Throughout history, the gems and jewellery world has been filled with unique combinations of gemstones, each contributing its allure and significance. Among these, pearls and rubies are two exquisite choices, celebrated for their rarity and captivating beauty. This prompts an intriguing question: can these 2 treasures be harmoniously paired in a single piece of jewelry?
On the surface, these gems have opposing personalities that could clash. Pearls, the birthstone for June is associated with purity, calmness, and depth of emotion, emitting a soothing, luminous glow. Natural ruby or the manik stone, meanwhile, sparks with vibrant energy and passion, its fiery hue representing strength, warmth, and royalty. But looking closer, one can see they may have more in common than it seems.
Both gems are durable and rare natural materials that have captivated civilizations throughout history with their intense and alluring splendour. So, could their compatible qualities of luxury and drama outweigh any conflicting aesthetics when brought together side by side? In this article, we explore the gemological properties and symbolic meanings of pearls and natural rubies to determine if their pairing is a match made in jewelled heaven or if they are better off admired separately.
Understanding Pearl Stone (Moti)
Pearls are one of the most timeless and cherished gemstones, formed within mollusks and admired for their luster and organic origin. Unlike other gems, which are mined from the earth, pearls are created under the sea or in freshwater environments, making them truly unique. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, ranging from classic white and cream to rare hues like black, gold, and pink perfect for pearl necklaces and other jewelry designs like earrings. Their appeal lies not only in their lustrous surface but also in their symbolic meaning, often associated with purity, wisdom, and serenity. When evaluating pearls, factors such as size, shape, surface quality, and luster are key, with each pearl type — whether Keshi, Akoya, Tahitian, or South Sea—offering its distinctive charm and characteristics.
Pearls in an oyster
Pearl jewellery, including earrings, studs, pearl necklaces, bangles and bracelets, has been cherished for thousands of years as a symbol of wealth, beauty, and status. Ancient civilizations, particularly in China, highly valued natural pearls, with trade records dating back over 4,000 years. Royalty in Asia and Europe proudly wore opulent pearl jewellery, with notable sources of natural pearls from the Persian Gulf, Sri Lanka, Chinese rivers, and Europe.
Christopher Columbus' voyages in the late 15th century introduced Europe to the pearl beds of Venezuela and Panama, boosting demand for pearl jewelry like pearl necklaces and earrings. However, over-harvesting and the rise of cultured pearls led to a decline in natural pearl supplies. By the 1920s, Japanese pearl farming methods made cultured pearls a commercially viable alternative, as wild populations dwindled. Throughout history, pearls have symbolized water's mystery, fortune, and beauty, especially in seafaring cultures.
Astrological Benefits of Wearing Pearls (Moti)
In astrology, pearls are associated with the moon and are believed to enhance its calming, nurturing energies. The moon governs emotions, relationships, and mental well-being. Wearing pearl stone is said to bring many benefits according to its lunar alignment. It can help reduce stress, anxiety, and anger and provide emotional stability for those with frayed nerves or an unsteady mind.
Pearl is thought to strengthen one's constitution and relieve insomnia, aiding restful sleep. Its cooling energies are thought to soothe hot-tempered individuals as well. On a physical level, pearls are believed to boost beauty and complexion.
When considering the appropriate carat weight for a pearl, many recommend using about 1/10th of one's body weight as a guide. For instance, someone weighing 60 kilograms may feel comfortable with a pearl around 6 carats. Traditionally, there were beliefs about which finger was best for wearing a pearl ring. For males, the little finger of the right hand was thought to suit a pearl. Meanwhile, for females, the little finger of the left hand was believed to be the finger of choice. Spiritually, the pearl is associated with wealth, prosperity, success, and harmonious family relations. It can additionally benefit counsellors and public speakers by promoting eloquence.
Understanding Rubies (Manik)
Natural rubies are one of the most celebrated and valuable gemstones in the world, known for their fiery red hue and rich historical significance. As a variety of corundum mineral species, which also includes sapphire, rubies have long been admired for their vibrant color and exceptional hardness, second only to diamonds on the Mohs scale. Rubies have been prized throughout history, symbolizing passion, protection, and prosperity, and they continue to be a popular choice for fine jewelry.
Natural rubies occur in a range of pink to red hues (although objectively pink stones are known as pink sapphires)
The vivid red hue of rubies is due to the inclusion of chromium within the crystal structure. Corundum in its pure form is colorless, but trace elements like chromium produce the stunning red shades that distinguish rubies. These hues can vary from orangey-red to purplish-red, with the most desirable rubies exhibiting a rich, intense red often referred to as "pigeon’s blood". Rubies originate in various countries across the world, with the most prominent sources including Burma (Myanmar), Mozambique, Thailand, Tanzania, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), etc.
