Ruby – the birthstone for July
“And when they peek into my heart, I want them to see
The colours that bleed, And the light that won’t be dimmed,
And whisper: ‘She was Infinite…'”
– Ariana
In the Pantheon of Gemstones, the Ruby stands as a beacon of passion and vitality. Its deep red hue is reminiscent of the very essence of Life- a symbol of heart and the blood that courses through our veins! It is no wonder that this precious stone finds a kindred spirit in Aphrodite- the Greek Goddess of Love & Beauty!
Aphrodite’s lore is rich with tales of desire, attraction, and the complex web of relationships that bind mortals and gods alike. She is the embodiment of affection and allure, and her influence extends to the mineral kingdom through the vibrant Ruby. This gemstone, often associated with ardour and intensity, mirrors the qualities of the goddess, making it a fitting tribute to her powers.
The synergy between Aphrodite and Rubies is not merely a matter of myth and legend. In the realm of metaphysical properties, Rubies are believed to carry the energy of love, much like the Devine aura of Aphrodite herself. The stones’ connection to the heart chakra underscores its role in fostering emotional bonds and encouraging the expression of love.
Moreover, Rubies are thought to resonate with the energy of other ruling deities, such as Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and Ares, the god of war, each adding their unique vibrational qualities to the stone. Lakshmi’s association brings forth the promise of abundance and good fortune, while Ares imbues the Ruby with the courage and strength to face life’s battles.
In the dance of colours and energies the Ruby Fuchsite, a composite of the Red Ruby and the green gem Fuchsite, exemplifies the harmony of contrasts. The fiery, intense red of the Ruby is softened by the tranquil green of the Fuchsite, a balance that is both visually stunning and energetically potent. This blend of stone is said to act as a guardian against negative energies, much like Aphrodite’s embrace.
So deeply alluring and expressive, Rubies speak of Passionate Love -by its natural design a gem that stirs our Feminine fire- aligning us with our deepest Desires & Passions, Motivations & Courage…a gem prized by Nobility & collectors of rare jewels.
Ruby is a precious gemstone that belongs to the mineral family of corundum, which is composed of aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Ruby is the red variety of corundum, while other colors are called Sapphires. The red color of ruby is caused by the presence of chromium (Cr) as a trace element, which can range from 0.1% to 2% of the total mass of the gem. The amount and distribution of chromium also affect the hue, tone, and saturation of the ruby, as well as its clarity, fluorescence, and inclusions.
Rubies are formed deep within the Earth’s crust under high temperature and pressure conditions, usually in metamorphic rocks such as marble, gneiss, and schist, or in some igneous rocks such as basalt and syenite. They may also be found in alluvial deposits, where they are eroded and transported by water or wind from their original sources. Rubies are mined in various regions of the world, each with its own characteristics and quality.
Some of the most notable types and origins of rubies are:
– Burmese: The most sought-after and valuable rubies in the world, originating from Myanmar (formerly Burma), they are known for their intense and vivid red color, often described as “pigeon blood” or “blood red”, with a slight blue or purple undertone. They also have a soft and velvety luster, due to their high fluorescence and low iron content. Burmese rubies are usually found in the Mogok Valley, where they have been mined for over a thousand years, or in the Mong Hsu region, where they were discovered in the 1990s.
– Thai: These Rubies come from Thailand, mainly from the Chanthaburi-Trat mining district in the southeast of the country. Some of them may also come from the neighboring Cambodia, where they are known as Pailin Rubies. Thai Rubies have a darker and deeper red color, with a brownish or purplish hue, due to their high iron content. They also have a higher clarity and lower fluorescence than Burmese Rubies, which makes them less glowing and more transparent. Thai Rubies are more abundant and affordable than Burmese Rubies.
