The term ruby ​​comes from the Latin word “rubeus” meaning red.
The ruby ​​stone has been discovered for a long time and has a rich history.​

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In ancient times, the Romans called ruby ​​“carbuncolorum” to describe the bright red stones, as it was difficult to differentiate the different varieties. Some used ruby ​​as a protective stone against poison or as an aphrodisiac, amplifying passions and desires.

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The Etruscans and Greeks brought the ruby ​​to Europe in 500 BC. The stone soon became associated with blood and fire, so to protect against misfortune, people carried it to ward off wounds and illness.

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Among Burmese warriors, the stone had the ability to make a person invisible. However, it had to be placed under the skin, in contact with blood, to instill courage. The Chinese people used rubies to adorn their swords and protect themselves, but also as currency on the Silk Road. The Greek philosopher Pliny the Elder described the ruby ​​stone in 1 AD.

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Over time, the ruby ​​stone became associated with many religions and legends. The ruby ​​is mentioned several times in the Bible, associated with attributes such as beauty and wisdom. The ruby ​​is a very important symbol in the Islamic religion, and in the Koran it is mentioned as closely linked to the creation of man. It has also been associated with various legends linked to dragons and chimeras. In India, a legend tells that rubies allow their owners to live in peace with their enemies.

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The ancient Hindus believed that those who offered beautiful rubies to the god Krishna would be reborn as emperors. In addition, the Hindus divided the ruby ​​into four castes, calling the true eastern ruby ​​Brahman, whoever possessed the Brahman had the advantage of perfect security.

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From ancient Sanskrit, the ruby ​​is called “ratnaraj”, meaning king of precious stones. The ruby ​​became the most coveted royal stone among European royalty and the upper classes. Many royal accessories were adorned with rubies, including the Heart of France, the royal crown of the Capetians, the crown of England and the crown of Wenceslas.

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Over time, towards the 16th century, ruby ​​gradually gave way to diamonds. Nevertheless, ruby ​​remains a highly prized and coveted gemstone.

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Color: The most desired color for rubies is a deep red often described as “Pig’s Blood” red. The color is caused by the presence of Chromium in its crystal structure.

Hardness: Ruby is one of the hardest stones and ranks 9 on the Mohs scale.

Origin: Rubies are often associated with regions such as Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka and more recently Mozambique and Madagascar. Each region may produce rubies with slightly different characteristics in terms of colour and purity.

Clarity: Like other gemstones, rubies can vary in clarity and transparency. Some may have visible inclusions while others are more transparent and free of flaws.

Value: Rubies, especially those with a pure red color, excellent clarity and size, can be extremely valuable and command high prices in the gem market.