Ruby is one of the most expensive gems available today, with large rubies being considerably rarer than comparable diamonds.
Ruby and Sapphire are members of the Corundum family. If Corundum exhibits a colour from slightly pinkish red, through red to slightly reddy brown then it is called a Ruby.
When looking for a Ruby, color is without doubt the most important consideration, with clarity a close second.
The most desirable color is the so-called "pigeon's blood", red, as found in Myanmar (Burma). This the finest Ruby colour is best described as being a vivid medium-dark toned red with a hint of blue, exhibiting an intense saturation of colour.
Inclusions are common in ruby and not always an indication of lesser quality. The type of inclusion (mineral, pipe or cavity) can be used to indicate the source area. Needle; inclusions of rutile cause the "silky shine" or "silk" which imbibes the stone with an almost sleepy appearance.
