RUBY

This translucent red corundum is from Mysore, India.
Actually, there are well over a dozen ruby crystals on this piece, which measures 1 x 1.5 x 2 inches. The largest is featured, which boasts a double termination and attractive slender barrel shaped form. This rock also has a story (I love stories).
This specimen was from a cabinet-sized piece that I purchased from a university museum 10 years ago. They received regular "cabinet cleaning" material from the geology department. This large piece had the crystal shown here partially exposed in the hard matrix, along with a number of others. Being thrilled with the possibility that, since there was a high density of rubies, my fortunes lie just beneath the surface, I carefully picked away the rest of the specimen. Well, I'm still without a fortune. But I had hours of fun digging out hundreds of rubies, some of which are fairly well shaped. But this prettiest one I left on matrix as you now see! Oh, the price I paid: Seven dollars. That's what I call a good deal!
By the way, no crown jewels will ever be cut from this. Backlighting is shown below revealing the non-gem quality.

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