What is a ruby
Ruby is the twin brother of sapphire, both of them come from the corundum family. Their base is transparent aluminum oxide, and the red color of the ruby is given by an admixture of chromium. Red corundums are called rubies; the name refers specifically to the color. All other corundums are sapphires, they can be the usual blue color, or have yellow, green, orange and other colors, that is, they can be fancy.
In terms of hardness, corundum is only 1 point worse than diamond (9 on the Mohs scale), so it is perfect for creating jewelry that you will never part with. Since the value of the stones is high, most often you can find gold jewelry with rubies, sometimes platinum. In silver, you will most likely be offered synthetic nanorubies, since the value and strength of natural stones makes it impractical to inlay them into soft silver.
Magical and healing properties of rubies
In India, ruby was called the stone of the Sun and was credited with the ability to cure many diseases. It was believed that the stone treated disorders of the nervous system, epilepsy, paralysis, gastric diseases, and helped with disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Many European physicians wrote about the healing properties of ruby. The same thing was observed in Russia. Even Tsar Ivan the Terrible himself, who loved red stones, said that yakhont “heals the heart, brain, strength and memory of a person.” Rubin was also used by Paracelsus in his medical practice.
Modern lithotherapists recommend wearing ruby for the same diseases mentioned in ancient treatises. Hypertensive patients should not wear the stone, as it is assumed that the red stone’s energy can increase blood pressure and lead to a stroke. It should not be worn by those suffering from hemophilia or easily excitable people.
The flaming red color of a ruby personifies the flame in the raging soul of a person, which helps to win victories and accomplish feats. To people who feel such inner strength, ruby bestows good luck and happiness.
Ruby is a symbol of power and might. The stone has irrepressible energy and strength. According to astrologers, he can cope with any of us - both strong and weak. It will give confidence to the weak, and make the strong even stronger. The energy of the stone will sweep away all obstacles on the way. A ruby can become a talisman only for good people.
What types of gold jewelry with ruby are there?
The most popular jewelry with rubies in gold are earrings, rings and pendants. Often, red corundums become neighbors of diamonds; such a union allows you to maximize the beauty of a ruby: even a small stone looks very bright, as in this narrow gold ring with ruby and diamonds.
Rubies are cut using the same methods as diamonds and are extremely rarely found in cabochon form. Most common:
- classic round brilliant cut;
- oval, which can be made to order,
- “marquises”, as in gold earrings, where the ruby “marquises” turned into flower petals.
Ruby jewelry for women is most often made in red gold; this color of the precious metal suits the red stone most. Rubies in white metal look simpler, to be admired, they must be truly luxurious.
A 1-carat ruby is rare in nature and such specimens are expensive, so jewelry designers prefer to place several stones side by side to visually enlarge the insert, as in this ring with 3 rubies and diamonds, or in these gold earrings.
Let's go left
Blue will do
All the aggressive influences of Mars extend to the left thumb. The points on it are responsible for the head (mind). It is recommended to wear sapphire or other blue (not cyan) stones.
For example, lapis lazuli, tanzanite, tourmaline or aventurine. An additive in a green tint is acceptable. Do not wear jewelry with red minerals on your finger. This will reduce self-confidence and deprive you of logic in your actions.
For pointing finger
Sapphires are worn on the index finger of the left hand as amulets against envy. The ring will protect you on a long journey and will prevent you from committing stupid waste. The same functions are performed by turquoise, aquamarine, and amazonite. An opal ring worn on this finger will strengthen ties with relatives.
In love affairs, women are helped by beryl in a gold frame. It has the same effect on men, only the ring needs to be placed on the right hand.
Under the rule of Saturn
The middle one is called the finger of Saturn, which determines the fate of a person, his life path. Purple or black stones set in silver are suitable here. It could be an amethyst (including on the right hand). It will provide peace of mind. If you choose obsidian, you will reliably protect yourself from bad deeds.
Chrysoprase on the middle finger of the left hand will make the owner convincing in any conversation and highlight his leadership qualities. Red stones (especially those set in gold) have a negative impact on your personal life. Women are deprived of sexuality and are unable to attract the attention of a partner.