Inclusions, or internal flaws, are common in rubies and can add character to the stone without significantly diminishing its value, especially when they don't interfere with the stone's transparency. The chromium content not only creates a red color but also causes the gemstone to fluoresce under UV light, enhancing its glow and allure.
In addition to their beauty and rarity, rubies hold great significance in various cultures, symbolizing love, energy, and vitality. Whether set in engagement rings, pendants, or royal crowns, rubies remain a timeless and cherished gemstone that continues to captivate jewelry enthusiasts around the world.
Astrological Benefits of Wearing Ruby Stone (Manik)
Ruby stone is considered the king of gems in Vedic sciences due to its association with the sun. An astrologer may recommend ruby for its ability to provide mental strength by stimulating the Manipura chakra. Wearing ruby can boost self-confidence and alleviate depression. It may also improve paternal relationships, as the sun represents fathers. Ruby is believed to support gains in name, fame, and success by encouraging creativity and passion.
A Pigeon’s Blood red ruby (Source: GIA)
Placing a ruby stone under the pillow at night may help the wearer ward off nightmares and negative energies. Its ties to royalty signify that it can symbolize authority, status, and a luxurious lifestyle for the wearer. Ruby also has reputed healing properties that may restore vitality and improve vision and circulation. It can help the wearer address indigestion, anxiety, and weakness according to one's sun placement in their birth chart. An astrologer may suggest wearing the ruby gemstone on the ring finger of the right hand for males, while females can wear it on either hand. It is recommended that the ruby's carat weight be at least 1/12th of the wearer's body weight. For instance, a person weighing 60 kg should consider wearing a 5-carat ruby for optimal benefits. It is always recommended, however, to consult an astrologer for the precise carat weight that would suit your needs.
Benefits of Wearing Ruby & Pearl Together
In Vedic astrology, the planets Sun and Moon are considered allies. A strong bond between these planets in a birth chart is believed to bring charisma and empowerment. Some potential benefits of coupling ruby and pearls include:
- Relationship strengthening: The stones are thought to enhance communication between family members like parents and children, helping resolve conflicts.
- Professional success: Wearing the ruby gemstone and pearl together could stimulate leadership qualities and smoother interactions with colleagues and managers, aiding career progression.
- Emotional balance: The combination aims to harmonize bodily energies, reduce stress, and promote motivation for overall wellness.
- Wealth & prosperity: By balancing the solar and lunar energies, the pairing may support success in business and employment ventures.
- Academic & career focus: For students and professionals, ruby could boost determination while pearls provide inner calm, helping maximize goals.
- Chakra stimulation: Individually the stones relate to different chakras, and together may aid a balanced mind, soul and physicality.
Overall, the belief is that ruby gemstone and pearl as a matched set work to optimize relationships, health, academics/career, and prosperity by appropriately stimulating key aspects of the inner being and complementing the planetary energies.
How to Wear Ruby & Pearl Together?
- Incorporate both gems in various jewellery pieces: Consider wearing a gold ring set with a ruby on one finger, while adorning another with a silver ring featuring a pearl. Combining these solar and lunar stones in jewelry be it in the form of bangles, studs, or bracelets allows one to showcase their compatible qualities of luxury, allure, and purported benefits.
- Enhance your living space: Keeping ruby and pearl together in your relationship space can help attract positivity. The vibrational energies of these gemstones are said to promote joy, love, and peace when combined. Displaying or carrying a ruby and pearl may enhance your connection by nourishing feelings of care, understanding and calm between partners.
- Use in mindfulness practices: During meditation sessions, hold or focus on both gems simultaneously. Some practitioners find that this combination may aid in sharpening focus and deepening personal insights.
A beautiful piece of jewellery made with pearls & rubies
Conclusive Reflections
Whether as treasured symbols of history or guiding lights of the astrological arts, rubies, and pearls have long dazzled mankind with their natural splendour. Though each gem evokes distinct energies, together, they form a balanced pairing believed to optimize well-being on multiple fronts. From stimulating relationship harmony to enhancing career success, the potential effects of wearing ruby and pearl as a set aim to empower key aspects of life. Some artisans even design thoughtful pairings intent on harmonizing the chakras through their placement and intended alignments.
As you explore the captivating world of premium gemstone pairings, why not dive deeper into the allure of precious stones? Whether you're drawn to the elegance of pearls, the fiery brilliance of rubies, or the allure of other exquisite stones, Precious Earth offers the perfect opportunity to enhance your understanding and appreciation of lab certified fine precious gemstones.
