Long Jewelers
  • Home
    • About Us >
      • Before and After
    • Contact Us
  • Precious Metals
    • Information About Gold >
      • See Current Gold Price
    • Caring for Your Gold Jewelry
  • Engagement Rings
  • Estate and Closeout Jewelry
    • Estate and Closeout Rings
    • Estate and Closeout Pendants
  • Diamonds
    • Bands, Wraps, Drop-ins
    • Right Hand Rings
    • Diamond Pendants
    • Diamond Earrings
    • Diamond Bracelets
  • Pearls
    • Pearl Rings
    • Pearl Pendants
    • Pearl Earrings
  • Rubies
    • Ruby Rings
    • Ruby Pendants
    • Ruby Earrings
  • Sapphires
    • Sapphire Rings
    • Sapphire Pendants
    • Sapphire Earrings
  • Emeralds
    • Emerald Rings
    • Emerald Pendants
    • Emerald Earrings
  • Blue Topaz
    • Blue Topaz Rings
    • Blue Topaz Pendants
    • Blue Topaz Earrings
  • Amethysts
    • Amethyst Rings
    • Amethyst Pendants
    • Amethyst Earrings
  • Garnets
    • Garnet Rings
    • Garnet Pendants
    • Garnet Earrings
  • Citrines
    • Citrine Rings
    • Citrine Pendants
    • Citrine Earrings
  • Peridots
    • Peridot RIngs
    • Peridot Earrings
  • Other Gemstones
    • Black Onyx
    • Tanzanite
    • Opals
  • Watches
    • Citizen Watches for Women
    • Citizen Watches for Men
    • An Article About Wristwatches
  • Men's Jewelry

What is a Ruby?

A ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminum oxide). The red color is caused mainly by the presence of the element chromium. Its name comes from ruber, which is Latin for red. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires. The ruby is considered one of the four precious stones, together with the sapphire, the emerald and the diamond.

Prices of rubies are primarily determined by color. The brightest and most valuable "red" called blood-red, commands a large premium over other rubies of similar quality. After color follows clarity: similar to diamonds, a clear stone will command a premium, but a ruby without any needle-like rutile inclusions may indicate that the stone has been treated. Cut and carat (weight) are also an important factor in determining the price.

Rubies have a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Among the natural gems only moissonite and diamond are harder, with diamond having a Mohs hardness of 10.0 and moissonite falling somewhere in between corundum (ruby) and diamond in hardness.


Ruby Rings

Ruby Earrings

​
Ruby Pendants
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
    • About Us >
      • Before and After
    • Contact Us
  • Precious Metals
    • Information About Gold >
      • See Current Gold Price
    • Caring for Your Gold Jewelry
  • Engagement Rings
  • Estate and Closeout Jewelry
    • Estate and Closeout Rings
    • Estate and Closeout Pendants
  • Diamonds
    • Bands, Wraps, Drop-ins
    • Right Hand Rings
    • Diamond Pendants
    • Diamond Earrings
    • Diamond Bracelets
  • Pearls
    • Pearl Rings
    • Pearl Pendants
    • Pearl Earrings
  • Rubies
    • Ruby Rings
    • Ruby Pendants
    • Ruby Earrings
  • Sapphires
    • Sapphire Rings
    • Sapphire Pendants
    • Sapphire Earrings
  • Emeralds
    • Emerald Rings
    • Emerald Pendants
    • Emerald Earrings
  • Blue Topaz
    • Blue Topaz Rings
    • Blue Topaz Pendants
    • Blue Topaz Earrings
  • Amethysts
    • Amethyst Rings
    • Amethyst Pendants
    • Amethyst Earrings
  • Garnets
    • Garnet Rings
    • Garnet Pendants
    • Garnet Earrings
  • Citrines
    • Citrine Rings
    • Citrine Pendants
    • Citrine Earrings
  • Peridots
    • Peridot RIngs
    • Peridot Earrings
  • Other Gemstones
    • Black Onyx
    • Tanzanite
    • Opals
  • Watches
    • Citizen Watches for Women
    • Citizen Watches for Men
    • An Article About Wristwatches
  • Men's Jewelry