Ruby - July Birthstone
Celebrated in the Bible and
in ancient Sanskrit writings as the most precious of all gemstones, It
has been the prized possession of emperors and kings throughout the
ages.Ruby has been the world's most valued gemstone
for thousands of years. Ruby was said to be the most precious of the
twelve stones God created when he created all things and this "lord of
gems" was placed on Aaron's neck by God's command.
The bible
says that wisdom is "more precious than rubies," that is to say very
valuable indeed. In the ancient language of Sanskrit, ruby is called
ratnaraj, or "king of precious stones" and ratnanayaka, "leader of
precious stones." In fact, rubies are today still more valuable and rare
than even the top quality colorless diamonds.
Ruby is the usual name for
transparent red corundum. Corundum is the mineralogical name for
aluminium oxide.Corundum can be colourless,pink, red, black, brown,
orange, yellow, green, indigo, violet, or mauve. Red corundum and most
pink corundum is called ruby, all other colours are called sapphire,
usually with the colour specified as a prefix to the word ruby, for
example, yellow sapphire.
The International Colored
Gemstone Association passed a resolution that the light shades of the
red hue be included in the category Ruby since it was too difficult to
legislate where red ended and pink began. In practice, pink shades
are now known either as Pink Ruby or Pink Sapphire.
Ruby was the first mineral to
be produced by commercial Gem synthesis and dates to the 1880's.
Many customers have brought family heirlooms for insurance only to be
told that their "Gem" is not a natural stone, so just because it's old
doesn't mean it's the real thing. We have only genuine natural
Gems, You will not find synthetic Ruby, among our Gemstones.
Sources for
this gemstone
Burma,Sri
Lanka,Vietnam,Tanzania.
Treatments
Typically Amethyst is HEAT treated. WE OFFER NON TREATED RUBIES.
Love
Many people associate its
brillant crimson colors with passion and love, making Ruby an ideal
choice for an engagement ring.
Care
It is usually safe to clean
Ruby in an Ultrasonic cleaner, but risky to use a steamer. We recommend
ionic cleaners and/or warm, soapy water and a soft brush as the
best way to clean Ruby jewelry.Rubies are an excellent choice for
investment that are today still more valuable and rare than even the top
quality colorless diamonds. Top quality Ruby never decreased in true
value and remains a highly valued Collectors Gemstone.
Technical
Data