Gems of love
For the ring finger, red stones are just the thing. This is the establishment of strong marital relationships, mutual love and devotion. Read more in the article “About red gemstones”.
Ruby, garnet, carnelian are gems that will bring happiness and preserve the bonds of partners for many years. Natural pearls of any shade have exactly the same effect.
It is strictly forbidden to let anyone try on jewelry from the ring finger. This is the place of the wedding ring. Other stones that can be worn include orange and golden colored minerals (amber, citrine). They also fit the little finger of the left hand. And the smallest of the fingers “loves” emeralds, chrysolite, chrysoberyl or chrysoprase in silver.
What is the value of natural ruby
The first stone synthesized was ruby - scientists learned to reproduce it in the laboratory back in 1837. Therefore, it is not surprising that synthetic (hydrothermal) rubies can now be found more often than natural ones. Should I look for stones of natural origin? There are at least 3 reasons to buy a natural ruby.
This is a gem
The quality of ruby synthesized in the laboratory is no worse than natural ruby. The synthetic analogue has the same structure and composition as natural corundum, but, unlike the latter, it grows in the laboratory in a few days. Like everything artificial, it is perfect - there are no flaws in it that can be seen in any stone of natural origin, imperfections that give individuality and make it special. And yet, only a ruby of natural origin can be called a precious stone. This provision is enshrined in Federal Law No. 41 “On Precious Metals and Precious Stones” dated March 26, 1998.
It's a smart investment
Synthetic rubies are several times cheaper than natural rubies, and they are also easier to cut due to their uniform structure. If you wanted to buy a 1-carat natural ruby, you would pay about 350 times the price for a synthetic corundum of the same size. The production costs of jewelry with nanorubies are lower, and the price on a jewelry counter is practically no different from the cost of jewelry with natural rubies. So, when buying jewelry with nanorubies, you always overpay, and they are unlikely to become family jewelry.
This is a talisman
If you believe in the power of talisman stones, you should choose jewelry with natural ruby, because both lithotherapists and fans of the magic of stones unanimously claim that only natural stones have special energy and magical properties. You can believe them or not, but the electron microscope proves that each gemstone has a unique supramolecular structure.
Average
The middle finger represents a person's personality as well as our goals in life. Located in the center, it symbolizes balance, values and responsibility. Wearing a ring on it will help you find balance in life. It also allows a person to distinguish right from wrong. Wearing it on the passive hand will increase responsibility and seriousness. And when active, it will help balance and harmonize your life. Preferred stones for the middle finger are quartz, moonstone, and coral. But there are a few more recommendations.
In order to find success in your career or creativity, or improve your financial situation, you need to wear a red garnet on your active hand. It is best for Capricorn to wear blue topaz. This will help him cope with mood swings or angry outbursts. It will also be a good talisman against illnesses.
In order to strengthen intuition and achieve success in financial matters, Taurus needs to wear a ring with an emerald.
Palmists do not recommend wearing ruby rings on the middle finger. Because a ring with it cools passion, and a person loses the ability to enjoy physical intimacy.
Where to buy jewelry with natural rubies
You can find a lot of advice on how to distinguish a natural ruby. But let's be realistic: it is unlikely that you will come to a jewelry store with lemon juice or take gold jewelry out of the store before purchasing it to check whether the color of the stone changes in the sun. The smartest decision is to buy ruby jewelry from a store you trust. The jewelry tag will indicate the origin of the insert; legislation requires that stones of artificial origin be marked, for example, “ruby synthetic.”
Diva jewelry stores are perhaps the best place to buy jewelry with natural rubies in St. Petersburg, because the Diva brand specializes in creating gold jewelry with natural stones. We combine modern technologies with the best traditions of the old school of jewelry, so that within our walls you will find jewelry worthy of becoming a family heirloom. A nice bonus is affordable prices from the manufacturer. Choose the real thing!
buy earrings with rubies
Little finger
The little finger is responsible for everything related to relationships. It can seriously affect the situation in society. It also reflects our attitude towards other people. Wearing a ring on your little finger can improve all communication related issues. Pinky rings on the active hand help in self-expression. They can turn you into an excellent speaker. And on a passive one, they will make you a natural listener and strengthen your intuition. The best pinky finger stones should be yellow or green in color. These are topaz, emerald (by the way, this stone is best suited for the little finger), as well as yellow or green garnets.
