Newsletter July Rubies - draft 3.pdf

www.manorhousedesigns.co.uk 07976 894519 / 01948 666817 - [email protected]

Newsletter July 2015 Written for you in a month brimming with Colour & Vibrancy

Gemstone of the Month RUBY

The ruby, birthstone for July, is among the most highly prized of gemstones.

The name ruby comes from the Latin "ruber" meaning red and is a form of the mineral corundum. The red gemstone corundum is called ruby while all other gemstone corundum colours are called sapphires (fancy sapphires). These can be colourless, orange, yellow, brown, green, blue, purple, pink, violet and black.

Large rubies are harder to find than large diamonds, emeralds and sapphires.

Fine quality rubies are extremely rare and the colour of the gemstone is most important to its value. The finest and rarest of rubies are found in the Mogok Valley, Upper Burma (Myanmar).

Gems found here are intense red in their colour and are traditionally known as "pigeons blood colour. Burma has been a source for rubies since at least 600 AD. Both Thailand and Myanmar regard the ruby as their national stone.

Ruby in its natural form

Rubies are one of the most historically significant coloured stones and

are associated with beauty and wisdom and said to guarantee health,

wealth and success in love. For centuries they have been associated

with power, confidence, strength, leadership, courage passion and

protection. The ruby was also believed to have curative properties and

used to improve blood circulation.

Portrait of Henry VIII, circa 1520. In his younger years Henry was a healthy, strong,

handsome young man who enjoyed sports including, archery, wrestling, jousting and

hunting. I wonder if he is wearing rubies?


The ancient Hindus, Burmese, and Ceylonese regarded sapphires as unripe rubies, believing that if they buried the sapphire in the ground, it would mature to become a rich red ruby.

The ruby has accumulated lots of legends over the centuries. Ancient Asian stories tell that the ruby was self-luminous. They called it glowing stone or lamp stone and it is said that an Emperor of China once used a large ruby to light his chamber, where it glowed as bright as day. People in India believed that rubies enabled their owners to live in peace with their enemies. In Burma warriors believed that rubies made them invincible in battle - however, it wasnt enough to just wear the rubies, they had to insert them into their flesh and make them part of their bodies.

Pair of 'Garuda Head' bracelets in gold with diamond, ruby and

emeralds (Indian circa late 19th century)

In the Middle Ages, rubies were thought to bring good

health, as well as guard against wicked thoughts, amorous

desires, and disputes! Rubies were said to cure bleeding

and it was believed that the ruby held the power to warn

its owner of coming misfortunes, illness, or death, by

turning darker in colour. (Catherine of Aragon, first wife of

King Henry VIII, is said to have predicted her downfall in

seeing the darkening of her ruby).

Young Catherine of Aragon (Michel Sittow circa 1504-1505.

Rubies are rare and because of this there are very few famous large rubies. In the 13th-century Marco Polo related the tale of a magnificent gemstone - a ruby nine inches long and as thick as a mans arm which belonged to the King of Ceylon. Kublai Khan, the Emperor of China, offered an entire city in exchange for the enormous stone, to which the King of Ceylon replied that he would never part with his prize for all the treasures of the world.

This 5.22 ct ruby from Vietnam seems tiny in comparison!


Many famous rubies in history turned out not to be rubies after all - the famed Timur ruby, given to Queen Victoria in 1851, was later found to be ruby spinel. This is Queen Therese of Bavaria's Tiara, (circa 1830). It's made from rubies, spinels, diamonds, and gold. In more recent times the ruby retained its importance and became one of the most sought-after gems of European royalty and the upper classes.

Today the desire for rubies is as great as it has always has been and continues to be regarded as a symbol of passion. It therefore makes an ideal romantic gift with its wonderful rich red colour and because it is harder than any natural gemstone except diamond (9 on the Mohs scale), it is durable enough for everyday wear...and perfect for an engagement ring.

This huge and stunningly beautiful 23.1 carat Carmen Lucia

(Burmese) ruby is on display at the Smithsonian.

However, be aware, like any gemstone a ruby may chip or crack

due to blunt impact. This is especially true when mounted in a ring

or bracelet.

Elizabeth Taylor wearing

the Mike Todd ruby and

diamond Cartier suite which

he gave her in August 1957.

