Ruby is considered the birthstone for the month of July, and it’s easily recognised – and highly sought-after – by its deep red colours. A variety of the mineral corundum, ruby is often associated with passion, love and beauty, and it’s even described as “king of precious stones” in ancient Sanskrit.
Alongside sapphires, emeralds, diamonds and amethysts, rubies are cardinal gems too, which means they’re thought of as some of the most precious stones in the world.
We stock several ruby jewellery pieces at Banks Lyon, so take a look at this selection and get in touch with us if you’re interested in any piece in particular – or simply want to learn more about our ruby jewellery.
About the Ruby
‘Ruby’ is a word that derives from the Latin rubeous, for ‘red’. These stones have a long, rich history, having been mentioned in the Bible and worn by royalty and celebrities over the years too. Rubies are incredibly durable, as they have a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs scale of hardness, so they can be worn virtually everywhere and on any occasion.
People have mined these gems for more than 2,500 years, and records indicate that they were traded on the North Silk Road around 200 BC. This doesn’t come as a surprise, considering the many features and properties of ruby.
Apart from its hardness, its colour makes it a highly desirable stone; hues range from pinkish to ‘pigeon blood’, the rarest and most expensive of colours. You can also get ruby jewellery in many different cuts, carats and clarity grades, so you’re sure to find the perfect piece for you.
Rubies are sourced from all over the world, including Burma, Myanmar, Thailand, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Russia, Australia, Norway and USA. The colours of the gemstones depend on where they’re found, though you can also improve them through heat treatment, something that has become common practice nowadays.
Rubies are also one of the most romantic gems, so they can make a wonderful gift to that special person in your life. On top of this, they add a classic and elegant touch to any jewellery piece, creating a timeless look that will never go out of style.
Ruby Jewellery at Banks Lyon
The following highlights are just some of the pieces we offer at Banks Lyon, so browse our website to see our entire collection of ruby jewellery or speak to us for more information about this wonderful gemstone.
Andrew Geoghegan “Chapiteau Ruby” Ring
We’re also official stockists for Andrew Geoghegan, so you can find the brand’s stunning designs at our Lancaster and Kendal stores. What’s more, if you’d like a piece completely tailor-made for you, Andrew Geoghegan provides a bespoke service that ensures a one-of-a-kind gift no one else has. Simply talk to Banks Lyon about this and we’ll be happy to help.
This 18ct rose gold ring comes with a round brilliant ruby surrounded by diamonds, set in a hexagonal shape that offers a unique take on jewellery. Bold, yet romantic and feminine, this ring is also a more subtle interpretation of Andrew Geoghegan’s Chapiteau de Paraiba.
This is the perfect piece for an engagement, especially as you can also get the matching wedding ring, available with a fully or half diamond-set band or as a plain band instead.
The Andrew Geoghegan “Chapiteau Ruby” Ring can be purchased for £2,732 or from £40.99 per month at 0% finance.
When you choose luxury jewellery from Banks Lyon, we provide free cleaning and polishing forever, so that your pieces can always look their best. Also, not only do we stock ruby jewellery, but other birthstone jewellery as well, so check out our vast selection of luxury pieces to see what Banks Lyon has to offer.