In the world of gemstones ruby is the leader. Ruby is red so it represents the color of love, which is why people are so fascinated with this gemstone. Ruby is also the July birthstone. It has been considered one of the most valuable gemstones for thousands of years. This precious stone has brilliant color excellent hardness and it is extremely rare. Rubies are the red members of the corundum family of minerals. Corundum of any other color--blue, pink, yellow, etc, is called sapphire. Corundum is colorless in its pure form. Traces of elements such as chrome, iron and titanium give corundum color. Only red corundum is called ruby. All other colors are classified as sapphires. The relationship between sapphire and ruby has only been recognized since the beginning of the 19th century. The red color of ruby is its most important feature. Its transparency is its secondary feature. Inclusions don't impair the quality of a ruby unless they decrease the transparency of the stone. Inclusions in a ruby may actually be considered its fingerprint or statement of individuality, and at the same time proof of it genuineness. The cut of this gemstone is essential. Only a perfect cut will underline the beauty of this precious stone. For many years India was regarded as the ruby's country of origin. You will find a wealth of knowledge about gemstones in much of Indian literature that has been handed down through generations. However, lately there has been talk about East Africa as a source of rubies. After their discovery in the 1960s, rubies from Kenya and Tanzania surprised experts by their beautiful strong color, which may vary from light to dark red. But fine and clear rubies of good color and purity are extremely rare in African mines. Usually the qualities found are average. There have been many imitation rubies on the market for many years. Usually, only an expert can tell the difference between a real and an imitation ruby. Ruby was the first gemstone to be manmade with imitations dating back to 1880. Many people have unknowingly purchased initiation rubies. Many times they don't find out until they bring it to an antique jeweler. You should only buy ruby jewelry from a reputable dealer who knows what they are selling and who will disclose any treatments that have been performed on the gemstones High quality, natural rubies are very rare and expensive and should be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
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