Ruby is a stone that, along with diamond, is called the king among gems.
Its cost is comparable to the prices of the most expensive diamonds. Its beauty has been admired for centuries. Poets have compared the red mineral to a spring dawn, shed blood, and the pure flame of a fire, and this is not an accident - it is truly incredibly beautiful. Much has also been said and written about the magical properties of ruby. For those who are suited to its fiery energy, the crystal can become the most powerful amulet, a sure protection against any troubles. Let's take a closer look at this stone.
History of the stone
In the old days, rubies were considered the most expensive among stones, even diamonds were placed in second place. One of the most ancient legends about precious minerals is connected with it. This is an Indian myth about how the sun god Surya fought in the heavens with a demon named Vala. The blood of the creature of darkness fell into the water near the Indian coast. She froze in the ocean, turning into a gem.
Corundums were once valued more than diamonds.
Many other stories were told about the wonderful mineral that was mined in the mines of India and neighboring countries. The development of these deposits is still ongoing, although they are already quite depleted.
Among the properties of the stone, ruby was called the ability to cure any disease, make kings fairer, and protect them from the intrigues of their neighbors and their own nobles. The most powerful among red minerals were considered star-shaped, capable of refracting light so that it begins to flow along the edges of the stone, like shooting stars.
The largest ruby in the world is the crystal that is found in the Bulgari ring. It weighs 8.62 carats. The cost of such jewelry is three and a half million pounds sterling. That's how much Lawrence Graff, a London collector and jeweler, paid for it in 2006.
Until the mid-nineteenth century, the largest example of ruby was considered to be a gem called the Black Prince, whose weight was 170 carats. In the fourteenth century it was taken over by the British kings, in whose crown it still sparkles. Unfortunately, in the nineteenth century it turned out that this gem is actually spinel, about which we have a separate article.
Interesting Facts ?
Indians love precious stones. They boldly combine rubies with emeralds, and generously “flavor” it all with diamonds.
Expert opinion
Semenishcheva Polina
Specialist in mineralogy. Graduated from St. Petersburg Mining University.
We wrote about diamonds HERE and about emeralds HERE.
The “king of gems” has a jealous energy; he recognizes only respectful attitude and respects owners who have achieved a position in society.
The largest known ruby weighs 2475 carats or 459 grams. It is called “The King of Gems” and is in the possession of an Indian lawyer.
In Sanskrit, ruby is ratnaraj, which means the king of gems.
On May 12, 2015, a 25.59-carat ruby ring sold for $1,266,901 per carat, setting a new auction record for a colored gemstone.
In the old days, ruby was called carbuncle and yakhont.
A large ruby, according to the testimony of the ancient Greek writer Lucian, adorned the statue of Zeus’ wife Hera in Hierapolis (Hierapolis, modern Syria).
Where are red corundums mined?
Ruby is a mineral that is not as rare as one might think, looking at its enormous price. It is found all over the world, but the problem is that most specimens are opaque, small, and have a poor color range. Jewelers are not interested in such crystals.
The purest and most expensive are gems from Burma.
Gem quality gemstones are most often found in Asia. Burmese rubies are especially famous, the most important export material for their poor country. Minerals are also supplied to the market by:
- Afghanistan;
- Thailand;
- Sri Lanka;
- India;
- East African countries: Tanzania, Kenya.
The stone is also mined in Russia, in the northern part of the Ural Mountains. You can find raw ruby while traveling in the Pamirs, but so far there is no serious development of the deposits there.
Place of Birth ?
Rubies can be found on every continent on Earth except Antarctica. Maybe they are there, you just haven’t looked
