Ruby the king of gems

Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond Jarretiere cuff bracelet made between 1937 and 1939 for Marlene Dietrich. Photo by Patrick Gries. © Van Cleef & Arpels.

Following the success of its first book, Emerald, the large-scale coloured gemstone miner, Gemfields, commissioned Ruby — The King Of Gems. Written by Joanna Hardy, this lavishly illustrated coffee-table book takes an ambitious look at the universe of this beautiful red gem.

Indian style necklace made by English Art Works for Cartier London and commissioned in 1930 by Mrs C G Lancaster with 76 pearls. Photo by Nick Welsh © Cartier.

A platinum swirling ring by Fei Lui 2016 with a 10.01-carat cushion-shaped ruby from Mozambique. © Fei Lui.

1924 brooch in the form of a headdress by Van Cleef & Arpels with rubies, diamonds, sapphires and emeralds. Photo by Patrick Gries. © Van Cleef & Arpels.

Open view of the Van Cleef & Arpels Rubis Secret bracelet watch using 115 Mozambican rubies weighing a total of 151.25 carats. © Van Cleef & Arpels.

The Star of Light ring by Wallace Chan depicting a new plum flower. © Wallace Chan.

1979 choker by Bulgari with oval medallions of concentric cabochon rubies. © Bulgari.

The book Ruby takes the reader into a fascinating exploration of this precious red stone, travelling from the ancient mines of Burma, along the rigorous terrain of the Silk Trading routes of China, to the royal courts of Europe, and the aficionados of today—from Main Street to the Red Carpet—who appreciate beautiful gemstones and jewellery.

“There is no coloured gemstone that fuels passion more than ruby. We live with colour—it surrounds us during our waking hours, and indeed even in our dreams—but place a ruby in front of any man or woman and there will be an instant response to this vibrant red gem,” writes Joanna Hardy in the book’s opening remarks.’

Among its 462 colourful illustrations, the book showcases more than 60 of the world’s significant, notable, and famous rubies, ruby jewels and ruby artefacts, including many previously unseen pieces from private and royal collections. Author Joanna Hardy was granted access to all the modern and iconic jewellery houses, including Cartier, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chaumet, Harry Winston, Graff and many more.

From emperors and empresses, kings and queens, maharanis and Hollywood royalty, tales of love, passion, and romance are presented in this book, alongside historical and social contexts that reveal why rubies are so greatly admired.

Additionally, Ruby looks at the various deposits of the gem around the world and offers practical guidance on what to look for in a quality ruby. The book also examines the extraordinary jewellery techniques employed by expert brands to create their resplendent ruby collections.’

Ruby would be a welcome addition to the bookshelves of connoisseurs of fine jewellery as well as lovers of the precious red gem.

Ruby, The King of Gems has been published by Thames & Hudson, Violette Editions.