Ruby Beads

Rubies have long been associated with royalty, not to mention the rich and famous. A ruby and diamond ring, a gift to Elizabeth Taylor from her husband Richard Burton in 1968, was sold in 2011 for over $4 million! Rubies alongside diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires, are the most highly prized and precious of all gemstones. The name Ruby derives from the Latin word “ruber”, meaning red. The largest deposits of ruby are located in Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. Other major producers of this gemstone include Cambodia, Kenya, Madagascar, and Vietnam.

Ruby is the red and red-pink variety of the mineral corundum. The red color comes from traces of chromium. All other colors of corundum are referred to as sapphires. With the exception of diamond and moissanite, no other mineral is harder than ruby.

Rubies are the birthstone for July and often a 40th anniversary gift. Rubies are considered stones of protection, and have been utilized as talismans for thousands of years. They are also associated with gaining power and wealth.