Ruby – The Jewel of Passion

Ruby, the red variety of the mineral corundum, captivates with its intense, fiery color, ranging from a deep blood-red to a vivid pinkish-red. Whether found in natural ruby beads or cultivated in labs, ruby’s allure is timeless. Natural ruby beads often come from Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, while lab-grown rubies offer an ethical and controlled alternative, originating from specialized facilities worldwide.

Etymology

The name “ruby” originates from the Latin “ruber,” meaning “red.” Historically, it has been known as “ratnaraj” in Sanskrit, translating to “king of precious stones,” highlighting its regal status. Also known as King of Gems, Ratnanayaka, Manik, Padmaraga, Yang Ruby.

Cosmic Junction

Ruby vibrates with the energy of Mars, symbolizing passion, courage, and vitality, and is closely tied to the root chakra, grounding one’s energy and stimulating life force. This gemstone has played significant roles in mythologies, fairy tales, and folk stories with its magical attributes:

Both natural ruby beads and lab-grown rubies carry these storied qualities, though some traditions emphasize the unique earth-bound energy of natural stones. Lab-grown rubies, while lacking this direct connection to Earth’s ancient history, embody the same essence of passion and protection, offering a sustainable and ethical alternative.

Cultural Resonance

In Hindu lore, rubies are considered the fire of the sun, believed to illuminate the wearer’s life with wisdom, health, and success. One legend tells that those who offered rubies to Krishna were promised rebirth as emperors, capturing the stone’s association with power and rebirth.

Warriors in ancient Burma embedded rubies into their skin, believing this would grant them invincibility in battle. The ruby was thought to warn the wearer of danger by changing color, a protective quality that adds to its mystical allure.

In ancient Greece, rubies were linked to love and passion, often considered the stone of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. There’s a tale where rubies were used by Cupid to kindle the flames of love between mortals, symbolizing their power to ignite passion.

Rubies often appear in Western fairy tales as symbols of love, protection, and wealth. In the tale of “The Twelve Dancing Princesses,” the secret of the princesses’ nocturnal adventures is revealed through ruby slippers, suggesting the gem’s association with mystery and magic.

In Chinese Mythology Rubies protect from evil spirits when placed under the foundations of buildings or worn as amulets. They also confer wisdom and immortality to the wearer, echoing the stone’s connection to life and longevity.

The Bible references rubies in contexts of great value, such as in Proverbs where wisdom is described as more precious than rubies. In some stories, rubies are seen as symbols of divine love and sacrifice, mirroring Christ’s blood.

In Persian tales, rubies are pieces of the sun, believed to light up the night and guide the way, much like the legends of Noah using a garnet lantern, which shares ruby’s red hue, to navigate through biblical floods.

Stainless Steel | 18k PVD Gold Finish

Material Composition: The base material of these earrings includes high-grade stainless steel, commonly types 304 or 316L, known for excellent corrosion resistance and hypoallergenic qualities. Over this, an 18k Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) gold finish is applied, giving the appearance of real gold while enhancing durability.

Manufacturing Process:

• Material Selection: Opt for high-quality stainless steel for the base, which ensures longevity and resistance to tarnishing.
• PVD Coating Preparation: The stainless steel is cleaned and prepared for the PVD process to ensure adhesion of the gold layer.
• PVD Application: Gold atoms are vaporized in a vacuum chamber and deposited onto the steel in a process that bonds the gold at an atomic level, creating a hard, durable gold coating.
• Cutting & Shaping: After coating, the steel is cut and shaped into the desired forms, like fish/french hooks for earrings.
• Polishing & Finishing: The gold-coated steel is polished to enhance the finish’s luster and smoothness.
• Quality Control: Each piece is checked for uniformity of the gold layer, adherence to jewelry standards, and overall integrity.

Why They Don’t Oxidize

The stainless steel base forms a protective chromium oxide layer which prevents rust. The PVD gold coating adds another layer of protection, making the jewelry highly resistant to oxidation, even in humid or salty environments.

Magnetic Properties

Similar to plain stainless steel, the 18k PVD gold finish does not alter the magnetic properties significantly. The stainless steel might still have slight magnetic qualities based on its composition or processing, but this is not affected by the PVD layer.

Hypoallergenic Assurance

The gold PVD coating further seals the nickel content within the stainless steel, reducing the likelihood of skin reactions. This combination ensures that the earrings are suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies to base metals.