Everything about ruby: meaning, types and properties

Rubies are beautiful natural minerals of blood red color. Iron ions give a rich hue to the gem. The size of crystals reaches 400 carats, and their physical properties literally make prices "jump up" in the vastness of the jewelry market. There are many varieties of gemstones that differ in structure and color.

The first appearance of the ruby ​​is documented in Indian texts in the 4th century BC. NS. The mineral is designated as ratnaraja - "precious stone" in translation from Sanskrit. In historical reports, it was called a talisman that guarantees its owner a calm and safe life. Ruby immortalized its juicy blood-red hue, thanks to which it was equal to diamonds.

In Burma, the gem was mined on a large scale. People believed that it should be placed under the skin to protect the mind and body. If the ruby ​​became part of the flesh of its owner, then, according to legend, he could protect the owner from the sword and arrows. Often they wrote about jewelry in the Bible, where they described the gem as perfection. In Asian countries, it was believed that the ruby ​​is a drop of dragon blood. Because of this comparison, it was used as a remedy for the plague and a ward against ailments.

In Ancient Russia, sapphire and ruby ​​were often confused, calling both stones yahonts. The stones were distinguished only by color.

Real ruby ​​looks like a solid red mineral.The natural substance is cloudy, has an asymmetric shape with many small protruding crystals. The surface of the mineral is silky to the touch. There are blotches of milky color on it.

After processing, the gem acquires a dark red hue, becomes transparent and smooth. An exception is corundum: polished stone has a soft pink tint with purple tints.

The cut ruby ​​is hard and very heavy. Its regular smooth shape has a high light transmittance. The gem has no external or internal defects. There are no cracks or voids in the center of the mineral.

For humans, the ruby ​​has remained a symbol of love, beauty and wealth.

Gems are mined in different parts of the world, with the exception of Antarctica. But the highest quality rubies are found in Asia. The main exporters of the "bloody" mineral are Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Pakistan, Pamir, Tajikistan, Myanmar. Smaller, but unusual specimens are found in East Africa: Kenya and Tanzania.

The latter supplies gems from Vinza. In this area, small crystals are mined, the size of which rarely exceeds 2-2.5 carats. At the same time, despite their low weight, they are highly transparent and have no internal damage. After jewelry processing, they have a dazzling shine, thanks to which they are highly valued in the market.

In Russia, rubies are practically not found. Rare stones can be found in the Polar Urals. They are mined as a companion material in corundum deposits.

The most common are artificial rubies. Synthetic stones are made from molten corundum with the addition of chemical impurities. In large quantities, such production was recorded in the UK, USA, France, Germany.

People began mining for rubies at the turn of the Bronze Age. They weighed only 35 carats, but even then they were of high quality and rich bloody color. Due to their natural beauty, red stones adorned leaders and kings, they were soldered into jewelry and revered.

The price of rubies remains high, because almost all deposits of precious stones have been depleted and gems have become rare prey. A lower cost is observed for refined minerals, which are filled with glass by jewelers. This procedure is not considered falsification and is regulated by the International Jewelry Confederation.

The most expensive type of "bloody" mineral is a ruby ​​called "pigeon blood" - a gem of a bright red hue with a purple tint. The name of the rare mineral was invented by a Swiss gemologist. The scientist noticed the similarity of the first drops of blood dripping from the beak of a dying bird, with the color of a natural mineral.

The world's largest ruby ​​was found in Greenland. Its weight is 440 carats. The stone remains untreated, therefore it is not yet recognized by modern society. After cutting, the weight of the jewel will be, according to preliminary calculations, 380 carats. The Burmese specimen weighing 400 carats is considered the king of rubies.

There are star rubies, which are distinguished not by the deposit or by a rare shade - in the center of the processed gem there is a shining six-pointed star. This phenomenon has received a separate name - the "asterism effect". Often such minerals remain opaque, but minerals with high light transmittance are found. The cost of the latter on the prairies of the jewelry market increases 2-3 times.

High quality star ruins are supplied mainly by Asian countries: Vietnam, Burma, Thailand.Some of the jewelry comes from Sri Lanka. In rare cases, a double star can be found in a star ruby, which has 12 rays.

In addition to the star rock, there are other interesting varieties of the gemstone in the world. One of them - aniolite - has an intricate structure of green zoisite with ruby ​​inclusions. The latter are distinguished by a rich pink or red hue.

The unique combination of colors creates beautiful patterns, thanks to which the stone is in high demand in the auctions and the jewelry market. Anionites are found only in one place on the entire planet - in Tanzania (Africa). The extraction of rare jewelry is not able to satisfy all buyers, therefore, counterfeits can often be found on the market. You can avoid such a pattern when familiarizing yourself with the documents of the precious stone. If a deposit is not indicated on paper and it is being sold at a low price, you should be wary and refuse to purchase it.

Black rubies are a type of spinel. Their market value is not as high as that of real magmatic minerals. Black spinel can be seen on the crown of the British Empire.

Before purchasing a ruby, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with its natural characteristics and beneficial properties.

