Gemstones Love & Care Guide

Ruby

Physical characteristics

✧ Species

Corundum
✧ Hardness

9
✧ Composition

Aluminum oxide
✧ Mineral Family

Oxide
✧ Luster

Vitreous

1 5

About Ruby

Ruby, the birthstone of July, is the red variety of the corundum family. It is a tough mineral, second only to diamond in hardness. Ruby has been a treasure for centuries. In ancient India, it was named "the King of Gem". The early Burmese thought ruby's power would impart invulnerability. Therefore it was worn by warriors in battle.

Today, no other gemstone radiates warmth and vitality quite like Ruby. Apart from being prized as one of the world's most valuable gemstones, Ruby's intense colour calls passion, power and love to mind. It is a prosperity stone purported to bring great luck to the wearer. In some cultures, Ruby is also a fertility stone and protects the wearer.

Shades of Red

Rubies are generally red, but the exact hue and depth of the red shades are influenced by the concentration of minerals in the country of origin: Myanmar, Thailand, Africa, Madagascar and more.

So don't be surprised if you hear jewellers and designers describe rubies as such:

✦ Ceylon/Sri Lankan – Brilliant light red

✦ French/Cheery – Lighter than pigeon blood

✦ African – Orangish-red

✦ Pigeon blood/ Myanmar/ Oriental – High-saturated medium-dark red with a slight purple undertone, considered the most desirable.

✦ Beef Blood- Darker than pigeon blood

✦ Thai/Siamese – Dark red with brown or purple undertones

Ps. The reference to blood may be icky but is testament to the colour red being associated with life and passion.

Colour range of Ruby

Brownish Red - Red - Purple Red - Rose Red

Ruby Care Tips

Wearing

✦ Can be worn daily.
✦ Avoid water, extreme humidity, and heat as this may cause your jewellery to discolour.
✦ Avoid contact with home detergents or chemical products such as perfumes, makeup, lotions, and nail polish removers.
Storage

✦ Store in individual soft pouch or fixed slot in jewellery box so gemstones don’t get scratched.
✦ Keep chains and bracelets fastened so they don’t get tangled.
✦ Away from direct sunlight, in a dark, cool and dry place.
Cleaning

✦ Clean with soft dry jewellery cloth.
✦ Wash with lukewarm water with a gentle soap.
✦ Safe to use jewellery dip
✦ Use Bling Brush Jewellery Cleaner ↓