Ruby

  • RubyWhat is it and where is it formed?  Rubies are a kind of corundum, the second hardest kind of natural mineral.  Ruby is a gemstone and the birthstone for the month of July.  Rubies are formed with igneous rocks.

  • How and where is it mined?  Rubies are mined using placer, open pit, and underground mining depending on how deep into the Earth they are found.  Rubies are mined in Thailand, Kenya, India, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and in the U.S.

  • Russian RubyWhat is it used for?   Rubies are used for jewelry. 

  • Interesting Information:

    • Some people believed that the ruby color came from fire and having one would keep you from getting sick.

    • Chromium makes the ruby red.
Mineral Characteristic What the
mineralogists say		 Kid's Guide:  What it REALLY means!
Chemical Symbol Al2O3

It has aluminum and oxygen in it.
Color Red to pink It can be any shade from pink to red.
Streak White If you crush a ruby you will get a fine white dust.
Transparency Transparent to translucent Depending on the stone, you might be able to see clearly through it or it might be a little blurry.
Luster Vitreous It will look glassy if you shine a light on it.
Cleavage None When you break it, it doesn’t split into a pattern that can be repeated.
Fracture Uneven When the stone is broken, it doesn’t break into pieces that are alike.
Magnetism None It will not attract, or be attracted to, a magnet.
Hardness 9 It is the next hardest mineral to a diamond.  It is very hard.
Specific gravity 4 It is a heavy mineral.
Crystal Shape Trigonal

Trigonal crystal shape