Ruby Classification

Going to buy rubies? Read on. The article below teaches you about the classifications of this outstanding jewel and will help you make an informed decision about its purchase
Are you in search of a unique gift to impress your Valentine? Or are you a person into many years of marriage who wants to add some spice to his love life? Are you looking for some unusual way for expressing love to the special person in your life? Whatever may be the case, say, "I love you" with a ruby and see the sparks fly instantly. This is a gem, which has often been equated with human passion of the highest level. What could be more expressive than letting a part of your thought be known through this remarkable gem? So if you want to share the warmth of your heart with the person you love or you wish to express your passion, make a ruby the conduit of your emotions. Since antiquity, this red member of the corundum family has been adored by Royals, as well as commoners for its blood red hues and flaming radiance. The original grade one rubies, which are rare to the point of extinction, often out price diamond of similar size. If you want to learn about the types of rubies, you have to first understand the chemical composition of this magnificent stone. Rubies originate from the ore of Aluminum oxide or corundum. The hardness of ruby is measured 9 on Mohs scale and its specific gravity is 3.96 - 4.01. Its glow is due to its refractive index, which is 1.759 - 1.767 to 1.770 - 1.779. These qualities make the rubies especially suitable for jewellery making. We borrow the name of ruby whenever we try to describe anything red. But you can find many variations in shades of red in this July birthstone. These variations are the result of the presence of inclusions in the stone. While the chromic oxide is responsible for the red hues, ferric oxide lends it yellowish tints. Intense reds in certain rubies are the function of titanium. You can even find rubies with pink, purple, orange and brown shades as a result of the presence of chromium and iron in varied degrees. Apart from the color, it is the places of origin that accounts for the broader classification of rubies. If you are a gemstone enthusiast, you might know about the value of Burma rubies. Even if you are not, it is likely you might have heard about them. These are the rubies with the greatest fame and in optimum demand. Its fame stretches long back to the days of Marco Polo who has made a mention of these precious stones in his travel accounts. You will find that the rubies mined in Thailand finish a close second in the race for the top position. However, more or less the same quality of rubies can also be found in the countries like Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Africa. They are similar in the sense, that they possess similar chemical as well as physical properties. Then how are they distinguished from each other? It is their unique shades that make them distinguishable according to their places of origin. Let us examine the discernible qualities of some of the world famous varieties of rubies