A ruby is a variety of the gems species corundum and is the second hardest natural gemstone next to diamonds - making them durable enough for everyday wear. A fine-quality ruby is extremely rare and the color of the gem is most important to its value. The darker the red a ruby possesses, the higher its value would be; if the gem is too light or has too much purple or orange, it will be called a fancy-colored sapphire.

The brightest and most valuable color of ruby is often called a "Burmese Ruby" - where it has a rich, passionate, hot, full red color with a slight blue hue. It is also often referred to as "pigeon blood" red and is only associated with the Mogok Valley mines in Myanmar. The color Pigeon Blood Ruby red, however, is not associated with the color of a pigeon's blood but rather the color of a white pigeon's eye.

Rubies are considered the king of gems and represent love, health and wisdom. It was believed wearing a fine red ruby would give good fortune on its owner.