Page:A treatise on diamonds and precious stones including their history Natural and commercial.djvu/138

 BALAIS RUBY.

is a pale variety of the spinelle; it varies in color from light red to yellowish red. It probably derives its name from some supposed locality, or from some peculiar earth, in which it may have occurred.

Balais possesses considerable beauty, and though not so rare as the spinelle, it is by no means common. It is much admired for its agreeable tinge of color, and, when pure and perfect, sells for a high price, but considerably less than the other distinguished stones of this class.