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Known for its fiery appeal, the name Ruby evolves from the Latin word for red, “Rubeus”. Ruby is a precious gemstone that symbolises courage, passion and vitality. Just like sapphire, ruby belongs to the corundum mineral family, which in its natural state is colourless, while sapphire gets its blue from iron, ruby gets its red from the trace element chromium. Sapphires of fancy colour are the result of different combinations of elements within the gems. With a Mohs hardness of 9 out of 10, ruby (and sapphire) is one of the most durable gemstones available for jewellery making. Along with its mesmerising allure, ruby is one of the most sought-after precious stones in the market and has been for years. Moreover, to further strengthen its status, Ruby is at the helm of the world’s most expensive colored gemstone: it received the title in 2015, when the 25-carat Sunrise Ruby sold for an astonishing US$30.42 million at a Sotheby’s auction to an anonymous buyer.
Documented in various ancient literatures like the Puranas, the Bible and Pliny’s Natural History, ruby played a prominent role in ancient cultures as a talisman and symbol of courage, passion and more. In fact, its name in Sanskrit, ratnaraj, translates to the “king of precious stones”. Legends and lore revealed that the fiery stone was associated with vitality, power and authority. Ancient Hindus offered fine rubies in rituals, wishing for a rebirth as an emperor. It was also believed to have supernatural healing and protective power; some warriors from ancient times even went so far as to insert a ruby under their skin, believing it would make them invincible in battles.
The origin of birthstones can be traced as far back as the Breastplate of Aaron from the Book of Exodus in the Bible. Also known as the Priestly Breastplate, it was a sacred ornament adorned with 12 different gemstones, each representing a tribe. It was worn by the High Priest of the Israelites over the chest with the Ephod as a gesture to take the 12 tribes of Israel before God in rituals. The correlation between gemstones and cultural concepts continued to evolve throughout the centuries. It wasn’t until 1912, the National Association of Jewellers in America defined the list of birthstones as we know it today, and ruby was assigned to the birthstone for the month of July, and naturally, ruby is associated with the zodiac signs Cancer and Leo. Since red is the official colour for 15th and 40th anniversaries, it is only fitting that ruby is the gemstone for the two milestone anniversaries. Ruby also represents the lasting flame of passion between the couple.
Before 1783, the year when mineralogist Jean-Baptiste L. Romé de L’Isle differentiated red spinel from red corundum, all red spinels were considered as ruby; in fact, one of the world’s most famous and historic rubies is actually spinel. It is because red spinel and ruby bear little differences to the naked eye, and are often found in the same mines. But with a goniometer, Romé de L’Isle discovered that the angles of the crystals from the same family were always the same, and was able to distinguish between the two similar red minerals, since the angles between their faces were different. Today, we know that spinel and corundum are different in many ways in terms of their chemical makeup.
| Ruby | Spinel | |
| Formula | Al2O3:Cr | MgAl2O4 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal | Cubic |
| Colour | Light red to purplish red | Various colours eg, red, pink, blue, purple, green |
| Mohs hardness | 9 | 7.5-8 |
| Refractive index | 1.762 to 1.770 | 1.719 |
Founded in 1991, EJI is a Hong Kong-based fine jewellery manufacturer specialising in high-quality designs for global brands and private labels. Certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), we combine traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology to create bespoke and trend-setting jewellery. From gold and diamond pieces to vibrant gemstone collections, EJI delivers excellence to markets in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond.
Ruby is prized for its intense red hue, exceptional durability, and rarity, making it one of the most sought‑after gemstones in luxury jewellery. With a Mohs hardness of 9, it offers both brilliance and resilience, ensuring long‑lasting value in high‑end collections.
Throughout history, Ruby has been revered as the “King of Gems,” symbolising passion, vitality, and authority. Its cultural significance across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East continues to drive strong demand, positioning Ruby as a gemstone that resonates with both heritage and modern luxury markets.
Ruby is the birthstone for July and the official gemstone for 15th and 40th anniversaries, making it a natural choice for milestone celebrations. Its association with love and passion enhances its appeal in premium jewellery collections, offering business owners a gemstone that connects deeply with consumer sentiment.
EJI showcases Ruby’s brilliance in diamond‑accented earrings, necklaces, and rings crafted in 18K gold and rose gold. By combining expert craftsmanship with international design sensibilities, EJI enables jewellery business owners to deliver refined Ruby creations that captivate global buyers and strengthen brand positioning.
