Ruby as "Pigeon's Blood?"

Ruby is a red gemstone with varying color from a light pink to a blood red. A variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). The color is caused by chromium. The name comes from ruber, Latin word for red. The other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires. Ruby is considered as one of the four precious stones, which includes sapphire, emerald and diamond. It is are mined mostly in Africa, Asia, Australia, Greenland, Madagascar and North Carolina. But most often found in Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, Kenya, Madagascar, and Cambodia, and it can be also been found in the U.S. states of Montana, North Carolina and South Carolina. The Mogok Valley in Upper Myanmar has produced some of the finest rubies but, in recent years, very few good rubies have been found there. The unique color in Myanmar (Burmese) rubies is described as "pigeon’s blood". They are known in the trade as “Mogok” rubies. In central Myanmar the area of Mong Hsu also produces rubies. The latest ruby deposit to be found in Myanmar is situated in Nam Ya. In 2002 rubies were found in the Waseges River area of Kenya. Sometimes spinels are found along with rubies in the same rocks and are mistaken for rubies. However, fine red spinels may approach the average ruby in value.