Ruby is one of the most prestigious and powerful gemstones in existence, revered throughout history king of stones for its intense red fire that symbolises passion, courage and life force energy. Its deep crimson vibration activates the root and heart chakras simultaneously, creating a powerful surge of vitality that fuels motivation, strengthens romantic bonds and builds an almost magnetic personal charisma. Working with ruby encourages you to follow your passions fearlessly, stand in your power and approach life with the fierce, joyful energy of someone who knows their own worth.

Ruby symbolises the eternal flame of passion, courage and noble love, carrying an energy that has inspired kings, warriors and lovers for millennia. It is the stone of the heart's deepest desires, encouraging you to pursue your passions with fearless determination.

Ruby is believed to stimulate the heart and improve circulation, boosting overall vitality and physical energy levels. It is also said to support the adrenal glands, detoxify the blood and encourage a healthy, passionate approach to life and relationships.

Wear ruby ring or pendant close to the body to maintain high energy, confidence and passionate connection throughout the day. Place it over the heart during meditation to reignite love, courage and enthusiasm for life.

The most prized rubies display a vivid, saturated red known 's blood, but all shades of red carry ruby's powerful energy. Natural rubies with minor inclusions are perfectly suitable for crystal healing and often more affordable than gem-quality stones.

Ruby is a variety of corundum (aluminium oxide) coloured red by trace amounts of chromium, and is the same mineral species in all other colours. The finest rubies come from Myanmar (Burma), with additional sources in Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Tanzania.

Mohs Hardness

SoftHard

9 on the Mohs scale

Chemical Formula

Al2O3

Elements

Fire

Ruling Planets

Sun Mars

Ruby has a Mohs hardness of 9, making it one of the most durable crystals. It can be safely cleaned with lukewarm water and gentle soap. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth. For energetic cleansing, both sunlight and moonlight work powerfully for ruby. Selenite charging, sage smoke and sound vibrations are also effective. Avoid harsh chemicals. Store in a soft pouch to prevent it scratching softer stones.

Charge ruby in brief, direct sunlight (20–30 minutes) to ignite its fiery energy. Full moon charging and selenite plates are also effective. Hold ruby over your heart chakra and programme it with intentions for passionate love, leadership courage and the vitality to pursue your deepest desires.

Ruby (red corundum) is one of the most valuable gemstones per carat, with sourcing playing a crucial role in value. Myanmar (Burma) has been the world's most celebrated source for over 500 years — the Mogok Valley (the "Valley of Rubies") produces the legendary "pigeon blood" red stones considered the finest ever found. Myanmar's Mong Hsu deposit is also significant. Mozambique has emerged as a major modern source since 2009, with the Montepuez deposit becoming one of the world's largest ruby mines, operated by Gemfields. Other important sources include Sri Lanka (producing lighter pink-red stones), Thailand (darker, brownish-red stones from Chanthaburi), Tanzania (Longido and Winza), Madagascar, Vietnam (Luc Yen and Quy Chau), Afghanistan, and Kenya. Ruby forms in marble and basalt-hosted deposits under conditions where aluminium oxide (corundum) incorporates trace chromium for the red colour. The most valued rubies are untreated, but heat treatment is extremely common and industry-accepted. Ethical sourcing is a significant consideration — Burmese rubies face trade sanctions in some countries due to the military government. Mozambican Gemfields rubies and Sri Lankan stones generally offer the most transparent ethical supply chains.

Ruby has been considered the "king of gems" across multiple civilisations for over 2,000 years. In ancient India, ruby was called "ratnaraj" (king of precious stones) in Sanskrit, and warriors embedded rubies in their flesh believing it made them invincible in battle. The Mughal emperors of India assembled the greatest ruby collections in history, and Indian gem classification systems placed ruby above all other stones. In Burmese culture, rubies from Mogok were considered so powerful that warriors inserted them under their skin before battle. The Burmese believed rubies ripened in colour over time, like fruit. In ancient China, ruby was treasured as the stone of life and associated with the dragon — the supreme symbol of power. In the Bible, ruby is associated with wisdom and virtue ("Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies" — Proverbs 31:10). In medieval European tradition, rubies were believed to darken when danger approached and lighten when the threat passed. The Black Prince's Ruby in the British Imperial State Crown is actually a red spinel, highlighting centuries of confusion between the two stones. In Hindu astrology, ruby represents the Sun and is the most important of the Navaratna gems. Ruby remains the most valuable coloured gemstone per carat, with top Burmese "pigeon blood" stones exceeding diamond prices.

Ruby is the traditional birthstone of Cancer (21 June – 22 July) in the July birthstone tradition, though its fiery energy also resonates powerfully with Leo (23 July – 22 August), Aries (21 March – 19 April), and Scorpio (23 October – 21 November). For Leo, ruby amplifies the sign's solar nature with passionate, royal energy — the "king of gems" for the king of the zodiac. For Aries, ruby fuels warrior courage and passionate initiative. For Scorpio, ruby intensifies the sign's transformative passion. For Cancer, ruby provides vital energy and protective fire that strengthens the nurturing sign's confidence. In Vedic astrology, ruby represents the Sun and is considered the most powerful Navaratna gem. Ruby is the stone of passionate commitment and is recommended for signs seeking to ignite purpose, deepen love, or step into leadership with authority.

