| |
Hindu lore rubiesRubies are a type of corundum, a rare mineral made up of densely packed aluminum and oxygen atoms, which are normally colorless. When other atoms are substituted for a few of the aluminum ones, bright hues emerge. Small amounts of chromium impart the deep red color of ruby, traces of titanium and iron produce the stunning blue of sapphire, and
chromium and ferric iron create the delicate orange shades of the extremely rare and costly padparadscha.
Rubies with their fiery hearts have inspired passion and legends throughout history. Rubies are even more rare than was once believed. Since chemical testing has become more common, it's been discovered that many of the world's most famous rubies are not rubies at all, but either garnet or spinel. While still beautiful, they don't possess the hardness nor the rich depth of color found in true rubies.
The color of rubies has given rise to numerous legends, associating the gemstone with courage, power, devotion, passion and love. In Hindu lore, rubies were believed to be the crystallized blood of the demon, Vala, whose body seeded all the mines of the world. When his body was divided, his blood fell over Sri Lanka and Burma, creating the rubies that can be mined from the ground. The sparkle and luminescence of rubies is said to be created by an inextinguishable fire in the heart of the stone. The fire is linked to the life of the person who wears it or owns it, and as long as the ruby burns bright, it is said, the person will enjoy good fortune and good health. So clear is this connection, according to some legends, that a ruby will darken in color if its wearer's life is in danger. In healing, rubies are the gem of choice to cure diseases of the blood and the heart.
Fluorescence
We're all familiar with the 4Cs of diamonds - cut, color, clarity and carat weight. But diamonds also possess a quality called fluorescence that's part of the evaluation and assessment of a diamond. It's actually called photo-luminescence and it's...
Certified diamond
appraisal, although the certification is part of any appraisal. Many diamonds look the same, but not all of them are going to be of the quality you might like. Diamond certification is the written proof of a diamond's attributes. Without it, you...
Hooker emerald
There's something incredibly mysterious about the largest emeralds. It's one of the rarest of gemstones, unattainable for most of us, at least in a good-quality stone. This magnificent 75.57-carat emerald was supposedly owned by the Ottoman Empire...
Heat conduction
meaning they reduce the flow of electricity. Blue diamonds owe their semi-conductive property to boron impurities, which act as a doping agent and cause p-type semiconductor behavior. Diamonds appear cold and hard, but they're good conductors of...
Diamond mines
the Middle Ages they were so rare and expensive that only royalty could afford diamonds. But in modern times even ordinary people are able to possess a few, thanks to the discovery of numerous diamond deposits elsewhere on the planet plus high,...
|
|
|
|
|
