Read all about Ruby and different kinds of rocks and minerals here at the Stone Goddess.

Ruby is the red variety of corundum. An aluminum oxide, its color is caused by chromium and it is found mostly in alluvial deposits with Sapphire, the blue to pink corundum. It is mined from placer deposits that are washed and sorted to find these crystals. A precious gem, second only to Diamond in hardness, Ruby has always been highly valued. The name Ruby is from Latin "rubeus", and Corundum is from Sanskrit "Kuruntan". Hindus considered it "King of precious stones", "Ratnaraj" in Sanskrit. Burma, on India's eastern border, produced the finest rubies for centuries. Most valued have been the “pigeon blood” rubies from here. Rubies from Sri Lanka, Thailand and Tanzania are used as cut stones.

Star Rubies, caused by rutile needles in the stone are desirable. The star was believed to be the spirit living within the stone. A stone of noble privilege, rubies were believed to help amass wealth and provide invulnerability. They brought love and passion into life and were thought to help with blood disorders, or to heal or dispel battle wounds. Rubies carved with dragons were thought to increase wealth and vitality.

Rubies are also found in the U.S. In the 1800's, the Jenks Mine in Franklin, N.C. produced a 312 lb. Ruby crystal!

Metaphysical Properties: Ruby is a birthstone for July. A stone of passion, it stimulates Kundalini and increases vitality and strength. It helps with issues of willpower, courage, confidence, and determination and lessens weakness. A stone for love and joy. It stimulates sexual energy and aids childbirth, detoxifies blood.

Chakras: Root, Spleen and Heart.