Dramatic and beautiful, the ruby is nothing short of extraordinary. And while this stunner is definitely valued for its bold red colour, it is the meanings associated with the stone that have made it more desirable.
Join us today as we discuss the symbolism of this gem.
First things first, what exactly is a Ruby?
A member of the corundum mineral family, the ruby is one of the world’s most-desired gemstones. This precious jewel is often called the ‘King of Gems’ and has a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. So essentially, it offers both beauty and durability. Ruby also happens to be the official birthstone of July, which makes it a great gift for people born in this particular month.
Does it symbolize anything?
Yes, it does!
As with most gemstones, the ruby too has been associated with different attributes throughout history.
Many early civilizations believed that the ruby was extremely powerful as it was one of the twelve jewels mentioned in the Bible. So, during ancient times, it was specifically used to represent the values of beauty and wisdom.
In the mediaeval era, this gem was often used as an accessory by European royals and nobles to showcase their health, wealth, and power.
According to legends, the fiery brilliance of the ruby was said to represent the heat and intense rays of the sun. So this jewel was often donned by people to protect them from harm and to enhance their peace of mind.
Today, the ruby is commonly associated with love, passion and devotion due to its bright red hue. Because of these attributes, this gem is also considered the traditional stone for the 40th wedding anniversary, also known as the Ruby Jubilee.
While there is no scientific evidence to back up these claims, the symbolisms do add to the intrigue and overall popularity of the gem.
Some other USPs of the Ruby
Unsurprisingly, this jewel’s symbolism, aesthetic appeal and birthstone status aren’t its only claims to fame. Mentioned below are two of its most prominent USPs.
1. Niche Gem
The ruby is one of the only four precious gemstones available in the world, and is part of the ‘Big Three’ of coloured jewels – a prestigious position it shares with the sapphire and emerald. These titles have elevated the demand for this gem and have given it a niche of its own.
2. Rarity
Did you know that high-quality rubies are rarer than diamonds?
This is especially true for large eye-clean stones with excellent colour saturation. The scarcity of the jewel is also caused by one main factor – the blend of chromium with corundum. This does not happen very often and also requires favorable geological conditions. The higher the chromium content, the better the red hue. As of now, pigeon blood red and bluish-red are considered the most desirable colours in a ruby.
At the end of the day, the ruby is a great jewel to own and the wonderful symbolism attached to it certainly make it an awesome conversation starter.
Also read: The Symbolism of Three-Stone Rings
