peniyim, peninim (Job_28:18; Pro_3:15; Pro_8:11; Pro_31:10; Lam_4:7), "more ruddy than rubies," but Bochart "pearls." Gesenius (from the Arabic "a branch" and the Hebrew paanan "to divide into branches" or else "to turn" from the globular form), "corals."
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.
Rubies. Concerning the meaning of the Hebrew words translated "rubies," there is much difference of opinion. Job_28:18. See also Pro_3:15; Pro_8:11; Pro_31:10. Some suppose "coral" to be in tended; others "pearl," supposing that the original word signifies merely "bright in color," or "color of a reddish tinge." (The real ruby is a red sapphire, next in value to the diamond. The finest rubies are brought chiefly from Ceylon and Burmah).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863