In the Indian literary language of Sanskrit, the ruby is known as “ratnaraj” which means  “King Of Gemstones” but the word ruby is derived from the Latin “rubens”, a regal gem that is renowned for the vitality of its red hue, its hardness (second only to the diamond) and its relative scarcity. The hot red of the ruby radiates passion, vitality and power, this isn’t restrained affection, this is hot and unbridled, the “colour” of love at its most potent.

The ruby is a form of the colourless mineral corundum, one of the hardest minerals on earth (sapphires are also composed of corundum) and it derives its red colour from the infusion of trace elements such as titanium, iron, chrome and vanadium. The paradox of the ruby is that the chrome element that gives the gem its striking colour also causes many of the cracks and fissures that prevented rubies developing in any abundance.