Rubies are one of the most valuable stones in history, traditionally used as a stone of protection. Unlike diamonds, which are usually evaluated for clarity and cut, rubies are prized for their color.
In 1879 a Bengali scholar listed the spectrum of ruby colors found in the Purana sacred texts: “like the China rose, like blood, like the seeds of the pomegranate, like red lead, like the red lotus, like saffron, like the resin of certain trees, like the eyes of the Greek partridge or the Indian crane…and like the interior of the half-blown red water lily."
These 3mm natural rubies are the color of pomegranate seeds: deep crimson with flashes of magenta. Hanging from them on a delicate chain are 10mm keshi pearls of the highest grade luster.