Ruby and Diamond Ring
(Previously owned by Elizabeth Taylor)

July birthdays have a great reason to celebrate!  No other month can boast a ruby as its birthstone.  Rubies are commonly referred to as the “King of Precious Gems” which is a fitting title; for few gemstones catch the eye like a ruby, with its vibrant red color.  

Rubies red color ranges from a pure red to slightly purplish-red and even orangy-red.  Rubies get their magnificent color from the presence of chromium.  The higher the concentration of chromium in the ruby, the greater its intensity of color.  The purest, most intense red rubies have often been marketed by jewelers and gemstone dealers as “pigeon’s blood” red, or “Burmese” (which can imply the country of origin or its color).

Rubies are very durable and have a hardness factor (scratching) of 9 (out of 10) on the Mohs scale.  Rubies are ideal for jewelry that receive heavy wear, such as rings.  Caring for a ruby is relatively easy.  Simply cleaning a ruby with a mild soapy water solution and a soft toothbrush is enough to maintain its beauty.

The most famous location rubies are mined is from the country of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma).   However, these rubies are under world sanctions, which have been slowly changing.  Fortunately, rubies are mined in other locations, including Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Mozambique.