RUBY GEMSTONE – THE BIRTHSTONE FOR JULY

What’s the King of Gems?

RUBY!

Of Course! ;)

Ruby is the Official Birthstone for the Month of July. As well as the Gemstone used to signify Babies Born on Tuesdays! (Didn’t know that did you?)

Ruby is used as the Anniversary Gifts for the Wonderful Years of the 11th, 15th, 40th, 60th, and the 95th Anniversaries!

Ruby is also one of the 3 Most Precious Gemstones in the World. Right next to Sapphire and Emerald (see below).

Ruby is a lot of things, and if it’s from Burma, it’s Worth a lot more! :)

You see, Burma (Myanmar) puts out the BEST Rubies in the World (or more often than other countries). The stones are Vivid, Deep, Rich Red Rubies that look like Pigeon Blood or Pomegranates.

But, like all mines, just because the Ruby is Burmese, doesn’t mean it’s Good Quality! Ruby Quality will vary from Stone to Stone, and High Grades of similar Color can come from Vietnam or Africa as well (among the many other world-wide mines).

Ruby Color

Medium-Dark toned Rubies are the Most Preferred.

The Color of the Ruby is actually the most Significant Factor when it comes to Pricing and Cost.

Rubies come from a Parent Rock called Corundum. Corundum in it’s Pure State is Transparent or Clear (Colorless).

When traces of Chromium get mixed with the rock during creation, it makes the Corundum RED.

Corundum is also what Sapphires come from. Sapphires have the Same Physical Characteristics as a Ruby, but the Blue in Sapphire is actually caused by Titanium and Iron.

It’s the Color difference that separates the two.

If Corundum is Red, it’s a Ruby. If it’s any other color of the Rainbow, it’s a “Sapphire” (Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Orange Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Blue Sapphire…).

Like the image of the Rainbow Sapphire Bracelet below…

Different Shades of Ruby Color

Ruby Color can range from Light Red, to Orangy Red, Bluish Red, Brown and even Purplish in hue. Take a look at the different Colors of Rubies in the image below…

The name RUBY comes from a Latin word for Red (Rubeus). This Rubeus Stone has been mentioned in the Bible 4 times. It’s also associated with Wisdom and Beauty!

Pleochroism

The interesting thing about Ruby (and Sapphire as well) is the fact that it’s Pleochroic.

Pleochroism is where the Stone can look like Two Different Colors or more when viewed from two different angles.

From the top view, it could look Red. But from the side view it could look Orange (used just as an example)… See image below…

Since high quality, deep colored Rubies are so Rare in Nature (and so Expensive), most of what you’ll find on the market are Commercial Grade Rubies. The Hues of these Stones are often Medium-Dark and usually have a more Purplish or Pink Tone to them, like in the Jewelry examples shown below…

These Commercial Grade Stones are generally imported from Thailand (the US imports more Rubies than any other country).

Any Ruby over 1 Carat is considered Rare, and finding a Ruby with No Inclusions is Practically Impossible!

Ruby Clarity

Rubies are known to have Clarity Characteristics like Rutile Needles (Silk), Crystals, Growth Lines, Color Banding, and Finger Print Inclusions. It’s just the nature of the stone.

Birthmarks like these are common, add Personality to the Stone, help Deepen the Hues, and makes it Easier to Identify the Gem.

But, if the Stone has too many of these Inclusions in the stone, the Stone can become Weak and even Brittle!

Ruby on the Moh’s Scale

You shouldn’t have to ever worry too much about the Durability and Hardness of Ruby in most Stones though. It’s the Second Most Hardest Stone there is on the Face of the Earth.

Rubies (and Sapphires) are a 9 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness (Diamond is a 10).

Because of this, they are Very Durable and make the Perfect Stone to wear every day. They can take Quite a Beating!

Their Toughness overpowers every other Colored Gemstone nature makes. This is why Corundum is often used for the Crystal Faces on Watches, and often used in Expensive Jewel Movements in the finest of Watches…

Rubies are Extremely Tough and hold up quite well. Another reason why Ruby is the King of all Gems!

