Ruby is the most valuable variety of the mineral type corundum, which also includes sapphire.
Rubies are perhaps the most important of all colored gemstones in history. They are extremely rare. In the ancient Sanskrit scriptures, they are often referred to as “gem kings” and the Bible links them to beauty and wisdom.
The color of the ruby, which causes the addition of chromium, is from brownish red to light red similar to ripe raspberries. It has excellent hardness in second place after diamond and irresistible brilliance.
The color of the ruby is accompanied by strong fluorescence, which is stimulated by natural and artificial light, thanks to which the rubies turn brighter red in sunlight.
The most important attribute of ruby is color, while its transparency is secondary.
It is rare to find a ruby of the highest quality over 3 carats, so smaller inclusions are considered acceptable and most ruby jewelry is made with stones up to 3 carats.
The inclusions in the ruby are often like fingerprints that prove its authenticity and reveal the beauty and individuality of each stone.
Ruby is characterized by a unique and unrepeatable color, also called “pigeon blood”. The name ruby comes from its color, lat. rubeus – red. It has long been believed that red provides courage and energy. Therefore, the ruby was worn by soldiers and knights. It is also the color of fire and blood but also of anger and love. According to an old legend, the blood-red eyed ring was worn by King Solomon. They are part of the treasure of Iranian chess and were also popular with Indian princes. In the book Gemmarum et Lapidum Historia (1609), the personal physician of Emperor Rudolf II appreciated the ruby at the same price as the diamond. Ruby is mentioned in Indian epics, it brings health, happiness, wealth and power to the owner. It also appears as a magic stone named DER-GA-BEL, and to gain wealth and power, an image of a snake should be engraved on the ruby. From the 13th century, a ruby ring was used in the coronation rings of England. In Christian symbolism, its color means a bleeding heart, repentance, and it also brings peace and patience. The color red was good and bad, in alchemy it was one of the sages’ stones. Due to its red color, the ruby was associated with the planet Mars. In modern lithotherapy, it is used for headaches, fevers and viral diseases. It is said that it strengthens and cheers up the heart, and let’s add that with its beauty.
It is a stone of people born in the sign of Pisces (19.2.-20.3.), Aries (21.3.-19.4.) And Cancer (21.6.-21.7.). From ancient times, the ruby was considered the stone of the month for December. Ruby also belongs to those born in July.
Ruby in jewelry protected against the plague, but it should bring good health, optimism, calm and thoughtful behavior to this day.
In 2011, an 8.24-carat ruby ring belonging to Elizabeth Taylor and manufactured by Van Cleef & Arpels was auctioned for $ 4.2 million, with a carat price of approximately $ 500,000.
The most expensive ruby ever sold was “Hope Ruby”, which weighed 32.08 carats and sold for $ 6.74 million.
