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Ruby fact file
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Crystal Structure: hexagonal
Chemical Composition: corundum - aluminum oxide (Al2O3)
Hardness: 9 MOHS
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Refractive Index: 1.762 to 1.77
Colors: shades of red, orange- red, or purple red
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Ruby is the July birthstone. This red colored corundum was considered to have
many magical powers.
Ruby sometimes displays a three-ray, six-point star. This
effect, called asterism, is caused by light reflecting off tiny rutile needles,
called "silk," which are oriented along the crystal faces.Fine rubies are probably
among the world's rarest gems
Name
Ruby took its name from rubrum, which is Latin for red.
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