Ruby Sapphire: Shining Star

Author: Li Jianping
Editor-in-Chief: Sheng Rong et al.
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-01-01
Features:
Content Summary
This book is a popular science reading material on gemstones written for the general public. It includes dozens of exquisite color illustrations at the beginning for appreciation. The book addresses issues that general readers are most concerned about, such as how to distinguish between high-quality and low-quality, real and fake rubies and sapphires. It guides women in selecting and wearing suitable gemstone jewelry based on their face shape, skin tone, body type, hairstyle, and clothing. It vividly narrates the legends and cultural connotations of rubies and sapphires, and introduces the current market dynamics and commercial information of rubies and sapphires. It is suitable for gemstone enthusiasts to read.
Excerpt:
Chapter Ruby and Sapphire
I. Legends of Ruby and Sapphire
The word "ruby" originates from the Latin "ruber," meaning red. People often use many beautiful adjectives to describe the magnificence and nobility of rubies. In Sanskrit (an ancient Indian language), rubies have many names, such as "ratnaraj" (king of gems), "ratnanayaka" (crown of gems), and so on. All these names indicate that Indians valued this gem more than other ethnic groups. In an ancient book titled Lapidaie (Gemstones) written by Philip de Valois, it is mentioned: "This book tells us that the magnificent, clear, and noble ruby is the king of gems, the treasure among treasures, and its advantages surpass all other gems." Another ancient book, Lapidaire en Vers, considers rubies to be "the most precious of the 12 gems created by God when He created all things." Many fascinating stories and legends about rubies are filled with strange and charming colors and bold fantasies, some of which are deeply rooted in religious beliefs.
One legend holds that wearing ruby jewelry brings health, longevity, wisdom, love, family happiness, and wealth. Another legend claims that wearing a ruby ring on the left hand or a ruby brooch on the left side grants the power to turn enemies into friends and transform misfortune into good luck. The world's finest rubies come from the Mogok mining area in Myanmar, known for their bright, vivid red color. The ancient tales in One Thousand and One Nights describe the following: At night, from dozens of miles away, one could see a dazzling glow in the valley, which was the sparkle of rubies. People would throw chunks of raw meat into the valley to attract rubies, which would stick to the meat. When vultures were lured to peck at the meat and flew out of the valley, people would shoot the vultures to obtain the rubies. In Myanmar, people cherished rubies not only for their bright red color but also believed they possessed a magical power to protect people from harm. In the past, Burmese warriors would voluntarily make small cuts on their bodies and embed a ruby, believing this would make them invulnerable.
It is said that the ruby ring worn by French King John II was an amulet to ward off evil, but it did not save the king from his misfortunes. In a battle in 1356, he was captured. Several years later, the king was brought to England, and the ruby ring was returned to him, allowing him to see once again the priceless, beautiful gem that could not protect him. The belief that rubies could heal diseases has persisted to this day. Even in the last one or two centuries, many people still believed that rubies and other gemstones had medicinal properties. A 13th-century medical text written in Sanskrit by a Kashmiri physician mentions that rubies could treat excessive bile and stomach bloating. The famous "ruby potion" was extremely expensive, as it was brewed according to a secret recipe and was only affordable by the wealthy. This "ruby medicine" popular in the 13th century seems unbelievable today.