There are certain things that catch the eyes like Ruby. An absolute stunner, Ruby is the most treasured stone of the twelve gemstones, created by God, for its uniqueness, clarity and mystical powers. Aptly called as the “King of Gems”, it is believed to bring advancement in love, career, health, and war and to predict failure or misfortune. Characterised by transparency, excess of redness, lustre, and heaviness, a superb ruby is considered to be the best gift of honour and also Ruby is the birthstone for those born in July, but the color red makes it a universal favourite. Ruby jewellery signifies love passion leaving no wonders that it is always in demand.
Ruby gemstone is rated 9 in terms of hardness on Mohs scale with a trigonal crystal structure. The gemstone is vivid and intense red that is very much in demand and is considered the most desirable gemstone among all. Rubies also vary in colour; some are red with yellowish and orange tones while some of those look red with the traces of purple and blue.
Almost all rubies are treated with heat to enhance the overall appearance and improve the clarity and shade. The ruby coluor of the gemstone is also intensified with the use of dyes sometimes. Apart from dyeing, coating is also done to mask the surface fractures that can wear off with time.
The most beautiful and we can say the most valuable rubies with the finest natural color come from Mogok, Burma (Myanmar). Other prominent sources of quality rubies are Sri Lanka, Madagaskar, Vietnam, Kenya and Afghanistan. Thailand is now a centre commercial hub for obtaining best quality rubies.
Big in size, superior quality, and natural rubies are very much rare and super expensive to buy. An authentic report from a qualified gem lab is always accompanied with the gemstone to certify its authenticity. Like many other gemstones in nature, rubies are also produced in laboratories to sell them at affordable prices. So it is always advisable to buy rubies, in fact any gemstone from a reputed and authentic dealer who firmly discloses all the treatments performed on the gemstone.