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Jewelry Industry Uses for Rubies
Rubies are, if you want to get very technical, red sapphires. The sapphire family includes every other color but red, and they are identical in structure and composition. Rubies have always been considered a precious gemstone, and find their way onto many different types of high end jewelry. There are virtually no rubies that are flawless - most have inclusions of rutile, and the absence of these points to a lab created or heat treated stone. Rubies for jewelry are typically step faceted or brilliant cut in order to show off its shine and beauty.
Scientific Uses for Rubies
Synthetic rubies are used in what is called a ruby laser. They have been used for this purpose since 1960. The ruby is used as the gain medium, which amplifies the laser beam. Advances in technology have made the ruby laser all but obsolete, although there are still a few specific applications where they are advantageous to use.
Historical Uses for Rubies
The earliest mentions of rubies came in both the Bible and Sanskrit writings. It is sometimes called the king of gems, and many Asian cultures absolutely revered it. It was one of the most commonly used stones for English royalty, and could be found in many crowns and other jewelry and adornments of the time.
Folklore Uses for Rubies
Ruby has been used for many different healing and folklore applications over the years, and was one of the most popular stones for such uses. It was considered a stone of nobility, associated with love and courage most of all. On the healing side of things, it is thought to help with blood sugar as well as energy levels. The red hue is also associated with the reproductive system, helping with fertility and correcting issues within that system.
Rubies Used in Tattoo Removal
This is probably the most common modern use for a ruby in a non-jewelry application. Although scientific uses of the ruby laser have fallen off, this type of laser is still being put to use in tattoo removal, and a bit of hair removal. They are starting to drop off in this area as well, but you will see them much more often than in laboratories.