Ruby stone – properties, virtues & benefits

Ruby stone is a precious red gemstone that symbolizes passion, vitality and inner strength. Discover its characteristics, history and uses in our article on Ruby Stone.

RUBY CHARACTERISTICS

• Chakra: Root (1st chakra).
• Properties: Passion, vitality, courage, energy, protection against nightmares.
• Astrology: Mars.
• Zodiac: Aries, ScorPio, Leo, Sagittarius.
• Elements: Fire.
• Colors: Red, dark Pink.
• Hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale.
• Chemical Formula: Al2O3 (aluminum oxide).
• Associated god: None.

RUBIS – HIS HISTORY

ANTIQUITY

During antiquity, brilliant red stones were called Carbuncolorum by the Romans, meaning “small burning coal” or “small lit coal”. These stones included garnet and sPinel, but it was difficult to tell them apart at the time. The brightest stones were considered very precious and could be worth a fortune.

The Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, brilliant stones were called “carboncle”, “charboncle” or “escarboucles”. They were considered objects of great value and attributed several virtues such as appeasing anger, protecting dreams and benevolence towards the earth. Rubies were also mentioned in legends and accused of being the favorite stone of dragons and chimeras.

Throughout history, the ruby has become the stone of kings. In the 13th century, a ring of Saint-Louis with a “gros ruby à la façon d’une demi-fève” was referenced. In the 14th century, there was mention of Charles V’s sublime engraved oriental ruby, which he used to seal his own letters. Later, the Duc de Berry owned a ruby set on a gold ring, named the Coeur de France.

The Crown Jewels

The Capetian royal crown is said to have possessed a thorn from the crown of Christ, set beneath a 278-carat carbuncle. However, it was discovered that this stone was in fact a sPinel. The Crown of England since 1367 has also featured a sPinel, inlaid on a Maltese cross at the front of the imperial headdress, and can be admired at the Tower of London.

One of the most remarkable works is the St. Wenceslas headdress, created in 1347 for the coronation of Charles IV, Romano-German emperor. This headdress features sapphires, emeralds and pearls, as well as a sparkling 250-carat oriental ruby. It can be admired today in a room in Prague’s Cathedral of St. Vitus, but to access the treasure, you need to obtain the seven keys entrusted to seven high-ranking state and church officials. A copy of the headdress is on display at Prague Castle.

THE RUBY AND THE KINGS OF EASTERN

The ruby stone has the oldest and most impressive mentions in the East, where it is an important symbol of the Islamic religion. In the Koran, it is closely linked to the creation of man. Oriental rulers made it a symbol of great power, wearing it on their turban aigrettes, the tops of Chinese mandarin bonnets, fastenings on sumptuous garments, jewelry, thrones and even horse harnesses.

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In his travel accounts, Marco Polo mentions the king of Ceylon, Sendemain, who owned the finest and largest specimen, “as long as a palm and as big as a man’s arm”. The monarch of Siam also possessed a species capable of illuminating the entire room in which he was standing. In 13th-century Baghdad, Caliph Mostanser Billan of the Abbasid dynasty was forced to surrender his treasures to the victorious Turks, including a golden peacock adorned with precious stones and scarlet eyes, as well as a rooster with a crimped crest.

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FROM THE 16th CENTURY

At this time, diamonds began to replace rubies as the stone of choice for monarchs. Fantastic stories about dragons and chimeras are no longer believed by doctors and philosophers, and scientific discoveries are breaking down old superstitions. Nevertheless, voyages of exploration continue to highlight this precious stone, in comparison with the magnificence of the oriental monarchs’ finery. Explorers bring back impressive discoveries, and the ruby stone continues to have a first-rate status in jewelry, not least for its deep red brilliance and purity.

FROM THE 19th CENTURY

About 1800, advances in gemology made it possible to classify ruby as a corundum, alongside other gemstones.

In 1852, the British annexed part of Burma, including the territory of Pegu, renowned for its magnificent rubies. The West hoped for a period of abundance and easy trading for the gems, but the presence of tigers, snakes and other dangers in these difficult-to-access regions prevented intensive exploitation.

From 1886, two French chemists, Edmond Frémy and Auguste Verneuil, collaborated to create a synthetic ruby specimen. Frémy produced the first cabochon usable in watchmaking, while Verneuil developed a method of fusing powdered alumina in the flame of an oxidic flashlight to create synthetic ruby-colored rubies by adding chromium oxide. In 1904, this method became operational under the name of the “Verneuil process”.

Although the Greeks and Romans referred to Sri Lankan rubies as early as 480 BC, the best-known origin is in the Mogok Valley in Myanmar. This spring, now depleted, was the source of some of the world’s finest “Pigeon’s Blood”, of exceptional color and transparency. Rubies of this quality are now mined at Mong Hsu, in northeast Myanmar. The monarchs of Burma were even called the “Lords of Jewels” because of their close association with gem mining.

Other ruby deposits are found in Afghanistan, China, India, Cambodia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam. Ruby is known as the birthstone of July and embodies passion, love and romance. It is also associated with many myths, such as the ancient Indian belief in an eternal inner fire capable of conferring longevity.

RARITY

Rubies are one of the rarest and most expensive gems, especially when they are a light scarlet color, qualified as “AAA” if they are also highly transparent. Although rubies are dichroic, meaning they contain two colors, such as purple and orange, the noblest varieties contain only 80% pure red and often display a secondary color such as orange, Pink, purple or violet.

The total absence of inclusions in rubies is rare, and the chromium responsible for their color can cause minor defects similar to those found in alexandrite and emerald. Paradoxically, tiny titanium inclusions, called “bristles”, can sometimes enhance light reflection inside rubies, increasing their beauty and value.

