balas, balass

& s. [In Ger. balla ; Fr. balais and rub is balais; Prov. balais, balach; Sp. balaz; Port. balaz, balais; Ital. balascio Low Lat. balascus. Named from Balashon or Balaxiam, erroneous spelling of Badakshan or Budakshan, a city of Uzbec Tartary or Great Bokhara; capital of the province of Kilan; lat. 37° 10' N., long. 68° 50 ́ Ε.] A. As adjective: Pertaining to the kind of ruby described under B., as the Balas Ruby. B. As substantive : A name given by lapidaries to the rose-red varieties of the Spinel Ruby. These are not to be confounded with the Griental ruby, or sapphire, which is of far greater value. [See RUBY and SPINEL, of which the ruby is a variety.]