Ruby Information
This stunning mineral not only has healing properties, but also manages to melt hearts.
"The price of wisdom is above rubies," says Job in the Bible, implying that rubies were highly prized in his time
The ruby is considered the stone of the Sun, and is believed to protect those who wear it, from the harmful effects of Sun.
Ruby gives intelligence and knowledge. Ruby will protect you from ill health and enemies, bring success in administrative fields, freedom from troubles, debts and diseases. It ensures long life and cures heart diseases.
Historically, the colour red has always been associated with strong emotions - love, passion and the most prized of virtues - fertility and marriage. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the ruby finds itself in the hall of fame as one of the most coveted gemstones in the world.
Today rubies decorate the insignia of many Royal Houses. Among all rubies the Burmese ruby is the most treasured. The Mogok valley of Burma is best known for the finest and rarest rubies known as "pigeon's blood" for the intense red color. Thailand is well known for its dark, brownish-red rubies. This "Siam colour" - an elegantly modulated deep red - are also beautiful and exist in Vietnam, near the Chinese border. Rubies of Vietnamese origin generally display a slightly purplish hue.
Ruby Facts
· In the Sanskrit language Ruby is called "Ratnaraj ", which does in fact translate as "King of Gemstones".
· The 167 - carat Edwardes Ruby donated to the British Museum of Natural History in 1887 by John Ruskin was named in honour of Major-General Sir Herbert Benjamin Edwardes who saved British rule in India during the years of the Indian Mutiny.
· The world's biggest ruby is the Rajaratna Ruby which weighs 2,475 carats.
· The world's biggest double-star ruby (with a 12-pointed star) is the Neelanjali Ruby, weighing 1,370 carats.
The ruby is July's birthstone under the sign of Cancer, and is said to accord wearers wisdom, happiness and health, and to bring particularly good luck to gamblers and lovers. Rubies symbolise true passionate love. But just as true love is rare indeed, so are really perfect rubies
The Four C’s
Just like a diamond, the 4 C's: colour, cut, clarity and carat are useful when purchasing a ruby.
Clarity - All rubies have inclusions of some kind. The point to remember is the inclusions should not affect the strength of the stone. The inclusions should also not be so many that the stone looks cloudy or opaque.
Cut - Rubies are generally available in ovals and cushion cuts but today there are various other fancy cuts available. They are also available as cabochons and beads.
Carat - Rubies of carats more than 3 are difficult to find. It is always best to get the stone tested when making expensive purchases.
Colour - The most important of them all - the richer and deeper the colour, the more valuable the ruby will be. The point of origin is also a criterion for the price of the ruby. Most importantly, make sure your ruby is natural and not synthetic!
Ruby is the second hardest gem, everyone knows that a diamond is the hardest substance on earth and only a diamond can touch a diamond. A ruby in terms of hardness is second only to a diamond. this means your ruby is safe for you to wear and enjoy every single day!
Last Update: December 19, 2007