Uses of Ruby Stones

Rubies, a variety of corundum, are composed of aluminum oxide. Sapphires are another variety of corundum. Both sapphires and rubies can have rutile inclusions that produce an asterism in the stone so that when polished in a cabochon, a 6-ray star is seen. In 1902, Auguste Verneuil created a synthetic ruby crystal. He exposed powdered aluminum oxide and red coloring material to a blowtorch's flame. The largest gem quality rubies come from Myanmar.

Ruby Basics

Rubies may be cut and faceted. Popular cuts include the brilliant cut, step cut, mixed cut and cut and polished as a cabochon. Rubies may be found in many shades of red ranging from pinkish to purplish or brownish-red, dependent on the content of chromium and iron impurities. Impurities give gemstones their color. While rubies are liable to fracture, due to twinning of the crystals, they are a tough mineral, second only to diamonds in hardness. Only transparent rubies possess any real value as a gemstone.

Industry Uses of Rubies

The unattractive varieties of corundum (including rubies of poor quality) are used as abrasives because of their hardness. Because the Verneuil process has made manufacturing synthetic corundum so easy, synthetic corundum has replaced natural corundum in mechanical precision engineering uses. This includes the use of rubies for watches and other instruments. Good quality rubies are mainly valued for their use in jewelry.

Rubies and its Associations

Rubies are commonly used as the birthstone for July. Some sources also list rubies as symbolic of the zodiac sign Aries, while others list it as belonging with Capricorn. As a July birthstone, however, rubies would be associated with either Cancer or Leo. Rubies are also associated with a 40th wedding anniversary.

Healing Uses of Rubies

In centuries past, rubies have been thought to preserve the bodily and mental health of the wearer. Rubies were thought to defend against fear, to heal liver complaints, balance mental health, fight off pestilence and plagues and even cure sexual disorders. Rubies have been used to banish sadness and dispel nightmares. As was commonly believed of all red stones, rubies were used by physicians to staunch blood flow and cure inflammatory diseases.

Magical Uses of Rubies

The ruby is also known by the folk term carbuncle. By those practicing crystal magic, rubies are believed to possess projective energy and their red color makes them of the fire element. Rubies are associated with the deities Buddha and Krishna. The gemstone's powers can provide wealth, protection, power and joy and are good for keeping nightmares at bay. Rubies have long been used as wealth-increasing stones and they were considered especially effective if engraved with a dragon or snake. Star rubies (those with an asterism) are considered particularly potent.

References

• The Gemstone Ruby
• Gemstones & Gemology