Real ruby slippers - set with 4,600 rubies. Made to commemorate the 50th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. Wow!

(Harry Winston).

.

Beautiful & prestigious

jewellery - this Faberg

beetle brooch is in gold,

silver, diamonds, ruby and

enamel. (1908 1917. St.

Petersburg)


Top Tips on Caring for your Ruby Jewellery

Remove your ruby jewellery before performing any rough work, household tasks, DIY or gardening.

Although rubies are hard and durable stones it is wise to prevent contact with chemicals

Keep your rubies as clean as possible by applying perfumes, moisturisers, sun lotions and hairsprays before putting on your jewellery.

Because rubies are hard foreign matter like soap and grease can accumulate on the surface causing a faded or cloudy appearance.

To eliminate dullness gently clean your rubies in warm water and a mild liquid soap. Use an old, soft toothbrush to remove any dirt from the setting. Rinse and the dry with a soft lint free cloth.

Only use an ultrasonic cleaner if you are certain that your ruby has not been "fractured filled".

Store each piece of your gemstone jewellery separately so that harder stones don't scratch softer ones. Almost every gemstone is much harder than the metal it is set in which means that gems can scratch the finish on your gold, silver or platinum.

Recent Commissions

Here's an image of a recent commission.

Made from the design supplied by my

client, I made this lovely silver pendant

with its initials and gemstones of ruby,

garnet and topaz.

Perhaps you would like to commission a

gift for a loved one? Either for a birthday,

wedding, or anniversary, Valentines Day,

Christmas or as a spur of the moment

gift, just to say I love you.

I'd love to hear from you.

Website: www.manorhousedesigns.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Workshop: 01948 666817

Mobile: 07976 894519


Workshop Update

Hope you are able to enjoy the long, hot sunny days and light bright evenings. I've been busy

in my workshop - and I've had a holiday, so I'm looking forward to spending some time at

home, hopefully in the garden, with our friends. (I suspect good food ... and some alcohol

could be involved...)

Here's a taste of what I've been up to.

Marianne's 40th birthday gift - the story

Marianne is a very special person and the daughter of my good

friends, Kath and Frank. I've known her since she was 4 years old;

a happy, funny and beautiful little girl with auburn hair tied up in

bunches. So, for her 40th birthday in June (the 24th - lots of "4"s

involved here) I wanted to make something different with some

meaningful and sentimental significance for her.

This is what I came up with. It's a floral pendant- inspired by the

Clemetis Montana Grandiflora which climbs up our elegant old

elder tree in the garden.

The flower is pure white and has 4 petals.

Step One:

I cut four flower shapes

out of 925 sterling

silver sheet using my

trusty old saw.

Step Two:

The edges were then filed to

smoothen the saw marks

and then the file marks were

removed using a variety of

different grade sandpaper.

Step Three:

To give shape I then

placed the little flowers

in my dappling block

and domed them using

the punch.


now complete!

N. B. All of these procedures are potentially

dangerous and by allowing oneself to be distracted

or neglecting to wear one's magnifying specs, it is

possible to sustain a nasty cut, burn or even lose an eye. Hence, for polishing I wear this yellow

visor. Not a glamorous look, I know, but essential for protecting my face and eyesight. Kevin

took this and thinks I look as if I've had one too many G & Ts

... Alcohol is NOT allowed in the workshop - not even for

onlookers!

The bale on Marianne's pendant is an integral part of the piece

and forms part of the stem. It has some flexibility which means

that it can be worn on a silver chain or on a string of pearls

(June's birthstone).

I really hope that Marianne likes it - I loved making it for her.

I think that it is important to have jewellery that's adaptable and

versatile. This necklace can be worn as a casual piece on its

silver chain with jeans and a T shirt, or would look equally as

good with an elegant black cocktail dress - or to set off a suntan.

* * * * * * * * * *

In next month's Newsletter, I'll be sharing tips on how to get

the most out of your jewellery in "What I wore on Holiday".

See you there. Kate.x

Step Five:

After pickling to

remove any fire

stain the completed

piece was then

polished on the

polishing mop.

Step Four:

Once all 4 flowers

were shaped they

were soldered onto a

length of sterling

silver wire (the

stem).

Newsletter July Rubies - draft 3.pdf

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Transcript of Newsletter July Rubies - draft 3.pdf