balas

[bal-uhs, bey-luhs]

noun

Mineralogy.

1. a rose-red variety of spinel.

balas

/ ˈbeɪ-, ˈbæləs /

noun

1. Also called: balas ruby. a red variety of spinel, used as a gemstone

Word History and Origins

Origin of balas¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin balasius, variant of balascius < Arabic balakhsh, back formation from Persian Badakhshān, district near Samarkand, where gem is found

Word History and Origins

Origin of balas¹

C15: from Old French balais , from Arabic bālakhsh , from Badhakhshān , region in Afghanistan where the gem is found