Ruby - MD

Ruby is a variety of corundum (aluminum oxide) that has been colored red by trace quantities of chromium. The depth of coloring varies from a pale pink to a strong red. Although it is typically thought of as a valuable gem, fine specimens are very rarely found. It occurs much more commonly as a very hard, but low-grade, translucent rock--it is in fact, the second hardest natural mineral after diamond.

Item Size: Medium 3/4 - 1" (18-25mm)


GENERAL INFORMATION

Mineral Class: Oxides

Mineral Species: Aluminum Oxide

Mineral Group: Corundum

Chemical Formula: Al₂O₃

Composition:
52.9% - Aluminum Al
47.1% - Oxygen O


Environment: Common in crystals in plutonic, pegmatitic, and metamorphic rocks, and in placer accumulations.

IMA Status: Grandfathered (original description preceded the establishment of the CNMNC in 1959, and generally regarded as a valid species).

Locality: Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, India, Brazil and the United States.

Name Origin: Named from the Latin ruber, meaning "red".

Sources: Worldwide


PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Cleavage: None, but has well-developed partings on rhombohedral planes and sometimes on the base.

Color: Colorless, brown, black, yellow, red, blue, violet

Crystal System: Hexagonal (Trigonal)

Diaphaniety: Transparent to translucent

Fracture: Conchoidal or uneven

Habit: Prismatic – Six-sided crystals, sometimes elongated into barrels, tapering bipyramids, or sharp flat-topped prisms, but also in thin 6-sided plates. Massive metamorphic occurances have large embedded crystals, showing series of parallel striations. May be in fine-grained pepperlike disseminations with magnetite (emeryl).

Hardness: 9

Luminescence: Often triboluminescent, and fluorescent orange, yellow, or red.

Luster: adamantine; vitreous to dull

Magnetism: Nonmagnetic

Specific Gravity: 4

Streak: White


METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Chakras: Heart, base

Number: 3

Zodiac Sign: Aries, Cancer, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius

Planet: Mars

Element: Earth

Beneficial for: Dynamic leadership, courage, selflessness, heightened awareness, concentration, anger, enhanced immunity, sexual activity, exhaustion, lethargy, potency, vigor, hyperactivity, detoxification, blood and lymph, fevers, infectious disease, restricted blood flow, heart, spleen, circulatory system, adrenals, kidneys, reproductive organs.

Ruby is a Vedic healing gem and a major protector for family and possessions, being a powerful shield against psychic attack and vampirism of heart energy. In years gone by it was fashioned into a specific shape, a cabochon or carbuncle, and Ruby is often referred to by this name in ancient lapidaries. Ruby is one of the warning stones, said to darken when danger or illness threatens. It imparts vigor to life but may overstimulate irritable people. Ruby encourages passion for life, improving motivation and setting realistic goals. This stone wants you to "follow your bliss," promoting positive dreams and clear visualization. It is a stone of abundance that aids in retaining wealth and passion.