Ruby belongs to the category of igneous rocks. The chemical formula of corundum is Al2O3. The color gamut usually ranges from pink to blood red, which appears in the mineral structure due to the high content of iron and chromium oxide impurities. On the Mohs scale, the hardness coefficient of a gem is 9 points, which is why ruby ​​is not much inferior to diamonds. Its density is 4-4.05 g / cm³. Corundum belongs to the I class of jewelry. After cutting and polishing, the stone becomes completely transparent.

The stone has a number of important physical properties.

1. Increased hardness coefficient. Ruby belongs to the group of the most dense minerals. This property is typical for almost all igneous rocks. The jewel is second only to diamond crystals in density. To make sure that the stone is strong, you should drop it from a height onto a hard surface. After a collision with metal or glass, there will be no damage left on the ruby.
2. Color spectrum. Real rubies are red. The shades of different species may vary, but they differ from each other only in color saturation. These are mainly red, burgundy, pink and darkened crystals. Some rubies combine several colors, which create beautiful transitions of different shades of red.
3. Clear cut of the mineral. Ruby is formed on the basis of magma. Even an uncut mineral is distinguished by clear and even edges, on which there are no defects or bends. Thanks to the high density, jewelers can make the right cuts. The gem is easy to cut.
4. Shine. The false impression is created that the jewel is covered with gloss. Grinding increases the reflective and transmissive properties of the mineral.
5. Glow. Natural stones contain only 2% metal: chrome and aluminum. The first creates the effect of a purple glow, which can be observed when turning the crystals.

In terms of chemical properties, ruby ​​does not belong to water-soluble and fat-soluble substances. Does not interact with weak and strong acids, does not decompose in alkali solution.

Ruby helps a man to become more confident and brave, gives him energy and protects him from evil eyes. The jewelry makes women more attractive, attracts the eye and shows interest in the opposite sex.

According to the zodiac sign, the stone promises purposefulness to Leo, helps in achieving the tasks set. Sagittarius ruby ​​allows you to retain power, gives decisiveness and courage. The "bloody" mineral makes such people more loyal, increases patience, relieves vanity. For Cancers, the jewel helps to eliminate modesty, suppresses shyness.

Due to its magical properties, the stone is often used to create talismans and amulets. They have the following qualities:

• protect the owner from damage, harmful intent and the negative influence of envy;
• enlightens the mind, gives its owner peace of mind, improves the psycho-emotional state and increases resistance to stress;
• contributes to the achievement of success in work, victory over competitors and the embodiment of the desired dream into reality;
• helps to find strong love, maintains passion in a relationship for a long time;
• eliminates anxiety, doubts, suppresses uncertainty and anxiety;
• helps to get rid of infertility, creates strong family ties;
• allows the owner to gain wealth;
• relieves negative feelings, improves mood.

Before purchasing, please remember that a jewel is not for everyone. The magical properties of the stone help to enhance the innate qualities of a person: both good and bad.

Ruby is not only a jewel. Mineral stone is distinguished by medicinal properties that allow you to cope with various diseases. The "bloody" crystal helps in the following cases:

• eliminates diseases of the digestive system: eases the condition in case of ulcerative and erosive lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, relieves inflammation of the stomach wall, reduces the risk of internal bleeding;
• helps to get rid of epileptic seizures, reduces their threat to the owner's life;
• increases the acuity of hearing and vision;
• normalizes the work of the cardiovascular system, improves the elasticity of arteries and veins;
• eliminates inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils, helps with colds and acute infections of the respiratory system;
• has a positive effect on joints, eliminates arthritis and pain;
• eases the condition with lesions of the spinal column, hernias, diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• relieves diseases of the hematopoietic system, lowers high blood pressure;
• normalizes the functional activity of the central and peripheral nervous system;
• improves the conduction of nerve impulses, eliminates negative emotions and normalizes hormonal levels;
• relieves sleep disorders: drowsiness or insomnia;
• relieves physical and emotional stress in the presence of constant stress.

In case of acute pain syndrome, it is recommended to apply a gem to the affected area. The gem helps to stop depression and apathy due to its natural ability to take away negative emotions and improve mood.

Ruby is usually worn by people who are good at leadership and have strong tenacity. The gem helps them achieve their goals. At the same time, the mineral is not suitable for vain, cowardly and people with a weak spirit.

The "bloody" gem is a great helper for women seeking understanding and love. It helps you take the first step, instills confidence and eliminates setbacks. If the owner's intentions remain sincere and pure, then the jewel will become a powerful talisman for such people. The stone is suitable for the following signs of the zodiac:

• Lions;
• Aries;
• Sagittarius.

Most people born under these signs are characterized by a temperamental, hot-tempered character and a strong will of spirit.Ruby will not suit emotional and vulnerable Pisces and Libra.

The gem is an excellent amulet for doctors and people facing danger: police, military, firefighters. Talismans with rubies often warn of the approach of trouble: the mineral dims or takes on a more saturated bloody color. Popular rumor has it that rubies help protect people from natural disasters, damage or the evil eye.

