| − | The '''ruby''' is a gemstone known for its bright red color, although rubies can also vary in color from pink to dark red. The ruby is a very hard stone, second in hardness only to the [[diamond]]. They are a popular stone used in jewelry, and a valued gem termed a "precious stone", one of a group of 4 stones (diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire) that are considered precious. The Sanskrit word for ruby is "ratnaraj" or "king of precious stones". Many high quality rubies come from [[Myanmar]], and rubies are also found in Africa, Asia, Australia, and Madagascar. The ruby is the birthstone for July. | + | The '''ruby''' is a gemstone known for its bright red color, although rubies can also vary in color from pink to dark red. The ruby is a very hard stone, second in hardness only to the [[diamond]]. They are a popular stone used in jewelry, and a valued gem termed a "precious stone", one of a group of 4 stones (diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire) that are considered precious. The Sanskrit word for ruby is "ratnaraj" or "king of precious stones". Many high quality rubies come from [[Myanmar]], and rubies are also found in [[Africa]], [[Asia]], [[Australia]], and Madagascar. The ruby is the birthstone for July. |