The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-01-15
RubieS.

The ruby is so called from the redness
which commonly characterizes this e1-
quisite gem. Like the sapphire and the
Oriental topaz, it belongs to the class
styled corundum, the members of which
are alike in composition, though differ
ent in color and in quality. The true
ruby, or red sapphire, is said to be the
most valuable of gems, when of large
size, good color and free from fault, 40
that it exceeds even the diamond in
value. 1t is harder than any other
known substance except the diamond,
which alone among precious stones it
will not cut. It is susceptible of elec-
tricity by friction, and retains it for
some hours; it also possesses double
refraction in slight degree. Occasion
ally, specimens are asteriated, as in the
case of what are known as star sap
phires. Though it cannot be fused by
itself, in combination with fux it may
be melted into clear glass. Mr.. Street
or describes it's color as carmine, coch-
meal, or pigeons blood, and rosebud,
often with play OF violet.
The finest rubies are found in Ava,
Siam and Pegu others are found in In.
dia, Ceylon, Brazil, Australia, Borneo,
Sumat1a and some places on the conti-
nent of Europe. The Burmese mines
have long been famous the working of
them is royal monopoly, and the king
has, among other titles, that of the Lord
Of the Rubies. The Brazilian ruby is
declared to be pink topaz, inferior to
the true ruby, yellow in its natural state,
and colored arti6cially. 1t is, unfortu-
nately, beyond the power of ordinary pur-
chasers to pronounce any critical opinion
upon rubies, except as regards their
appearance, size and color, the best
being that known as pigeons blood,
which is a pure, deep, rich red, quite
free from blue or yellow.
Speaking of the value of the ruby,
Mr.. Emanuel observes that the rare oc-
currence of the desired vivid pigeons
blood color in a ruby of any size causes
the price to increase in an even greater
PROPORTION than the diamond. For
stones of the highest quality he supplies
the following valuations: One carat is
worth $40 to 300 one and half, $l25
to s175: two, $3.50 to $4O1; three,
81, 600 to 81, ,250 ; four, $4,000 to 50, $50.
Under one carat, the price ranges from
$40 to $40 per carat; and over four
carats what is called fancy price is
commanded. After all, perhaps, it may
be truly said of rubies in general that
when they exceed one carat in weight
no definite price can be given as guide
to the purchaser.
MIR. Streeter states that when per-
feet ruby of five carats is brought into
the market, sum several times as great
as that offered for diamond of the same
weight will be bid for it; if it reaches
seven carats it is almost invaluable.
Yet rubies of a much greater size are
in existence. An Indian prince had one
of nearly twenty.four carats, and it was
bought for 156 pounds weight Of gold.
Catharine of Russia had in her crown q
ruby as large as pigeons egg; and
there is said to have been one in Paris
which weighed 1864 carats. That OF
Catharine appears to be still in the Rus
sian treasury. Others might be men
toned, especially that among the
French crown Jewels, which is cut in
the form OF dragon with outspread
wings. The first specimens, Of course,
are the monopoly of princes and persons
with princely fortunes. Even these may,
nevertheless, be sometimes deceived,
for we are told that two large stones
shown as rubies among her majesty's
Jewels at the exhibition of 1862 are
simply zpinele, and therefore neither
rare nor precious.
Rubies may be faulty, in other words,
may have flaws, specks, a silky or milky
appearance, or tint which is too dark
or too light. But fashion goes for
something, and violet and pale colored
rubies may sometimes rise very much
in value. The least liable to fuctuation
are those of the renowned pigeons
blood hue.-Londoa Court Journal.