Red...The Color of Love and Passion

Red is known as the color of our most intense emotions—love and anger or passion, and fury. Red is associated with objects of power and desire—roses, cars, hearts.

Red is the color of the July birthstone…RUBY.

Being one of the most coveted gemstones, Ruby has been called the most precious of the 12 stones created by God. Next to the diamond, it commands the highest per-carat price of any colored gemstone.

Ruby is one of the most historically significant colored stones. Rubies are mentioned four times in the Holy Bible, in association with attributes like beauty and wisdom. In the ancient language of Sanskrit, Ruby is called ratnaraj, or “king of precious stones.”

In the first century AD, the Roman scholar and historian Pliny included Rubies in his Natural History, noting their dark red color, hardness, and density. Early cultures believed that Rubies held the power of life, equating the gemstone to blood. And the ancient Hindus believed that those who offered the finest quality of Rubies to the god Krishna would be granted rebirth as emperors.

Also, in ancient India, Ruby known fo seemingly mystical powers was a symbol of power and youthful energy in Indian jewelry. In past centuries, some believed this birthstone for July could predict misfortune or danger, and others claimed it would cure inflammatory diseases and soothe anger. Medieval Europeans maintained that Rubies bestowed health, wisdom, wealth, and success in love.

Ruby has accumulated a host of legends over the centuries. People in India believed that Rubies enabled their owners to live in peace with their enemies. The Hindus, who was a Brahmin and possessed the true Oriental Ruby, was believed to have the advantage of perfect safety. In Myanmar (a Ruby source since at least 600 AD), warriors possessed Rubies to make them invincible in battle. It wasn’t enough for them to just wear the Rubies; they had to insert them into their flesh, making them part of their bodies. Many medieval Europeans wore Rubies to guarantee health, wealth, wisdom, and success in love.

The Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum and gets its color from trace amounts of the element chromium. The more chromium, the stronger the red. Rubies are often heat-treated to leave a purer red. The process can also remove “silk” (minute needle-like inclusions) that can cause a gem to appear lighter in tone and be more opaque. The trade typically accepts heat treatment, as it is stable to normal conditions of wear and care. However, Rubies of lower-quality may have the surface-reaching fractures and cavities filled with glass to decrease their visibility, so the gem appears more transparent. Some of these treatments may make a Ruby gemstone more vulnerable to damage during normal wear and care.

In most cases, the July birthstone can be safely cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated and heat-treated stones. Glass-filled or dyed stones should only be cleaned with a damp cloth.

Deposits of Rubies were first sourced from Myanmar, but today are also found in Thailand, India, Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, Tanzania, Vietnam, Namibia, Scotland, and Japan. The Ruby gemstone has retained its importance in the western world and has become one of the most sought-after gems of European royalty and the upper classes. As a symbol of passion, the Ruby gemstone makes an ideal romantic gift.

We have a good selection of ruby jewelry, rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Stop by today at the Shop or shop online at www.gemsofjaipur.shop.