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July’s birthstone is ruby, a gem representing love, passion, courage, and emotion. It’s one of the most popular coloured gemstones and is used in all varieties of jewellery, from birthstone jewellery to engagement rings.
Rubies are always red; from pinkish red to traffic light red. The finest colour, however, is known as ‘pigeon’s blood’ – deep red with a hint of purple. Ruby gets its colouring from trace amounts of the element chromium; the more chromium, the stronger its red will be.
Formed from corundum, the same mineral that makes up sapphires, rubies are an especially hard gemstone, registering 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, just one point below diamond.
Rubies in history
The name ‘ruby’ is derived from the Latin ‘ruber,’ meaning ‘red’. Desirable due its striking colour and rarity, rubies have been worn in by royalty and nobility across the world and throughout the ages.
In ancient India, ruby was called the ‘king of precious stones’ because of its rarity, hardness and beauty: it was a symbol of power and youth in Indian culture. Medieval Europeans believed rubies brought health, wisdom and success, even thinking that it could predict danger or misfortune.
Where are rubies from?
Rubies can be sourced all over the world, but they are most commonly found in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Madagascar, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Afghanistan, Nepal and Vietnam. Pigeon blood rubies are most commonly found in the Mogok area of Myanmar, but rubies sourced from mines in Mozambique have a similar colour.
Like many gemstones, most rubies are mined from stream sediment rather than from inside hard rocks, allowing for excavation of the stone without damaging it. Because rubies are so hard, registering as a 9 on the Mohs scale, they are generally highly resistant to weathering and so can be found in good condition - our collection of Art Deco ruby rings features many high quality rubies.
Cleaning ruby jewellery
Rubies are often heat treated to remove purple coloration or inclusions and they are also often subjected to lattice diffusion treatment and dyeing. Despite these cleaning treatments being great for the appearance of a ruby, they can make them more vulnerable to damage during normal wear.
Whether or not your ruby is treated will determine how you should care for it. However, all rubies can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush. If your ruby is untreated, ultrasonic cleaning is safe, but it’s recommended that this process is carried out by a professional.
Antique ruby jewellery
Rubies have been used consistently in jewellery spanning back all the way to ancient history. Although one of the rarer gemstones, there are plenty of antique jewellery pieces that feature rubies, especially from the Victorian era onwards. We offer a stunning collection of vintage ruby engagement rings and other antique ruby jewellery here at Gatsby.
This stunning mid-century ruby ring features a Burmese ruby set with six round cut diamonds on a 18k white gold setting.
This beautiful Victorian ruby ring circa 1900 makes use of five rubies of increasing carat weights set against yellow gold.
This gorgeous mid-century ruby ring sets diamonds next to a large 2.13 carat ruby, perched on a tapering yellow gold shank.
