Ruby

Colour: Red - colour of love, passion & power

Name derivation: Derived from the Latin word "Rubens” meaning "red” A.K.A. the “King of Gemstones” - Sanskrit language Ruby is called "Ratnaraj”, which translates to "King of Gemstones”

Symbolism: Inspires passionate & love

Gemstone family: Corundum

Anniversary: 40th wedding anniversary

Birthstone: July

Hardness: Moh’s Scale 9.0 (hard & very robust structure)

Geography: The most revered come from Burma/ Myanmar while equally fine rubies have been recently discovered in Tanzania and Mozambique

Famous Rubies: 167 carat Edwardes Ruby (in honour of Maj.-Gen. Sir Herbert Benjamin Edwardes (1819-68) who served for the British in India

Inclusions: Fine Rubies are quite scarce in sizes above 3 karats. Inclusions don’t affect the quality of a Ruby unless they decrease transparency or “life” i.e. vibrancy of the stone.

Cleaning procedure: Not an issue due to its hardness

Value factors: Rarity, Intensity of colour; Brilliance and “life” of stone; Size of stone