Thursday 5 July 2012




RUBY - The Birthstone for July

 

"The Ruby stole a spark from heaven above
To bring the July maiden untold Love."

Notable sources of ruby are Burma, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Their colour can be a pale rose-red but the sought after colour is traditionally called "pigeon's blood" and is a fine even colour and transparency.
In the Middle Ages it was believed that the ruby could relieve pain as well as protect the wearer from drowning and cure rheumatism. The Hindus likened the glowing colour of rubies to an enduring fire.
A legendry ruby, the size of a man's hand, said to belong to the King of Siam in the thirteenth century, was thought to prolong youth. Each night and morning the king rubbed the priceless ruby over his face and neck. When he died, at the age of ninety, his complexion was like a young man's - unblemished and unwrinkled.
The ruby has been the traditional choice of kings and emperors for their Coronation rings. Among the Crown Jewels of France that survived the French Revolution are the celebrated rubies of the Royal Collection. These were redesigned and set with diamonds in 1816. The Black Princes Ruby in the English Crown Jewels is in fact actually a spinel, which is another beautiful red gemstone.

The qualities of ruby are said to be contentment, love and devotion.

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