Ruby (Manik)

The red color species of Corrundum Group, Ruby is one the rarest and the most expensive among all gemstones. It is called ‘ratanraj’ in Sanskrit which means the king of all precious stones. It rates 9 on the Mohs scale of Hardness and has a sub-adamantine luster. It has a color range from orangy red to purplish red which falls into the good to commercial range of rubies. The finest ruby has a pure, vibrant red to a slightly purplish red hue with a medium to medium-dark tone and vivid saturation. Chromium causes the red color in rubies.

The various sources of rubies include- Myanmar (Burmese). Thailand (Thai), Cambodia (Pailin), Madagascar, Mozambique, etc. Burmese rubies are considered to have that red to slightly purplish red hue with a vivid saturation and a medium-dark tone. They generally fetch the highest prices because of their ‘pigeon’s blood’ color which is the most expensive of all rubies.

Non-treated rubies fetch a higher price in the market than treated ones. The various treatments include- lattice diffusion, heat treatment, glass filling, dying, flic healing, oiling, and surface modification. Treatments can be used to enhance both- the color and the clarity of the ruby (depending on the type of treatment you use). One must keep in mind while buying rubies (specifically) to check for its certificate to ensure that the retailer is charging a justified price for the stone based on its treatments or enhancements (if any).

Because of their high prices, people choose to buy ruby imitations and synthetics as well. Synthetics refer to the rubies created in laboratories using various processes. They have the same physical and chemical properties as that of a ruby. Only a trained gemologist can differentiate between the two. Other than that, the various imitations of ruby include glass, garnet and glass doublet, garnet, spinel, synthetic spinel, CZ, and many more. 

Some rubies show a special phenomenon called asterism(star). Due to this, the gemstone shows a 6-ray or a 12-ray star on it. This phenomenon is caused due to the needle inclusions inside the gemstone.

Astrologists suggest Manik to someone to improve his/her focus or concentration. It is used to stimulate a person’s Manipura Chakra in the body. The stone can boost a person’s confidence and remove self-doubt, thereby adding confidence to his/her personality. It is recommended to a person of Aries (Mesh Rashi), Leo (Singh Rashi), Scorpio(Vrishak Rashi), and Sagittarius(Dhanu Rashi) zodiac signs. Astrologists suggest a person wear a deep red ruby with a hint of purple in it.