# Ruby

Ruby is a precious gemstone known for its deep red color. People have treasured rubies for their beauty and rarity for centuries.

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Also known as:** Burmese Ruby, Indian Ruby, Siam Ruby

![Ruby](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Corundum-215330.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Corundum-215330.jpg)

## Appearance

The Ruby is a vibrant red gemstone, often appearing in shades from bright crimson to deep pigeon's blood red. Its brilliant sparkle, due to high transparency and luster, makes it stand out from similar red minerals like garnet, which often has a deeper, less fiery appearance.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Ancient warriors believed rubies granted them invincibility in battle.
- Ruby is actually a red sapphire! They are both varieties of the mineral corundum.
- Some rubies found in marble glow like a stoplight under UV light!
- The world's largest ruby weighs over eight pounds, bigger than a bowling ball!

## Special abilities

- **Super Hardness:** Ruby has a Mohs hardness of 9, making it one of the toughest natural minerals, extremely resistant to scratches.
- **Laser Power:** Ruby contains chromium, which allows it to produce intense red light, making it crucial for the very first working lasers.
- **Inner Glow:** Ruby can glow with its own light, called fluorescence, when exposed to ultraviolet light, appearing to light up from within.

## Measurements & details

- **Color Range:** Red, Pinkish-red, Purplish-red
- **Hardness:** 9
- **Luster:** Vitreous to adamantine
- **Specific Gravity:** 4
- **Crystal System:** Hexagonal

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Fluorescent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fluorescent): Fluorescent minerals emit visible light when exposed to ultraviolet light or other non-visible radiation, a phenomenon called fluorescence.
- [Gemstone](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gemstone): A gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal which, when cut and polished, is used to make jewelry or other adornments.
- [Crystalline](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crystalline): Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.
- [Natural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/natural): Natural refers to organisms, materials, or phenomena existing or produced by nature, not artificially created.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Rubies are safe to handle but should be treated gently to avoid scratches or damage.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Ruby?

Compare crystal faces, growth shape, clarity and how the crystals cluster. A polished or tumbled stone has lost much of the natural shape that makes identification easier. Crystal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Ruby be?

Red, Pinkish-red, Purplish-red

### How hard is Ruby?

9

### What kind of luster does Ruby have?

Vitreous to adamantine

### What is Ruby's specific gravity?

4

### What crystal system does Ruby belong to?

Hexagonal

## Where to spot

- [Butterfly House, Missouri Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/butterfly-house-missouri-botanical-garden) — Missouri, US · Zoo

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Ruby: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ruby)