The precious ruby gemstone is the birthstone for those born in July and is also the 40th wedding anniversary gift that symbolises romance, devotion, and passion.
Known as the ‘King of Gems’, ruby belongs to the mineral species corundum, sharing the same crystal structure and Mohs hardness of 9 with sapphire; while ruby is defined by chromium-induced red hues, sapphires encompass all other colours of corundum caused by varying trace elements such as iron and titanium. Rubies are second only to diamonds, with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale.
The History of Ruby
Rubies from Myanmar (formerly Burma)
The most valuable rubies form in marble, which has low iron content and helps produce the most vibrantly coloured rubies. They have been mined in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), the Himalayas and northern Vietnam. One of the oldest known ruby mines is in Myanmar, specifically in the area of Mogok. Other nearby villages have been famous since ancient times for their gemstones, especially ruby and sapphire. Records show this blood-red gemstone was also traded along the North Silk Road of China, around 200 BC. Burmese rubies are still some of the most valued of all rubies.
Photo: starlanka.com
Rubies from Vietnam
The picturesque valley of Luc Yen, Vietnam, is a world-renowned origin prized for fine natural rubies and vibrant spinels.
Since the late 1980s, Vietnam has been another significant source of rubies, following the discovery of gem-quality deposits in the Luc Yen region in 1987. The Luc Yen region in northern Vietnam produces rubies of red to purple-red colour and has become Vietnam’s most important gemstone-trading centre for the last 30 years. The markets of Yen The, the capital of Luc Yen, offer other natural gemstones from Vietnam and elsewhere (including peridot, beryl, aquamarine, topaz, and quartz); synthetic gemstones are also found at these markets.
A raw, uncut, unpolished precious ruby gemstone
Image by Heritage Auctions, HA.com
Rubies from Mozambique
Mozambique has become an important new source of rubies. The deposits at Montepuez, in northern Mozambique, yield world-class amphibolite-hosted rubies that offer exceptional clarity and rich red colour, providing a vital commercial source alongside the historic marble-hosted rubies of the Mogok region in Myanmar. The Montepuez ruby is the most important newly discovered ruby deposit in the world, as well as the single largest source of ruby deposits and the largest producing ruby mine, covering an area of 34,966 hectares. 40 – 50% of the world’s ruby supplies are mined here.
Views of the Montepuez Ruby Mine, situated in northern Mozambique.
Images by Gemfields.
Mystique and Ancient Myths of Ruby
Held in high esteem in India and Asia, rubies were not only set into revered objects and jewellery, but were also set into the foundations of a building to secure good fortune over the structure. Ruby is the gemstone of protection and was even used by ancient warriors as a means of immortality when going into battle. Perhaps because of its rarity, this blood-coloured gemstone symbolises wealth, energy, royalty, and power.
Healing Powers of Ruby
Ruby, a gemstone quite appropriately symbolising the colour of passion, is believed to enhance warmth and compassion between couples and allows its owner to experience all forms of love. It also attracts happiness and joy and detoxifies the blood.
When worn as a talisman, ruby’s mystical properties extend to personal protection from negative energy. The blood-coloured stone would preserve the wearer from all dangers.
Famous Precious Ruby Gemstones
The 100.32 carat DeLong Star Ruby resides in the Museum of Natural History in New York City. The beautiful, deep red ruby with a 6-rayed star gets its name from Mrs Edith Haggin de Long. The DeLong Star Ruby was also stolen in a jewel heist. Along with the Star of India and the Midnight Star Sapphire, it was stolen from the museum in what became known as the ‘Jewel Heist of the Century’ in 1964. Luckily, all three stones were ultimately recovered.
The world-famous DeLong Star Ruby.
The Sunrise Ruby
The 25.59-carat Sunrise Ruby previously held the world record as the most expensive ruby sold at auction ($30.3 million in 2015), a title held until June 2023 when the 55.22-carat Estrela de FURA Mozambique ruby set a new auction record at $34.8 million. This Burma ruby set into a Cartier ring and flanked by white diamonds has a richly saturated natural “pigeon blood red” colour, high clarity and brilliance and a finely proportioned cut and shape. Selling for more than 30 million US dollars, it was a world record not only for ruby but for any coloured gemstone at an auction.
The Sunrise Ruby
Image Courtesy of Sotheby’s
Elizabeth Taylor’s Ruby Suite Jewellery Collection
Elizabeth Taylor’s complete jewellery collection was auctioned by Christie’s in 2011. Several precious ruby gemstone pieces were included in the sale, specifically a Van Cleef and Arpels ring set with an 8.24-carat ruby that broke the ‘price per carat’ record for rubies @ US$512,925 per carat, sold over US$4.2 million.
Precious Ruby Gemstone Jewellery at Mark Solomon Jewellers
For a real-life glimpse of timeless beauty, or to have your own precious gemstone fit for a legend, contact the sales team at Mark Solomon Jewellers.
Our showroom boasts the largest selection of loose diamonds and precious gemstones under one roof in South Africa and an extensive range of high-end, designer jewellery perfect for any occasion.
