Rubies have always been the subject of fascination because of their appearance. References to rubies and their lustre can be found in literature, art, and iconographies worldwide. This gorgeous red gem became more prominent when the Burmese started mining and adorning it in 600 AD. Burmese soldiers wore red rubies as they believed it made them look fiercer. Since then, rubies have become a household jewel and a popular pick when it comes to flaunting royal statement pieces. If you are as mesmerised by rubies as we are, then let’s dive deep into the history of ruby as a gemstone.
History
The word ruby finds its origin in the Latin word ruber, which means the colour red. As per the Bible, ruby is one of the two gemstones created by God and, therefore, has been quite popular amongst European royalty. Rubies were first discovered in Burma or Myanmar as it is known now.
In Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language, a ruby gemstone was known as the ‘Ratnaraj’, meaning the King of the jewels. That made it one of the costliest gems. Therefore, only the upper classes or Indian royalty wore it.
The Chinese believe that the red colour is a symbol of good luck and therefore, rubies automatically become their favourite gems. Since time immemorial, these gems have been given as a good luck token. The Chinese believed that if the shade of the ruby turned darker or developed a black spot on the stone after one started wearing it, it was indicative of the evil thoughts or entity possessing it. Once the darkness of the soul is lost, the spots are cleared automatically.
An ancient Roman scholar and historian, C. Pliny Secundi, spoke extensively about rubies in his book, Natural History. He discusses ruby’s natural hardness and describes its colour as a ‘gentle fire’, giving it a specific lustre that makes this stone even more unique.
Also Read: How Can You Tell if a Ruby Is Real?
Interesting Facts
Following are some intriguing facts about ruby that will astonish you:
- Although rubies are known for their fiery red colour, it is not the only colour in which they are found. You can also get them in a dark red or pinkish-red hue.
- Ruby is among the four most priceless gems in the world.
- Astrologically, people who are born in July have rubies as their birthstones. If you have precious loved ones born in July, you may consider a ruby ring or pendant as a gift.
- Naturally, rubies can be found in just 3 carats or less. It is because the colour that makes them so alluring comes from chromium. Therefore, higher than 3 carats rubies are prone to cracks and cleft.
- Ruby is only second to the diamond in terms of its hardness. On the Mohs scale, its score sits at a solid 9.
- Rubies have their natural lustre, but it is more heightened when exposed to sunlight. This is due to the chromium reacting with the UV rays.
Also Read: Which is the Best Cut for a Ruby?
- Even though rubies are mined naturally, their synthetic form is also available. The synthetic version was created in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The first exhibition of synthetic rubies was held in the 1900s at the Paris World Fair by Auguste Verneuil.
- Passion, good luck, inspiration, protection from misfortune, and the evil eye are some of the main benefits associated with the ruby.
- Ruby engagement rings are a popular choice amongst couples, right after diamonds.
- Rubies are mined in various countries across the world. Most popular rubies are mined in Burma (Currently Myanmar) and India. Aside from this, they are also found in Afghanistan, Tanzania, Australia, Cambodia, Madagascar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United States, Malawi, Mozambique, and Vietnam.
Also Read: How to Care for Your Ruby Jewellery
Different Types
Ever wondered if there were different types of ruby gemstones? Rubies are divided not by their shapes but also by their shades of colour and from where they are excavated. Given below are the various types of rubies that you can get across the world:
- Burmese Ruby: Burmese ruby stones are the most common type of ruby stones. These are further classified into old and new Burmese rubies based on the time they were found. Old Burmese rubies have blemishes, which makes them readily identifiable from the other type of rubies. These are one of the costliest types of rubies. New Burmese rubies are darker in colour than the old ones and have a distinct brownish hue.
- Indian Ruby: Indian rubies are mined in Orissa and Mysore. These are more popular in India because of their aesthetic appeal and significance per Indian astrological traditions. Before the 20th century, Indian people preferred it over diamonds as they provided colour and vibrancy to the jewellery pieces.
- Red Ruby: Red ruby is often synonymously used as a ruby. Its blood-red hues give it a natural red colour. The colour stays consistent throughout the stone. Its equal saturation of colour gives it a brilliant lustre. This ruby is most desired by women, especially when worn as a pendant.
- Star Ruby: Star ruby is the second costliest, after the Burmese ruby. It is mined in India and Sri Lanka. It is one of the rarest types of rubies that you can get. If we go by historical archives, the star ruby has been mentioned in south Asian literature as Surya Kant Manik, roughly translated as a ruby with a sunny radiance.
- Pigeon’s Blood Ruby: Pigeon’s blood ruby is a rather barbaric name, but it is one of the most sought-after rubies. As the name suggests, the pigeon’s blood ruby is named because it is similar to the colour of the freshly killed pigeon’s blood. It is scarlet red, giving slight purple hues when exposed to a single light source. These rubies are also famous because of their astrological significance. Although popular, these are extremely rare and only a few mines have their reservoir. After they are mined, they are carefully treated by gemstone experts to bring out their defining scarlet red colour and clarity.
- Tanzanian Ruby: Tanzanian rubies are named after Tanzania mines, which is the source of their origin. These mines have a considerable quantity of untreated and large ruby stones. These stones are treated and cut into desired shapes. Tanzanian rubies are rich in basalt, providing additional clarity and darker colour. When mined, these rubies have bluish undertones.
Also Read: What Makes Ruby So Valuable?
- Pink Ruby: Pink rubies are often confused with pink sapphires or red rubies because of their natural hues. However, there is a difference between the two stones. Pink rubies, unlike pink sapphires, have chromium, a distinctive feature of rubies. Therefore, these stones are included in the category of rubies even though they lack the traditional red colour.
- Mogok Ruby: The history of rubies starts from Mogok rubies. These eponymous rubies are named after the Mogok mines. Because of their historical significance and abundant availability, Mogok rubies are very common and, at the same time, have their value intact. Therefore, these are still sought after in the global market. Mogok rubies have a similar colour and undertones to the pigeon’s blood rubies.
- Glass-filled Ruby: These are synthetic rubies that find their origin in Japan. The GAAJ labouratory in Japan is credited with creating them in 2004. These are made up of fissures or broken pieces of naturally mined rubies. The glass is filled at its core to give them additional transparency. Smaller fissures of the rubies are repurposed as glass to fill them.
Also Read: Ruby Gemstone’s Astrological Benefits
Conclusion
Historically rubies were worn in their natural form as people didn’t know how to treat them and it was also difficult to shape the stone as you desired. However, with the advancement of technology, various types of ruby shapes and styles of jewellery are available for people to wear today. At Angara, you can shop from a wide range of exquisite ruby rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets, which have been crafted with the highest quality ruby gemstones.
