In Sanskrit, rubies were called ratnaraj which translates to “king of precious gems”. This stone is rich in history and folklore, and remains a very popular choice today thanks to its rarity, hardness and of course, colour.
For centuries, rubies have been associated with passion, protection and wealth. Ancient warriors in Myanmar and China believed they would make them invincible in battle, even going as far as inserting the gems into their flesh. It was thought they would protect from misfortune and illness, predict danger and cure inflammation. The name is derived from the Latin word ruber meaning “red”.
The ruby gets it’s red from the trace element chromium. The colour can vary from lighter rose red to a deep, rich burgundy, with tints of orange, pink and purple in between. When exposed to sunlight, the chromium glows, making them appear even more vibrant. Myanmar produces the majority of the world’s rubies as well as some of the oldest (dating back to 600AD!). Rubies are also mined in other parts of Asia and Africa.
In addition to being the July birthstone, rubies are traditionally given for 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries. They are second only in hardness to diamonds, meaning they are an excellent choice for jewellery worn every day.
We can source rubies in a range of colour, size and clarity to suit your budget. For more information, or if you’d like to book a time to come in and chat about your vision, click here.
