Birthstones July: Ruby

The ancient Greeks referred to rubies as “anthrax”, meaning “coal”, because they thought the gems originated from heavenly fire, maybe from Hephaistos’ smithy. The divine heat would still be inclosed in the stone, so it could well be that water would boil if you threw a ruby in it. (Quite confusingly, anthrax is also the name of a deadly disease, referring to coal-black lesions on the skin.) Throughout the centuries, rubies have been associated with blood, and they were used to stop hemorrhages. Metaphysically, they stand for love, passion and romance, but also for anger and danger. As well as for power and wealth of course, when used in a crown. Ruby red is supposed to evoke feelings of lust, excitement, love and power. Sports teams in red perform better on average than teams in other colours... And to top it off, a ruby will predict the future, losing its luster when disaster is impending. The Greek philosopher Theophrastos discerned two variations: a male and a female one. Guess how he saw a difference: the female one would be lighter and – yes – less bright. Shiny things with gender issues, that’s all Greek to me!

Nude goddess, alabaster, Musée du Louvre, Paris, France

Theophrastus, Palermo botanical garden, Italy

Did you know?

• Rubies would have been the favourite stones of Hades, cfr. "The third Eye"