In my belief it is important that buying and selling Jewellery with Rubies, such as Ruby Rings, Ruby Earrings and Ruby Pendants, should be only done in the knowledge that they have only been mined under conflict free and ethical conditions.
Introduction
Giving a piece of jewellery containing a birthstone gem will offer the wearer good luck and protection. Monthly Birthstones symbolize the month of birth according to the Gregorian Calendar. Ruby is the birthstone of July and Rubies are the traditional wedding anniversary gift for a couple's 15th and 40th year.
To the ancients, ruby was known as "The King of Gems" and comes from the Latin for "Red". Throughout history the fiery crimson colour caused many civilizations to associate them with love, passion and romance, so since Ruby represents devotion, it is an excellent choice for an Ruby Engagement Ring or Ruby Eternity Ring.
The Ruby legend and Lore
Ruby is said to bring particularly good luck to gamblers and lovers and some stories from India suggest those who wore the ruby rings on the left hand would possess magical powers!
Some people thought the ruby just to be associated with the sun, but others thought it also to be linked to healing, happiness, devotion, courage, generosity, inspiration, prosperity and happiness, as well as love and romance! Some ancient cultures are known to have worn ruby jewellery during battle because it was thought to increase strength and valor during battle, and render the wearer to less harm or danger. Some cultures even ground it to a fine powder and digested it because it was thought to aid in digestive and stomach disorders, as well as blood decease and stop bleeding.
In approximately 200BC the earliest trading of ruby was recorded when it was being transported along the North Silk Road from China towards Turkey.
In the country of England, it has been consistently used as a coronation ring among Royals, and the Duchess of York was given an exquisite example by her fiance Prince Andrew. The red colour of ruby makes it appear to actually look bigger than it is which has obvious advantages, with their average size being generally smaller than some other gemstones. Rubies are one of the scarcest of all precious gems and this means that they can always command higher prices.
In modern day some of the applications for ruby include: turntable styluses, wristwatch bearings, and when in rod form as a crucial part belonging to lazers.
What is a Ruby?
Ruby is one of the hardest natural gemstones - with only Diamond and Moissanite being harder. It belongs to the class of minerals called Corundum - second only to diamond in its hardness. When it is any colour other than red, it is called sapphire. Unlike diamond, which is made of carbon, ruby is a combination of aluminum and oxygen.
Ruby Chemical Properties
The formulae for ruby is Al2o3:Cr
More Characteristics of Ruby
Crystal System: trigonal (hexagonal scalenohedral)
Mohs' Scale Hardness: 9.0
Specific Gravity: 4.0
Index of Refraction: 1.77-1.78
Where is Ruby Found?
The Mogok valley in upper Burma (also known as Myanmar) was for centuries the worlds most famous mining location, producing many of the best ever Rubies found, but in recent years very few quality Rubies have been found. Burmese rubies tend to be the most sought after variety of ruby because of their superior clarity, hue and saturation.
Top quality rubies, however, also come from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Tanzania, Nepal, Pakistan, USA, Madagascar, Vietnam and Afghanistan, and most recently new deposits in Greenland and Kenya.
Thank you for taking the time to read through my Ruby article.
I sincerely hope this article helps you in some way.
If you are looking for the best deal on Fine Ruby Jewellery, then at www.GlobeJewellery.co.uk you will find an amazing collection of Beautiful Ruby Rings, Ruby Earrings, Ruby Pendants and more. Good Luck!
We also have amazing deals on jewelry making supply materials.
US $11.99