Ruby has always been associated with Elegance, Courage, Boldness, Action and High Energy. It’s Regal and Sacred, how could it not?

Because Rubies are so Red and Intense, it’s meant to bring out Emotion, Love, Anger, Passion and Fury! Red ties after all, are Power Ties!

Pricing

Rich Red Rubies command the Highest Per-Carat Price of any Colored Stone. $10 per-carat for Low Quality, and up to $200,000 for Good Quality!

That’s one Expensive Ruby!

Myths and Lore

It’s no doubt that Rubies were used for Coronation Rings in England. The Royalty demanded it!

Rubies were thought to Guard Health, bring Peace and Happiness, as well as Passion and Devotion!

It was thought that Rubies could offset the Reactions to Poison in the 15th and 16th Centuries!

Arsenic and Old Ruby!

And, if Rubbed on the Skin, Rubies were said to make you Young and Vital! (doesn’t do a thing to me) ;)

Legend even says that Rubies were used as a Prophecy in the Middle Ages. If the Stone turned Dark, Danger was Near!!!

We all know that the Red color is caused by Chromium, but this Chromium is also the same thing that makes Rubies Fluorescent!

Fluorescence in Rubies

Good Rubies give off a Red Fluorescence under a UV light (Black Light).

This Fluorescence helps give Rubies that Bright Red Glow that Rubies are known for.

Fluorescence intensifies the Color!

But most Rubies you find will not be this High Prized Possession that the likes of Switzerland seeks out (they want only the best). What you’ll find are Commercial Goods that have been Heat Treated and Enhanced.

Heat Treating Rubies

Heat Treating is a process where Intense Heat is applied to the Stone which Enhances the Color, Helps Hide Inclusions (like Needles and Silk) and gives the Stone a Permanent Color Change… All for the Good!

Some Rubies that have Pits or Blemishes on the Surface will also be Oiled, Waxed or Filled with Plastic to help make the Stone Look Better, Appear Cleaner, and Feel Smoother.

Interesting enough, Heat Treating is common and accepted in the Jewelry Trade. That’s just the way it goes.

Heat Treating can turn an ugly Dark Stone (almost Black) into a Beautiful Bright Red Ruby. See image below…

Cool eh?

Ruby Locations

Rubies are found all over the World, but the Most Popular mines are located in: Burma, Thailand, Tanzania, Malawi, Madagascar, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Africa, Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Kashmir, Mozambique, Nigeria and the USA.

The only Commercial Ruby Mine in the US is in Utica, Montana, called the Yogo Creek or Yogo Gulch. These Stones are generally very Small and Bluish Purple in Hue.

Not Very Popular or Pretty!

Burmese Rubies really are what Gem Collectors Desire (Rubies of Mogok in Upper Burma).

The Environment in Burma is Ideal for Ruby Growth. It’s the perfect setting of Low Silicon Content, combined with the Right Temperature and Right Pressure.

Viola!

It’s Amazing what a little Corundum can produce.

Corundum is actually a Mixture of Aluminium and Oxide (Al2O3).

Sadly, all Rubies don’t look like this, and most of the Jewelry Stores today carry Man-Made Rubies which are Flux Grown (the Hydrothermal Method). This Process Mimics what Nature does to Produce a Ruby. It just Bakes it in a Lab.

The result is a Nice Looking Stone, with the same Chemical Composition as a Real Stone, but they are more Transparent and more Cleaner… Much more Clean!

TOO CLEAN!

This is the Easiest Way to tell the difference between a Real Ruby and a Man-Made Ruby. If the Ruby is totally clean of all Inclusions and if it looks Glassy, Really Transparent or even Plasticy… it’s more than likely Man-Made!

These stones are still pretty though. And they are Half the Price! ($300 or $3,000??? You be the Judge!)

In fact, ALL of the Good Quality Precious Stones are so hard to come by that they have pretty much been replaced by Man-Made Stones (in the last 20 years or so).

If it looks too good to be true, it generally is…

Popular Cuts of Ruby

Common Cuts of Ruby are: Brilliant Cut, Oval Cut, Cushion Cut, Step Cut, Cabochon (Domed) Cut, Pear Cut, Marquise Cut, Trillion Cut, and Mixed Cuts.

