RUBY RINGS

Halfway between traditional heritage and daring modernity, the Sterling Silver Ruby Ring collection consists of jewellery made with respect for fine jewellery with noble metals and stones selected for their exceptional properties. Wedding rings, solitaires, accompanied solitaires, toi & moi rings, classics or trendy models with floral, animal motifs, and many more, discover a collection of highly desirable ruby ​​rings. Ruby lovers will be seduced by a sumptuous ruby pendant. Modern or rather classic in style, all refined women will be charmed by the delicate ruby earrings. For the more undecided, follow the advice of our designers and stylists to find the ring of your dreams. Jewel with a flamboyant red colour, know that the ruby ​​is particularly resplendent on a sterling silver setting. Set up on its own, choose it in a bezel setting for a modern look or in a prong setting to let light penetrate the precious gem and let it diffuse naturally through its red colour. Stone symbolic of love, it will not leave indifferent a woman on the occasion of engagement or on a wedding ring accompanied by diamonds. Thus, adorned with one or more rubies, the engagement ring and the wedding ring are witnesses of passionate love. The ruby ​​will sublimate the most beautiful rings. 

HISTORY OF THE RUBY ​​STONE

ANTIQUITY

During Antiquity, the Romans had a specific name for all brilliant scarlet stones: Carbuncolorum, which meant “small burning coal” or “small burning coal” . Among these stones, we also found garnet or spinel. Back then, it was difficult to tell the different varieties apart, but particularly shiny stones could be worth a fortune.

THE MIDDLE AGE

In the Middle Ages, the name of these small flamboyant objects changed to become “carboncle”, “charboncle” or even “carbuncles”. They become very precious goods and are credited with many virtues, including those of appeasing anger, protecting dreams and being beneficial for the earth. The ruby ​​stone also haunts legends: it is criticized for being the prerogative of dragons and chimeras.

Over the course of history, the ruby ​​stone quickly became the stone of kings. As early as the 13th century, we can find a reference to a ring of Saint-Louis which had “a large ruby ​​in the style of a half-bean”. In the 14th century, mention is also made of the sublime engraved oriental ruby ​​of Charles V, which he used to seal his own letters. A hundred years later, the Duke of Berry will hold a ruby ​​set on a gold ring, a jewel that will be called the Heart of France.

THE CROWN JEWELS

The royal crown of the Capetians would have housed a thorn resulting from the crucifixion of Jesus Christ placed under a carbuncle of 278 carats. It will turn out that this stone was in fact a spinel. The same goes for the jewel of the Crown of England since 1367. This gem encrusted on a Maltese cross at the front of the imperial headdress is also a magnificent spinel. It can be admired at the Tower of London.

One of the most impressive works visible today is undoubtedly that of Saint-Wenceslas, created in 1347 for the coronation of Charles IV, Romano-Germanic emperor. He wishes to regain the splendour of France, where he was raised, at his coronation. On her headdress are sapphires, emeralds and pearls, set in gold, and surrounding a dazzling 250-carat oriental ruby. This magnificent work can be admired today in a room of Saint Vitus Cathedral in Prague. To access the treasure, it is necessary to collect the seven keys entrusted to seven senior officials of the State and the Church. A copy is in Prague Castle.

THE RUBY AND THE KINGS OF THE ORIENT

It is in the Orient that we find the oldest mentions of the ruby ​​stone, as well as the most impressive. It is an important symbol of the Islamic religion. In the Quran it is mentioned as being closely related to the creation of man. Most oriental rulers were covered with them, for they were symbols of great power: the crags of the turbans of the Maharajas, the tops of the caps of the Chinese mandarins, the ties of sumptuous clothes, jewels, thrones, and even the harnesses of the horses.

In his travelogues, Marco Polo mentions Sendemain, the king of Ceylon, who holds the most beautiful and the largest specimen: “as long as a palm and as big as a man’s arm”. The monarch of Siam would have a species capable of illuminating the entire room where it is located. More or less at the same time, in the 13th century in Baghdad, the Caliph Mostanser Billan of the Abbasid dynasty was forced to cede his treasures to the victorious Turks. Among other wonders, we can see a golden peacock with plumage enriched with precious stones and scarlet eyes or a rooster with a crested crest.

FROM THE 16TH CENTURY

At this time, the diamond begins to dethrone the stone of the monarchs. We no longer lend him so many fantastic powers, and he gradually loses his charm. Doctors and philosophers no longer believe in stories about dragons and chimeras, and scientific discoveries are overthrowing ancient superstitions. However, exploration trips leave a place of choice for this stone, in the face of the magnificence of the oriental monarchs and their finery. Explorers bring back impressive discoveries and the stone retains a leading status in jewellery. Perfection is found in the bloody and deep glow of the precious, without imperfection within it.

FROM THE 19TH CENTURY

Around 1800, the progress made in gemmology made it possible to classify the ruby ​​among the corundums, in the same way as other precious stones.

In 1852, the English decided to annex part of Burma which included the territory of Pégu, known for its magnificence. The West then imagines itself facing a period of abundance and easy-to-negotiate gems. The illusion is short-lived, as tigers, snakes and other dangers in these hard-to-reach areas prevent intensive exploitation.

