Ruby Stone Meaning: 

The word “ruby” derives from the Latin word “ruber,” which means red. Rubies have always been favored by those in roles of power as well as by those in love and are therefore considered a gemstone that involves a lot of emotion. Some cultures even have a fable regarding the source of the stone. It was told that rubies grew on trees, starting out as white buds and then blossoming into ripe red rubies ready to be picked. Rubies are mentioned in the Bible and have been used and appreciated in some of the most ancient cultures.

Ruby Gemstones: Color, Value, and Grade

Physical Traits:

A ruby is an extremely strong stone. It ranks 9.0 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, placing it directly under the diamond and moissanite (a diamond ranks 10.0 on the scale and moissanite falls in between diamonds and rubies). Natural rubies contain imperfections, including color impurities. Additional imperfections are inclusions of rutile needles referred to as “silk.” These imperfections play an important role in detecting artificial rubies. Heat treatments are very common among most rubies today. Almost every ruby undergoes some sort of treatment, heat treatment being the most common. It is conducted prior to the cutting of the stone. That being said, there are a few high quality rubies that have not been treated, which of course demand very high prices.

A Ruby’s Color:

Corundum that is considered gemstone quality and displays any shade of red or pink is considered a ruby. In the United States there are specific requirements regarding the saturation of a ruby. It must meet certain standards in order to fall into the ruby category, otherwise it is labeled a pink sapphire.  The differentiation between the two types, rubies and pink sapphires, is a relatively new concept, having only been established sometime in the 20th century. That is why there is much controversy surrounding the topic.

What Contributes to a Ruby’s Value:

Like diamonds, rubies are assessed based on the 4Cs; color, clarity, cut, and carat. Similar to color diamonds, color is the most important determining factor in regards to its value. The darker and more visible colored rubies are the most sought after and the most expensive. Clarity plays an important role as well. Clear stones will sell for sky-high prices, but rubies without any needle-like rutile inclusions may signify that the stone has undergone treatment.

How Color is Graded:

There are three aspects of a ruby’s color that are taken into consideration. These include hue, saturation, and tone. Hue refers to the ruby’s color as we see it. Saturation determines the visibility of the color. Is it light? Dark? Or somewhere in between? Finally, the tone tells us the purity of the color. If it is a pure tone, there will not be any secondary colors. If it is not a pure tone, it may include one or several secondary hues such as pink, purple, and orange.

Ruby Gemstone Facts & History

Where Rubies Are Found:

For centuries, the majority of the world’s rubies were mined in both Mozambique and Myanmar (Burma), specifically the Mogok Valley in the upper region of the country. More recently there has been a considerable amount of mining in the center of Myanmar, in the area of Mong Hsu. Additional sources for rubies have been Thailand, Australia, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Namibia, India, Japan, and Colombia. Myanmar is known to produce some of the finer rubies that exist, although it wasn’t always considered the legitimate source. The good news is, sanctions in Myanmar were lifted by President Obama and trading with that country is considered 100% legitimate today.

Precious or Semi-Precious?

Although this is no longer the official status, gemstones were once divided into two categories: precious and semi-precious. Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires constitute the first category, and all other gemstones make up the second category. As one of the four precious gemstones, rubies are sturdier and more durable than most other gems, which is why they are generally more expensive.

Ruby Stone Benefits:

Natural rubies, especially those of great quality and size, are by no means cheap. However, if you are willing to go for a smaller stone, you can find yourself an unbelievable ruby with a rich hue that is regal, prestigious, and absolutely beautiful for an affordable price. They are also a terrific alternative to diamonds since they offer such a warm and upbeat color. As the birthstone of July, the red stone is so much more than a magnificent colored gemstone. The ruby has been believed to make its wearer more aware, more focused, and remain alert. There are also those who believe the stones can improve trouble with eyesight and blood circulation. Other possible benefits include success with exams and with certain vocations such as medicine, politics agriculture, and the government sphere. Throughout history, rubies were worn and adored by kings and royalty. They were a sign of authority and luxury. Today it is believed that the wearer of a ruby can obtain a certain level of luxury. Rubies are associated with love, passion, and are believed to be able to help timid people open up. They can also help with one’s balance. Individuals experiencing depression and insecurity find solace in the ancient red gem. It can also help with self-awareness and in discovering one’s true destiny and calling. Rubies make fantastic gifts for many different occasions but are especially appropriate for romantic gestures.

Physical Myths:

It has long been believed that rubies possess specific abilities, including ones capable of improving one’s health. According to Ivan the Terrible from Russia, a ruby can help one’s memory, heart, and brain. In the thirteenth century, there was a medicine for curing liver problems that included powdered ruby. In later centuries, the 15th and 16th to be specific, the red stones were believed to neutralize poison. They were even believed at one point to provide one with youth and vitality when rubbed on one’s skin.