RUBIES
The origins
Derived from the Latin "rubeus" meaning "red", ruby is the red variety of the mineral family of corundum. Its color is mainly caused by the presence of chromium atoms, up to about 2% maximum.
Around 1800, the progress made in gemology made it possible to classify the ruby among the corundums, in the same way as other precious stones.
Ruby is classified as a gemstone in jewelry, where it is used. It has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale.
In its purest form, the mineral corundum is colorless.
Trace elements that are part of the crystal structure of the mineral cause variations in its color. Chromium is the trace element that causes ruby red, which ranges from orange-red to purplish-red.
The strength of ruby red depends on the amount of chromium present: the stronger the chromium, the stronger the red color. Chromium can also cause fluorescence, which adds to the intensity of the red color.
The deposits
Its extraction began in the mines of Sri Lanka in the 8th century BC. Originally named Ratnaraj in Sanskrit - God of Gemstones - Hindus and Burmese have long believed that transparent or pink sapphires were rubies that were not yet ripe.
The most renowned rubies, such as those from Myanmar, the Himalayas and northern Vietnam, are usually formed in marble. They are found in irregularly distributed layers in the surrounding marble.
Marble has a low iron content, so rubies that come from marble (called "marble-hosted") lack iron. Because of this, many have an intense red color.
Also, rubies found in marble typically fluoresce red under ultraviolet light. Fluorescence can make a ruby's color even more intense and increase its value.
In other places, rubies can be found in basalt rocks. Rubies from these sources may have a higher iron content, which can make the rubies darker and less colorful.
A higher iron content in a ruby's chemical makeup can also mask red fluorescence, eliminating that extra glow of red color seen in rubies hosted in marble.
Quality
Purity is an important criterion of value. All rubies have inclusions, this is not a defect, but the purest stones are obviously the most expensive, the price can fly away if the stone weighs more than 2 carats.
The most sought-after color is an intense and deep red, even if it does not belong to the "pigeon blood" category, which is very rare (a few tens of thousands of euros per carat)._cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b -136bad5cf58d_ Know that the brilliance and depth of the ruby will appear even more in the evening, under the effect of the lamps, than in broad daylight.
The ruby is generally cut in oval, sometimes in cushion or in pear, more rarely in round.
A little history
This stone is the symbol of charity, divine love, loyalty and the popular emblem of happiness.
Evoking blood and fire, ruby is naturally associated with courage. It is a royal insignia that kings wear on their crown or on their helm. It protects the knight from injury and keeps him healthy. By extension, the ruby has the power to fight hemorrhages. Associated with passion, it is supposed to calm anger and protect against seductions. Also the ruby is a symbol of victory, charity and love.
Ruby is associated with those born in the month of July. It is traditionally offered for the 15th (crystal wedding) and the 35th wedding anniversary.
Small selection of our models set with rubies.
