The colour of a ruby is red, which is a sign of passion, love and warmth. It is the colour of a ruby that defines its importance and value. Colour is a rubies most important feature. Its transparency is only of secondary importance. Therefore, inclusions do not impair the quality of a ruby unless they decrease the transparency of the stone or are located right in the centre of its table. On the other hand, inclusions within a ruby could be said to be its 'fingerprint', a statement of its individuality and, at the same time, proof of its genuineness and natural origin. he cut is also essential; only a perfect cut will underline the beauty of this valuable and precious stone.
Rubies are also known as the ‘king’ of the gemstones. For many years, rubies have been considered one of the most valuable gemstones. It has all the qualities of a precious stone such as brilliant colour and overall brilliance. It is also a very rare stone, which makes it even more valuable.
India was once known as the country from where rubies originated from. In terms of this history, the term 'corundum' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'kuruvinda'. The Sanskrit word for ruby is 'ratnaraj', which means the 'king of the gemstones'. Whenever a precious ruby was found, the ruler sent his people to meet the precious gemstone and welcome it in true, extravagant fashion.
Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum. Pure corundum is colourless. It is elements such as chrome, iron and titanium that make for the colour. These gemstones have excellent hardness and only a diamond is harder. Only red corundum is entitled to be called ruby. Any other colours are classed as sapphires. Both Rubies and Sapphires have shared a special relationship since the 1800’s.
Rubies consist of aluminium oxide and chrome. It also has traces of other elements, which contribute to fine colours and clarity. Some rubies display a wonderful silky shine. This is caused by very fine needles of ‘rutile’. These types of rubies are extremely rare. Their value depends on the beauty and attractiveness of the colour and, though only to a lesser extent, on their transparency.
In today’s society, people say that East Africa is a source of rubies. Soon after their discovery in the 1960s, rubies from Kenya and Tanzania surprised the experts by their beautiful, strong colour. But in the African mines too, fine and clear rubies of good colour, purity and size are very rare. Usually the qualities mined are of a merely average quality.
