Did you know? The ruby is the stone of the Sun, and protects those who wear it, from the harmful effects of Sun. Ruby gives intelligence and knowledge. Ruby will protect you from ill health and enemies, bring success in administrative fields, freedom from troubles, debts and diseases. It ensures long life and cures heart diseases.
"The price of wisdom is above rubies ," says Job in the Bible , implying that rubies were highly prized in his time
And with these thoughts we look at the intangibles of this tantalising mesmerising mineral that not only has healing properties, but also manages to melt hearts with its rich rapturous colour, adding its own depth to the word love signifying a range of emotions that touch on passion, valour, glory and the ability to hold its own through the time line of the ages.
Historically, the colour red has always been associated with strong emotions - love, passion and the most prized of Indian virtues - fertility and marriage. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the ruby finds itself in the hall of fame of most coveted gemstones in India and across other cultures. Hindu priests believed the homes of the gods were lighted by emeralds and rubies. Greek legends also speak of the ruby.
Soothsayers believe its charm can enhance and enrich one's luck, focus and divinity. Jewelry aficionadoes swear by it for its simplicity, warmth, rich tone, and understated elegance that although overshadowed by the more ebullient diamond, nonetheless has adorned some of history's rich and powerful luminaries, stalwarts and legends including India's royalty.
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 "corundum" which we use today is derived from the Sanskrit word "kuruvinda". The ruby has a place of pride among gemstones as it is referred to as a precious stone.
Today rubies decorate the insignia of many Royal Houses. Among all rubies the Burmese ruby is the most treasured. The Mogok valley of Burma is best known for the finest and rarest rubies known as "pigeon's blood" for the intense red color. Thailand is well known for its dark, brownish-red rubies. This "Siam colour" - an elegantly modulated deep red - are also beautiful and exist in Vietnam, near the Chinese border. Rubies of Vietnamese origin generally display a slightly purplish hue.
Ruby Trivia
- In the Sanskrit language Ruby is called "Ratnaraj ", which does in fact translate as "King of Gemstones".
- The 167 - carat Edwardes Ruby donated to the British Museum of Natural History in 1887 by John Ruskin was named in honour of Major-General Sir Herbert Benjamin Edwardes who saved British rule in India during the years of the Indian Mutiny.
- The world's biggest ruby is the Rajaratna Ruby which weighs 2,475 carats.
- The world's biggest double-star ruby (with a 12-pointed star) is the Neelanjali Ruby, weighing 1,370 carats.
- The ruby is July's birthstone under the sign of Cancer, and is said to accord wearers wisdom, happiness and health, and to bring particularly good luck to gamblers and lovers. Rubies symbolise true passionate love. But just as true love is rare indeed, so are really perfect rubies!
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Ravishing red
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. However, 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 crystallize to form a perfect gemstone. Hence fine rubies are quite scarce in sizes above 3 karats.
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