Story of a Gem: Ruby
Rubies have captivated humanity for thousands of years with their fiery red brilliance. As one of the most coveted gemstones throughout history, rubies have adorned royalty, inspired legends, and maintained their status as precious treasures across civilizations. Here's the fascinating journey of this remarkable gemstone.
Ancient Origins
The ruby's story begins in ancient times. The name "ruby" derives from the Latin word "ruber," meaning red. These magnificent stones were first mined in Myanmar (formerly Burma) as early as 600 AD, though archaeological evidence suggests they were valued even earlier.
Ancient civilizations in Asia revered rubies, believing they contained the power of life itself. In Sanskrit, rubies were called "ratnaraj" or "king of precious stones," highlighting their esteemed position among gemstones.
Legends and Mythology
Throughout history, rubies have been shrouded in mysticism:
In ancient India, rubies were believed to provide protection from evil and misfortune. Wealthy merchants would implant rubies beneath their skin, convinced they would bring safety during travels.
Chinese nobility adorned their armor with rubies, believing the stones would grant protection in battle. In Burma, warriors inserted rubies into their flesh, believing this would make them invincible.
In medieval Europe, rubies were thought to warn their owners of impending danger by darkening in color. They were also believed to cure bleeding and inflammatory diseases.
Royal Connections
Rubies have adorned crowns and royal jewelry across numerous civilizations:
The Black Prince's Ruby, one of the most famous rubies in history, adorns the Imperial State Crown of England. Despite its name, it's actually a 170-carat red spinel (a common misidentification before modern gemology).
The Burmese rulers prized rubies so highly that they claimed ownership of all significant stones found in their realm. The finest specimens were sent directly to the royal court.
Catherine the Great of Russia had an extraordinary collection of rubies, and the Imperial Crown of Russia featured a stunning 398-carat ruby.
Modern Discovery and Mining
While Myanmar (Burma) was historically the primary source of fine rubies, significant deposits have been discovered worldwide:
Thailand became a major ruby producer in the 20th century, though Thai rubies typically show a darker, more brownish-red color than their Burmese counterparts.
In the 1960s, rubies were discovered in East Africa, particularly in Tanzania, Kenya, and Madagascar, adding new sources to the global market.
In the 1990s, significant ruby deposits were found in Mozambique, which has since become one of the world's leading ruby producers.
The Science of Rubies
Rubies are a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminum oxide), colored red by the presence of chromium. With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, rubies are second in hardness only to diamonds, making them excellent for everyday jewelry.
The most prized ruby color is a vibrant, pure red sometimes described as "pigeon's blood." This term originated from Burmese traders and refers to a rich, vivid red with slight purple undertones.
Rubies Today
In contemporary jewelry, rubies remain among the most valuable gemstones. They are the traditional birthstone for July and the gem for 40th wedding anniversaries.
Modern treatments have made rubies more accessible, with heat treatment being a common and accepted practice to enhance color and clarity. However, untreated, natural rubies of fine quality remain exceedingly rare and command premium prices.
The journey of the ruby—from ancient mines to modern jewelry showcases—reflects humanity's enduring fascination with this magnificent red gem. Its history is intertwined with our own, telling stories of power, passion, and the timeless allure of natural beauty.
