All about Rubies
Rubies are gemstones which vary from pink to blood red and
are a variety of corundum mineral gems. Other varieties of this family are
called sapphires, Rubies and sapphires are two of the cardinal gemstones. The
cardinal gemstones are gems which are thought of as being traditionally
precious above all others. Rubies colour is produced by the presence of
chromium within the gem and to be considered a ruby there must be enough
corundum to give within the gem to give it it’s distinctly red colour.
The Burmese Ruby tiara was commissioned in 1973 to The Garrad’s. Her majesty wanted a specific design that would also add to the symbolism of the Rubies. Her majesty commissioned a combination of the white rose of York and red rose of England. In this tiara the queen used the 96 rubies she was gifted as a wedding present from the Burmese people, They believe that Rubies help protect the wearer from the 96 diseases that can afflict the human body. The Rubies are set in a series of rose motifs and if you know of English history you may recognise the combination of the red and white petals as the symbolic Tudor rose.
