Ruby/Manik (for Sun): Ruby is said to give name, fame, vigor, virtue, warmth and the capacity to command to its user. It can also raise the individual far above the status in which he was born. Historically, it has been symbolic of love and passion.

• This is normally red in colour. Ruby is a hot stone.
  
• On diseases front - It helps to cure peptic ulcer, fever, rheumatism, gout etc. However prolonged use may cause boils, itch and insomnia as well. Do consult an astrologer or a gemologist before wearing this or any other stone.
  
• Ladies should avoid the use of Ruby as it can destroy the body lustre.

Ruby should be used in gold in third or ring finger of right hand on Sunday. Ideally should be of about 3 or 5 grams in weight.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

• The name Ruby comes from Latin 'Rubrum', which means 'Red'.
• Ruby, which is corundum, is simply crystallized alumina and in pure form it is devoid of colour.
• The rich colour in Ruby is mainly due to small amounts of chronic oxide, which is able to replace part of alumina without disturbing the trigonal crystal structure.
• It has a specific gravity of 3.99. Mean Refractive Index is 1.765 and the hardness is 9 on the Moh's scale.

OCCURRENCE

Ruby is found in Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka, East Africa, Kenya, Nepal, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan.

In India, Ruby is found in Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Bihar and Kashmir.

Best Rubies are from Magok district of Burma. Thai Rubies are comparatively less attractive and the Rubies found in Sri Lanka are pink.

IDENTIFICATION

Natural Rubies are never 'clean' i.e., without inclusions. It contains inclusions, which looks like 'silk'.

It encloses small crystals of other minerals in the form of pale angular grains, cavities of irregular shapes, patches of fine needle like criss-crossing canals, which give a silky effect by reflected light. If these inclusions are not visible to the naked eye, then eyeglass should be used, to detect them. If even under high magnification no such inclusions are visible then the Gem you are checking is most probably a piece of glass.

A synthetic Ruby will either not contain any inclusions or else it will have bubble like inclusions or else cracks, as seen in a glass, will be visible. The cracks will give a milky hue and will be of an even nature.