Gemstones » Gemstones: July – Ruby
Gemstones: July – Ruby
The color red stirs passion like no other color. Van Gogh captured this feeling in “Red Poppies and Daisies.”
Enzo Ferrari crowned his piece de reistance, Testarossa, or, “hot-red.” And Judy Garland clicked her red slippers out from Oz and into pop culture immortality. We’re no different.
And of all the world’s alluring red objects, none has the intense, glowing, inner-fire of July’s birthstone. It’s as if they’re concentrated by way of an intense gravitational pull like a black hole, but instead of black, glistening red.
Ruby Education:
Which color would you spontaneously associate with love and vividness, passion and power? Obviously, this will evoke the color red. Red symbolizes love; it emanates warmth and a strong sense of life. Red is also the color of Ruby, the King of gemstones. After all, in the fascinating realm of gemstones rubies are the generally accepted emperors.
For thousands of years Ruby has been considered one of the most valuable gemstones of our Earth. It has what it takes to be a precious stone: a wonderful color, excellent hardness and an overwhelming brilliance. Additionally, it is an extremely rare gemstone, especially in the finer qualities. If you are in the mood to give a gift of romance and passion, then Perrywinkle’s incredible selection of rubies are what you need.
Gemology
Ruby is the red variety of the corundum mineral, one of the hardest minerals on Earth, which also includes Sapphire. Pure corundum is colorless. Slight traces of the color creating elements such as chromium, iron, titanium or vanadium are responsible for the color. These gemstones show an excellent hardness. On the Moh’s Scale they achieve a hardness of 9, second only to diamonds. Only red corundum may be called Ruby, any other color 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, red Garnets or Spinells were thought to be Rubies “ and due to this misclassification the so-called “Black Ruby” as well as the “Timur Ruby” decorating the British Crown Jewels are probably actually not Rubies at all, but Spinells.
Lore
Few other gems have as much myth, lore and romance surrounding them, with one of the chief attractions being the protection from misfortune and bad health rubies are believed to afford their lucky owners. It is believed that if worn in a ring on the left hand or in a brooch on the left side, it would give the magical ability to live in peace among enemies. This stone was once thought to ward off misfortune and ill health. Ruby is given as a symbol of success, devotion, integrity, health, and passion. It is known as the stone of love and is capable of reconciling lover’s quarrels.
Ruby is associated with the signs of Aries, Scorpio, Leo, and Cancer.
Uncut Ruby
Gemology
Crystal Structure
Crystal system: Hexagonal (trigonal), prisms.
ORIGIN
Thailand, Kampuchea, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Tanzania, Madagascar
PROPERTIES
Refractive Index: 1.762-1.77
Hardness: 9 (Moh’s Scale)
Specific Gravity: 4.0
Species: Corundum
Optic Character: Double Refraction.
Phenomena: Chatoyancy (Very rare)
CARE
Ultrasonic: Usually safe
Steamer: Usually safe
Heat: Good; may improve color
Chemicals that harm: Boron
