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Corundum is the species name of ruby and sapphire. Its hard- 9 on the Mohs scale makes it the second-hardest mineral. It Although and durable with low cleavage properties. The luster is not adamantine or diamond-like but is vitreous or glassy. Rubbing corundum with leather or cloth electrifies the stone.
If Corundum is red, it is ruby. If it is any other color, including sapphire blue" usually associated with sapphires, it is sapphire mSy be sapphires may be transparent or translucent with stars. Rubies. A ruby must be a vivid red, ranging from medium to J in shade. The most precious ruby is the pigeon blood ruby from Burma. If it is light or pale pink, it is more properly a pink sapphire. Large, flawless rubies-like emeralds-are rare and are more expensive than diamonds.
Since color is the result of impurities, in this case, chromium, rubies may contain flaws. A star ruby is the result of specific flaws or inclusions. The three intersecting lines should be centered, and the six points clearly defined. Star rubies are rarer than star sapphires, with perfect star rubies even rarer.
Rubies have been valued throughout the ages, their red "fire" often being associated with fire itself, with the result it was thought they could boil water or melt wax. To the Hindus, rubies were the Lord or King of Precious Stones, and they divided them into four castes. The best ruby was the Brahmin ruby, whose owner was kept safe even in the midst of his enemies.
Such a ruby was never to be kept with inferior rubies or it would lose its potency. The ruby's virtues have included other qualities at various times, such as removing evil thoughts, controlling amorous desires, dispelling pestilential vapors, and reconciling disputes to assure the owner of a life of peace and contentment. More specifically, the ruby was supposed to be a cure for flatulence or gas and biliousness.
