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Ruby stone meaning and properties

Ruby means fire in the traditions: a glowing red associated with tenderness and self-assurance.

  • Fire
  • Love
  • Confidence
The essentials

Ruby at a glance

For you, a red ember kept in view that can remind you of what drives you and that you are allowed to show it.

A question to ask yourself

Which lively wish do you too often set aside?

Something to watch

A sudden change in temperature can crack it: no direct heat source.

Color
red
Associated intentions
love, confidence
Birthstone
July (1912 list)
Type
mineral
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What it evokes

Modern crystal guides link ruby to tenderness and self-assurance: its deep red evokes the heart, the flame, the drive you want to keep alive.

This reading extends old images. Kunz reports that, for the ancient lapidaries, an inextinguishable fire burned inside the stone and could be seen through cloth, and that Sanskrit calls it “king of precious stones.” In the 14th century, the treatise attributed to Mandeville credited it with giving its wearer peace with everyone, especially when worn on the left side.

Today it is chosen as a support: a red to wear or to place in view as a reminder of a wish to dare.

The traditions

  1. India, Sanskrit tradition

    Kunz notes that Sanskrit names ruby with terms that express its worth: ratnaraj, “king of precious stones,” and ratnanāyaka, “chief of precious stones.” Hindu lapidaries sorted it into four castes, like diamonds: the true Oriental ruby was a Brahmin, while the spinel belonged to a lower caste.

    Kunz, 1913, “Ruby” entry in the Curious Lore
  2. Middle Ages

    Kunz cites the Lapidary of Philip of Valois, which calls ruby “lord of stones.” The treatise attributed to Mandeville, in the 14th century, says it lets its wearer live at peace with everyone, especially set in a ring, bracelet, or brooch on the left side. An older belief held that its fire shows through cloth.

    Kunz, “Ruby” article (Lapidary of Philip of Valois; treatise attributed to Mandeville), 1913
  3. Rome, 1st century

    Pliny ranks the carbuncle first among the fire stones: it takes its name from its resemblance to fire and is said not to feel the flame. He distinguishes “male” stones, of a livelier brilliance, from “female” ones. The modern ruby is only one possible identification of the carbuncle: the match should be taken with caution.

    Pliny the Elder, Natural History, XXXVII, 25 (Littré’s French translation)

A gestureAs a ring or pendant, or placed in view on a desk, to remind you of a wish not to let die out.

No stone has a proven effect on health: if you have a health concern, see a health professional.

Its profile

Type
Red corundum (chromium)
Family
Mineral
Composition
Al2O3
Mohs hardness
9 out of 10
Crystal system
trigonal
Colors
red
Common treatments
heating (very common) ; glass filling
Common imitations
synthetic ruby (since 1902) ; grenat ; verre

Caring for it without damaging it

  • WaterYesA quick rinse in warm soapy water, then drying, does not damage it.
  • SaltYesMohs hardness 9: harder than salt (2.5), it can handle brief contact; rinse afterward.
  • SunYesNo known fading in daylight.
  • HeatAvoidA sudden change in temperature can crack it: no direct heat source.
  • Scratches and knocksResistantMohs hardness 9: it resists everyday scratches, but not sharp knocks.

Cleansing and charging without damage
Cleansing a crystal: the reported methods
Charging a crystal: moon, flower of life

Nuances and sources

Modern books link it to the root chakra or to the heart chakra, and to varying zodiac signs: readings with no ancient source, which differ from one book to the next. Red spinel and garnet were often mistaken for it, as the Hindu hierarchy cited by Kunz reflects.

Ruby: your questions

How can you tell a real ruby?

A very clean ruby with a flawless red should raise suspicion: synthetics have existed since 1902, and heating and glass filling are widespread practices. Garnet and red glass are also sold in its place. Ask for the process to be disclosed and, for a valuable piece, for a laboratory certificate.

Is ruby very hard?

Yes: at 9 on the Mohs scale, only diamond is harder, and it stands up well to everyday scratches. Still, avoid intense heat, all the more if the stone has had glass filling in its fissures. A soft cloth dampened with lukewarm water is enough to clean it.

What is the difference between ruby and sapphire?

None in composition: both are corundum. It is called ruby when it is red, colored by chromium, and sapphire for the other colors, blue above all. In modern crystal guides, however, one is associated with tenderness and self-assurance, the other with sustained attention and security.

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