Ruby

Source: Africa, Southeast Asia, some parts of Europe, North America, and South America.

Hardness: 9

Rubies have been celebrated since ancient world as the most precious of all gemstones and have been the prized possession of emperors and kings throughout the ages. A ruby's inner fire has been the inspiration for legends and myths. Its fiery, rich hues to this day are unique to this stone. It was believed wearing a fine red ruby bestowed good fortune on its owner.

Although rubies come from different parts of the world, the Mogok Valley in Upper Myanmar (Burma) has been the source of the finest rubies for many centuries. Many people associate ruby's brilliant Crimson Red with passion and love, making it an ideal choice for an engagement ring. A ruby is the red variety of the corundum mineral species, while all other colors of corundum are called sapphire.

Ruby is the birthstone for July and a talisman for Cancer.