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Ruby - a Priceless Gem Among Gemstones

Ancient Hindu scriptures say that human life is a priceless gift from God, which is to be cherished and sustained. The more important part is the utilization of the same in the prescribed and proper manner, human life is priceless. This progress gradually leads to the salvation of the human soul. In the same manner, RUBY is a gem hailed as the most priceless among gemstones so much that readings from Bible reveal that it was the most prized gemstone in ancient times. Its famed reach cut across geographical boundaries and social sections of society. In a way it can be said that ruby set the trend for globalisation of gemstones and thereby laid the roadmap for bonding among gemstones fraternity.

Ruby is said to be more valuable and rare than even the top quality colourless diamonds. Its history is as fascinating as itself, and the same traverses with ease through passage of time. Ruby is hailed as the birthstone of July and the zodiac sign Cancer. It is so for the month of July in Modern, Traditional, Mystical and Ayurvedic forms and for the month of December in Ayurvedic form. It is the anniversary gemstones for the 15th and 40th year of marriage.

The rich red colour of the gemstone comes from trace amounts of chromium. Ruby has a hardness rating of 9. Ruby's dramatic colour and regal heritage make it the choice of the most discriminating jewellery lovers. Fine, large rubies may be worth more than diamonds of comparable size. They make elegant rings and pendants. Smaller stones are also set in these pieces as well as brooches, bracelets, and earrings. Small rubies are popular for use in anniversary rings to wear alone or in the company, of diamonds. Rubies are stunning against a backdrop of white, black, royal blue or emerald green.

History

Age is only numbers in reality; they do not portray the correct richness and depth of an entity. For instance, a cricketer's ability is not dependent on his age factor but his playing ability; even a 40 year old can outshine a 25 year old in deed. The same goes for this splendid jewel called RUBY, which has withstood the travails of thousands of years. Its importance can be gauged from the fact that the mother of all languages Sanskrit termed it as ratnaraj or "king of precious stones" and ratnanayakaor "leader of precious stones". And to date it has managed to not only survive but also bring immense benefits to its admirers.

All the richness and magnetic hold of this splendid gem can be gleaned from the many historic tales coming up.

• Anything connected with English history makes for fascinating study. One such fine tale tells us that the gold coronation ring of the English Kings contained a tablet-cut ruby, which depicted the figure of St. George's cross. This ruby has around it 26 diamonds. In the same way rubies found its way to the many crowns and sceptres in the royal jewels of many countries of both bygone eras plus present age.
• One of the world's most repressive regimes Myanmar (formerly Burma) possesses the most famous, finest and the oldest rubies in mankind history. Facts reveal that rubies from Stone Age and Bronze Age are found in a mine called Mogok. For instance, deep down fine rubies having pigeon's blood colour are referred to as Burmese whatever its source of origin is.
• Many gemstones that are not rubies are often called rubies. For instance, Balas or Balas ruby is a type of stone. The other such instances are Bohemian ruby is got from rose quartz, Siberian ruby in red or pink tourmaline and American ruby, Cape ruby, Montana ruby and Rocky Mountain ruby are varieties of garnet.
• Another famous type of ruby called Synthetic Ruby, first discovered in 1837, has a hold which is as good as it was since 150 years back. The latest better manufacturing techniques of today's age has made it more effective to be produced and it is used in the manufacture of watches and instruments.

Rubies are currently being mined in other areas of Southeast Asia, as well as Africa and other parts of Asia. Ruby is found worldwide. The finest stones are from Myanmar. Bright red stones are mined in: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Brownish-red ruby are from Thailand. Darker stones are generally produced from the mines in Australia, India, Russia and USA (states of North Carolina and Wyoming)

Ruby owes its origin to the mineral corundum, which is a crystallized form of aluminium oxide. Pure corundum is a colourless trigonal crystal possessing a hardness bordering between that of the other two great gems emerald and diamond.

Features

Colour

The most important factor in the value of ruby is colour, with top qualities being the purest of red without any traces of blues or browns. Ruby may be any colour of red depending on the chromium and iron content of the stone. Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum, the second hardest mineral known to exist, surpassed only by diamond. Rubies vary widely in colour, ranging from rose red through so-called ruby red and carmine to a deep purplish red, called pigeon blood -- the most highly prized colour variation. When cut into a cabochon (a convex, un-faceted form), some specimens of ruby exhibit asterism; that is, a six-rayed star can be seen in the interior of the stone. Such stones are called star rubies.

