Ruby

Its colour is due to the permeation of chromium and because this combination of corundum and chromium is extremely rare on Earth, ruby that can be cut only occurs in two areas: firstly in extensions of the Himalayas (Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan) and secondly in the greater area of the East African Rift; in Mozambique, Madagascar and Tanzania.The larger a ruby, the rarer it is. Stones with a weight of more than 5 ct are extremely rare finds, irrespective of the mining area.The most common types of cut are oval or cushion. A round cut will usually command a higher price, while other cuts, such as heart or marquise, lead to a price reduction. Rubies are ideal for setting into jewellery and wearing, as they are highly resistant to physical influence.If you are considering purchasing a ruby, take care that the stone is “lively”; it should be lustrous and radiant. The redder a ruby appears and the fewer inclusions it has, the more valuable it will be. Rubies from Burma can command considerably higher prices.For believers of esotericism and the healing function of stones, ruby increases assertiveness and helps self-actualisation. It is associated with the planet Mars and thus power and strength are its attributes.