Ruby is the most valuable variety of the corundum mineral species, which also includes sapphire.
Traces of chromium give this red variety of the mineral corundum its rich color. Long valued by humans of many cultures. In ancient Sanskrit, ruby was called ratnaraj, or "king of precious stones."
Rubies can command the highest per-carat price of any colored stone. This makes ruby one of the most important gems in the colored stone market. In its purest form, the mineral corundum is colorless. Trace elements that become part of the mineral's crystal structure cause variations in its color. Chromium is the trace element that causes ruby's red color.
In Sanskrit, ruby is ratnaraj, meaning the king of gems.
On May 29, 2012, a 6.02-carat ruby ring sold for $551,000 per carat, setting a new record at auction for a colored gemstone.
Myanmar´s legendary valley of rubies; the source of many of the world´s most fabulous gems.
Color is the most significant factor affecting a ruby's value: Fine gems are a pure, vibrant red to slightly purplish red.
If a ruby's inclusions affect its transparency or brilliance they reduce the gem's value significantly.
Rubies are commonly fashioned as mixed cuts, which have brilliant-cut crowns and step-cut pavilions.
Fine-quality rubies over one carat are very rare and price goes up significantly as size increases.
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