Ruby works powerfully with the Root Chakra (Muladhara) and the Heart Chakra (Anahata). The Root Chakra governs life-force energy, physical vitality, and passion for life. The Heart Chakra governs love, courage, and devotion. Ruby activates both centres with intense, passionate energy — it's the most stimulating of all heart-root stones, creating a surge of vital, passionate energy that rises from the base of the spine to the heart. To work with ruby on the Root Chakra, place it at the base of the spine and feel primal life-force energy awakening. For Heart Chakra work, place it at the centre of the chest and feel passionate love, courage, and devotion flooding your heart space. Ruby is not a gentle stone — it activates the heart and root with the intensity of a furnace. It's most appropriate for those who need to reignite passion, overcome lethargy, or summon the courage for bold action. For those seeking gentler heart energy, rose quartz is a better choice. Ruby also activates the base of the spine in ways associated with kundalini awakening.

Use these affirmations while holding or wearing Ruby to deepen your connection with its energy. Repeat each one slowly, feeling its resonance within you.

“I am passionate, powerful, and full of vibrant life force”

“I am worthy of deep, devoted love and I attract it naturally”

“I step into my personal power with confidence and grace”

“My heart burns with courage and my spirit is unbreakable”

“I am energised, motivated, and driven by sacred purpose”

“I attract passion and vitality into every area of my life”

“I am protected by the fierce, loving energy of the Earth”

“I honour my desires and pursue them with fearless devotion”

Crystal Pairings

Pairs Well With

Ruby combines beautifully with these crystals to amplify its healing properties

Carnelian

Orange-red

Carnelian

Orange-red

Clear Quartz

Clear

Clear Quartz

Clear

Garnet

Deep red

Garnet

Deep red

Rose Quartz

Pink

Rose Quartz

Pink

Ruby Compared to Similar Crystals

See how ruby compares to other popular crystals.

vsGarnet

Ruby vs Garnet: Which Red Crystal Ignites More Passion?

Compare ruby and garnet — two stunning red crystals associated with passion, vitality, and the Root chakra, ranging from precious gemstone to affordable powerhouse.

Adorn Yourself

Ruby Jewellery

Discover beautiful ruby necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings from expert artisans

Browse Ruby Jewellery

Hanna Jakab

Expert

Crystal Healing Practitioner · Gemstone Specialist · Founder

Founder of Age Of Crystals and practising crystal healer with over a decade of experience sourcing ethically mined gemstones. Hanna personally inspects every stone that enters the collection.

Reviewed by Philip Speidel — Product & Marketing Specialist

Ruby FAQs

Common questions about ruby

Ruby is one of the most powerful precious stones, radiating passionate love, courage and vital life force through the Root and Heart chakras. It strengthens confidence, energises the body and ignites the fires of love and enthusiasm. Ruby has been revered across cultures as a stone of royalty, protection and passionate devotion.

Wear ruby as a ring or pendant close to the body to maintain high energy, confidence and passionate connection throughout the day. Place it over the heart during meditation to reignite love, courage and enthusiasm for life. Ruby is especially powerful for overcoming lethargy and rekindling motivation.

Place ruby in the bedroom to enhance passionate love and romantic connection. In workspaces, it provides sustained energy and ambitious drive. Ruby works well near the entrance of your home for protective energy and to attract positive, vibrant visitors. Its fiery energy suits active spaces.

Yes, ruby is excellent in water with a Mohs hardness of 9, making it one of the hardest gemstones after diamond. It can be safely cleaned under water, with mild soap, and is durable enough for ultrasonic cleaning. Ruby is exceptionally tough and requires very little special care.

Cleanse ruby under running water, with sage smoke, in sunlight, or by placing it on a selenite plate. Its exceptional hardness of 9 means it tolerates virtually all cleansing methods. Sunlight charging is particularly fitting for this fire-element stone, amplifying its passionate, vital energy.

Ruby works with the Root and Heart chakras, combining grounded physical vitality with passionate emotional love. This powerful pairing creates a fire of life force that energises the body, strengthens courage and ignites deep, devoted love in relationships and personal passions.

Ruby is associated with Cancer, Leo, Scorpio and Sagittarius. For Cancer, it strengthens emotional courage. For Leo, it amplifies natural leadership and charisma. For Scorpio, it fuels passionate intensity. For Sagittarius, it provides sustained energy for adventurous pursuits.

Most commercial rubies are heat-treated to enhance colour and clarity, which is an accepted and widespread practice in the gemstone industry. Natural, untreated rubies of fine quality are extremely rare and command premium prices. When purchasing, ask about treatments and look for certification from recognised gemmological laboratories.

Quality Guaranteed

Every crystal is sourced from trusted, ethical suppliers

Secure Payments

Industry-standard encryption on all transactions

Genuine Crystals

Authenticity guaranteed or your money back

Free 30-Day Returns

Not satisfied? Return any item, no questions asked

Shop Ruby — From £12.99

Ruby

Shop Ruby

Shop by Shape

Ruby Crystal Guide

Ruby Meaning & Healing Properties

Ruby Meaning & Symbolism

Ruby Healing Properties

How to Use Ruby

How to Choose Ruby

Geology, Origins & Physical Properties

How to Cleanse & Care for Ruby

How to Charge Ruby

Where Does Ruby Come From?

Ruby History & Cultural Significance

Ruby & Your Zodiac Sign

Using Ruby for Chakra Healing

Ruby Affirmations

Pairs Well With

Carnelian

Carnelian

Clear Quartz

Clear Quartz

Garnet

Garnet

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz

Ruby Compared to Similar Crystals

Ruby vs Garnet: Which Red Crystal Ignites More Passion?

Ruby Jewellery

Hanna Jakab

Ruby FAQs

What are the healing properties of ruby?

How do I use ruby?

Where should I place ruby in my home?

Can ruby go in water?

How do I cleanse ruby?

What chakra does ruby work with?

What zodiac sign is ruby associated with?

Is ruby natural or treated?

Your Cart