– Mozambique Rubies: These are Rubies that come from Mozambique, a country in southeastern Africa, where they were discovered in 2009. They are similar to Burmese Rubies in their color and fluorescence, but they have a higher clarity and fewer inclusions. They also have a wider range of hues, from pinkish red to purplish red, and some of them may show a color change effect under different light sources. Mozambique Rubies are becoming more popular and appreciated in the market, as they offer a good balance between quality and price.
– Madagascan Rubies: were first found in 1998. They are diverse and varied in their color, clarity, and fluorescence, depending on the location and the mining method. Some of them are light and bright, while others are dark and dull. Some of them are clean and transparent, while others are included and opaque. Some of them are fluorescent and glowing, while others are inert and dull. Madagascar Rubies are relatively new and plentiful in the market, but they are not very consistent and reliable in their quality.
– Indian Rubies: These are Rubies that come from India, mainly from the states of Karnataka, Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh. They are usually low-quality and heavily included, with a dark and opaque appearance. They are often cut into cabochons or beads, rather than faceted, to enhance their color and hide their flaws. They are also often treated with heat, dye, or oil, to improve their appearance and value. Indian Rubies are not very popular or valuable in the market, but they are still used for ornamental and astrological purposes.
– Star Rubies: These are Rubies that exhibit a phenomenon called asterism, which is a six-rayed star that appears on the surface of the gem when it is cut into a dome-shaped cabochon and illuminated by a single light source. The star is caused by the reflection of light from tiny needle-like inclusions of rutile, a mineral composed of titanium dioxide (TiO2), that are aligned along the crystal axes of the Ruby. Star Rubies are rare and attractive, and they can come from any of the Ruby-producing regions, but the most famous ones are from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and India.
– Untreated rubies: These are rubies that have not been subjected to any artificial enhancement or modification, such as heating, irradiation, diffusion, fracture filling, or coating, to improve their color, clarity, or durability. Untreated Rubies are very scarce and valuable, as they represent the natural beauty and rarity of the gem. However, they are also very difficult to identify and certify, as some treatments are very subtle and undetectable by standard gemological tests. Therefore, untreated Rubies require a high level of trust and expertise from the seller and the buyer.
– “Pink” Rubies: These are Rubies that have a light and pale red color, bordering on pink. They are also known as pink Sapphires, as they are technically the same mineral as sapphires, but with a different hue. The distinction between Ruby and Pink sapphire is not clear-cut, and it depends on the subjective perception and preference of the observer. However, some gemological organizations, such as the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), have established a minimum threshold of color saturation and tone for a gem to be classified as a Ruby, rather than a pink Sapphire. “Pink” Rubies are less rare and valuable than true rubies, but they are still attractive and desirable.
– Lab-grown Rubies: These are Rubies that are created in a laboratory, rather than in nature, by using various methods of synthesis, such as flame fusion, flux growth, hydrothermal growth, or chemical vapor deposition. Lab-grown Rubies have the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties as natural Rubies, but they differ in their origin, history, and value. Lab-grown Rubies are cheaper and more available than natural Rubies, but they are also less unique and meaningful. Lab-grown Rubies are usually disclosed and marked as such, to avoid confusion and fraud.
SCIENCE:
MINERAL TYPE: Corundum- RUBY
MOHS SCALE: 9
ORIGIN: Burma, Thailand, Mozambique, Madagascar, India, Cambodia
SYSTEM: Tri-gonal system (base cross-section)
Rubies’ hardness is second only to that of a Diamond. Their rarity and lustre, as well as their unique hardness, makes them desirable in Jewellery manufacture. Their name originates from the Latin word “ruber”- meaning red. The most incredible Jewellery pieces in history showcase Rubies & Diamonds paired together to make desirable statement pieces, often their value only determined by the high demand for these pieces. Rubies are said to have healing properties, opening the heart chakra and healing emotional and spiritual wounds.
Care & Handling: Avoid contact with acidic or chemical substances, such as vinegar or cleaning solutions. Clean only with a soft damp cloth.
