How are Rubies Formed
Rubies are pink to red precious stones that are often used in jewelry and are highly sought after. The ruby gets its name from the Latin word ruber meaning red. The red color that rubies are known for comes from the presence of the element chromium . The most sought after rubies are the pigeon blood-red stones. Rubies are the 3rd hardest stones after diamonds and moissonite. Rubies are mined from beneath the ground where they are formed. Have you ever wondered how are rubies formed? Read this article to find out.
How are rubies formed?
Just as with other precious gemstones, rubies are formed under extreme heat and pressure in the Earth’s crust. The high pressure and temperature causes the elements responsible for the formation of rubies to become molten. When this mixture cools, crystals are formed. The color and size of the crystals depends on the time it takes for the molten elements to cool and the elements that are present in the molten liquid. The mineral that is required for the formation of rubies is corundum, which is very rare. The best quality of ruby is found in marble veins, which were formed by high pressurization of sedimentary rock.
Due to the properties of the ruby many geologists are still unsure exactly how they form. For a ruby to have its brilliant red color it needs to have just the right amount of chromium, without any iron or silica. This creates a mystery for geologists as silica and iron are two of the most abundant elements in the Earth’s crust where rubies are formed. Due to these properties rubies are extremely rare and a ruby any larger than 3 carats is amazingly rare.
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