![\"gold](\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/64352528_2_x-1024x852.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
18kt yellow gold necklace, set with approximately 7 ctw of white diamonds and 4.5 ctw of natural, heart-shaped Thai\u00a0rubies<\/a>, like the one shown here.\u00a0Photo<\/a>\u00a0courtesy of\u00a0liveauctioneers.com<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Greenwich Auction<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When worn as a talisman, ruby\u2019s mystical properties extended to personal protection. People believed wearing the stone on the left, the heart side would allow the bearers to live peacefully. None could take their land or rank. The blood-colored stone would preserve them from all perils, even their homes from storms.<\/p>\n Cross of the grand-collar of the Bavarian Order of Saint George, gold, rubies, and diamonds, on display at the\u00a0Bavarian Palace Department<\/a>, Munich, Germany.\u00a0Photo<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0Jebulon<\/a>. Public Domain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Ruby\u2019s blood-like color no doubt encouraged strong associations with this life-sustaining fluid. Those who risked their lives were believed to have a special connection to the gem. The ancient Burmese prized the ruby as the stone of soldiers. They believed it bestowed invulnerability. However, wearing it on the left wasn\u2019t enough. Only those who had rubies physically inserted into their flesh would gain this benefit. They believed they were safe from wounds from spears, swords, or guns.<\/p>\n In Indian archery, archers wore rings to protect their thumbs. However, this\u00a0archer\u2019s ring<\/a>, made from\u00a0jade<\/a>\u00a0with inlays of gold, rubies, and\u00a0emeralds<\/a>, may have functioned more as a costume accessory or status symbol. India, 17th-18th century, 4.4 x 3.2 cm, 28.3 g. Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935.\u00a0Metropolitan Museum of Art<\/a>, New York. Public Domain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Other sources claimed rubies and other red stones could remedy bleeding and inflammation as well as increase the body\u2019s warmth. (In fact, you\u2019ll find that the folklore surrounding another famously red gem,\u00a0garnet<\/a>, has many similarities with ruby symbolism and lore. Before the development of scientific classifications of\u00a0gem species<\/a>, many people considered all red gemstones to be the same type of stone).<\/p>\n Historically, blood-red\u00a0cabochons<\/a>\u00a0were called \u201ccarbuncles\u201d and encompassed gems gemologists would now distinguish as rubies,\u00a0garnets<\/a>,\u00a0spinels<\/a>, etc. Now, these gems broadly share carbuncle folklore. This 14kt gold ring features a ruby \u201ccarbuncle.\u201d\u00a0Photo<\/a>\u00a0courtesy of\u00a0liveauctioneers.com<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Quinn\u2019s Auction Galleries<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Ruby\u2019s inner glow seems to hint that perhaps it contains an inner fire. This visual effect may have inspired some curious bits of lore. A ruby placed in water could bring it to a boil. If hidden in wrapping, the gem could shine through and reveal its presence.<\/p>\n Stories are told of rubies that emit their own light. One was even described as \u201cshining like a torch.\u201d<\/p>\n All rubies fluoresce under ultraviolet light<\/a>, and some rubies have such strong\u00a0fluorescence<\/a> that they even seem to glow in the sunlight. This property may have inspired ruby symbolism related to inner light and fire.\u00a0Ruby crystal<\/a>, 2.0 x 1.3 x 1.3 cm, Mogok, Sagaing District, Mandalay Division, Myanmar. \u00a9 Rob Lavinsky,\u00a0www.iRocks.com<\/a>. Used with permission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n All varieties of rubies were thought to hold similar properties. In addition to their protective powers, they reputedly helped control evil thoughts, dispel anger, and resolve disputes. However, darker rubies were considered \u201cmale\u201d and lighter gems \u201cfemale.\u201d<\/p>\n When people in the Middle Ages encountered gems with carved images, they believed such stones occurred naturally. Although these pieces were carved in ancient times, they didn\u2019t think humans worked them. They believed such gems possessed special powers. For example, in the 13th<\/sup>-century work,\u00a0The Book of Wings<\/i><\/a>, Ragiel writes:<\/p>\n The beautiful and terrible figure of a dragon. If this is found on a ruby or any other stone of similar nature and virtue, it has the power to augment the goods of this world and makes the wearer joyous and healthy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n In the past, some believed spirits inhabited rare and beautiful gems. The concept of gems as sentient beings in their own right may seem unusual. However, the belief that jewelry has \u201cfeelings\u201d isn\u2019t dissimilar. The mineralogist\u00a0George Kunz<\/a>\u00a0notes this in the writings of\u00a0Mme. Catulle Mendes<\/a>, when she tells of wearing so many rings because her gems feel slighted if she does not wear them.