What on Earth is Ruby?

Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum, and its name comes from the Latin word for red. Long regarded as the stone of nobility, it scores 9 on the Mohs scale and is associated with passion and love. Rubies are sold as rubies, gemstone beads and cut and polished stones.

The History of Ruby

The appearance of rubies dates back to the time of the Bible and in ancient Sanskrit civilization. Rubies have a long and rich history wherein every culture celebrated and adored this stone for its magnificent bright red color that exhibits regal flair “ much like royalty.

This is the reason why this gemstone was given the title of stone of nobility or stone of royalty because, for thousands and thousands of years, rubies have been the prized possession of magnanimous figures to represent their state of wealth. It was said that the likes of Kublai Khan and Catherine of Aragon are infatuated with this scarlet beauty. Kublai Khan, the Chinese Emperor, went to the extent of giving up an entire city in exchange for a single piece of hefty ruby.

The Lore of Ruby

Apart from its aesthetic charm, rubies have long been considered as magical stones that can be used as a talisman of passion, prosperity, and protection. In Chinese culture, the color red signifies good luck. Wearing a ruby as a charm or amulet was said to bring good fortune and a sense of spiritual balance to the wearer. The red glow radiated by rubies, according to Hindu belief, is said to be an internal flame that cannot be extinguished by any human, making it a powerful and spiritual gift to honor their holy beings, Buddha and Krishna. Also, in Burmese folklore, inserting a Ruby into one's flesh was said to make them invincible.

Finding Ruby

Rubies can be found in all parts of Southeast Asia including Thailand and Myanmar, specifically in Burma, who produce rubies with the highest of quality. Rubies are identified by their striking red color and prismatic sheen, however, the shade of red may vary depending on the location from where it was mined. Merchants or traders of rubies try to enhance the overall appearance of rubies by subjecting the crystal to high heat; however, extreme heating can only slightly improve a ruby's appearance, more so if the ruby readily reacts with heat because of the gemstone's chemistry.

Ruby in Folk Belief

Old records describe rubies as protective charms, with stories of wearers carrying them as defence against plague and hunger. These are historical beliefs, not facts about what the stone does.

Today a ruby is valued as a symbol of passion, courage and vitality, and it remains a classic gift. If you run a shop, a related option is ruby zoisite, the red and green stone that sits alongside ruby on many shelves.