Rubies have been known since ancient times. This stone is associated with fire, blood and frenzied passion. Ruby is one of the most valuable stones in the world. Interestingly, an ideal Burmese ruby will cost more than a diamond. Such a situation has developed because very few natural minerals of perfect forms have been discovered.

History with a taste of magic

What only names did not assign a ruby during its existence. The Slavs used to call it the "yakhont", some Roman connoisseurs called it a carbunculus, the Greeks gave the stone the nickname anthrax, and in ancient Sanskrit the ruby was christened the king of gems. It is believed that the owner of the stone will gain control over power and authority in order to improve his destiny.

But there are two important moments: you can not wear a ruby all the time, because he can become an energy vampire in relation to the owner; A person who has reached a certain life status is worthy to own a stone.

To this day, natural rubies are credited with magic and healing properties:

• Help in overcoming obsessive fear;
• Opposition to the forces of darkness;
• Stirring up an irresistible passion;
• Treatment of hypotension;
• The presence of a hemostatic function;
• The ability to cheer and prevent the decline of forces;
• Tonic properties.

For information: the legendary Paracelsus made attempts to treat cancerous tumors with ruby.

So where did the magic stone come from, and what color can a ruby be? This is evidenced by scientific facts and long-term geological investigations.

Ruby pedigree

A long time ago a majestic stone in torment gave birth to the bowels of the earth. This process occurred during the mutual movement of tectonic layers: crust and magma. The resulting substance, subsequently called aluminum oxide by scientists, came out in the form of a crystal. The value of rubies is due to the fact that their genus is too ancient, and the mystery of the appearance of red minerals goes far into the past. In our time, there are no such movements of the Earth's layers, so the chance to find scarlet stones is only in the strata of rocks about half a million years old.

Distinguishing features of the king of stones

What color is a ruby in nature? Inclusions of chromium influence this index. The ruby color palette varies from bright pink to purple-red. The greatest value in the world is represented by rubies of saturated color of bovine blood. They seem to glow from the inside, fascinating with their cold beauty.

As for the physical characteristics of the stone, its structure is one of the densest in nature and has an original, shimmering brilliance: these qualities add a ruby of similarity to a diamond. In former times, it was mined and stored only on the territory of India and Burma, but gradually developing trade ties allowed the precious mineral to undertake a trip to Egypt, Greece and the great Rome. In addition to healing various ailments, the ruby is famous for that, according to legend, it was honored to decorate the ring of the wise King Solomon. In addition, the magnificent stone was an indispensable attribute of the royal regalia and symbols of domination, however, without forgetting to decorate yourself with the graceful fingers of the court ladies.

Ruby: features of species

The deposits of these stunningly beautiful stones are localized in many states, including Sri Lanka, India, the countries of Africa, Madagascar, and some Asian regions. And each species has its own strengths and unique appearance.

Guest from Burma

A flagman in the ruby sea, undoubtedly, is a stone from Burma. The famous mountain Mong-Shu conceals in its belly Burmese rubies of the highest grade. These are very valuable stones, differing in transparency and color saturation. To find out what color a natural ruby, extracted in the Upper Burma, one has to conjure up a blood-violet shade that does not lose its luster in any light. Outwardly, it looks very expensive. Looking at the product with a ruby, you can guess about its sort and origin by the color of the stone. The ruby from the Mogok valley has a color amplitude from light to dark red, but it is important to remember that it is the intensive saturation that is the visiting card of the Burmese ruby.

Prices for such stones vary from $ 50 per carat, and this is the minimum cost. Further price increases depend on what color the ruby is, and also take into account its quality characteristics. Identify the authenticity of the Burmese ruby is quite difficult. This is done by well-known laboratories that have obtained the right to issue appropriate certificates.

Siamese gift

Rubies mined in Thailand and Vietnam are considered second-class stones, but from this they do not become less beautiful. Thai ruby: what color is and what is its difference? The stones of this region are characterized by a rich palette and pinkish-violet shades. Sometimes they find truly unique, valuable samples worth several thousand dollars per carat. But in the bulk of these stones are fairly unevenly colored and do not differ in size.

Ruby breath of Tanzania

Minerals, worthy of attention, are mined in Tanzania. What color is the ruby? Photo Tanzanian stone indicates a bright crimson hue, from the contemplation of which you can not tear yourself away. Such stones become after cutting, and what color is the natural ruby from the depths of Tanzania? Mutnovatye, but more often transparent, pink or pomegranate minerals with pronounced internal defects, but jewelers give them an amazing attraction with the help of their skills, removing from the heart of stone fire flares.

Ruby mining is also organized in Kenya, Madagascar, India, Afghanistan and other countries, but in value they are much inferior to the Siamese and Burmese species. For example, what color is a ruby from Kenyan depths? Surprisingly, such minerals have a brownish-yellow hue. And the Malagasy stones differ in orange and pink reflections with pronounced inner silkiness.

Especially appreciated rubies with a stellar effect: stunningly beautiful, transparent stones, often of intense color. Their cost depends on the saturation of the hue, the degree of uncomplicatedness and clarity of the contour of the star, inside the mineral. They are evaluated very subjectively, relying more on their own taste, rather than on quality parameters.

Characteristic features of natural stone

Proceeding from this, rubies differ in different color saturation and transparency. If there is a so-called young ruby, what color is it? As a rule, such stones are watery-light, with a pink or lilac shade. In general, rubies in nature are not completely transparent, without extraneous impregnations, internal defects and too large a size. What color is a real ruby, experts can say with certainty: the mineral contains shades of light-scarlet to dark-red. Also, natural stones have a dull gloss, and some have a silky tide.

Determine the authenticity

Synthetically grown stone will not have those miraculous properties, which are endowed with a genuine ruby. In addition, real jewelry is very expensive, so fraud and fraud often flourish in sales.

How to distinguish imitation from natural stone?

Among other things, there are several important points that you should pay attention to first. So, the price of the question. Real rubies are not found often, therefore because of their exclusivity are quite expensive. Especially should guard the low price of a large stone - such specimens are too rare and very valuable.

Next is the size of the mineral. Rubies more than 5 carats are scarce enough, so they are rare. At a minimum, they should be considered under a magnifying glass.

And the last thing: the color. If the buyer cuts his eyes from contemplating a sparkling, bloody ruby, then we must remember that such stones are unique in nature. In other words, the client either has a fabulously valuable Burmese ruby or a blatant fake.

There are several simple ways to identify the authenticity of the stone:

1. Test with ultraviolet light. Under the blue lamp, the unreal ruby turns orange.
2. White bubble patches. In natural rubies, the bubbles are extremely rare and are the same color as the stone itself. Whereas in fake minerals, circles of light tone or hollow.
3. A natural stone is usually cold and heated with great difficulty, unlike artificial analogs.
4. If you place a ruby in a glass of milk, it will color the liquid in a pink tint.
5. From different angles the natural stone looks different.
6. If a fracture is found in the stone, then in a natural mineral it will be uneven and will not shine, as in falsification.

Therefore, choosing an expensive ruby, it is necessary to consult with a knowledgeable jeweler or gemologist.

Rubies are natural creations that look breathtaking. It does not matter what color the ruby is painted: they create talismans for different signs of the zodiac, amulets that can save from the forces of evil. They are credited with magical properties and endowed with healing characteristics. And, finally, from the ruby are obtained magnificent jewelry, worthy to decorate the royal houses. A natural mineral of this high class is an excellent choice of this sybarite.