Ruby the Queen of Gems

Ruby is a form of corundum (aluminium oxide) with a distinctive red color produced by an admixture of chromium trioxide. The exact shade of red varies between pink and brownish red and these shades are often named after the regions in which they are usually found. The majority of high quality natural ruby today comes from Myanmar (formerly Burma).

Corundum of other colours is called sapphire. Light red corundum is known as "pink sapphire". The borderline between pink sapphire and true ruby can sometimes be difficult to determine. It has been said to depend on whether you are tryng to buy or sell the stone.

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The ruby is one of the hardest stones in nature, second only to the diamond, but can still be chipped or fractured if improperly handled.

The name "ruby" comes from the Latin rubeus meaning "red", The Sanskrit word for the ruby is ratnaraj ("queen of gems") or ratnayaka ("first of gems"). Most of its mythological associations stem fom its color.  The ruby is considered a stone of power and passion. It is supposed to bestow energy and will power.   The homes of the gods were sometimes said to be lit by the glow of rubies and rubies the color of pigeon blood were referred to as being drops of the blood of mother Earth herself.

Ruby was traditionally associated with health and long life. The alchemists adopted the "perfect ruby" as a symbol of the philosopher's stone or elixir of life. According to Ben Jonson:

He that has once the flower of the sun,

The perfect ruby which we call elixir

Not only can do that, but, by its virtue

Can confer honour, love, respect, long life,

Give safety, valour, ya, and victory,

To whom he will.

The Alchemist II-i

Various cultures have referred to the value of rubies. It said to be one of the stones in the Breastplate of Aaron, the High Priest. It is written in Proverbs 31:10, a virtuous wife’s worth is “far above rubies.”

“Rubies” has also been translated as jewels and precious stones, depending on the source. Aryuvedic traditions believe these Rubies strengthen the heart, restore balance in both love and spiritual relationships, and help to prevent miscarriages.

Modern ruby lore suggests that the man who gives a woman an engagement ring with a ruby expresses passionate love. The blood red color of rubies symbolizes the heart. Hence, rubies are today the stone most associated with love.

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Come visit our Ebay store to see these and other beautiful pieces of fine jewelry, something for every budget!

Morgan Silver Dollars

If you collect Morgan Silver Dollars or are looking to start a collection, check out our listing pictured above at  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290398432291&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

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Morgan Silver Dollars are to me the most beautiful of US coins.  They were minted from 1878 to 1921 and George T. Morgan, formerly a pupil of William Wyon's in the Royal Mint in London, designed the new dollar after the Bland-Allison Act of Feb. 28, 1878 authorized a standard for silver dollars.  Morgan's initial M is found at the truncation of the neck at the last tress, it also appears on the reverse on the left hand loop of the ribbon.

Coinage of the dollar was suspended after 1904 when demand was low and the bullion supply was exhausted.  Under the Pittman Act of 1918, 270,232,722 silver dollars were melted and later in 1921, the coijnage was resumed.

These dollars are very collectible, especially when in a mint state condition.  This will be the grading that begins with MS followed by a number.  Any that are MS60 or above are considered to be uncirculated as the condition is so pristine. 

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Our set is a mix of grades and years, a wonderful place to start your collection.  Many people like to collect until they have one of each year and mint mark, sometimes that takes years to put together.  Here you have 10 different years represented at a very affordable price for the beginner. 

New Coins Available on Ebay!

We have recently listed a variety of proof sets and uncirculated sets as well as this wonderful silver proof set.  We have put together decades when we could and grouped consecutive years when we could not. 

We also have some premiere sets.  All of these are proving very popular and are selling nearly as fast as we can list them.

Of course we always have excellent and rare slabbed coins. 

Old and Newer coins, circulated and uncirculated.  Rare and more common.  All price ranges, something for everyone!  And if you don't see what you are looking for please call us at 1-877-705-2646 and ask, we just may have it or can obtain it for you.

And look at these beautiful coins from China!  The artwork is superb and they are .999 silver 1 oz. rounds.

Our Ebay link is in the sidebar.