Le rouge, Le Noir

The contrasts of red and black have been always associated with elegancy and we can find the combination in many aesthetics of fashion, art and jewellery.

Ruby

The fiery and captivating Ruby is considered the most magnificent of all gems as I love to say:

"Ruby is the queen of stones and the stone of kings”.

Ruby has always been a talisman of passion, protection, and prosperity. It symbolizes the sun, and its glowing hue resembles a flame within the stone. Legends claim it would shine through even the thickest clothing and could not be hidden.

The demand for Rubies is stronger than ever. In various countries around the world buyers wait months if not years for the perfect Ruby, and are willing to pay millions of dollars for just a few carats. The July Birthstone will show you long endurance, durability and fiery beauty.

Famous Graff’s Ruby

This gemstone is a cushion-cut Pigeon’s Blood Burmese ruby – widely celebrated as the most important ruby in the world – is a once in a lifetime discovery. This Burmese ruby weights 8.62 carats and its perfectly complimented by the trilliant cut white diamond shoulder stones and a pavé diamond band.

“Its price more than doubled in just over eight years.” Eric Valdieu

This is the finest ruby in the world. We are very proud to have it in our possession for the second time,” Graff said in a Sotheby’s statement.

At Sotheby’s Geneva Auction in 2014 - London luxury jeweler Laurence Graff has paid a record of $8.6 million for the “Pigeon Blood”. This was the second time when he acquired the ruby, the first being at an auction eight years before.

The Black Rembrandt Diamond

As I have highlighted earlier intertwining art with the magnificent world of gems it's a strong awakening for us.

The name of the this Black Diamond derives from its presentation near the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam where you can find the famous Rembrandt collection

This 42.27-carat black diamond was featured in Christie's "Magnificent Jewels" of May 19th, 2005 Geneva and It sold for $49,800 US.

Garnet

Our aesthetic sensibility corelated the red juicy fruit of pomegranate with the velvety red garnets. The “pomegranate” stone has its resembles with the plant’s red seeds due to its powerful deep red hue.

Pyrope gems are the reddest of all garnets, typically very dark red to slightly brownish-red and seldom are larger than a few carats. Pyrope has been confused with ruby, due to its fiery red color, and derives its name from the Greek pyropos, meaning “fire-like.”

Thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt, red garnets were treasured and were used in statues of Isis, goddess of earth fertility, as a symbol of her power.

Signet rings with carved garnets were used to stamp the wax that secured important documents in ancient Roman Empire.

Famous Garnet Tiara

This antique hair comb was donated in 1937 by Ales & Maria Herdlicka. It has Bohemian pyrope garnets from the Czech Republic. Bohemian garnet jewelry is known for its encrusted close-set stones which are often rose cut and are sometimes combined with larger faceted stones or cabochons. Bohemia was the main source of pyrope garnets until the late 19th century. However, limited availability today precludes widespread use in modern jewelry.

Rhodolite is another type of Garnet and one of my favorite ”reds” variety between Pyrope Garnet and Almandine Garnet. Its name is derived from two Greek words meaning "rose stone". It displays all the brilliancy and fire with a beautiful color ranging from rose red to pale violet.

It is known as a Stone of Inspiration, bringing the inspiration of love via the heart and mind.

Rhodolite is highly prized for this particular unique hues given by iron.

Black Diamond

The Famous “Spirit of the Grisogono"

This black beauty is the world’s largest cut black diamond ever found and it is the fifth-largest diamond in the world. It originates from Central Africa and was 587 carat when it rose from the earth.

The honor to cut it finally went to the renowned Swiss jeweler: “Grisogono”

When the diamond was cut and facetted it arrived to a weight of 312.24 carats. Gisogono made the setting in white gold to enhance better the strong black color and decorated the ring with 702 smaller white diamonds to a total of 36.69 carats. Now that’s a statement ring!

The stone is reported to have been sold to a private client.

Spinel

La vérité, l'âpre verité

For centuries, spinel was masqueraded as ruby in Europe’s famous royal jewels.

The Black Prince’s Ruby

The famous 14th century Black Prince’s Ruby in the British Imperial Crown is actually a red spinel!

The Timur Ruby

The famous Timur Ruby it's in fact a Spinel. It weighs over 352 carats and until 1851, was widely regarded as the largest known ruby in the world. It was presented to Queen Victoria by the East India and belonged to several Mughal emperors.

"Tribute to the World"

Spinel crystals are flowless, in Burma believe that they are “polished by the spirits.”

Until recently, spinel was an underappreciated gem with little consumer recognition.

Spinel was recently added as an August Birthstone, sharing this month with peridot and sardonyx. Its name comes from the Latin word "spinella", which means spine in reference to its pointed crystals. It has long been mistaken for ruby by emperors and monarchs. Many of the famous “rubies” of history were actually spinals therefore we need too value more this red beauties and let our love for 'reds' to explore other avenues then the traditional fascinating Ruby.

At the end of it all which one will be your favorite choise Rouge ou Noir?