Mixed Cuts are a combo of Two Different Cuts, like in the image below. This Mixed Cut has a Brilliant Cut Crown and a Step Cut Base.

Most Rubies, since they are Denser than Diamonds and have a Specific Gravity of 3.9-4.1, are usually Cut Deeper than a Diamond is… to bring out the Color of the Stone. So if you put a Ruby up against the same mm Diamond, the Ruby would weigh more.

Often you’ll even see Rubies Replace Diamonds in Engagement Rings. It’s a Perfect Romantic Gift! A Ruby set in the center of a Wedding Set, or set on the sides of Wedding Rings makes a great contrast to the Diamonds. It adds “POP” to the Ring!

Why not? The Color of Red intensifies Love and Compassion. It just goes hand in hand.

The Hindus Cherished the Color of Ruby so much that they believed that Rubies would bring you back in your next life as Emperors!

That’s some Strong Belief!

Are Rubies Really Rubies?

One thing you will find if you look at enough Gemstones, is that there are a lot of Red Gemstones that look and appear just like a Ruby.

Stones like Red Spinel, Garnet, and even Pink Tourmaline.

Compare Red Stones to Ruby below…

You can quickly see that it would be easy to Mix these Stones up.

But it didn’t Stop Peter the Great! The Russian Czar carried a Loose Ruby in his pocket as a Talisman.

I would bet that the Origins of this Stone are unknown. Was it a Burma Ruby? Who knows!

With Stones ranging from Light Pink to Deep, Dark Red, you just never knew what you were getting.

It’s a good thing that GIA uses Master Stones to Grade the Colors of Ruby. Because determining what a piece of Light Pink Corundum is, could get tricky. A Light Pink stone could be either a Light Ruby, or a Pink Sapphire. Gem Dealers are at odds on where to draw the line.

Would you know the difference between them?

Both of these stones are found in Metamorphic Rocks like Marble, Schist, and Gneisses, and they’re both Perfectly Safe to Ultrasonic, but one stone could be Double the Price of the other!

That’s a Pretty Big Mistake to make!

This is also why I suggest staying away from Light Red Rubies. Stick to Medium Shades or Darker Shades (as long as they don’t look Purple or Black)… If you can help it!

And even more reasons to Buy a Medium-Dark Red Ruby…

Your Chakra asks for it!

Rubies and Chakras

Ruby, because of it’s Beautiful Red Hue, works Perfect for the Gemstone for the Base Chakra (also called the Root Chakra, First Chakra, Foundation Chakra, Earth Chakra, and Mulad Hara Chakra).

The Base Chakra sits in Front of your Tailbone, at the Base of your Spine.

Because of it’s Prime Location, it helps give you Strength and Determination!

Many people like to think of it as a New Beginning!

Other stones can be used as well for the Base/Root Chakra…

This Chakra’s Keywords are: Survival, Sexuality, Health, Abundance, Change, Moving Forward, Safety, Family, Security, Nurture, Assertiveness, Passion, Practicality, and Tradition.

But what Ruby does FOR you is so much more…

Ruby Chakra and the Body

Ruby Chakra Stones help Stimulate the Flow of Energy! It removes Anxiety and Stress. It promotes Positive Changes and more.

Symptoms It Cures:

Symptoms that Ruby “supposedly” Cures are: Lower Back Pain, Sciatica, Water Retention, Diarrhea, Constipation, Impotence, Immune Disorders, Insecurity, Depression, Panic Attacks, and Phobias!

But they say Stones like Red Ruby and Red Jasper also act as a Blood Purifier for the Veins! (And who doesn’t want that?)

Rubies Clean the Body and keep it Balanced and Rooted.

Read MORE about Chakra Here!

See…

Ruby is one Powerful Gemstone! (The King!)

Isn’t it time you Bought yourself a Ruby?

Amazon has some Great Looking Ruby Jewelry for some Great, and Cheap, Prices.

Ruby is calling your name! :)