Gemfields Ruby

ruby - the king of gems

Following the success of its first book, Emerald, the large-scale colored 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.

The Cartier Reine Makeda necklace, 2015, set with an oval mixed-cut 15.29-ct ruby from Mozambique. (Photo: Vincent Wulveryck. ©Cartier)

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

A platinum swirling ring by Fei Lui, 2016, with a 10.01-ct cushion-shaped ruby from Mozambique. (©Fei Lui)

The Cartier Breloque Coeur made in 1929 from a heart-shaped cabochon ruby crossed through by platinum and diamond studs. (Photo: Nick Welsh. ©Cartier)

Burma ruby from Mogok showing rutile silk inclusions. (Photo: Christopher P. Smith/American Gemological Laboratories (AGL)

2003 cabochon ruby ring by Hemmerle set with a 5.33-ct Burmese ruby. (© Hemmerle)

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

RUBY takes the reader into a fascinating exploration of this precious red stone, traveling from the ancient mines of Burma, along the harsh terrain of the Silk Trading routes of China, to the royal courts of Europe, to the aficionados of today, from Main Street to the Red Carpet, who appreciate beautiful gemstones and jewelry.

Among its 462 colorful illustrations, the book showcases more than sixty of the world’s significant, notable, and famous rubies, ruby jewels, and ruby artifacts, including many previously unseen pieces from private and royal collections. Author Joanna Hardy was granted exclusive access to all the modern and iconic jewelry 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 alongside historical and social context that reveal why rubies are so greatly revered.

Additionally, RUBY looks at the various ruby deposits in the world and offers practical guidance on what to look for in a quality ruby. The book also examines the extraordinary jewelry techniques employed by the expert houses to make their resplendent ruby collections.

"There is no colored gemstone that fuels passion more than ruby. We live with color – 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," says Joanna Hardy in the book's opening remarks.

Indeed, RUBY would be a welcome addition to the bookshelves of connoisseurs of fine jewelry as well as lovers of the precious red gem.

Name: Ruby, The King of Gems
Author: Joanna Hardy
Publishers: Thames & Hudson, Violette Editions
Hardcover, 330 pages
462 color illustrations
ISBN-13: 978-0500519417
ISBN-10: 0500519412

Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond Jarretiere cuff bracelet made between 1937 and 1939 for Marlene Dietrich. (Photo: B. Moulin. ©Van Cleef & Arpels)

The Heart brooch by Verdura for Paul Flato ca 1938, inscribed VERBUM CARRO (THE WORD MADE FLESH or A WORD TO MY DEAR ONE), commissioned by Millicent Rogers. (©Verdura)