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What is rarest fine gem? Answer: July’s birthstone ruby, also known as “The King of All Gems.” Did you know, at my Tucson jewelry store www.mjkpj.com, I have over 200 stunning round red rubies in-stock and ready for you to select your favorite shade of red. Crimson, carmine, scarlet, fire-engine and even pigeon blood red are all available. No matter what shade, ruby has always been defined by a single characteristic – its radiant red color. The Bible celebrates ruby as the most precious of gemstones. Throughout human history, the Ruby has been associated with fire and blood; a symbol of passion, courage, love, and romance that endures

India is classically regarded as the ruby’s country of origin for more than two thousand years. Recently, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have exposed substantial ruby deposits. In Southeast Asia, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam have also been long regarded as sources of fine ruby. Over the last half-century, ruby has been discovered in East Africa and Madagascar. The United States holds two small deposits in North Carolina and Montana.

Natural ruby is among the most valuable of all gemstones, and especially coveted as the birthstone for July. Did you know, ruby is far rarer than comparably sized diamonds?

The finest rubies possess two essential qualities. The first is a pure, deep red sustained evenly throughout the gem. Color may vary from slightly orange to violet and from light to dark in depth. If a gemstone is pinkish, it is classified as a sapphire, ruby’s “sister” gem.

The second is a sensitivity to ultraviolet light, due to the presence of chromium in the gemstone, that makes the gem appear to glow in an almost ember-like way. In addition to color, size has the largest impact on the price of a ruby. Rubies above 3 carats are incredibly rare and extremely valuable. Because of their rarity and small size, most ruby jewelry is set with small gemstones. Second only to diamond, ruby, 9 on Moh’s Scale of hardness, is among the hardest of all gems. They resist scratching, breaking, and chipping, and make beautiful gemstones for rings or bracelets.

Because perfect Rubies are rarely found in nature, most are heat treated to enhance their color and clarity. Heat treatment is a permanent enhancement that will withstand everyday wear. As with any gemstone, the enhancements or treatments a Ruby undergoes should be disclosed on its bill of sale.

As a durable gemstone with a hardness of 9, Rubies do not demand particular care. For treated and untreated rubies, the safest cleaning method is using a solution of warm water and gentle dish detergent. Allow the piece to soak for a few minutes, lightly scrub with a soft brush, and let dry on a soft cloth. As with other fine jewelry, remove rubies before bedtime.

Did you know, I have dozens of emeralds in stock and available for you to view at any time? I'm the jeweler you can trust for emeralds and diamonds and engagement rings and all styles of fine jewelry. Check me out, read my hundreds of 5-star Google Reviews. Then please schedule an appointment to meet with me. Thanks!