One of the precious “four”; the stone that celebrates the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries; the stone for people born in July or under the Cancer sign; rubies have been attractive since Ancient times. In the Old Testament, it is said that “wisdom is more valuable than rubies” (Job 28:18 and proverbs 3:15). In Asia, rubies were highly esteemed and rubies were found beneath the foundations of buildings to secure fortune to the structure.

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The word “ruby” comes from the Latin “rubeus” meaning “red”, but do you know that actually rubies are sapphires in disguise? In the US, it is the colour saturation that gives the ruby name to a gem, if a gem is not red enough, it is then called a pink sapphire. Rubies are part of the “Gem Royalty” along with Emeralds, Sapphires and Diamonds. As such, rubies’ qualities are ruled by the “4 Cs” (Colour / Cut / Clarity / Carat), colour being the most important feature when choosing a stone before its clarity. The high degree of transparency is to be taken into account for top gems.

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Red-blood rubies with a slight blue hue are considered to be the most beautiful ones. Ruby hues vary from bright red to dark reddish-brown, though they are often heated to improve colour. Secondary hues include orange, purple, violet and pink. Opaque rubies are considered as a fault and transparency is key to gem value. Rutile inclusions inside a polished gems cause them to exhibit an asterism, such stones are known as “star ruby”; inclusions of metal chromium is what actually causes the red colour of rubies.

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Rubies are ones of the toughest and hardest gems after diamonds. As all precious gemstones, rubies are now synthesized. The process is called the Verneuil process and was created in 1902. Lab-made rubies are so good that only experts can tell the difference between natural and synthetic rubies.

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For centuries, Burma was the world’s main source for rubies. Mines have also been located in Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, japan or even Scotland. Sri Lanka produces mostly “pink sapphires” whereas Macedonia offers rubies with a unique raspberry colour. A few specimens have also been found in the US (Montana, Carolinas and Wyoming).

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Anyway the red gem has fascinated people all over the world, especially specimens such as the Sunrise Ruby, the most valuable ruby in the world: it was sold for $30 million in 2015. England’s Crown jewels feature many rubies, the most famous of them being the Black Prince’s Ruby, a 170-carat gem dating back to the 14th century, whose name was given after its owner, Edward of Woodstock – the “Black Prince” - in 1367. Even though the Black Prince’s Ruby is in fact a very large … Spinel gem! Elizabeth Taylor was known to possess several ruby pieces such as necklace, sold for nearly $4 million in 2011. The largest mined ruby, the Liberty Bell Ruby, was stolen in 2016 …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rubies have been said to hold powers or positive effects: they were viewed as a stone of prophecy, darkening when danger was near; it was believed to cure liver problems or restore youth and vitality when rubbed onto the skin. Also considered to be the stone of love, passion and power because of its blood colour, ruby jewellery is therefore a common gift for Valentine’s Day or on an engagement ring.

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Even though nothing replaces a real ruby, you may consider other substitutes such as red spinels, red garnets even red glass have been marketed as rubies.  Even since Antiquity, imitations have been traded calling red spinel “balas rubies” or red tourmaline “rubellites”. Alternatives include red zircon, Bohemian rhodochrosite or carnelian too.

A ruby is a gem that brings dynamism, passion and enthusiasm to the people lucky to be born in July!

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