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Ruby is a red-colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, known for its vibrant color and high hardness. It's the red variety of corundum, which is also the mineral that makes up sapphires. The red color is caused by the presence of chromium in the corundum structure.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Mineral: Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminum oxide, Al2O3).

• Color: The characteristic red color is due to the presence of chromium. Ruby can exhibit a range of secondary hues, including orange, purple, violet, and pink.

• Hardness: Ruby is a hard and durable gemstone, scoring a 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond among natural gemstones.

• Other Names: Rubies are also known as "the king of gems" in Sanskrit (ratnaraj).

• Use: Rubies are used in jewelry, watchmaking, medical instruments, and lasers.