The July Birthstone – The Ruby
As we approach the height of summer, we take a look at July’s birthstone- the ruby.
Ruby Basics
The ruby is considered one of the most desirable gemstones, which means they can often command a price premium similar to a diamond.
The ruby is known for its colour with the preferred shade being a deep, blood red. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), ruby quality is judged on the four Cs–colour, cut, clarity, and carat.
Scoring a 9.0, the ruby is close to a diamond on the Mohs hardness scale. It is extremely rare to find a fine ruby over 3 carats and because of this, minor inclusions are accepted in favour of fine colour.
Rubies are found in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia and Mozambique but the largest supplier of rubies is still Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. Rubies from Myanmar are famous for their exceptional colour and have been historically known as “Pigeon Blood Rubies” or “Burmese Rubies”.
History of a Ruby
The name “Ruby” comes from the Latin word for red, “ruber”. Due to their rich colour, rubies have been a favourite symbol for love and power for millennia. Historically, rubies were revered in many different cultures, as the colour became symbolic for emotion, fire, and blood. Rubies are mentioned numerous times in the Bible and in the ancient language of Sanskrit, ruby is called “ratnaraj”, meaning “king of precious stones”. In ancient Hinduism, it was believed that those who offered rubies to the god Krishna would be granted rebirth as emperors. In Myanmar, rubies were kept by soldiers in war to give them strength and invincibility.
Famous rubies
In recent times, rubies have become a gemstone sought after for their signature colour and undeniable appeal. Symbolic of passion, wealth and success, there have been many notable rubies over the years:
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The Sunrise Ruby
The Sunrise Ruby is the world’s most expensive ruby. Mined in Myanmar, its name derives from a Sufi poem of the same name. The ruby weighs 25.59 carats and was sold by Sotheby Geneva in 2015 for a record $30.42 million.
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The Carmen Lucia Ruby
The Carmen Lucia Ruby is a 23.1 carat burmese ruby donated to the National Gem Collection at the Smithsonian Institution by Peter Buck, the founder of the Subway chain. Mr.Buck named the ruby after his wife, Carmen Lucia Buck, after she died of cancer before she could wear the ring. Mrs. Buck was an avid collector of fine jewellery, and Mr.Buck donated this ring to fulfill her wish to wear the precious gemstone.
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The Hope Ruby
The Hope Ruby is a rare, incredible gemstone weighing 32.08 carats that sold in 2012 for $6.74 million. The Hope Ruby is a pigeon blood ruby from the Mogok gemstone region in Myanmar.
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The Burmese Ruby Tiara
The Burmese Ruby Tiara was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II from Garrard & Co in 1973. When Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip, she received 96 fine rubies as a wedding gift from the Burmese people. As a thank you for their generosity, the Queen named the tiara “The Burmese Ruby Tiara”.
Our signature ruby
We believe that the ruby is symbolic for love, so as an additional touch, we add a round ruby inside the band of our rings as a reminder of the love and care between you and your partner. The ruby is almost as tough as a diamond and due to its enduring nature, it’s used to commemorate the 40th wedding anniversary–a great milestone!
The signature ruby is optional and you can also replace it with other coloured gemstones or a diamond. However, we like to start with a ruby as we believe that it represents the intimacy of a relationship and is symbolic of the heart.
The name “Taylor & Hart” derives from a word play; “Taylor” relating to the craftsmanship and tailoring behind a bespoke engagement ring, and “Hart”, more literally referencing the heart.
The Ruby is a classic gemstone, as well as, being July’s birthstone, is a symbol of passion and love. The ruby is a great choice for those who desire a splash of colour, while retaining the iconcism of a traditional bridal gemstone.
