Red is the colour we have always associated with love and passion it is also by coincidence the colour of the ruby gemstone. Among all the gemstones in the world the ruby is considered royalty. The colour of the ruby symbolises love, warmth and life and it is a very popular choice for engagement rings. The ruby gemstone is also a firm favourite for anniversary presents.

For many thousands of years the ruby has been considered one of the most valuable gemstones on earth. This is mainly because of certain characteristics present in the stone. Chief among these has to be its vibrant and deep red colour, rarity and excellent grade of hardness. Rubies come from the same mineral as sapphires, the corundum,
which is one of the hardest minerals in the world. Corundum in its pure form is colourless. The red colour of corundum is called ruby and any other colour is classed as a sapphire.

Mankind has been aware of the relationship between sapphires and rubies since the nineteenth century, before that, garnets were also thought to be rubies. As with sapphires there are also star rubies. These unique gemstones when held to the light display a six point star in the centre of their cabochon. These fine gemstones are very rare and hence very valuable.

The word ruby comes from the Latin word, Rubens, which when translated means red. An engagement ring set with rubies really symbolises the passion and love that the couple feel for one another.