The ruby has been a treasured gemstone since the days of the Pharos. It is
officially a member of the "corundum" family but that's just a fancy way of
naming this strikingly rich and beautiful stone. When a corundum stone comes in
the color blue, yellow, or pink then it's called a sapphire. Like any fine gem
rubies come in a wide range of grades. It's a little known fact that the most
flawless and deep-colored stones can actually cost more than a diamond!

The ruby is the official birthstone for July birthdays and it's also the
recognized gifts for fifteenth and fortieth wedding anniversaries. It's no
wonder either because what color is more indicative of everlasting love than
the color red?

Rubies are naturally hard stones and check in at 9 on the Mohs' scale of
gemstone hardness. That's just one notch below diamonds, the hardest gemstone
there is, which is measured at 10. Nature has done a wonderful job of blending
together different colors to create the ruby's firey brilliance. Some of the
most treasured stones have a rich red base combined with exciting yellow and
orange undertones. Some of the most breathtaking stones come with blue or deep
purple undertones.

The finest rubies are mined in Burma and are known as "Burmese" rubies. High
quality stones are also gathered in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Thailand, Vietnam,
Kenya, and, until recently, Afghanistan. Lesser grade stones, often used for
industrial purposes, are mined in the United States.

Not everything that glitters is gold and, likewise, not every beautiful red
stone is a high quality or even genuine ruby. Some unscrupulous dealers will
add dyes to the stone to improve the color. Other stones which are less than
perfect can be covered with a nearly invisible substance to improve their
appearance. These coatings will wear off eventually and you will be left with a
blemished stone that may be worth nowhere near what you paid for it.

Artificial rubies are created in labs just like artificial diamonds are. These
stones, while generally nearly flawless, and very beautiful, have no investment
value and are not true gemstones.

Rubies are sold by the carat just like diamonds are. The higher the carat
weight, and the more flawless the stone, the more it costs. Your best bet for
getting a fair deal on a quality ruby is to purchase it from a legitimate
gemstone dealer or jeweler who will certify the stone's weight and quality in
writing. Make sure that the dealer also puts in writing whatever treatments
have been applied to the stone. Don't worry if you see that the stone has been
heat treated. That is a very common and legitimate practice which serves to
enhance the color and the hardness. The effects of heating do not wear off over
time.

Rubies look positively gorgeous next to diamonds and their color enhances the
appearance of most settings. You can give your loved one the gift of the fiery
passion of a dazzling diamond that is flanked on either side by the deep red
color of true love that only a ruby can provide.