July Birthstone | Ruby
Passion, Energy, Life
Rubies are among the most prized gemstones in the world with a vivid red color that reflects the most intense emotions. Throughout history, this vivacious gemstone has been seen as a symbol of protection in battle, health, wealth, liveliness, and passionate love.
For thousands of years, the royal and the wealthy have coveted the ruby. Its mesmerizing hue inspires passion, love, courage, and devotion while guarding the owner’s wealth and rank. Large rubies are extraordinarily rare, and command prices that rival and surpass the finest large diamonds.
It is July's birthstone and has the prestige of celebrating the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.
Understanding Rubies
Ruby is one of the four precious gems, along with emerald, sapphire, and diamond. The name "ruby" comes from the Latin word rubens, which means "red."
A ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum. Corundum naturally forms in many colors, and any color other than red, in the Corundum family, is classified as Sapphire.
Pink corundum can be labeled either Pink Sapphire or Pink Ruby, depending on factors such as the intensity of the color, or the geographic origin. The Ruby's beautiful red hue is created by traces of the element chromium.
Rubies are valued not only for their beauty but also for their remarkable strength. With a hardness rating of 9 on the Mohs Scale, they are second only to diamonds in durability. This exceptional hardness makes rubies an excellent choice for everyday jewelry that is designed to last.
The most desirable shade of ruby is a deep red with a hint of blue which is referred to as pigeon's blood. Large rubies, example 10ct and above, are rare and can be sold at higher pricing than diamonds their equal size. We have seen prices as high as $225k. Size is not the only factor in price, inclusions (or imperfections) in rubies are to be expected, however, when inclusions impact the transparency or brilliance of the stone, the value of the ruby is dramatically decreased. But as almost all rubies have some type of imperfection, this helps in identifying synthetics. Synthetic rubies can be identified by its lack of inclusions. It was in the late 1800s when we saw the emergence of synthetic rubies. Chemist Auguste Verneuil perfected the synthetic Ruby and showcased it at the Paris World's Fair in 1900.
