Gem Gossip – Royal Rubies

A superb pink to blood-red coloured gemstone made of the mineral corundum, the royal ruby is a magnificent pink to blood-red coloured gemstone (aluminum oxide). The presence of chromium is primarily responsible for the red colour. Ruby draws its name from the Latin word ruber, which means "red." On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, rubies have a hardness of 9.0. Only moissanite and diamond are tougher than other natural jewels. Color impurities and inclusions of rutile needles, sometimes known as silk, are found in all natural rubies. Natural rubies include needle inclusions that gemologists use to identify them from synthetics, simulants, and substitutes. A three-pointed or six-pointed star can be seen in some rubies. To show off the impact, these rubies have been carved into cabochons. Rubies can also exhibit colour variations (though this is uncommon), as well as chatoyancy (or the cat's eye effect).

The most important characteristic of a Ruby is its colour. Rubies come in a variety of red colours, ranging from purplish to blue red to orange-red. The Burmese Ruby is the brightest and most precious colour of Ruby, with a rich, passionate, intense, full red colour with a subtle blue hue. This colour is commonly referred to as "pigeon blood" red, a Ruby colour found exclusively in Myanmar's Mogok Valley mines. Pigeon Blood Ruby red is the colour of a white pigeon's eye, not the blood of a pigeon.

In grading a ruby, clarity comes after colour. A clear ruby, like diamonds, will attract a higher price, but a ruby with no needle-like rutile inclusions may have been treated. Heat is applied to most, if not all, rubies at the lower end of the market to increase colour, remove purple tinges, and remove blue areas. In recent years, lead glass filling, in which fractures within the ruby are filled with lead glass (or a comparable material), has gained popularity, greatly enhancing the clarity of the stone.

The Mogok Valley in Upper Myanmar (Burma) was, for centuries, the world’s main source for rubies. The region has produced some of the finest rubies ever mined, but in recent years Mong Hsu has been producing Rubies and has become the world’s main ruby mining area. The most recently found ruby deposit in Myanmar is in Namya (Namyazeik) located in the northern state of Kachin. Rubies have historically been mined in Thailand, the Pailin and Samlout District of Cambodia, Burma, India, Afghanistan, Australia, Namibia, Colombia, Japan, Scotland, Brazil and in Pakistan. In Sri Lanka, lighter shades of rubies (often “pink sapphires”) are more commonly found. After the Second World War ruby deposits were found in Tanzania, Madagascar, Vietnam, Nepal, Tajikistan, and Pakistan. A few rubies have been found in the U.S. states of Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Wyoming.

Those born in July are ruled by the moon and the emotional sign of Cancer. The Moon's movements have a tremendous influence on them, and family is always vital in their lives. They are the Zodiac's keepers and are particularly endowed with real estate and food. Lunar children are perfectionists with a strong sense of structure. These passionate, yet incredibly bright individuals can rise to heights previously considered unattainable because of their birthstones, Ruby.

Ruby is an earth stone, making it a wonderful match for the whims of the waxing and waning moon, which governs persons born in July. It energises and activates the mental and emotional bodies, as well as boosting self-esteem and enthusiasm for life. It's a protecting heart stone that helps you feel less forlorn and defeated. The forces of hope and resolve are bestowed upon the bearer by ruby. It is a stone of courage, bringing adventure and opportunity into one's life while also reducing anxiety.

In Western lore, Royals such as Queen Elizabeth of England and Queen Mary of Scots wore rubies as a tool for protection. It was believed that rubies would darken (dim) if they were in danger. During Elizabeth’s claim to the throne and reign over England she had many assassination threats from groups; Queen Elizabeth’s own cousin Mary wanted her dead. This is a primary reason rubies are found on the crowns of Royals. Ancient warriors wore rubies to make them invincible in battle. Rubies were the most desired gems of European royalty and the upper classes, medieval Europeans wore rubies to obtain good protection, wealth, wisdom, and success.