The Ruby
Corundum red, pink, pink-violet and gemstones with Zoïsite /Anyolite, Fuchsite, Sapphire or Quartz

Ruby is a stone of transformation in lithotherapy; as such, its properties are stimulating and revitalizing. Its energy conveys an incandescent meaning present in many traditions around the world.

The mythical origins of the symbol

Since the dawn of time, the ruby has been regarded as the stone of emperors, conquerors and kings - and this should also be seen as a metaphor for the spirit that masters its inner fire. It thus symbolizes power, wealth and protection.

In India, the Ruby symbolizes the sacred fire, the Kundalini energy coiled at the base of the spine, as well as the fire of purification. In ancient times, rubies were offered to the gods to guarantee one's rebirth as a king.

Burmese warriors believed that inserting rubies under their skin would make them invincible in battle. In medieval Europe, rubies were worn to ensure health, wealth and success in love. Associated with passion, the stone was the symbol of Christ's blood.

The virtues of transformation in lithotherapy

In lithotherapy, ruby is renowned for its mental energy. It protects against fatigue and stress. It stimulates, revitalizes and gives courage. Its fire-related virtues vitalize passionate love and give the power to undertake any conquest, that of one's inner fire and balance in the face of the mysteries of the world.

What are its benefits?

Ruby stimulates your fire, your vital and sexual energy, and is a stone of courage, strength and power.
Whether you're feeling depressed, empty, unfulfilled, or feel that your projects are stagnating and nothing is moving forward, its path will give you a new lease on life. To keep going, to help you improve or shape your performances, to persevere and work towards their realization and success.

Ruby brings "courage to the heart", and whatever the sphere (love, work, family, sport, leisure...); with this fine stone as your ally, you can take action with enthusiasm, overcoming difficulties and fears that may arise. It's ideal for shy people and those who find a thousand excuses not to take action when they should.

Stimulating the 1st chakra and the spirit of competition and conquest, Ruby encourages you to act in accordance with your own desires and needs. It is therefore unsuitable for people who are materialistic, impulsive, authoritarian, excessive and angry, as it may amplify them.
As a stone of passion, it links sexual energy to that of the heart and can be very useful for rekindling the energy of passion in love relationships, or for daring to declare your love for the one you love.

Zoïzite Ruby and Fuchsite Ruby

When it comes to sadness in love, or imbalance of the heart, Zoïsite Ruby brings additional balancing properties. Originally, this fine stone symbolized for the Maasai the harmony between the plant world and human vitality. In other words, it grants the energies of passion to overcome setbacks. Like all Rubies, this stone will nurture the evolution of the spirit to grow as a person and live up to the imperatives of the moment.

Fuchsite Ruby calms communication where troubled emotions are expressed. This stone calms fear or anger. By freeing us from the weight of the past and encouraging balance and self-confidence, it promotes greater understanding of others.

The physical virtues of Ruby

In lithotherapy, it can be of great help in infectious diseases, to stimulate blood circulation and can help support the heart in cases of hypotension or cardiac weakness. It relieves menstrual pain and cramps.

Ruby mineralogy

The reddish, deep pink, raspberry or purplish color of ruby - which is a variety of corundum - comes from the aluminum oxide and traces of chromium it contains.

It forms mainly in marble and gneiss or basalt, i.e. in metamorphic or igneous rocks.

Only corundum naturally colored with chromium can be officially named Ruby; all other corundum naturally colored with other substances belongs to the Sapphire family.

When gem-quality (transparency and vivid color), they fall into the category of precious stones, along with diamonds, sapphires and emeralds.
The most expensive and sought-after rubies are "pigeon's blood" rubies, with their bright red hue.
The Star Ruby is a ruby with rutile inclusions naturally positioned to appear as a star.

Ruby is one of the hardest minerals: 9 on the Mohs scale, just behind diamond, which has a hardness of 10.

It is mainly found in Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Mozambique.

Ruby counterfeits
Often heated to intensify its color, the ruby has its share of imitations in synthetic stones, glass or techniques designed to imitate its gem quality. These falsifications are widespread in the jewelry industry.

Notes on Zoïsite or Anyolite Ruby

This is a relatively recent stone discovery, identified in Tanzania in the 1950s by Sigmund Zois - the origin of its name. Its other name, Anyolite, comes from the Maasai language: the word anyoli means green.
This fine stone is made up of crystals of red Corundum - ruby - green Zoïsite - a silicate of aluminium and calcium - and black inclusions from Hornblende, a calcic amphibole with a vitreous lustre.