beads, 4mm

This price is for one strand 15 to 16 inches long 

4mm faceted cube strands have 102 to 107 pieces 

Ruby:

A ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminum). Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires. The word ruby comes from "ruber", Latin for red. The color of a ruby is due to the element chromium. Most rubies have a strong red color, although the precise color of rubies can range from blood-red to orange-red, purple-red, brown-red, or even a pink-red tone.

Historically, rubies have been mined in Thailand, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, Japan, Namibia, South Africa and Scotland. After the Second World War ruby deposits were found in Madagascar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Vietnam.  A few rubies have been found in the U.S. states of Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Wyoming.

Sapphire:

Sapphire is a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, consisting of aluminum oxide with trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, or magnesium. It is typically blue, but natural "fancy" sapphires also occur in yellow, purple, orange, and green colors. Red corundum stones are called rubies and is generally caused by traces of chromium.  

Significant sapphire deposits are found in Australia, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Nigeria, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United States (Montana) and Vietnam.

Sapphire is the state gemstone of Montana.

Hardness 9

This is a natural stone that has had no treatment other than cutting, drilling, and polishing.

The source of these beads is South Africa and they are cut, drilled and polished in China.