Macedonian Ruby: The Pink Beauty

Ruby is a pink to blood red gemstone, a variety of aluminum oxide. Its name comes from ruber, Latin for red. Ruby (Rubin in Serbian, Macedonian and some other languages) considered one of the four precious stones, is second only to diamond. Rubies have a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Among the natural gems only diamond is harder, with a Mohs 10.0 by definition. Value of rubies are primarily determined by color clarity: similar to diamonds, a clear stone will command a premium, but a ruby without any needle-like inclusions will indicate the stone has been treated one way or another.

Photo: a Macedonian Ruby cut by Skopje's Deco, and craftfully placed in magnificent filigree handcrafted by BK of Bip-Art
(photo courtesy of Bip-Art Skopje)

In the major works of Indian literature, a rich store of knowledge about gemstones has been handed down over a period of more than two thousand years. The term 'corundum', which we use today, is derived from the Sanskrit word 'kuruvinda'. The Sanskrit word for ruby is 'ratnaraj', which means something like 'king of the gemstones'. And it was a royal welcome indeed which used to be prepared for it. Whenever a particularly beautiful ruby crystal was found, the ruler sent high dignitaries out to meet the precious gemstone and welcome it in appropriate style.

Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum, one of the hardest minerals on Earth, only red corundum is entitled to be called ruby, all other colors being classified as sapphires. So it is no wonder that rubies with hardly any inclusions are so valuable that in good colors and larger sizes they achieve top prices at auctions, surpassing even those paid for diamonds in the same category. Ruby is the birthstone associated with July. Thus perfectly suitable as a present to people born in July. The color one spontaneously associate with love and vivacity, passion and love. The king of the gemstones, in the fascinating world of gemstones, the ruby is the undisputed ruler. Ruby is so fit to be a gift for lovers of pink color.

For thousands of years, the ruby has been considered one of the most valuable gemstones on Earth. It has everything a precious stone should have: magnificent color, excellent hardness and outstanding brilliance. In addition to that, it is an extremely rare gemstone. For centuries the South East Asia and India were regarded as the ruby's classical country of origin.

And yet a mine near Prilep in Macedonia yielded some nice pieces too, of which most beautifull one thankfully reached us.

Two magical elements are associated with the symbolism of this ruby's colour: fire and blood, implying warmth and life. So ruby-red is not just any old colour, no, it is absolutely undiluted, hot, passionate, powerful color. Like no other gemstone, the ruby is the perfect way to express powerful feelings. Instead of symbolising a calm, controlled affection, a ring set with a precious ruby bears witness to that passionate, unbridled love that people can feel for each other.

Photo: courtesy of Bip-Art Skopje

The color of this ruby is really most important feature. Its transparency is only of secondary importance. So inclusions do not impair the quality of a ruby unless they decrease the transparency of the stone or are located right in the center of its table. On the contrary: inclusions within a ruby could be said to be its 'fingerprint', a statement of its individuality and, at the same time, proof of its genuineness and natural origin. The cut is essential: only a perfect cut will underline the beauty of this valuable and precious stone in a way befitting the 'king of the gemstones'. And this one is beautifully cut by Skopje based Deco's workshop.

Photo: courtesy of Bip-Art Skopje

A really perfect ruby is as rare as perfect love. Nobody should dare to hope to find it. If you do come across it, you should feel fortunate. But when you have found 'your' ruby, don't hesitate: hang on to it! I did. Thankful to the craftiest pair of artisan hands in Macedonia (Bip-Art Skopje) we managed to preserve and house this specific Macedonian ruby (see pics), making possible for the loved one to ware and project it.