All About Ruby

Rubies are one of the oldest stones found and cherished by humans, with records showing them being transported along the North Silk Road in around 200 BC. They were highly prized for protection in ancient Asia, being buried in the foundations of buildings and worn under battle armour. Rubies are found predominantly in Asia, Africa, South America and Australia although some have been found in Scotland and Macedonia. Rubies are a form of the mineral corundum, with the colour coming from a rare chemical change in the balance of chromium and aluminium atoms. These atoms change the structure of the crystal and therefore the way that it interacts with light. All rubies have imperfections and it is one of the ways they can be recognised apart from synthetic stones. Some of these inclusions are actually desirable, as they create a star shape inside the stone that can be cut in a certain way to show it off. In terms of colour, a red corundum is a ruby while pink, purple, blue or other colours are sapphires. On a chemical level they are all the same basic stone, but some countries have different classifications based on the colour saturation of the stone, so you can have a pink ruby, or a pink sapphire, depending on the depth of colours, and the classifications of the country the stone is sold in. There are mentions of rubies in the Bible, while Hindu beliefs hold rubies as the stone of the Sun and the deity Surya, leader of the heavenly bodies. Our Ruby Circle of Life jewellery is a great choice for those who want to wear rubies with a spiritual connection, as the circular shape is one of the oldest and most sacred, representing the life cycle and eternity. The Smithsonian Museum in the US has a large collection of impressive rubies, with a 23.1 carat ruby set in a platinum ring donated by a wealthy businessman and several other jewellery examples. Elizabeth Taylor's collection included several ruby pieces; a ring with an 8.24 carat stone broke the record for the price-per-carat when it was auctioned in 2011. The most expensive ruby is the Sunrise Ruby, a 25.6 carat stone set in a Cartier ring, which sold for $30.42 million in 2015. The high price was due to the quality and colour, which surpassed anything previously seen in the jewellery world. After the death of the 2015 buyer, Heidi Horten, it was sold at auction for $14.7 million – still a massive amount of money. The largest ruby ever mined was carved into the Liberty Bell Ruby, a sculpture that weighs 8,500 carats (or 1.8 kg). It is set with diamonds and valued at over $2 million, but was stolen in 2011 with little prospect of recovery. Rubies are very hard stones, coming in on the Mohs scale at 9 (diamond being 10). They are therefore very hard wearing and suitable for everyday wear as they're not susceptible to scratches or chips. We love the Everlasting Ruby ring as an engagement, promise or wedding ring, while our Fantasize ring is a bold modern choice of ring that lifts any going-out outfit. For a 40th anniversary, ruby is the symbolic stone, and we have many stunning pieces that will suit every style for a special gift. Now you know all about rubies, why not treat yourself (or a loved one) to a beautiful piece of Amore Argento ruby jewellery?