to life. Thus, wearing ruby jewelry promotes good physical health, a happy disposition, and enhanced mental powers.
History of Ruby
The ancients regarded ruby as the emperor of all gemstones. It brings out courage during battles, while it solicits inspiration for both kings and artisans. And rubies provide protection against disasters. During the middle ages, rubies were placed on the coronation rings of monarchs.
Today, rubies are mined not just for creating jewelry. Ruby, due to its hardness, is the material used for the minutely sized bearings inside the world's most expensive watches. And since ruby can be made synthetically through a process known as Verneuil Process, various industrial uses have emerged. For example, synthetic ruby crystals are used to create solid-state laser.
Modern Significance of Ruby
In astrology, ruby is the birthstone for the birth month of July. It is also one of the ayurvedic birthstones for people who were born in the month of December. Since ruby represents romantic love, it is popularly chosen for engagement rings. Ruby jewelry is also a recommended gift for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.
Ruby Jewelry
The high value of rubies, unfortunately, has led to the rise of fake ruby jewelry. It is sometimes difficult to find genuine ruby rings, ruby necklaces, ruby bracelets, ruby pendants, and ruby earrings. When planning to buy ruby jewelry, it is best to avoid the following so-called ruby varieties because these are not true rubies: Adelaide ruby, Cape ruby, Montana ruby, Mountain ruby, Arizona ruby, Colorado ruby, American ruby, Mont Blanc ruby, Bales ruby, Bohemian ruby, Siberian ruby, and Brazilian ruby.
The varieties of real rubies are Burmese ruby, star ruby, pigeon's blood ruby, and cat's eye ruby. The Burmese ruby does not necessarily come from Burma, but the fiery redness of the ruby crystal is exceptionally rare. The pigeon's blood ruby has traces of blue shades and considered expensive. The star ruby and the cat's eye ruby have mineral impurities in the ruby crystal. The star ruby has a six-point star, while the cat's eye ruby has an inclusion that appears similar to the eye of a cat during daylight.
