Loose Ruby
The birthstone for the July born; 5th and 40th anniversary gifts as they are conventionally given, rubies form an important section in loose gemstones.
Some of the best rubies in history came from Burma; Myanmar. Other better known sources of rubies are Afghanistan, Kenya, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tanzania and Vietnam. Since the US ban on Burmese rubies, we don’t source those ones in particular, yet we do have limited stock from the times before the ban was imposed.
Associated with passion, the color red in gemstones is most strikingly carried by the mineral corundum, ruby .Often described as pigeon’s blood red, this gem is plechroic in nature i.e., exhibiting more than two colors when viewed from different angles. (Tints of purple or brown are visible). Matched in hardness by sapphires, this gemstone has a wide popularity. Up until the 19th century, every red gem was called a ruby. Spinels rival the red of a ruby very well, and ultimately it becomes a judgment call for an expert.
Ruby, the red variety from the multi-colored corundum family, consists of aluminium 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. Several millions of years ago; when the gemstones were being created inside the core of the Earth, chrome was the element which gave the ruby its wonderful color. But at the same time it was also responsible for causing fissures and cracks inside the crystals. Thus only very few ruby crystals got the good conditions in which they could grow undisturbed to considerable sizes and crystallize to form perfect gemstones. For this reason, rubies of more than 3 carats in size are very rare. It is for this reason that at the most famous auctions, good quality rubies surpass diamonds of same size by a wide margin.
The color red has that extra symbolism for mankind. It has two magical associations: fire and blood; implying warmth and life. So ruby with its red is not just any color, it is that pure, hot, passionate, powerful color. Like no other gemstone, ruby is the perfect way to express powerful feelings. Instead of symbolizing a calm, controlled affection, a jewelry piece with a precious ruby attests that passionate, unbridled love that a person can feel for another.
As with all gemstones in the industry, loose rubies are cut in many shapes as per the appeal to the buyer. Early rubies were mostly cabochon cut, and now loose rubies are available as pear ruby, oval ruby, round ruby, princess ruby, and emerald cut ruby. While they do look pretty in smaller sizes, a centerpiece ruby with diamond accents has greater visual appeal.
Physically, rubies are thought to energize and balance, stimulate the heart chakra and encourage a passion for life. They overcome exhaustion and becalm hyperactivity. They detoxify the blood, and treat fevers, diseases, and restricted blood flow. They are good for the heart and circulatory system and stimulate the adrenals, kidneys, reproductive organs and spleen.
