ORE FEATURES
A biweekly publication of Ozark Rock Exchange
VOL 2: Issue 15, May 19, 2001
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Main: >> Start Page >> ORE Features Archives >> 2001 >> Ruby | |
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ORE'S FEATURED GEMSTONE: Ruby by Stephanie Pflumm An ancient civilization, the Sinhalese, named the Ruby, Ratnaraj, The King Of Gems. Crowns and scepters across medieval courts were adorned with legendary Ruby crystals. In the bible, Job proclaims that " . . . the value of wisdom is more precious than Rubies . . .". Even today, this member of the corundum mineral family, is up to ten times more valuable than a Diamond of equal carat and clarity. A perfectly translucent Ruby is rare. Stones larger than five carats and of perfect clarity are extremely rare and can fetch a quarter of a million dollars per carat at auction. Corundums are aluminum oxide silicates that are colored by chromium, iron and/or titanium. A perfect corundum crystal is clear. Crystals that are pinkish red to plum get their color from chromium and are classified as Ruby. All others (pinks, blues, greens etc.) are cataloged as Sapphire. Gem wholesalers get into some very lively debates on where to cut-off the pinks and purples, as everyone wants their stones to be designated as Ruby. The oldest known mines are in former Burma (Myanmar). Primitive mining tools dating back to the Stone Age have been unearthed around the mines. Early mining techniques were tedious. A man would be lowered on a rope into a pit to scoop the gravel from the bottom, sending the full buckets back to the top. After several hours of scooping, you would then pick through the gravel to sort out the Ruby and Sapphire crystals. In some rural regions, this method of mining is still used. Another technique involved a legendary bottomless valley, rich with Ruby gems. The Burmese would throw raw meat into the valley, hoping the circling vultures would pick up Rubies as they ate the meat. Ascending birds would then be killed and gutted to retrieve the treasure. The legend did not indicate how successful this method was. For centuries the Burmese kings kept tight controls over the mining of Rubies. You could only mine with a license, issued by the king and after paying an upfront tax. Any specimen that you found valued over 1,000 rupees had to be turned into the king's treasury. In spite of these measures, large specimens still found their way into other markets. Myanmar Rubies commonly have golden Rutile inclusions (like Rutilated Quartz). Just the right combination of needles and they create a star effect when light bounces off the Ruby. Too many and it discolors and devalues the gemstone. Because the majority of Rubies have some flaw, fissure or inclusion, they are often heat treated to increase their value. Flat colors can be enhanced, fissures are filled with a glass-like substance and the unwanted Rutile needles will melt away without harming the Ruby. Synthetic Ruby stones are quite common and very difficult to tell from natural stones. Only a trained eye can detect the differences in crystalline structures, all other elements are identical. When purchasing jewelry set with Rubies, be sure to ask if they have been heat treated or are lab grown. Burmese Ruby are the most celebrated and sought after in the world, but beautiful crystals have been found elsewhere. Some of the mines in India and Sri Lanka are almost as old as the Burma mines. Amazingly, new deposits of Ruby are still being found. In 1992 a brand new deposit of Ruby was discovered in North Vietnam. Some of the specimens so closely resemble the Burmese crystals that some scientists believe the crystals were formed by the same geological event. It was at least 100 million years ago, during the Upper Carboniferous Age, when a huge mass of molten magma assaulted an ancient limestone bed during the mountain building process. The resulting "thermo-metamorphism" caused the calcium carbonate in the Limestone to re-crystallize as Calcite, while the left over aluminum and silicates crystallized into Rubies and Sapphires, often in a Marble matrix. Perfect trigonal Ruby crystals are found embedded in this Marble. The Patkoi Mountain range in this area is almost completely made of up these thermo-morphed stones. Corundum of varying quality has been found in Australia, Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States. Some specimens mined in North Carolina, though small in size, rival the Burmese crystals in clarity and color. The Ruby has enjoyed a regal position in myth and lore for thousands of years. It has long been a favorite talisman among royalty. Catherine of Aragon wore a infamous Ruby, that turned dark and dull the day before Henry the Eighth announced he was divorcing her. The English coronation ring for male heirs has a large tablet-cut Ruby with St. George's cross engraved on it. King Henry the Fifth wore what he believed to be a Ruby, the Black Prince Ruby in his helmet as he fought the French at Agincourt in 1415. Later, it was discovered that the gem was a Spinel, though it now is set in the Imperial State Crown in London. Engraved Rubies were very popular for attracting wealth and enhancing magical energies. Dragons and snakes were favored figures. A Ruby was considered one of the more important gifts to honor Buddha and Krishna with. The Hindu believed that the crystal's red glow came from an internal flame that no human could extinguish. It certainly is a wonderful gemstone for bringing fire into your life. If you like to live your life intensely, but find it hard to keep focus, a Ruby can help bring clarity and wisdom. Instead of flitting from idea to idea, this crystal can help you choose the most productive paths. Then fire your passions and keep you motivated. You'll also be stronger at resisting self-destructive patterns that have crippled you in the past. Ruby provides a powerful shield against harmful intentions. If you are caught up in a legal dispute or personal conflict, this gem can aid you in manifesting a correct outcome. The stone can protect you from psychic or physical attack. One tradition suggests a Ruby Blessing to protect your garden from violent Spring storms. Blessing the four corners of your garden with a Ruby should prevent damage from wind, heavy rain, hail and blowing debris. Meditation with a Ruby will activate your base Chakra, sending a rejuvenating energy through all your Chakra. Use this crystal's fire to light your way through your darkest fears. Sleeping with a Ruby will help with lucid dreaming, allowing your conscious mind to interact with your subconscious. Together, you can confront your demons and uncover the means to defeat them. On the other hand, dreaming of Rubies, may be a sign of coming opportunity or money. The oldest healing uses for Ruby are cleansing the blood of toxins and protection from the plague. It was also said to prevent starvation. Ruby may be beneficial in stimulating the adrenal gland, improving circulation and fighting internal infections. It can also help promote the healthy growth of an embryo. Pictures of Ruby --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL: FREE Ruby! -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SKY NOTES --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- MOTIVATIONAL STONES --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- STONE POWER Volume 1 Now Available: FREE GEMSTONE --+--+--+-- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR: --+--+--+-- MOBILE ORE STORE Schedule If you have a special announcement for the next issue of ORE FEATURES, please send it to stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com for consideration. |
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