RUBY QUALITY FACTORS

The price of a ruby is assessed according to its size and color, which can vary its price per carat considerably. Stones with a pure, brilliant red color are often priceless. Stones with an orange or violet hue, on the other hand, are considered to be of lesser quality, and their price will be correspondingly lower. Thus, it’s possible to find jewels with very different prices depending on their size and color quality.

RUBY STONE – ITS ORIGIN AND COMPOSITION

The name “ruby” comes from the Latin “ruber”, meaning red, as this stone is known for its intense scarlet color. Before the development of scientific gemmology in the 18th century, many red gemstones were poorly identified. The ancient Greeks also called them “anthrax”, meaning burning coal, due to their bright red color reminiscent of the glow of a burning ember under a strong light source.

Ruby is a variety of corundum belonging to the oxide group, and is composed of aluminum oxide and oxygen. It has a slightly transparent or translucent appearance and a pyramidal shape. It is insoluble in acid and is the second-hardest mineral after diamond. Large rubies are extremely rare, as the chromium responsible for their red color hinders their growth. In general, a beautiful ruby is considered much rarer than a diamond.

COLORS

In general, colored corundum is called sapphire and can be blue, yellow, purple, green or Pink. Only those that are scarlet red are referred to by the specific name of ruby, even though their structure is very similar to that of sapphires. Indeed, the aluminum in corundum is replaced by traces of chromium, on average one part in a thousand, which gives the red color. In some stones, traces of iron can also be found.

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The value of gems is often determined by the nuances of their color. In the past, lighter stones were considered “not ripe enough” and discarded. Today, the most prized color shade for rubies is a deep red tinged with a slight hint of blue, known as “Pigeon’s blood”. Inclusions in gemstones are often unappreciated, but it is possible to reduce or remove them with certain treatments.

RUBY STONE – VERTIES AND PROPERTIES

In the 16th century, the physician to Henry II, III and IV, Jean de Renou, was a great proponent of lithotherapy. In one of his medical works, he mentions that ruby is a powerful tonic and has antiseptic properties. Even today, ruby elixirs are credited with invigorating and disinfecting properties. As a stone of life, ruby is considered to bring courage and loyalty. It symbolizes hapPiness and burning fire and is associated in particular with the fourth chakra, that of the heart.

PSYCHOLOGICAL RUBY

Rubies are known to have several virtues in lithotherapy. It can restore joie de vivre and enthusiasm, develop self-confidence and perseverance, promote prosperity, regulate hyperactivity, stimulate creativity and enhance all passions. It also protects against jealousy and promotes wisdom, strengthens willpower and courage, warding off nightmares and encouraging positive dreams. These virtues are still attributed to ruby elixirs today.

RUBY ON THE PHYSICAL LEVEL

Ruby has many virtues on the physical level. In particular, it is reputed to protect the heart and circulatory system, stimulate kidney and adrenal gland function, and help regulate cholesterol. It also restores energy and vitality, promotes longevity and improves visual acuity. It is also effective in relieving tension and cramps, painful menstruation and rising body temperature. Sexually, ruby promotes sexual activity. Finally, it protects against seasickness.

RUBY STONE – CLEAN AND RECHARGE

Cleaning and recharging ruby stone is important for maintaining its energetic properties. Here are some methods for cleaning and recharging your ruby stone:

Cleaning:

• Rinse under running water for a few minutes.
• Place in distilled water for several hours.
• Clean with a soft, dry cloth.

Charge:

• Place in the sun for a few hours.
• Place on a cluster of quartz or rock crystal for several hours.
• Place on a bed of rock salt for several hours.

It’s important to note that ruby is a hard, resistant stone, but sensitive to thermal shock. Therefore, avoid immersing it in hot water or dropPing it on a hard surface.

WHERE DOES THE NAME RUBY COME FROM?

The name “ruby” comes from the Latin word “ruber”, meaning red. Ruby is indeed known for its intense red color, which is due to the presence of chromium in its chemical composition. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed ruby to have healing and protective properties, and often used it in their jewelry and amulets. Ruby is still considered one of the most precious and sought-after stones in the jewelry world.

WHICH CHAKRA DOES THE RUBY ACT ON?

Ruby is associated with the root chakra, also known as the first chakra. The root chakra is located at the base of the sPine and is associated with grounding, stability, security and physical vitality. Ruby is considered a grounding stone that can help strengthen the root chakra, boost physical energy and promote a sense of security and stability. It can also be used to help balance the other chakras, providing a solid, stable foundation for the practice of meditation and energy work.

WHICH ASTROLOGICAL SIGN IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RUBY?

Rubies are associated with several astrological signs, including Aries, ScorPio, Leo and Sagittarius. These zodiac signs are all fire signs, which are associated with energy, passion and strength of character. People born under these signs can benefit from using ruby to boost their vital energy and self-confidence.

RUBY STONE SUMMARY

La de Rubis is the first book in the “Six Stones of the EmPire” series written by tte Lavallée. The story takes place in a fantasy world where six magical stones are scattered across the land. These stones are linked to natural elements and are very powerful.

In this first book, we follow the adventures of three teenagers: Maya, Amir and Kylian. Maya is an intrePid and curious young girl who discovers the existence of the ruby stone and decides to set off in search of it. Amir, her childhood friend, accompanies her on this quest, along with Kylian, a mysterious young man who seems to know more than he lets on.

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On their journey, our heroes face many dangers and challenges. They are pursued by enemies who want to seize the ruby stone for their own evil purposes. But they also meet allies who help them in their quest.

Finally, after many adventures, our heroes find the ruby stone, but they realize it’s only the first in a series of six stones they must find to save their world from destruction.

The book ends on a cliffhanger that makes us want to discover the continuation of Maya, Amir and Kylian’s adventures in the next volumes of the series.