Ruby is one of the five cardinal gems, together with diamond, amethyst, sapphire and emerald. From bright pink to deep blood red, emerging from the fires of creation, rubies are among the most precious of ancient stones.
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The birthstone for July, the ruby relates to wealth, the vigor of life, sensual passion and protection from misfortune. In some Asian countries such as China red gemstones including rubies can guard against demons and evil magic.
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However if placed in an unlucky part of the house red multiplies malevolent energy. In Chinese tradition the qualities of a home layout change every year, based on a grid of nine flying stars.
Along with sapphire, the ruby has an intense hardness of 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, one removed from the diamond at 10. For comparison, glass is 5.5 - 6.5 and gold is about 2.5. However, rubies are less brittle than diamonds, which can shatter if hit with a hammer.
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Ruby is red because it absorbs all other color wavelengths of light. This is due to the chromium III ions in its crystal lattice. Chromium atoms absorb most light in the violet and yellow-green regions.
Human eyes interpret the intense shades as mainly red with deep blue undertone. This "pigeon-blood" color makes the most desirable rubies.
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Rubies are first discovered c. 2500 BCE in the Mogok region of Myanmar (formerly Burma). Stone Age tools are found at the mining site. For depth of color and gem quality Myanmar produces some of the finest gemstones in the world.
Rubies form under intense heat and pressure deep in the earth. Compressed oxygen and aluminum atoms turn into corundum. With chromium, it makes rubies of deep red hue. If ferric iron is present, the ruby is pink or orange. Creation of a ruby takes 20-30 million years.
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The Greeks have rubies by 1600 BCE, and the ancient Egyptians import ruby from India. In one Egyptian myth, if a woman's skin is touched by a ruby she will immediately have prosperity, love and happiness.
In the chakra system ruby identifies with both the root chakra and heart chakra. Red rubies can relate to love, but also to war. In Greco-Roman times and earlier, rubies are thought to protect warriors and bring success in battle.
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In the ancient language of Sanskrit, ruby is called ratnaraj, or “king of precious stones.” The Old Testament of the Bible refers to ruby in the Book of Exodus, as well as the Book of Proverbs. They're associated with beauty and wisdom.
Historically it can't be assumed a ruby is a ruby. As with emerald, the term can mean color, as in red garnets or spinel; or later, red glass. Ancient records document trade and transport of rubies along the North Silk Road in China c. 200 BCE.
A number of precious gems travel along the ancient trackway leading west from China, including amber, turquoise, obsidian and later jade. The Silk Roads hook up with the older Amber Roads at the Black Sea.
Roman scholar and natural historian Pliny the Elder mentions the ruby in his writings in the the first century AD. The Romans associate the rich red ruby with blood and vigor. The ruby is especially used to treat blood, heart or circulatory illnesses.
In Roman medicine, placing rubies on certain points of the the body restores vitality and strength, and stimulates blood circulation. In ancient Rome the energy of rubies is used to prevent weight gain, and for healthy pregnancy.
Rubies also form in shades of almost clear through pink, purple, orange and red. The color chemistry of the ruby influences the subconscious to respond in certain ways and transmit the information back to the user in terms of feelings.
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Warm orange tones connect to optimism and higher awareness. Pinks can be gentle or shocking, soft or loud, intuitive or expressive. Purple bespeaks status, confidence and prosperity.
Deep profound red tones are highly valued in Asian countries. Rubies adorn the armor, scabbards and harnesses of nobles in India and China. Rubies are also put under building foundations for prosperity and good fortune.
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In Hindu astrology, rubies are sacred gemstones of the Sun and celestial deity Surya, leader of the nine heavenly bodies (Navagraha). Wearing of rubies ensures the Sun's favor will shine upon the wearer.
The first synthetic rubies are created in 1837 by fusing potash alum at high temperature with chromium as pigment. In 1877, Edmond Frémy and industrial glass-maker Charles Feil make crystal corundum, from which small stones can be cut.