Clarity, cut, & size thus effect value as perfectly transparent, flawless rubies are much more valuable than those that have inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye. Larger rubies, being rare are much more valuable than comparative quality stones of smaller sizes.

Cut

A ruby should have a proper cut and the best cut is symmetrical. It should not be cut too deep or too shallow. A saturated ruby is better off with a shallower cut where as a less saturated ruby finds favour with deep cut.

Clarity

It is hailed as the second vital feature of a gemstone. Rubies should have colour bands that appear as parallel lines inside the stone. In addition, it can also have cloudy or milky appearance.

Carat

They can be found in a variety of shapes and carat weight ranges but it should be a stone that reflects proper light and sparkle radiantly and it should maintain its beauty form

Size

An ideal size would be 6.5 by 4 cm

Ruby Power and attributes

The power and mystical hold of this gem is amazing and they sure are going to sweep one of one's feet. Detail by detail the same is cracked open and listed-

• Ruby is said to open one's heart to love, is hailed as the stone of love. It is worn in all types of jewellery. Ancient tale reveals that a Ruby is capable of reconciling lovers' quarrels. Ruby engagement rings are given to express passion and promise of their heart. It is ideal for 15th and 40th wedding anniversary gifts.
• The three-ray, six-point star effect seen in some cabochon rubies happen when futile inclusions are present. The star on the ruby moves on the stone as the light from a single source moves.
• Rubies were thought to ward off misfortune and ill health. They are given as a symbol of success, devotion and integrity.
• Ruby is the US State Gemstone of Wisconsin.
• Ruby is said to be the Summer Gemstone of the season.
• Ruby has been regarded as a symbol of freedom, charity, dignity and divine power. The Burmese believed that gemstones ripened like fruit. The redder the colour, the riper the ruby. A flawed ruby was considered over mature.
• Large, gem quality rubies have always been very rare. The huge gems described in medieval romances and oriental literature was most likely exaggerated by the imaginations of ruby admirers and creative authors or was actually garnets or spinals.
• Some rubies display a luminous star when viewed in the right light. This is caused by the orientation of intersecting needles within the stone. The light reflecting off them forms a star. Stars may be seen on certain translucent stones that have been cut in a dome shape
• Often used to alleviate disorders of the blood such as anaemia, poor circulation and menstrual problems. And also used to heal arthritis and rheumatism·
• Improves confidence and courage, alleviates pains, worries and lifts the spirit
• Improves intuition and believed to increase levels of energy.
• Encourages self-nurturing in those with poor self-image, improves muscle spasms.
• Rubies unlike emeralds are extremely hard & tough and can be passed on down for many generations.
• Rubies when exposed to high temperatures turn green, but they regain their original colour after cooling. Some rubies phosphoresce with a vivid red glow when illuminated by ultraviolet light.
• Here is another sample of ruby's power. The gem dealers want the gem they're selling to be classified as a ruby because the name alone increases its value.
• It makes for a wonderful holiday gift and brings safety plus good health to the wearer.

Care and Treatment

Generally, ruby is quite durable. Still, rubies are subject to chipping and fracture if handled roughly. The following guidelines should be followed to keep the ruby in the way it should be kept-

• It can be cleaned with mild jewellery cleaner or an ultrasonic jewellery-cleaning machine.
• Proper care should be taken to protect the gemstone from knocks or blows since the same leads to damage.
• It is colour enhanced by heating in a very controlled environment, which allows uniform plus maximum colour intensity and saturation.

Other Details

A few rubies have distinguished themselves because of their size or extraordinary beauty and arc being guarded for posterity The Louvre in Paris houses the Anne of Brittany Ruby, a 105-carat polished but irregular gem. John Ruskin donated the 167-carat Edwardes Ruby to the British Museum of Natural History in 1887. This 167-carat gem was named in honour of Major-General Sir Herbert Benjamin Edwardes (1819-G8) who saved British rule in India during the years of the Indian Mutiny. Two star rubies are displayed in American museums. The Smithsonian displays the 137-carat Rosser Reeves Ruby, and The American Museum of Natural History has the 100-carat Edith Haggin de Long Ruby.

The gemstone holds passion, excitement and opulence in plenty for those whom it fascinates.