Allure Of The Ruby

ICON Jewels
Jan 10, 2019
1 min read

The history of rubies is a story rich in splendor and mystery. These precious gems have been mentioned in the Bible, worn by royalty throughout human history, and believed to protect ancient warriors in battle.

They have been thought to act as a talisman for peace and a promise of wisdom and health for the holder. They are associated with love, passion, and power. But for all that, their very existence is still considered to be something of a geological miracle.

Experts and professors around the globe are yet to settle on a precise explanation for how rubies are formed. It’s known that a ruby is, in essence, a type of corundum, which is itself colorless when pure, and turns ruby red when chromium is introduced. Sapphires, incidentally, are also a type of corundum, created when titanium and iron are part of the mix, turning the stones beautiful shades of blue. But the conditions needed to create rubies are so rare that a definitive explanation for their creation remains elusive.

Rubies are one of the most precious

gemstones in existence, commanding the greatest price per carat of any other gem. Even ancient civilizations recognized their value; the Sanskrit word for ruby, “Ratnaraj”, translates to “King of Precious Stones”.

Some of the most famous rubies in history can today be found in the collections of world-class museums such as the Louvre, which houses the Anne of Brittany Ruby, and the Smithsonian, which is home to the 23.1-carat Carmen Lúcia Ruby.