Why are Rubies Red?

The word ruby comes from ruber, Latin for red.  The colour of a ruby is due to the element of chromium.

Rubies are red version of the mineral known as corundum.  Pure corundum is made up of aluminum and oxygen and is colourless!  In a ruby, about 1% of chromium replaces aluminum.  When chromium replaces aluminum in corundum, the chromium absorbs certain wave lengths of light and reflect light in the red part of the visible light spectrum.  This reflected red light is what yours eyes see and gives rubies their distinctive red colour!

Colour is the most significant factor affecting a ruby’s value.  The finest ruby has a pure vibrant red to slightly purplish red colour.  As the colour becomes too orangy or more purplish, the ruby moves down the quality scale. In some areas, light pink rubies go by the name pink sapphire.  A ruby is a hard stone which ranks 9 which is subsequent to only a diamond.   Diamond is the hardest on the MOHS scale rating 10.

Ruby is also used to Celebrate 40^th Year Wedding Anniversary.  Red ruby is known to be a protector from misfortune and ill health, ruby is also used to open the heart and promote love.  Given as a gift, ruby is a symbol of friendship and love.

Whether a Ruby is your Birthstone oryou just love the colour red, it is truly a beautiful Precious Gemstone.