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About Rubies:
The ruby belongs to the corundum group of minerals. Its name is derived from the red color (Latin Rubeus). Red corundum is always called by the name ruby, while other colors of corundum are known as sapphire. Rubies can be opaque, translucent, or transparent. The ruby coloring pigment is chrome plus some iron. The red color and tone vary with individual deposits, so it is not possible to identify the source area. Ruby is the second-hardest mineral after diamond and seven times harder than topaz. The hardness varies in direction and has no cleavage but does have certain preferred directions of parting. Care must be taken when cutting and setting a ruby.
Inclusions in a ruby are common. Rutile needles produce a soft sheen known as silk. Or if cut en cabochon, the effect is six-rayed star (asterism) produced by the reflection of a light source.
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