The price of wisdom is above rubies," says
Job in the Bible, implying that rubies were highly prized
in his time. Indeed, the respect and appreciation for
rubies has always transcended all geographical boundaries
and social class.
The gold coronation ring of the English
kings contains a large, tablet-cut ruby on which the
figure of St. George's cross is engraved. Around the ruby
are set 26 diamonds. Rubies are generously represented in
crowns and scepters in the royal jewels of many nations.
Ruby has acquired special attributes
from its admirers over the centuries. it has been
regarded as a symbol of freedom, charity, dignity and
divine power. The Burmese believed that gemstones ripened
like fruit. The redder the color, the riper the ruby. A
flawed ruby was considered overmature.
Large, gem quality rubies have always
been very rare. The huge gems described in medieval
romances and oriental literature were most likely
exaggerated by the imaginations of ruby admirers and
creative authors or were actually garnets or spinels.
Ruby Color
Ruby and sapphire are the two varieties of the mineral
corundum. Their exceptional hardness is surpassed only by
diamonds. Red corundum is called ruby, and all other
colors are called sapphire. The cut-off between ruby and
pink sapphire on one end and plum sapphire on the other
has long been a subject of controversy. Of course, gem
dealers want the gem they're selling to be classified as
a ruby because the name alone increases its value.
Famous
Rubies
A few rubies have distinguished
themselves because of their size or extraordinary beauty
and arc being guarded for posterity The Louvre in Paris
houses the Anne of Brittany Ruby, a 105-carat polished
but irregular gem. The 167-carat Edwardes Ruby was
donated to the British Museum of Natural History in 1887
by John Ruskin. This 167-carat gem was named in honor of
Major-General Sir Herbert Benjamin Edwardes (1819-G8) who
saved British rule in India during the years of the
Indian Mutiny. Two star rubies are displayed in American
museums. The Smithsonian displays the 137-carat Rosser
Reeves Ruby, and The American Museum of Natural History
has the 100-carat Edith Haggin de Long Ruby.
Where
Rubies Can Be Found
The different geographical sources
of ruby are known for characteristic colors and
qualities, although they all produce a variety of gem
material. Burma is famous for producing the greatest
amount of top quality ruby-a fine, clear, deep red.
Thailand is known for dark red to brownish-red stones.
Typical Ceylon (Sri Lanka) rubies are medium light in
tone. And Africa is known for small, sheet-like,
purplish-red material.
Burma is the most important source of
ruby today. Other producers are the island of Sri
Lanka-(formerly Ceylon), the countries of' Thailand,
Kampuchea (Cambodia), India and Australia, various
localities in Africa and our own state of North Carolina.
 Primitive Mining
Mining for rubies is done by
primitive methods, much as it was centuries ago. Miners
stake out an area and dig down about 15 feet to unearth
the gem-bearing gravel. They sift the gravel through wire
screens, then continue with a panning method similar to
that used for gold.
Synthetic
Ruby
A synthetic ruby is nearly
identical to the natural gem in physical appearance,
chemical composition and optical properties and can
easilv be confused with genuine ruby by unknowledgeable
buyers. Only a trained ,geologist can tell the difference
by locating telltale inclusions in the stone.
Star Rubies
Some rubies display a luminous star
when viewed in the right light. This is caused by the
orientation of intersecting needles within the stone. The
light reflecting off them forms a star. Stars may be seen
on certain translucent stones that have been cut in a
dome shape.
A Classice
Gem
Ruby's dramatic color and regal
heritage make it the choice of the most discriminating
jwelry lovers. Fine, large rubies may be worth more than
diamonds of comparable size. They make elegant rings and
pendants. Smaller stones are also set in these pieces as
well as brooches, bracelets, and earrings. Small rubies
are popular for use in anniversary rings to wear alone or
in the company, of diamonds. Rubies are stunning against
a backdrop of white, black, royal blue or emerald green.
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