Starling – Ruby and White Sapphire

Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum, ranging from orangy red to purplish red. Its colour comes from traces of chromium, and more chromium gives a stronger red.

Birthstone

July

Hardness

9 (Mohs)

Everyday wear

Ruby is very hard with excellent toughness and no cleavage, so it resists breaking and suits rings worn every day.

Care

Warm, soapy water is always safe. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning are usually fine for untreated or heat-treated ruby, but glass-filled, cavity-filled or dyed stones should only be wiped with a damp cloth and kept away from even mild acids such as lemon juice.

Meaning and tradition

Traditionally associated with passion, love and life, because early cultures linked its red colour to blood. In folklore, Burmese warriors believed ruby made them invincible, and in India it was thought to help its owner live peacefully with rivals.

Sapphire is the mineral corundum, best known in blue (from greenish blue to violetish blue) but found in every colour except red. Sapphires in other colours, such as pink, yellow, green and purple, are called 'fancy' sapphires.

Birthstone

September

Hardness

9 (Mohs)

Everyday wear

Sapphire is very hard with excellent toughness and no cleavage, so it resists breaking and suits rings worn every day.

Care

Warm, soapy water is always safe. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning are usually fine for untreated or heat-treated sapphire, but fracture-filled, cavity-filled or dyed stones should only be wiped with a damp cloth.

Meaning and tradition

Traditionally, sapphire symbolises nobility, truth, sincerity and faithfulness, and it has adorned the robes of royalty and clergy for centuries. In folklore, star sapphires were linked with the power to foresee the future.