From 1886, two French chemists decided to collaborate to create a synthetic specimen. Edmond Frémy is the first to develop a cabochon that can be used in watchmaking. Auguste Verneuil then developed a method which consisted in fusing powdered alumina in the flame of an oxyhydrogen torch. The rubicond colour is obtained by adding chromium oxide. In 1904, the “Verneuil process” became operational.

The Greeks and Romans already mentioned the ruby ​​from Sri Lanka in 480 BC. J-Ch. However, the most “classic” origin is in Myanmar, in the Mogok valley. Now exhausted, this source is the source of some of the most beautiful “Pigeon Blood” in the world, with exceptional colouring and transparency. Today, they are mined in the northeast, in Mong Hsu. This country is so closely linked to mining that the monarchs of Burma were known as the “Lords of the Jewels”.

Other deposits are also found in Afghanistan, China, India, Cambodia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam. Known as the “Ratnajar”, it is the birthstone for the month of July, which embodies passion, love and romance. Since time immemorial, it has also been associated with many myths: the ancient Indians saw in it an eternal inner fire, capable of granting longevity.

SCARCITY

It is one of the rarest and most expensive paragons. Scarlets in particular are extremely difficult to find. When they are in addition to a beautiful clarity, they are sometimes endowed with the designation of “AAA”. Being referred to as dichroic (it contains two colourways, e.g. purple and orange) even the finest varieties contain only about 80% pure scarlet and display as a secondary colour orange, pink, purple or red. purple.

The complete lack of inclusion is extremely rare: just like in Alexandrite and Emerald, chromium is responsible for a variety of small defects. Paradoxically, microscopic inclusions of titanium (also called “bristles”) can sometimes improve the play of light inside, and increase its beauty and value.

QUALITY FACTORS OF A RUBY

The price of a ruby ​​stone is estimated based on its size and skin tone. It is the latter that will often increase or decrease the price per carat. A magnificent paragon of a beautiful pure red can be invaluable. When the colour becomes orange or purplish, the quality is considered lower, and the price will drop accordingly. This is the reason why we find jewellery at very different prices, depending on their size.

ORIGIN AND COMPOSITION OF RUBY ​​STONE

Its label comes from the Latin “Ruber”, which is the etymological root of “Rouge”. Before the development of scientific gemology in the 18th century, many reddish gems were misidentified. Also known as “Anthrax” (“Burning Charcoal”) among the ancient Greeks, these cabochons were a beautiful, intense and deep scarlet, reminiscent of hot charcoal, when viewed against an intense light source.

It is a variety of corundum from the group of oxides, and is composed of aluminium oxide and oxygen. It has a slightly transparent, even translucent, aspect and a pyramidal shape. It is insoluble when soaked in acid, is also the hardest mineral after diamond. A large paragon is extremely rare. Rather, it is found in small crystals, as chromium hinders its growth. As a general rule, we tend to consider that a beautiful ruby ​​is much rarer than a diamond.

THE COLORS

In general, coloured corundums are sapphires. We can find blue, yellow, purple, green or pink. He who is incarnadine is referred to by the specific name of ruby. Its structure is not exactly the same: the aluminium is replaced by tiny traces of chromium (on average 1/1000) which define the intensity of the colouring. Sometimes traces of iron can be found in the mineral.

It is often the nuances of hues that determine the estimate of the gems. In the past, the lightest gemstones were discarded because they were considered “not ripe enough” . The most sought-after skin tone is a deep crimson tinted with a hint of blue. This colour is called “pigeon blood” . Inclusions are not very appreciated, but it is possible to attenuate or remove them with certain treatments.

VIRTUES AND PROPERTIES OF RUBY ​​STONE

We find a mention of lithotherapy from the 16th century thanks to Jean de Renou, doctor of Henri II, III and IV, and great follower of this branch. He indicates in one of his medical works that “ruby is greatly cordial (tonic) and what is more, powerfully resists all rots and poison” . Today, essences are still credited with reviving and disinfecting virtues. Stone of life, it gives courage and loyalty. It symbolizes happiness and blazing fire. It is associated, as a priority, with the 4th chakra, the heart chakra.

PSYCHOLOGICAL VIRTUES AND PROPERTIES OF RUBY ​​STONE

1. Brings joy to life and enthusiasm
2. Develops self-confidence and perseverance
3. Promotes prosperity
4. Regulates hyperactivity
5. Stimulates creativity
6. Increase all passions
7. Preserves jealousy and promotes wisdom
8. Strengthens willpower, courage
9. Keeps away nightmares and promotes positive dreams

THE VIRTUES AND PROPERTIES OF THE RUBY ​​STONE ON THE PHYSICAL LEVEL

1. Protects the heart and circulatory system
2. Stimulates the functioning of the kidneys and adrenal glands
3. Helps regulate cholesterol
4. Restores tone and vitality
5. Promotes longevity
6. Improves visual acuity
7. Relieves tension and cramps, painful periods
8. Treats increased body temperature
9. Promotes sexual activity
10. Protects against seasickness