The ruby, a gemstone celebrated for its vibrant red hue, holds a prominent place in the world of jewelry and lore. Recognized as the birthstone for July, the ruby is deeply associated with passion, love, and courage. This article will delve into the characteristics of the ruby, its historical significance, common materials used in ruby jewelry, and guidance on its care and maintenance, based on available information.
History and Lore
The historical use of rubies is extensive, with the gemstone appearing in ancient cultures as a symbol of power and protection. While the provided sources do not detail specific ancient uses, they highlight the ruby’s enduring association with love and vitality. Modern interpretations continue to emphasize these themes, making it a popular choice for gifts representing deep affection. The ruby’s deep red color has long been linked to the life force, blood, and the heart, further solidifying its connection to passionate emotions.
Gemological Properties
The sources primarily identify the ruby as a gemstone, specifically noting its deep red hue. The La Côte Club necklace description details a ruby gemstone measuring .21" x .21" (5.3 mm x 5.3 mm). Beyond this, specific gemological properties such as hardness, chemical composition, or refractive index are not provided within the given materials. The sources do not offer details regarding clarity or cut beyond the context of a finished necklace.
Materials and Craftsmanship in Ruby Jewelry
The provided sources showcase rubies used in conjunction with various materials in jewelry making. La Côte Club utilizes sterling silver (.925) and 18k gold vermeil, a gold finish at least 2.5 microns thick over sterling silver, to create ruby necklaces. Birthstone Jewelry employs S925 sterling silver, 18K gold plated materials, 316L stainless steel, platinum-plated metals, and AAA+ Cubic Zirconia alongside rubies in their designs. Set and Stones uses 14k gold filled chains and tags, combined with 3mm bezel set Cubic Zirconia birthstones.
The craftsmanship described varies. La Côte Club emphasizes a handcrafted approach with branded stamping. Elksong Jewelry details a meticulous process for creating copper focal points, involving cutting, de-burring, annealing, stamping, doming, polishing, oxidizing, sanding, and re-polishing, all done by hand. This suggests a significant degree of artisanal skill in some ruby jewelry production.
Ruby as a Birthstone and Zodiac Association
The ruby is specifically identified as the birthstone for July. Elksong Jewelry connects the ruby (represented as a deep red garnet/January stone in their Capricorn necklace) to the zodiac sign of Capricorn, alongside other stones like obsidian, jet, turquoise, lapis, smoky quartz, onyx, hematite, black or dark green tourmaline, brown jasper, and lavastone. The Capricorn necklace features a swarovski crystal symbolizing the birthstone. The sources indicate that each zodiac necklace is made to order and unique, with the possibility of recreating a specific design upon request.
Purchasing and Quality Assurance
Birthstone Jewelry emphasizes quality control, stating that their products are verified by SGS, the world's largest and oldest product quality control and technical identification company. This certification aims to assure customers of the product's quality and adherence to EU environmental protection standards, ensuring hypoallergenic and nickel-free compositions.
Care and Cleaning
Proper care is essential to maintain the beauty of ruby jewelry. The sources provide several recommendations. La Côte Club advises removing jewelry before showering, swimming, or exercising, and avoiding contact with perfumes, lotions, hairspray, and cleaning products. They also recommend storing each piece individually in the provided pouch and cleaning regularly with a soft, dry cloth, using a polishing cloth to maintain shine while avoiding over-polishing for gold vermeil pieces. Birthstone Jewelry echoes these sentiments, recommending storing jewelry separately to prevent scratches, protecting it from sharp blows, and removing it before applying cosmetics or other substances. They also suggest polishing with a clean, soft, slightly damp cloth.
Ordering and Shipping Information
Birthstone Jewelry ships via Standard: Trackable Airline Package to the United States. Personalized Goldie Birthstone Necklaces may take up to 7 business days to ship, and personalized pieces are final sale. Standard shipping times for items in stock are 5-9 business days, with order confirmation providing a specific timeline. Birthstone Jewelry also ships worldwide.
Returns and Customer Service
Birthstone Jewelry offers a 90-day return policy for full credit consideration, provided the item is in original condition with original packaging and shows no signs of wear. They emphasize a commitment to responding to customer inquiries personally and promptly.
Payment Methods
Birthstone Jewelry accepts PayPal and Shopify Payment, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, Diners Club, Apple Pay, Elo, Google Pay, Facebook Pay, and Shop Pay. Payment is allocated at the time of purchase but does not occur until the item ships.
Conclusion
The ruby remains a captivating gemstone, steeped in history and symbolism. Its association with passion, courage, and love, combined with its vibrant red color, makes it a cherished birthstone and a popular choice for meaningful jewelry. The available information highlights the diverse materials used in crafting ruby jewelry, the importance of quality assurance, and the necessary steps to ensure its longevity through proper care and maintenance. The ruby’s enduring appeal ensures its continued prominence in the world of gemstones.