RUBY

The red color of ruby results from a small admixture of chronic oxide. The most prized tint is blood red or crimson known in the trade as "pigeon's blood" red. The color of this corundum varies, however, according to the geographical locality of the mine. Siamese rubies, for instance, are of a deeper garnet red than those found at Mogul in Burma, while Ceylon ruby is of a pinkish dull red. Corundum is extremely hard, 9 on the Moss scale. It is, therefore, not quite as hard as diamond but much harder than other minerals, including emerald. Transparent ruby, when cut en cabochon, may reflect light so as to produce star-like bands, a phenomenon rated highly by the experts. If viewed from a certain direction, bands of light are reflected onto the surface of the crystal forming a six-ray star shape. This optical effect is due to the presence of fine canalization or inclusions of Ruthie. The color of these "star stones" varies from pale rose red, to deep crimson, to purple. Generally speaking, the darker the crystal, the less evident is the star, and vice verse. It is a rare gem indeed in which the color and the star are of equal beauty.