The official GemStone IV encyclopedia.
A ruby crystal prior to being cut.
Rubies are very similar to sapphires, the only difference being the impurity that causes the ruby to become red rather than the various other hues of a sapphire. Like the sapphire, a ruby is comprised primarily of a compound of aluminum oxide, or corundum. The impurity that imparts the red color to ruby is chromium.
Asterism, a rare property sometimes exhibited in rubies when cut in cabochon, causes a visible six or twelve pointed star to appear within a ruby when viewed in light. This property, due to its rarity, makes a ruby more valuble, however, this is not the case in the world of Elanthia.[1]
List of Rubies
- Note: The rarities listed are estimates and depend on the status of the treasure system in the area hunted. Average values listed are approximations and are generally taken from the sell values of a character selling gems with no trading bonus. See the Trading article for more information on variations of sell values.
a dragon's-tear ruby
| Description: This octagonal piece of stone has not been polished,but even the pitting and pocking of its exteriorcannot hide its value and beauty. The translucent gem glistens with the same dark red as a coagulating drop of blood. When light glances over its exterior, it reflects back in a startling sky-blue shade rather than white, but the fire that blazes in the jewel's dark heart is of an unmistakable crimson hue.
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| Rarity: |
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| Average value: |
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| Location: |
Unknown
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a dwarf-cut ruby
| Description: Minute flecks of golden imflass contaminate the ruby, but, rather than detracting from the deep red gem's beauty, they enhance it -- for each fleck is shaped like a tiny fern frond, and the miniscule golden shapes swirl like a whirlwind around the incandescent heart of the jewel.
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| Rarity: |
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| Average value: |
1200
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| Location: |
Any
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a star ruby
| Description: Cut into a simple cabochon, the top of this ruby displays a silvery six-legged star that follows the light and appears to hover above the surface of the gem. The stone itself is dark pink, and only partially translucent due to the rutile needles that create the stunning asterism.
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a pale pink mistvein ruby
| Description: The small chunk of cloudy pink ruby is laced with shimmering strands of misty silver. Each metallic inclusion is composed of hundreds of miniscule flecks that reflect light like a hazy web of tiny dewdrops.
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| Rarity: |
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| Average value: |
2700
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| Location: |
Any
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an uncut ruby
| Description: A deep, pigeon blood red, the ruby is a barrel-shaped hexagon with tiny parallel grooves on all surfaces. A stream-polished spot on one side reveals the translucency of the gem's interior.
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a sylvarraend ruby
| Description: Minute flecks of golden imflass contaminate the ruby, but, rather than detracting from the deep red gem's beauty, they enhance it -- for each fleck is shaped like a tiny fern frond, and the miniscule golden shapes swirl like a whirlwind around the incandescent heart of the jewel.
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