A ruby is measures a 9 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, second only to diamond and matched with sapphire. This makes a ruby an extremely hard and durable gemstone.
A sapphire is the birthstone for September. It is also a traditional gift for those celebrating 5th or 45th anniversaries.
The name “ruby” comes from the Latin word ruber, which means red.
Sapphires get their colors from trace elements in the mineral corundum. Classic blue sapphires contain iron and titanium, and trace elements of chromium can turn corundum pink, while more chromium turns it into a ruby.
