RUBY
The ruby is one of the four 'great' precious stones (alongside the diamond, sapphire and emerald), a variety of the mineral corundum of a deep red colour given by a trace of chromium. The ruby is exceptionally hard (second only to diamond), and the most valuable stones have a saturated 'pigeon's blood' hue. For centuries the ruby symbolised passion, strength, power and protection, worn by monarchs and warriors as a talisman stone. In jewellery the ruby is prized for its fiery brilliance and rarity — large clean rubies cost more than diamonds of the same size. It is set in rings, necklaces and earrings when a deep, dramatic accent of colour is wanted.
Compare “Ruby” with another term
Meaning, origins and distinction — side by side.
Distinction
Two gemstones that are, in essence, the same mineral — corundum — but of different colour. A ruby is red corundum, coloured by chromium; the purer the 'pigeon's blood' hue, the more precious the stone. A sapphire is the same corundum in every other colour, most often blue (from iron and titanium), though it may be yellow or pink. In hardness they are equal (9 on Mohs); only the chemistry of colour divides them.
