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July Birthstone – The Ruby

By on July 8, 2015
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by Judy Ellis, Wire-Sculpture.com

Daily Wire Jewelry Tip July 8th, 2015

July Birthstone – The Ruby

Rubies, the birthstone of July, are considered the king of gems and represent love, health and wisdom. It was believed wearing a fine red Ruby bestowed good fortune on its owner. A Ruby is the most valuable gemstone and its value increases based on its color and quality.

A ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). The red color is caused mainly by the presence of the element chromium.

Its name comes from ruber, Latin for red. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires. Ruby is considered one of the four precious stones, together with sapphire, emerald and diamond.

Ruby - Winza, Tanzania.jpg

Natural Ruby Crystals from Winza, Tanzania

A Few Examples:

Ancient Hindus, Burmese, and Ceylonese regarded sapphires as unripe rubies, believing that if they buried the sapphire in the ground, it would mature to a rich red ruby.

 

A naturally occurring ruby crystal

 

In the Middle Ages, rubies were thought to bring good health, as well as guard against wicked thoughts, amorous desires, and disputes. Rubies, along with other types of red stones, were said to cure bleeding. And it was believed that the ruby held the power to warn its owner of coming misfortunes, illness, or death, by turning darker in color. It is said that Catherine of Aragon, first wife of King Henry VIII, predicted her downfall in seeing the darkening of her ruby.

 

Natural ruby with inclusions

 

Because of their rarity, there are very few famous large rubies. In his 13th-century books of his travels, Marco Polo relates the tale of a magnificent gemstone – believed to be a ruby nine inches long and as thick as a man’s arm – belonging to the King of Ceylon. Kublai Khan, the Emperor of China, offered an entire city in exchange for the enormous stone, to which the King of Ceylon replied that he would never part with his prize for all the treasures of the world.

 

Rubies set in jewelry

A cut ruby

 

It has been said that the Ruby’s red glow comes from an internal flame that cannot be extinguished, making a gift of this stone symbolic of everlasting love. With its hardness and durability, it is a perfect engagement gem. And if worn on the left hand, ancient lore has it that the Ruby will bring good fortune to its wearer, too!

Birthstones for Jewelry:

Whether you are making them for yourself or for someone else, Rubies are beautiful!

Cubic Zirconia – Ruby Corundum:

We have so many beautiful Cubic Zirconia Ruby Gemstones and Birthstone Sets to choose from – Pick up a set of them today!

Happy Wrapping!

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