Regarded as the stone of nobility, rubies are made from the assortment the mineral corundum which gives the gemstone its deep and stunning crimson hue, hence, the name Ruby which comes from the Latin word for ˜red'. Just by seeing the brilliant and intense glow it exudes, makes it a stone commonly associated with passion and love.

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 stimulate the flow of internal chi or life force, giving physical and 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.

The Healing Powers of Ruby

Apart from its appealing physical appearance, rubies have been historically used for holistic purposes, going back to ancient records that state the use of rubies to detoxify the blood in order to offer protection from the plague as well as to prevent starvation.

Today, a ruby will still expel toxins and improve blood circulation in the body, making it beneficial for the heart and entire circulatory system to treat fevers and infectious diseases. Moreover, rubies can be worn to ward off exhaustion and lethargy.