Ruby

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Jewelry 101--Colored Stones

Ruby

A diamond may be forever, but red is the color of love and ruby red is, arguably, the most gorgeous red of all. One of the four most valuable of the gemstones along with diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds; rubies (and sapphires) are second only to diamonds in hardness. In fact, rubies are comprised of corundum, just like sapphires, and can be considered the red variety of sapphire.

The name ruby comes from the Latin word ruber, which means red.
Though classified as an individual gemstone, rubies are comprised of corundum, the same as sapphires. Since sapphires come in all colors other than red, rubies are, in essence, red sapphires.
Pure corundum is colorless, it gets its colors from different trace elements that become part of the mineral’s crystal structure. ruby gets its color from chromium.
Rubies sometimes form in marble. Due to the low iron content in marble, many rubies found there have an intense red color.
In ancient India, ruby was called the “king of precious stones” for its rarity, hardness, (second only to diamond) beauty and seemingly mystical powers.
Ruby is identical in appearance to ruby red spinel, so much so that many old famous red gemstones that were thought to be rubies were determined to actually be spinel.
Ruby and spinel often occur together in the same mineral environment and localities.
Ruby is traditionally given for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.
Ruby is the birthstone for July

Specs

Chemical Formula	Al₂O₃	Mineral Class	Corundum
Color	Red
Crystal System	Hexagonal	Hardness	9
Transparency	Transparent to opaque	Luster	Vitreous to adamantine
Refractory Index	1.762 - 1.770	Double Refraction	0.008 - 0.010

Legends

Ancient Hindus believed that those who offered fine rubies to the god Krishna were granted rebirth as emperors.

Hindus also divided ruby into four castes, calling the true Oriental Ruby a Brahmin. Someone in possession of a Brahmin was believed to have the advantage of perfect safety.

People in India believed that rubies enabled their owners to live in peace with their enemies.

Warriors in Burma, now known as the union of Myanmar, inserted rubies and other red gems under their skin so they would not be wounded in battle.

Wearing a ruby was once thought to bring health, wealth, wisdom, and success in love. Worn in a ring on the left hand or in a brooch on the left side, it gave the magical ability to live in peace among enemies.

As with most red stones, rubies were believed to stop bleeding and cure inflammatory disease.

Long associated with the life force blood, ruby was a symbol of power and youthful energy in Indian jewelry.

Medieval Europeans maintained that rubies bestowed health, wisdom, wealth and success in love.

Greek legends claimed that a ruby’s fire could melt wax and the Hindus believed that it burned so hot it could boil water.

A legend dating back to the 16th century claims a merchant was frantically searching his shop for a missing ruby until it grew dark, when he noticed an unusual glow coming from under a tablecloth where he had been working earlier. It was his lost jewel!