“There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home,” whispered Dorothy as she clicked her magical ruby slippers and was whisked back to her Kansas home. Dorothy’s ruby red shoes were actually nothing more than a Hollywood prop of sparkling rhinestones. Can you imagine if they were real! None-the-less, the allure of rubies is indeed magical!
Happy birthday July! Ruby is your gemstone. Ruby is considered the stone of love, energy, passion power and a zest for life. Rubies are the perfect symbol for powerful feelings. Ruby encourages passion and a zest for life. It improves motivation and the setting of realistic goals.
repost
The allure of rubies has worked its way through all cultures from ancient times to today. The ruby was deemed the most precious of gemstones in the bible. The orient described ruby as “a drop of the heart’s blood of mother earth.” Ratnanayaka, meaning the lord of gemstones, was the name given to ruby by the Indians. The Hindus called the ruby the king of precious stones and the leader of gems.
repost
The name ruby comes from the Latin word ruber, which means red. Ruby is red corundum, an aluminum oxide mineral with chromium responsible for its rich, red color. Until around 1800 when ruby was recognized as a variety of corundum, red spinels, tourmalines and garnets were believed to be ruby.
It can be difficult to sometimes distinguish rubies from garnets and from simulated rubies as well! Real rubies glow with a deep, vivid, almost “stoplight” red color. If the gem is more of a dark red it is probably a garnet.
left is real, rowan ring from CKS jewelry, right is simulated ruby
The finest of all rubies come from the Mogok region in Burma. Many beautiful ones also come from Thailand, which is today’s main source for rubies. Rubies can also come from India, Tanzania, Madagascar, Russia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Kenya, Mexico, Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Carolina, in the US! Come to think of it, I have seen ruby mines in the mountains of North Carolina.
ruby cabachon from my collection
star rubies from my collection
Ruby is extremely rare and one of the most 4 valuable precious gemstones in nature, diamond, emerald and sapphire being the other three. Ruby has breathtaking color, ranging from brownish red to light red. Secondary to a ruby’s color is transparency. Faceted high quality rubies can range in price from $1,000 – $3,000 per carat. Rough lower quality ruby can be found in greater quantities and is used to make beads and carvings.
Star ruby is the most rare and highly valued ruby. It has a deep pure red with a hint of bluish purple color. Inside of the ruby is what appears to be a star. The center of the star moves when the stone is moved. It is usually found in smaller stones, of weights less than three carats. Star ruby has the same metaphysical properties as ruby, but with increased healing and magical energies. They are most powerful at full moon.
star ruby from my collection of gems
Rubies are thought to energize and balance. They stimulate the heart chakra and encourage a passion for life. They can help to calm and overcome exhaustion. Ruby is said to strengthen the heart, ventricles and coronaries. It helps to stimulate good circulation and blood flow. Ruby is useful in detoxifying the body, blood, and lymph. It can be helpful in treating fever and infections. It may also be used to assist in weight regulation.
It is believed that rubies can help improve motivation and the setting of goals. They can help to promote positive dreams and clear visualization while aiding in the retaining of wealth and passion! They make you stronger during times of controversy or dispute.
I leave you with this quote from Bob Dylan, “If I had rubies, riches, and crowns, I’d buy the whole world and change things around.
Until next time, stay safe, stay well!
ENJOY!!
cheryl