The color, clarity, and physical characteristics of ruby and rubellite can be used to distinguish them. Ruby vs Rubellite Differentiate, Because of the presence of chromium, rubies are a type of corundum that have a rich, vibrant red color. With a Mohs value of 9, they are extremely hard. Due to the manganese content, rubellites, a kind of tourmaline, range in color from red to pink and have a Mohs scale score of 7 to 7.5. Rubies typically appear redder in UV light, have fewer inclusions, and have a greater fluorescence. Rubellites frequently have a pinker appearance, more inclusions, and a distinct type of fluorescence. Furthermore, compared to rubellites, rubies are rarer and more costly.