When it comes to precious gemstones, nothing beats the classic ruby! This royal red jewel is treasured worldwide — it’s even made waves in modern culture and entertainment – just think of Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers from Wizard of Oz. We know everyone loves them, but what is the ruby stone, and what can we learn about its properties, meanings, and uses?

It’s no secret that rubies make the perfect pendants, rings, and necklaces for sparkling red jewelry.

However, did you know that people use rubies as protective amulets and healing stones, too? What about using rubies as powerful energy crystals to help you manifest your dreams? With this glimmering gem, the sky’s the limit.

In this extensive guide, we’ll dig deep into the priceless ruby’s unique properties. With a jewel this phenomenal, we’re confident that its qualities will blow you away!

What is The Ruby Stone?

Ruby is a type of rare mineral called corundum. In fact, the only other variety of corundum is sapphire. Sapphires and rubies are ample and abundant, but they naturally have notoriety since they’re from a rare and durable mineral class.

What makes ruby even more remarkable is that it belongs to the elite cardinal gem family. Cardinal gems comprise five traditionally precious gemstones: diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, amethysts, and of course, rubies.

Ruby Specifications and Characteristics

As a corundum gem, ruby is made from aluminum oxide. This powerful gem nearly tops the Mohs mineral scale of hardnessat a jaw-dropping 9. That makes ruby stones tougher than both emeralds and Masonry drill bits! These jewels are both dazzling and durable, second only in hardness to diamonds.

• Color: red, orange-red, purplish red, pinkish-red

• Crystal structure: trigonal

• Luster: subadamantine, vitreous

• Transparency: transparent to translucent

• Refractive index: 1.757-1.779

• Cleavage: none