Ruby: 50 shades of red

Ruby is the red variety of corundum, and therefore belongs to the same family of stones as sapphire, which is found in all the other colours of the rainbow.

In the past, ruby was called "carbuncle", just like red spinel, pyrope garnet and almost all stones of the same colour. It was not until 1800 that this precious gem was included in the corundum group, and was given the name by which it is still known today. "Ruby" comes from the Latin word "rubeus", which means "reddish".

Contrary to what one might think, not all rubies from the same deposit have the same colour. Designations such as "Burmese ruby" or "Siam ruby" are often misleading because they actually refer to the colour of the gem rather than its geographical origin. On the other hand, what can give indications as to the origin of a stone are its inclusions. Above all, they can also provide the certainty that one is holding a natural ruby in one's hands, and not a synthetic stone from a laboratory. For it should be known that there are synthetic rubies of gem quality which have the same chemical, physical and optical properties as those of real corundum, and which have been widely marketed since the beginning of the 20th century .

A small anecdote that attests to the great "confusion" that has long reigned (and still reigns) around the ruby; the "Ruby of the Black Prince" set on the crown of England is actually a red spinel, and not a ruby as has long been believed. Over time, it turned out that many other royal fineries are actually set with spinels, not red corundum.

Rubies of several carats and gem quality are rare, very rare. Rarer than diamonds of the same weight. It is therefore a precious gem, very precious, that our creators have bet to reveal through refined, modern and accessible creations.

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