This exquisite dragon is carved in natural ruby, a pinkish-red colored gemstone, which is a variety of the mineral, corundum, (aluminium oxide). Ruby is one of the most popular traditional precious gems and is very durable. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires.
The dragon is the fifth of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, or 2024, are dragons.
