Ruby

Ruby is pink to blood-red gemstone. The red colour caused mainly by the presence of the element chromium. Its name came for ruber, which means red in Latin.

Other varieties of gem quality corundum are called Sapphires. Ruby is considered one of the four precious stones, together with the sapphire, the emerald and the diamond.

Prices of rubies are primarily determined by color. The brightest and most valuable "red" called pigeon blood-red, commands a huge premium over other rubies of similar quality. After color follows clarity: similar to diamonds, a clear stone will command a premium, but a ruby without any needle-like rutile inclusions will indicate that the stone has been treated. Cut and carat (size) also determine the price.

Rubies have been in Afghanistan, Combodia and Theiland. They are rarely found in Sri Lanka where pink sapphires are more common.