Sunday, June 5, 2016

Ruby, July's Birthstone


The Ruby represents love, passion, courage and emotion. For centuries, this gem has been considered the king of all gems. It was believed that wearing a fine red Ruby bestowed good fortune on its owner. Rubies have been the prized possession of emperors and kings throughout the ages. To this day the Ruby is the most valued gemstone.

The color of a Ruby is the most important feature of the gemstone. Rubies are available in a range of red hues from purplish and bluish red to orange-red. The brightest and most valuable color of Ruby is often “a Burmese Ruby” – an indication that it is a rich, passionate, hot, full red color with a slight blue hue. This color is often referred to as “pigeon blood” red, a Ruby color only associated with the Mogok Valley mines in Myanmar. The color Pigeon Blood Ruby red, of course, is not associated with the color of a pigeon’s blood, but rather the color of a white pigeon’s eye.
 
Recommended list for reading and discussion:

Ethan, Eric. (2011) Rubies. – Gareth Stevens Publishing. – 24 pages. (Gems: Nature’s Jewels)
Ward, Fred. (2003) Rubies & Sapphires: 4th/ed. – Gem Book Publishing. – 64 pages.

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