The term ruby comes from the Latin word “Rubeus” meaning red.
The ruby stone has been around for a long time and has a rich history.

In ancient times, the Romans called the ruby “carbuncolorum” to describe the bright red stones, as it was difficult to differentiate the different varieties. Some used the ruby as a protective stone against poison or as an aphrodisiac, amplifying passions and desires.

The Etruscans and Greeks brought the ruby to Europe in 500 BC. The stone soon became associated with blood and fire, so to protect themselves from misfortune, they wore it to ward off wounds and illness.

Among Burmese warriors, the stone had the ability to make a person invisible. However, it had to be placed under the skin, in contact with blood, to instil courage. The Chinese people used rubies to adorn their swords and protect themselves, but also as currency on the Silk Road.

The Greek philosopher Pliny the Elder described the ruby stone in 1 AD.

Over time, the ruby stone became associated with many religions and legends. The ruby is mentioned several times in the Bible, associated with attributes such as beauty and wisdom. The ruby is a very important symbol in the Islamic religion, and in the Koran, it is mentioned as closely linked to the creation of man. It has also been associated with various legends linked to dragons and chimeras. In India, a legend tells that rubies allow their owners to live in peace with their enemies.

Ancient Hindus believed that those who offered beautiful rubies to the god Krishna would be reborn as emperors. In addition, Hindus divided the ruby into four castes, calling the true eastern ruby Brahman, whoever possessed the Brahman had the advantage of perfect safety.

From ancient Sanskrit, the ruby is called “ratnaraj”, meaning king of precious stones.

The ruby became the most coveted king stone among European royalty and the upper classes.

Numerous royal accessories were adorned with rubies, including the Heart of France, the Capetian royal crown, the crown of England and the Wenceslas crown.

Over time, towards the 16th century, the ruby gave way to diamonds. Nevertheless, the ruby remains a highly prized and coveted gemstone

• Colour: The most desired colour for rubies is a deep red often described as “Pig’s Blood” red. The colour is caused by the presence of Chromium in its crystal structure.
• Hardness: Ruby is one of the hardest stones and ranks 9 on the Mohs scale.
• Origin: Rubies are often associated with regions such as Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka and more recently Mozambique and Madagascar. Each region can produce rubies with slightly different characteristics in terms of colour and purity.
• Purity: Like other gemstones, rubies can vary in clarity and transparency. Some may feature visible inclusions while others are more transparent and freer of flaws.
• Value: Rubies, especially those with a pure red colour, excellent clarity and size, can be extremely valuable and command high prices on the gem market.

** Check price based on quality and size.