Bā'las-rū'by, n.

n. [Fr. balais, Pr. balais, balach, Sp. balax, balace, Pg. balais, balache, It. balascio, L. Lat. balascus, Ger. ballas, so called from Badakhshan, Balashan, or Balaxiam, a place in the neighborhood of Samarcand, where it is found.] (Min.) A variety of spinel ruby, of a pale rose red, or inclining to orange. Its crystals are usually octahedrons. See SPINEL. Dana.