Ruby.

Ruby (corundum)

Color: All shades of red to brown
Chemical composition: Al2O3, aluminum oxide
Mohs’ hardness: 9
Transparency: Opaque, translucent, transparent
Luster: Vitreous to adamantine
Fracture: Small, conchoidal, uneven, splintery, brittle
Crystal system: Hexagonal (trigonal); hexagonal prisms or tablets, rhombohedrons
Cleavage: None
Specific gravity: 3.97-4.05
Refractive index: 1.766-1.774
Dispersion: 0.018
Pleochroism: Strong; yellow-red, deep ruby-red
Fluorescence: Strong; ruby-red
Occurrence: Worldwide
Astrology: July birthstone, also connected with Cancer, Aries, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Scorpio
Chakra: 1st (root) and 4th (heart)

Ruby is the gem variety of red corundum. It occurs in metamorphic rocks, like crystalline limestone, dolomites, and dolomitic calcite marbles, as well as in the contact zones between igneous and metamorphic rocks. Rubies are also found as pebbles in rivers and streams, though natural ruby is not a glittering crystal. Rather it’s usually rough and opaque and even a little greasy. It’s only through cutting and polishing that its true gem nature is revealed.

Ruby’s name comes from the Latin ruber, meaning red. It’s red color comes from trace amounts of chromium; brown rubies contain iron as well. Myanmar (formerly Burma) is the source of the world’s finest rubies, those whose color is called “pigeon’s blood,” a very pure red with just a hint of blue. Bright red stones are also found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Vietnam, and Thailand is the main source for brownish-red rubies. Sapphires are also corundum, but instead of the ruby’s trace amounts of chromium, blue sapphires contain trace amounts of iron and titanium. Both ruby and sapphire can contain minute rutile inclusions; if the stone is cut as a cabochon, these inclusions can produce either a cat’s eye effect, or if the rutile filiments are oriented at the proper angles, a star-effect. Next to diamond, corundum is the hardest natural substance.

The Sanskrit name for ruby, kurvindai, and the Tamil name, kurandam are the sources for corundum. But another Sanksirt word for ruby, ratnaraj, which means “lord of precious stones” gives us a clue to how highly valued the gem has always been. The Romans called ruby (and also some garnets) carbunculus or “glowing ember.” In fact, rubies have been confused with both garnets and red spinel throughout history.

According to India’s Vedic lore, all gems originally came from the demon Vala. When Vala was slain, rubies appeared wherever the drops of his blood fell to Earth. This blood origin led to the Ayurvedic belief that rubies could heal blood disorders and heart trouble. In general they were connected with life and heat and energy. Hindu lore states that the ruby’s brilliant color comes from an internal fire that can never be hidden or extinguished.

The Ayuvedic system divided rubies into different castes, each caste of stones having a different color and powers. The Brahmin rubies, which were rose-colored, were said to beneficial to rulers. Other rubies were believed to destroy darkness or keep one safe from enemies or fire. At the same time, it was believed that defective rubies—those that scratched easily or lost their brightness (which perhaps were not rubies at all) could cause loss of friends and wealth.

In Burma, source of some of the world’s most extraordinary rubies, the gem was said to grant the power of invisibility and to be a talisman of good fortune. Burmese warriors used to embed rubies in their flesh, believing the stones make them invulnerable to any weapon.

In Europe in the 13th century, a ruby cast in water was supposed to be able to make the water boil. They were also considered stones that could dispel airborne toxins. Some rubies (and spinels) fluoresce, and so this was used as a means of identification: If a red stone glowed in the dark, it was ruby.

It seems rubies have always been desired by kings and queens, but rubies were not always what the royals got. Because the stone was often confused with garnet and spinel, most of the major crown jewels that were originally believed to be rubies, actually turned out to be spinel. And quite a few regal objects, such as the magnificent diadem of Queen Theresa of Bavaria, which was commissioned her husband King Ludwig in 1830, combined rubies and spinels. This royal lack of rubies is probably due to two facts: 1) large gem-quality rubies are rare; and 2) although the finest rubies came from Burma, very few were actually allowed to leave the country. In Burma, all large gems technically belonged to the king, and to take one of the king’s gems was to risk execution.
Nevertheless, the quest and lust for rubies has never ebbed. Queen Alexandra, who was Queen Victoria’s daughter-in-law, loved the glowing red gems so much that she had all of Victoria’s precious opal jewelry reset with rubies. Elizabeth Taylor’s collection includes an extraordinary set of diamond and ruby pieces—necklace, earrings, and bracelet-- from Cartier, as well as a pin in the shape of a galloping horse. The horse’s head, mane, legs and tail are all diamond pavй, but its body is set with rubies.

Of course, a few genuinely large rubies have been found, including the Rosser-Reeves ruby, currently at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., which is a star ruby about the size of a walnut that weighs 138 carats. The Smithsonian also holds the Carmen Lъcia Ruby, a 23.10 carat faceted Burmese ruby set in a dazzling ring.

Metaphysically, ruby is a stone of abundance. Its dynamic energy is said to increase courage, a positive mindset, and one’s passion for life. It’s used to stimulate both the root and heart chakras and is considered a protection against
psychic attacks, in particular, psychic vampirism. Its intense “life force” has also been said to counter exhaustion and lethargy, and encourage social interaction and sexuality.

In magical traditions, ruby is stone that strengthens the psychic defenses and counters all forms of negativity. It was believed to be a protection against poverty, famine, and all evil spirits. Touched to the four corners of a house then set inside, a ruby was said to protect against lightning. It was also worn during magical rites to increase the magician’s power. Star rubies were believed to contain spirits.

To bead with rubies is to work with a deep rich, beauty. The classic combinations are rubies and pearls; rubies, sapphires, and pearls; and rubies and emeralds. Red rubies will also look absolutely stunning when set off against tanzanite and/or pink tourmaline, as well as green garnets. The brown rubies have a quieter beauty, and they work well when combined with citrine or golden topaz or smoky quartz—or for contrast, turquoise.