Ruby doesn't need any introduction - it is one of the most precious stones, which can shine brilliantly in a necklace and at the same time glow with a subtlety in a ring. Ruby and red go together and it can ignite a thousand desires that will light your candle of passion without your having to say a word. That's the magic of a ruby.

Being one of the rarest stones, it is precious and expensive but ruby has a beauty that can't be expressed through words. It represents a power that comes with the red color, the color of blood, the color of an enchanting sunset and the color of love. The best ruby though is the fine ruby, which is born out of chromium. What chromium really does is that it breaks up the stone from inside to give it the perfection that comes with the name. You can recognize a good ruby from a bad one by looking at the color saturation. A good ruby will always have a high color saturation, which occurs due to the mixture of a red fluorescent emission and a bluish red body color.

We all relate to the ruby for the red glow but did you know that it is one of the rare and glorious accidents of nature. This red glow is the reason why ruby is so popular. In fact the Thai and the Cambodian rubies are purer versions of red, but they lack the fluorescence that some rubies are famous for. Most of the stones possess a certain degree of extinction but a fine ruby with its crimson fluorescence can mask it. Some of the best Burmese rubies glow with a red that is quite unfound and bathe in a red fluorescence that paints its entire glory right across the face of the stone.

The value of a ruby is determined by the intensity of the red color. So when you are buying a ring that has a ruby in it, the more intense the color, the more expensive it will be. The color will be intense without being too dark or too light. Another thing, you need to check while buying a ruby is the clarity. The general rule is that when you look into the stone, there should not be any inclusions. If there are any inclusions and it is visible to the naked eye then don't buy it. The third most important and decision making factor is the cut. You will find rubies in different shapes and styles depending on how they have been cut. The most common type of cut is the oval one but you will also find round ones and the emerald cut.

Apart from the imperial jadeite and some rare diamonds, ruby is next most expensive gem in the world. The best quality ruby comes from the following countries:

1. Mogok, Burma

2. Sri Lanka

3. Madagascar

4. Nanyazeik, Burma

So when you are buying a ruby ring, necklace or any high quality jewelry containing ruby, be rest assured that it will sparkle with an intensity that can be next only to your passion or love.