Editing Ruby (section)

==Records and famous examples==
[[Image:NMNH-Rubies-CroppedRotated.png|thumb|Rubies at the [[National Museum of Natural History]], [[Washington, D.C.]], USA]]
* The Smithsonian's [[National Museum of Natural History]] in Washington, D.C. has some of the world's largest and finest ruby gemstones. The {{convert|23.1|carat|g|adj=on}} Burmese ruby, set in a platinum ring with diamonds, was donated by businessman and philanthropist [[Peter Buck (restaurateur)|Peter Buck]] in memory of his late wife Carmen Lúcia. This gemstone displays a richly saturated red color combined with an exceptional transparency. The finely proportioned cut provides vivid red reflections. The stone was mined from the [[Mogok]] region of [[Burma]] (now [[Myanmar]]) in the 1930s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/ruby/index.htm |title=The Carmen Lúcia Ruby |access-date=28 February 2008 |work=Exhibitions |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309050010/http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/ruby/index.htm |archive-date=9 March 2008  }}</ref>
* In 2007, the London jeweler [[Garrard & Co]] featured a heart-shaped 40.63-carat ruby on their website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.garrard.com/treasures/ |title=Garrards – Treasures (large and important jewelry pieces) |access-date=8 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729020054/http://www.garrard.com/treasures/ |archive-date=29 July 2012  }}</ref>
* On 13/14 December 2011, [[Elizabeth Taylor]]'s complete jewelry collection was auctioned by [[Christie's]]. Several ruby-set pieces were included in the sale, notably a ring set with an 8.24 ct gem that broke the 'price-per-carat' record for rubies ([[United states dollar|US$]]512,925 per carat – i.e., over US$4.2 million in total),<ref>[http://www.christies.com/about/press-center/releases/pressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=5294 The Legendary Jewels, Evening Sale & Jewelry (Sessions II and III) | Press Release | Christie's] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129030559/http://www.christies.com/about/press-center/releases/pressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=5294 |date=29 January 2012 }}. Christies.com (14 December 2011). Retrieved on 2012-07-11.</ref> and a necklace<ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/photos/elizabeth-taylors-ruby-diamond-necklace-gift-mike-todd-photo-101745840.html Elizabeth Taylor's ruby and diamond necklace] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305041651/http://news.yahoo.com/photos/elizabeth-taylors-ruby-diamond-necklace-gift-mike-todd-photo-101745840.html |date=5 March 2016 }}. News.yahoo.com (7 September 2011). Retrieved on 2012-07-11.</ref> that sold for over US$3.7 million.
* The [[Liberty Bell Ruby]] is the largest mined ruby in the world. It was stolen in a heist in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/01/09/irreplaceable-2-million-ruby-stolen-in-wilmington-jewelry-heist/ |title='Irreplaceable' $2 Million Ruby Stolen In Wilmington Jewelry Heist |date=9 January 2012 |access-date=17 March 2017 |url-status=live |publisher=CBS Philly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229181248/http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/01/09/irreplaceable-2-million-ruby-stolen-in-wilmington-jewelry-heist/ |archive-date=29 December 2016  }}</ref>
* The [[Sunrise Ruby]] was the world's most expensive ruby, most expensive colored gemstone, and most expensive gemstone other than a diamond when it sold at auction in Switzerland to an anonymous buyer for US$30 million In May 2015.<ref name=BBC>{{cite news|title=World's most expensive coloured gem sells for $30m|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32717029|access-date=13 May 2015|work=BBC|date=13 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513063509/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32717029|archive-date=13 May 2015}}</ref>
* A synthetic ruby crystal became the gain medium in the world's first optical laser, conceived, designed and constructed by [[Theodore Maiman|Theodore H. "Ted" Maiman]], on 16 May 1960 at Hughes Research Laboratories.
:The concept of electromagnetic radiation amplification through the mechanism of [[stimulated emission]] had already been successfully demonstrated in the laboratory by way of the [[maser]], using other materials such as ammonia and, later, ruby, but the [[ruby laser]] was the first device to work at optical (694.3&nbsp;nm) wavelengths. Maiman's prototype laser is still in working order.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

[[File:Ruby Eye Pendant.jpg|thumb|right|The Ruby Eye Amulet from Mesopotamia, Adilnor Collection, Sweden.]]