How to spot a fake
As with any valuable gemstone, the world of counterfeit jewelry is very developed. When we buy a ruby, it may not be entirely genuine. To make sure it's a real stone and not a fake one, you can follow one of the following steps:
- Check their color and shine. Fake gemstones usually glow but do not sparkle;
- Place the stone on your skin. A real mineral is cold, but a fake one will quickly heat up from body heat;
- The real stone shows small cracks inside. He's not perfect.
Origin of the mineral
There are a lot of mystical and mysterious legends around this blood-red mineral. Even its origin is shrouded in legend, according to which the ruby is drops of the congealed blood of the demon Val. Blood was shed in his battle with the god Surya. The battle took place in the skies. The creature of darkness and horror suffered death at the hands of the Sun God, shedding blood over the Indian coast. This is where rubies were first discovered.
In the east, these stones were revered and endowed with the power of the blood of dragons. In ancient Rome, healers used the gem to treat the plague; alchemists spent years of their lives searching for rubies, valuing them no less than the philosopher's stone.
The just King Solomon wore a ring with a star ruby, believing that the stone endowed him with strength, will and wisdom.
There was a time when, when laying a building, a small ruby was placed in the foundation so that the house would be protected from ill-wishers and the black eye.
In nature, rubies can be found everywhere, but their purity is questionable, many such finds cannot be cut, so they are not particularly valuable.
Stones with real jewelry value are found in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Kenya. In Russia, rubies are found in the Polar Urals and the Kola Peninsula. But special deposits are not being developed in our country; it is mined as an accompanying precious material.
The purest rubies, perfect in their properties, are found in Burma.
Physical properties
Ruby belongs to the oxide class of minerals. Shades of red depend on the amount of chromium impurities. The gem is transparent and has a glassy sheen.
Natural ruby crystals are small, up to 2 centimeters long. The mineral is used in jewelry, as well as laser technologies, the watch industry and quantum electronics.
Property | Description |
Formula | Al2O3 |
Impurity | Cr |
Hardness | 9 |
Density | 3.99—4.10 g/cm³ |
Refractive index | 1,763—1,772 |
Kink | Conchoidal. |
singonia | Trigonal. |
Cleavage | Imperfect. |
Shine | Glass. |
Transparency | Transparent. |
Color | Red, red-brown, red-purple, red-pink. |
Color varieties
Rubies are a red variety of corundum. These include stones of all shades of red, among which there is the following classification:
- Star ruby (or star ruby). This variety differs from others by the presence of an asterism effect - rutile impurities create a six-pointed star pattern on the surface. A rare find is a stone with a 12-pointed star (double asterism). Such minerals are endowed with different shades.
- Cat's eye. This variety of ruby contains needle-like inclusions of other minerals, creating a cat's eye effect.
Also read: Fire opal - the magical properties of a unique stone
There is also a classification of stones by grade:
- Excellent.
- Dark.
- Light.
This is a commercial technique for determining the value of a stone based on color saturation.
Burmese rubies received a separate color distinction:
- Pigeon's blood color. These are the rarest, and therefore the most expensive, specimens of a bright, rich red color.
- Oxblood color. Such stones are endowed with rich dark red shades.
- Cherry ruby.
Did you know that in May 2015, a “pigeon’s blood” colored nugget from Burma was sold at auction for a then-record price of $30 million. The weight of the stone was 25.59 carats.
Rubies are also classified according to deposits - Tanzanian, Indian, Madagascar, Ceylon, Burmese.
Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?
For people born under the sign of Sagittarius and Cancer, ruby will help in any matter, giving strength and energy, as well as self-confidence.
Gems are least compatible with Taurus and Virgo. It can bring them bad luck.
Other signs can wear this gem without restrictions.
According to the zodiac sign, the gem is suitable for Cancers and Sagittarius.