Ruby BOTM

Meaning, Significance and Symbology:    
Ruby has been the official birthstone for the month of June since 1912, as well as the Zodiac sign for Cancer. Rubies are often considered to be the traditional gift to present your partner with on the 15th or 40th Wedding Anniversary depending on the version you reference. The most precious Rubies are perfectly symmetrical, relatively large and naturally produced, they have a shimmering iridescence which is called orient lustre.   

 

Source:    
Though rubies naturally occur in many countries, the most important sources include Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. However many rubies have been found in Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, India, many countries in Africa, Nepal, Pakistan, the USA and Vietnam. Originally, the finest rubies were mined in Myanmar and it is from there that the term Burmese ruby began to describe the best quality rubies.   

 

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Interesting Facts about Rubies:     
  • The word Ruby comes from the Latin rubens which means red.
  • Rubiest naturally occur in shades of red ranging from the shades of rich dark red to pinker hues. The red hue comes from traces of the mineral chromium.
  • Sitting at a 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, rubies are extremely strong. They are marginally softer than diamonds, and equally as resilient as sapphires making them a popular choice in engagement rings.
  • Almost all rubies have flaws and rubies without inclusions are considered the most valuable due to their exceptional rarity. Because of this synthetic rubies are easier to identify as they’re almost always flawless.
 
  • The world’s largest ruby is owned by a Chinese jewellery company. Weighing in at an incredible 8184g the 40920 carat gemstone measures 5.11 x 5.43 x 5.70 inches.
  • According to ancient folklore, people of India believed that rubies would help them to be at peace with their enemies.
  • Ancient tribes used the gemstone as bullets for blowguns, and it was also said that a ruby could bring a pot of water to the boil if dropped inside.
 
  • Other sources suggest that when ground to a fine powder and placed on the tongue, rubies could cure indigestion.
  • Alongside all other myths and beliefs, it was thought that anyone who wore a ruby would be blessed with good health, wealth, wisdom and success in love.
 

 

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A Few Famous July ‘Ruby’ Birthdays:    

3rd – Tom Cruise

6th – Kevin Hart

10th – Perrie Edwards

13th – Harrison Ford

18th – Vin Diesel

22nd – Selena Gomez

23rd – Daniel Radcliffe

30th – Arnold Schwarzenegger

  

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