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✧ Ruby: Gem of Royalty, Faith, and Eternal Flame
Among all the precious stones shaped by nature, ruby stands as one of the most revered not only for its fiery brilliance, but also for its symbolic ties to power, nobility, and courage across cultures.
Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum, sharing its family with sapphire. With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, ruby is second only to diamond in durability. Its red hue comes from the presence of chromium (Cr) within the crystal structure. The finest rubies exhibit a vivid, intense red color known as “Pigeon’s Blood,” long prized in both Eastern and Western royal collections.
▌A Gem Woven into History
Ruby has been treasured for centuries, referred to in ancient Indian texts as Ratnaraj — “King of Gems.” In medieval Europe, it was believed to offer protection from harm and to glow when danger approached.
In Southeast Asia, the most renowned source of rubies is Mogok, in present-day Myanmar. By the late 18th century (late 23rd Buddhist century, around 1790–1810 CE), rubies from Mogok were traded widely and entered the royal courts of Siam during the Ayutthaya period, and later continued through the Thonburi (1767–1782 CE) and early Rattanakosin (from 1782 CE) eras.
▌Ruby in the Thai Royal Court
In Thai tradition, ruby is not only an ornament but one of the “Navaratna” — the nine sacred gems used in royal coronation ceremonies and royal regalia. It symbolizes valor, power, and righteous rule.
During the reign of King Rama I (r. 1782–1809 CE), royal regalia were re-established following ancient customs, with rubies adorning swords, crowns, and ceremonial objects to represent divine authority.
In the era of King Rama V (r. 1868–1910 CE), Thailand began modernizing its honors system. Rubies were featured in the Order of the Royal House of Chakri and other decorations recorded in the treasury of the Royal Household Bureau.
During the coronation of King Rama VI in 1910 CE, traditional regalia featuring rubies and other Navaratna stones were again used, reinforcing a legacy of symbolic continuity in the Chakri dynasty.
▌More Than a Jewel
To this day, ruby remains more than a luxurious adornment. It is a vessel of belief, a marker of dignity, and a witness to history.
Each red shimmer reflects the volcanic origins beneath the earth — and the spiritual values cherished by kings, warriors, and devout wearers over centuries .
