Ruby

Ruby
A ruby crystal from Dodoma Region, Tanzania
General
Category	Oxide mineral variety
Formula (repeating unit)	aluminium oxide with chromium, Al2O3:Cr
Crystal system	Trigonal
Crystal class	Hexagonal scalenohedral (3m) H-M symbol: (3 2/m)
Space group	R3c[1]
Identification
Colour	Orangy red through strongly purplish red.
Crystal habit	Terminated tabular hexagonal prisms
Cleavage	No true cleavage
Fracture	Conchoidal, splintery
Tenacity	Brittle
Mohs scale hardness	9.0
Luster	Subadamantine, vitreous, pearly (on partings)
Streak	White
Diaphaneity	Transparent, translucent
Specific gravity	3.97–4.05
Optical properties	Uniaxial/−
Refractive index	nω=1.768–1.772 nε=1.760–1.763
Birefringence	0.008 to 0.010
Pleochroism	Strong: purplish-red – orangy-red
Dispersion	0.018
Ultraviolet fluorescence	Red under longwave
Common impurities	Cr. (sometimes :Ti, Fe)
References	[2]

Ruby is a pinkish red to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). Ruby is one of the most popular traditional jewelry gems and is very durable. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires. Ruby is one of the traditional cardinal gems, alongside amethyst, sapphire, emerald, and diamond.^[3] The word ruby comes from ruber, Latin for red. The color of a ruby is due to the element chromium.

Some gemstones that are popularly or historically called rubies, such as the Black Prince's Ruby in the British Imperial State Crown, are actually spinels. These were once known as "Balas rubies".

The quality of a ruby is determined by its color, cut, and clarity, which, along with carat weight, affect its value. The brightest and most valuable shade of red, called blood-red or pigeon blood, commands a large 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 may indicate that the stone has been treated. Ruby is the traditional birthstone for July and is usually pinker than garnet, although some rhodolite garnets have a similar pinkish hue to most rubies. The world's most valuable ruby to be sold at auction is the Sunrise Ruby.^[4]