Ruby

Ruby is a blood-red gemstone of the mineral corundum. The red color is caused by the presence of the element chromium. Other varieties of gem quality corundum are sapphires. The blood red color commands the highest premium. After color follows clarity, a clear stone will command a premium.  The Mogok Valley in Upper Myanmar (Burma) was the world’s main source for rubies for centuries. Rubies have been mined in Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan. Lighter shades of rubies, (pink sapphires) are found in Sri Lanka. After WWII rubies were found in Tanzania, Madagascar, Vietnam, Nepal, Tajikistan, and Pakistan. Some rubies have been found in the US in Montana, North and South Carolina and Wyoming. Ruby is 9.0 on the Mohs scale and is the birthstone for July.