RUBIES...The King of Gems

Thought to inspire loyalty, confidence , courage and love to the possessor, the Ruby is July's birthstone. As well as the traditional gift for the 15th and 40th anniversaries.

Rubies are one of the 12 precious stones created by God when He created Mankind. Ancient Indian lore says that Rubies were actually created first, and Man second so we could possess them.

In Burma, where the best quality rubies are found, legend has it that this most favorite of gems can produce invulnerability but only if it becomes one with the owner-by being inserted into the skin.

Sanskrit legend has it that Rubies are a talisman against evil. Growing darker when peril is imminent, and returning to normal once the danger has past. So long as you are the rightful owner. Another legend staets that water would boil instantly if a Ruby were thrown into a pot of water.

When shopping for Rubies you should look for clear stones with few inclusions-know that rarely will you find one without inclusions. Color should be a deep fine red with very little purple tones.

You will find different qualities,and colors of stones from different origins-the best being from Burma.

From the beginning, Ruby mining dates back to 2500 BC, til the early 1800's all red gemstones were considered "Ruby". Many famous "Rubies", including British Crown Jewels, throughout history are actually Red Spinel or Garnet.

The 170ct Black Prince's Ruby set in the English Royal Crown is a Spinel.

The Timur Ruby at 352ct is also a Spinel.

I have been asked this question a couple of times now...

What is .925 silver and .999 silver?

Simple answer. .925 silver is sterling silver and .999 silver is fine-or almost pure-silver.

.925, or sterling-silver is 92.5 % silver and 7.5% another metal, usually copper to increase its strength. Sterling silver has been in existence for many, many, many years dating back to the 12th century.

Originally in Easterling, Germany this grade of sterling was used as a standard of currency. As commerce between England and Germany increased, the English discovered "Easterling" silver to be consistent in its quality and hardness. King Henry II then adopted easterling silver as their standard of currency and simply calling it "sterling".

It is no longer in circulation as currency; however continues be be respected for its durability and purity. Today it is still used for everything from flatware to jewlery-of course.

.999 fine silver-99.9% pure silver-is typically too soft for larger functional pieces. I like to use the .999 silver because it is a little more malleable and responds much better to heating than does sterling silver, which turns black upon heating,

Silver has been used for a variety of purposes. Because of its purity, during the Hellenistic period of Greece, around 300BC, silver was used for surgical instruments. Also, traditionally an antidote to illnesses and used to repel vampires-ironically silver bullets are an invention of the movies and the 1940's.

Today because of its high conductivity of heat and electricity, silver still has many industrial uses. But i most concerned with its uses in jewelry.

June's Birthstone is the "Queen of Gems"-the pearl

Pearls today are an affordable adornment for most women-and even some men. But it has not always been this way. Back in ancient times, only royalty was able to afford the pearl. Rumor has it that Cleopatra wagered Marc Antony to see who could throw the most expensive dinner party. Cleopatra took one of her pearl earring and ground it into a powder only to dissolve it in a goblet of wine and drank it down. Marc Antony was forced to admit defeat-the pearl was supposedly valued at 60 million sesterces-the equivalent of 1.87 million oz of fine silver. You do the math and realize why Marc Antony HAD to admit defeat.

We can thank Mikimoto, amongst others, for helping to make cultured pearls available to all. In 1896 he received his fist of many patents in Japan reagrding the creation of pearls using "artificial semination"-the placing of an irritant in the lining of the oyster stimulating the production of nacre. This nacre layers and layers upon the irritant to create something truly remarkable...A pearl, full of luster and beauty.

Going back a few more years. Pearls were thought to originate from the brains of fighting dragons in ancient China. Or from moonlit dewdrops being swallowed by oysters as they were lured to the surface by the moon in Arab legend. Or they are the hardened tears of the Goddess of Love as she was born of the sea. All of these are just as amazing as the scientific way pearls are formed in Nature.

Regardless of what you think is the origination of the first pearls, there is no denying their beauty.

Traditionally they have been a symbol of purity and truth. They are historically given as gifts to brides in order to bless the marriages. Or as the gemstone gift on the 3rd and 30th anniversary.