<\/p>\n I have a ruby which grows dull, two\u00a0turquoises<\/a>\u00a0which become pale as death,\u00a0aquamarines<\/a>\u00a0which look like siren\u2019s eyes filled with tears, when I forget them too long. How sad I should feel if precious stones did not love to rest upon me!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cYang,\u201d 14kt white gold ring, with ruby and diamonds.\u00a0Photo<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0Mark Somma<\/a>. Licensed under\u00a0CC By 2.0<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Hindus regard the ruby, known as \u201cthe king of precious stones,\u201d as more valuable than any other gem. The\u00a0Mani Mala<\/i><\/a>\u00a0describes the Kalpa Tree, a symbolic offering to the Hindu gods, as composed entirely of precious stones. Made of\u00a0sapphires<\/a>,\u00a0diamonds<\/a>,\u00a0topazes<\/a>, emeralds, and other gems, this magnificent tree would bear rubies as fruit.<\/p>\n One of the ceremonial offerings Hindus leave at various temples consists of gems and jewelry. Regarding those who gift rubies, the\u00a0Harita Smriti<\/i><\/a>\u00a0says: \u201cHe who worships Krishna with rubies will be reborn as a powerful emperor. If with a small ruby, he will be born a king.\u201d<\/p>\n An 8th<\/sup>-century Arabic book on dreams by Achametis discusses the significance of dreams of rubies. If a king dreams of a crown set with red jewels such as rubies, this indicates he\u2019ll have great joy and fortune. His enemies would fear him even more. Other sources tell that dreams of rubies indicate success in business. For tillers of the soil, the dreams mean a good harvest.<\/p>\n Crown-shaped 18kt yellow gold ring with\u00a0pav\u00e9-set<\/a>\u00a0diamonds and a cabbed ruby.\u00a0Photo<\/a>\u00a0courtesy of\u00a0liveauctioneers.com<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Sheppard\u2019s Irish Auction House<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n With such a long and varied history, no wonder the ruby has acquired such a mystique. We all want our things to be the very best. Of course, ruby owners have a vested interest in their possessions, but the ruby has the reputation and beauty to back such claims. So, if you want a gem to increase your wealth, impress your rivals, and protect you from harm, the legends point to ruby.<\/p>\n Some rubies may display a\u00a0star stone<\/a>\u00a0effect, like this 8.4-ct gem from Myanmar. Photo \u00a9\u00a0Joel E. Arem<\/a>, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Source: https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/article\/history-legend-rubies-gems-yore\/<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Many cultures have long considered ruby\u00a0a stone of kings. Not surprisingly, ruby symbolism and lore have many associations with power and wealth. Possessing a ruby purportedly benefited and protected the owner\u2019s estates and assisted in the accumulation of wealth. Notably, this gem would help its owner acquire more gems. 18kt yellow gold necklace, set with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10817,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10815","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-and-trivia"],"yoast_head":"\nA Stone of Protection<\/h3>\n
![\"Cross](\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Pendentif_Ordre_Saint_Georges_Schatzkammer_Munich.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRuby Symbolism and Blood<\/h3>\n
![\"archer's](\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/DP347130-1024x798.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"carbuncle](\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/27542877_1_x-1024x746.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Inner Light of Rubies<\/h3>\n
![\"ruby](\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/JWL15B14d-Corundum-var-Ruby-DT-Myanmar-Burma-Thumbnail-1024x1008.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLiving Rubies<\/h3>\n
![\"ruby](\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/482235618_4f40917671_z.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRuby Symbolism and the Kalpa Tree<\/h3>\n
Dreams and Ruby Symbolism<\/h3>\n
![\"crown-shaped](\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/47818495_1_x-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA Stone for Success<\/h3>\n
![\"ruby](\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/STAR-RUBY-BURMA-8.4-cts-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![Photo<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0](\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pendentif_Ordre_Saint_Georges_Schatzkammer_Munich.jpg\"){kind=link}