If there are red crystals in the house, then there will be no fire in the dwelling, it will not be robbed, and the owners of the apartment will not be attacked. With the constant wearing of an amulet with a precious stone, a person will always be lucky. The financial industry, career and health will improve.

Talismans surround the owner with positive energy, give him more opportunities, and warn of dangers. Such an amulet helps people of creative professions, accompanies adventures and increases efficiency. In some cases, the precious mineral can give prophetic dreams.

But most often I use ruby ​​when creating jewelry. It becomes the centerpiece in:

• rings;
• bracelets;
• necklaces;
• earrings;
• necklace.

Rubies look beautiful in silver. The precious metal improves the properties of the gemstone. It is recommended to purchase sophisticated jewelery with rubies. Massive rings look worse.

In addition to jewelry, watches are made from rubies. Artificial stones are inserted into some products. They are of low quality and deteriorate quickly.

In the jewelry market, up to 70% of precious stones are counterfeit glass, various mixtures of mineral components or alloys. To acquire a natural ruby, there are several ways to recognize an original or a fake:

• if you put a gem in a glass of milk, the liquid turns pink;
• "Bloody" mineral practically does not heat up from body temperature and remains cool;
• natural crystals can have dull natural zigzag cracks;
• under ultraviolet light, counterfeit products take on an orange tint;
• there are no air bubbles in the structure of natural stone.

Often, the ruby ​​or its varieties in jewelry is replaced with more affordable counterparts. For such purposes, use such semi-precious stones as tourmaline, garnet.

Ruby is significantly more expensive in the jewelry market, but garnet is similar to the "bloody" mineral in color. It is quite simple to distinguish them: garnet does not have a glossy sheen. You should bring a fake jewelry to a lamp or look through it at the sun. Garnets give off a matte glow, which is fundamentally different from the purple tints of ruby. Also, garnet does not have the property of being magnetized. To check it, it is recommended to put the jewelry to be checked on a scale and bring a magnet to it. If the sample increases the pressure on the instrument and its weight increases, then it is a fake.

Tourmalines are bright red or pink in color. When exposed to or exposed to ultraviolet light, they acquire a reddish tint. Ruby does not change its color.

A gem is distinguished from cheap glass jewelry by its high strength, lack of luster and more intense color. Also, their differences are visible in the price: fakes are more affordable. Difficulties arise when comparing a natural mineral with an alloy of glass and ruby. To create such a mixture, chips from igneous rock are used. Crumbs and dust are mixed with sand, heated. To distinguish a fake from a natural stone, it is recommended that the jewel be evaluated by an experienced jeweler.

Aniolites are often confused with green sapphires. Compared to ruby, these gemstones have a wide range of shades: pink, blue, yellow. The chemical structure of both minerals is the same. At the same time, unlike aniolites, sapphire does not contain red inclusions of ruby ​​chips.

Diamonds are more valuable in the jewelry market than rubies. They have a higher density and are completely transparent.

Many people who have a precious stone wonder how to properly care for a ruby, because if untimely processing the mineral can fade, and any mechanical damage can lead to cracks inside the stone and devalue it.

The outer edges are dense, so they cannot be scratched or chipped off without additional force. On the Moss scale of mineral hardness, the stone is second only to diamonds and moissanite. Ruby does not tarnish or damage even with daily use, therefore it is a good choice for decorating a ring.

At the same time, it should be remembered that a jewel can easily shatter when exposed to a blunt object. Owners of bracelets and rings on which the stone strongly protrudes beyond the jewelry should be aware of this.

The owner of the gem needs to learn how to clean the ruby ​​properly. This requires soapy water. During the procedure, you should follow the step-by-step instructions.

1. Place the ruby ​​jewelry in a container filled with warm water. You must first add soap or dish cleaner to the liquid.
2. Leave the product to soak for 20 minutes.
3. After the required time has passed, you should take out the jewelry, clean the stone with a soft toothbrush or cloth. After that, you need to wash the frame for the gem. In this case, it is recommended to use a brush so that the hairs can clean hard-to-reach places in the product. Care must be taken when cleaning a ruby ​​that is attached to a piece of jewelry with prongs: they are usually easy to break or the stone may slip out of the grip.
4. The base of the jewelry can be wiped off with a cloth. It will not scratch or damage the soft precious metal.
5. After cleaning is complete, rinse the jewelry thoroughly in clean water and dry with a soft cloth.

It is allowed to clean the gem with a detergent or household chemicals. First, you should make sure that its composition will not damage the mineral structure of the crystal. It is recommended to store the mineral dry. It is advisable to purchase a special jewelry box for keeping the gemstone.

First, you should wrap the mineral in a soft cloth or plastic bag: the ruby ​​can scratch other jewelry with dense stones, such as diamonds. But often the opposite happens: due to its high density, the "bloody" stone easily damages other gems and soft metal items.

You can find out about the magical properties of ruby ​​by watching the video below.