The glowing colour of the Ruby was likened to an enduring fire by the Hindus. They thought its power so great that if a Ruby were placed in water its inner heat could make the water boil.
During the middle ages it was believed that the Ruby could protect the wearer from drowning, relieve pain and cure rheumatism.
A legendary Ruby, the size of a man's hand, said to be owned by the King of Siam in the 13th century was believed to prolong youth. Each night and morning the king rubbed the priceless Ruby over his face and neck. When he died at the age of 90 his complexion was said to be like a young man's, unblemished and unwrinkled.
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One of the most famous pieces of Renaissance jewellery is the Canning Jewel. The baroque Pearl pendant, shaped like a Merman, has Rubies set in the tail and another group set in Gold hang from the bottom of the pendant.
For a long time India was considered as the classical country of Rubies. The literature of India contains a rich and varied knowledge collected and handed down for over two thousand years. Even the term "corundumî which we use today is derived from the Sanskrit word "kuruvindaî. In the Sanskrit language Ruby is called "ratnarajî, which does in fact translate as "King of Gemstonesî. And it was a royal welcome indeed which used to be prepared for this King of Gemstones: Whenever a spectacular Ruby crystal was found, the emperor sent out his notables to meet the precious gemstone and welcome it in appropriate style. Today Rubies decorate the insignia of many Royal Houses. But are they really all Rubies? Read on to find out more!
Only a Bit of Chrome
Ruby is the red variety of the corundum mineral, one of the hardest minerals on Earth which also includes Sapphire. Pure corundum is colourless. Slight traces of the colour creating elements such as chrome, iron, titanium or vanadium are responsible for the colour. These gemstones show an excellent hardness. On the Mohís Scale they achieve a hardness of 9, second only to diamonds. And only red corundum may be called Ruby, any other colour is denominate as Sapphires. The close relationship of Ruby and Sapphire has been known since the beginning of the 19th century. Up to that time, also red Garnets or Spinells were thought to be Rubies ñ and due to this misclassification the so-called "Black Rubyî as well as the "Timur Rubyî decorating the British Crown Jewels are probably actually no Rubies at all, but Spinells.
Ruby, this magnificent red variety of the multi-coloured corundum family, consists of aluminium oxide and chrome as well as smallest proportions of other trace elements - depending on the respective occurrence. In really fine colours and good clarity, however, this gemstone is mined only rarely all over the world. Responsible for this scarcity is in fact the colour-creating element chrome. Millions of years ago, when the gemstones were being created, chrome was the element awarding Ruby its wonderful colour deep inside the core of the Earth. But at the same time it is also responsible for causing a multitude of fissures and tiny irregularities inside the crystals. Only very few ruby crystals could grow undisturbed to considerable sizes and crystallise to form a perfect gemstone. Therefore, then, fine Rubies are quite scarce in sizes above 3 karats. Thus it is no miracle that Rubies with hardly any inclusions are so valuable that in good colours and larger sizes they will achieve top prices at auctions, which surpass even those paid for diamonds.
Some Rubies show a wonderful silky shine, the so-called "silkî of the Ruby. The reason for this phenomenon are finest rutilum needles. And now and then we will come across one of the very scarce Star Rubies. Again the rutilum mineral is involved here: it is embedded asterisk-shaped within the Ruby thus causing the charming light effect which is termed "Asterismî by the experts. If such Rubies are cut as half-dome shaped cabochons, this will result in six-ray stars which seem to magically glide across the surface of the moving stones. Star Rubies are expensive rarities Their value is assessed according to beauty and attractive colour, while transparency is secondary. Fine Star Rubies, however, should always display rays which are completely shaped including the rounding, and the stars should be situated right in the centre.
Ruby-red means Passion
Red like Ruby. Ruby-red. The most important characteristic about that valuable stone is its colour. There is of course a reason for this: the name "Rubyî was derived from the Latin word "rubensî meaning "redî. The red of Rubies is in a class all by itself: warm and fiery. Two magical elements are associated with the symbolism of this colour: fire and blood, implying warmth and life for mankind. And thus Ruby-red is not just any old colour, no, it is the epitome of colour: hot, passionate and powerful colour. Like no other gemstone Ruby is the perfect symbol of powerful feelings. A ring set with a precious Ruby does not really symbolise a calm and moderate sympathy, but rather passionate and unbridled love which two people feel for each other.
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