Mystical and Healing Properties of Ruby

Ruby

Facts, Information and Description

Ruby is the Ayurvedic birthstone for the months of December and July as well as the modern and mystical birthstone for July. Ruby is also the accepted gem for the fortieth wedding anniversary.

For thousands of years, the ruby has been considered one of the most valuable gemstones on Earth. It has everything a precious stone should have: magnificent color, excellent hardness and outstanding brilliance. In addition to that, it is an extremely rare gemstone, especially in its finer qualities

Ruby is the magnificent red variety from the multi-colored corundum family, consists of aluminum oxide and chrome as well as very fine traces of other elements - depending on which deposit it was from.

In really fine colors and good clarity, however, this gemstone occurs only very rarely in the world's mines. Somewhat paradoxically, it is actually the colouring element chrome which is responsible for this scarcity. True enough, millions of years ago, when the gemstones were being created deep inside the core of the Earth, chrome was the element which gave the ruby its wonderful colour. But at the same time it was also responsible for causing a multitude of fissures and cracks inside the crystals. Thus only very few ruby crystals were given the good conditions in which they could grow undisturbed to considerable sizes and crystallise to form perfect gemstones. For this reason, rubies of more than 3 carats in size are very rare. So it is no wonder that rubies with hardly any inclusions are so valuable that in good colours and larger sizes they achieve top prices at auctions, surpassing even those paid for diamonds in the same category.

Because of the rarity of Rubies, many dealers utilize a treatment called 'Fissure Filled' whereas the Ruby is heat treated and the fissures and cracks are filled with glass, then polished. The American Gem Trade Association's Gem Trade Lab and the Swiss Gemological Institute (SSEF) issued alerts to the trade regarding glass-filled rubies. While the practice of filling small pits and fissures in ruby with glass have been known for over a decade, the sudden emergence of many rubies in the market that are treated this way has raised concerns anew.

Rubies and other heat-resistant gems are sometimes treated to conceal surface-reaching fractures, fissures or pits. These pits and fissures are filled with melted flowing glass and then polished over, resulting in a stone with an even, unfractured appearance. Inexperienced buyers who are unaware of the treatment don't look for it and end up paying more for a stone than it is worth. Without proper disclosure of the treatment to potential buyers, the practice is considered deceptive.

Rubies are the national gemstone of Burma (where the highest grade Rubies are found), and Siam.

Folklore, Legend and Healing Properties

The ruby is considered to be the most powerful gem in the universe, and is associated with many astral signs. To own a ruby is said to have contentment and peace. Placed under a pillow the ruby may ward off bad dreams. Ruby rings should be worn on the left hand so as to receive the life force and have protection. Given as a gift, the ruby is a symbol of friendship and love. The ruby is also the symbol of vitality and royalty.