A Ruby is technically a red corundum.
The red variety of the corundum is twenty times more rare than the blue variety (or sapphire).
This generally makes the ruby the most desired of the gem stones after the diamond.
The ruby is considered to be of higher quality the deeper the color of red they are.
The red color of a ruby comes from the presence of chromium in its chemical composition.
The highest quality rubies come from Mynmar (formerly Burma), and are typically known as Burmese Rubies.
Due to the political isolation of Mynmar, lesser quality rubies now dominate the markets from neighboring
Thailand and Sri Lanka.
The ruby is dichroic, like a sapphire. This means it displays two shades of red depending on the direction of the light.
Rubies can sometimes have a gem phenomena known as asterism.
These affected rubies are commonly known as star rubies.
The largest ever ruby of gem quality discovered was a 400 carat one.
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