Rubies have long been thought to have healing properties in treating both the blood and matters of the heart. When you say the word ruby you immediately visualize the colorful images of this stone, as well as an emotional response of passion, romance, and power.
Yes that's the power and the beauty of a ruby! The deep rich color of the ruby ranges from fiery orange red to deep purple red.
This rare gem is one of the most expensive gems and one of the most sought after.
The ruby has a history steeped in mystery and medicine. For centuries it has been used to cure and protect. Ancient cultures believed the ruby could cure ailments of the digestive system, energize the blood, and treat the heart. Warriors wore the ruby into battle because of its protective qualities.
The ruby as a gemstone for jewelry has a very interesting history. The crown of Charles IV of Luxembourg from the 1300s held a gem quality ruby that was a whopping 250 carats. The Smithsonian is home to a 137 carat cabochon star ruby.
The most expensive ruby ever sold at auction was a 15.97 carat stone that sold for $3.63 million in 1988. No matter their size or value all can agree that the ruby is a powerfully beautiful gem.
If you are in the market to buy a ruby [rubies] you should buy the best quality gem you can afford. Don't go for size go for quality. You'll not be disappointed. Rubies are treated with heat to enhance their color. Look for rubies that are a deep fiery red with not too much purple hue.
The more visible purple the less the value. Almost all quality rubies have inclusions, although they will not be visible to the naked eye, so you'll need to examine under a loope. When purchasing your ruby look for a clear stone with few inclusions.
If you have to choose between good color and more inclusions or poor color and few inclusions go for the "best color. The cut of the ruby is important. A good cut will make the ruby look like it is glowing with a deep fire. Inspect the stone under good lighting to ensure there are no chips or scratches.
The different geographical sources of the ruby each produce specific characteristics, colors, and qualities. Burma is famous for producing the greatest amount of top quality rubies in a fine, clear, deep red.
Burma is the most important source of rubies today. Thailand is known for dark red to brownish rubies. Ceylon [Sri Lanka] is known for medium to light rubies.
Africa is known for small purplish red stones. The ruby is steeped in history. Ruby is July's birthstone and is named the King of Gems. It's history is recorded as far back as the Bible and ancient Sanskrit writings. The name ruby is derived from the Latin word for red - rubrum. It is the sister to the sapphire from the corundum family which is a crystal structure composed of aluminum oxide.
Red corundum is called ruby. All other colors are part of the sapphire family. Ruby is the most valuable member of the corundum family. In fact large rubies have been known to bring more at auction than the most flawless diamonds. This is because of the rarity of gem quality ruby stone.
If you are in the market for a ruby be certain to follow the guidelines provided in this article. Rubies are also being grown in a laboratory and are becoming available in the market in limited quantities.
These grown rubies are of identical composition, hardness, and brilliance to natural rubies. Synthetic rubies are also available for a fraction of the cost. So for those of us with more limited pocket books we may have to look at purchasing a synthetic or lab grown ruby. No one can dispute the beauty and mystery of the beautiful ruby gem stone!
Sher from Estate Jewelry International have been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
There is sometimes confusion between the terms 'steam bath' and 'sauna.' Many people think they refer to the same thing. Not so. Even though they both are hot baths, one uses dry heat while the other uses moist heat.
There is confusion among the vast majority of people in the world. So we would like to help clear up the confusion. While both offer many health benefits there is a major differences. Health benefits include losing weight, cleansing the body of toxins, lowering cholesterol, relieving the symptoms of arthritis and treating respiratory problems like bronchitis and laryngitis. Sounds like a miracle cure, doesn't it? Some of these claims may be exaggerated, but others may have sound scientific foundations. Let's take a closer look
The sauna has very low humidity. This means it can be much hotter than a steam bath. Saunas are usually between 80�½C and 100�½C while a steam bath is usually about 40�½C. If the steam bath was any hotter than this it could scald the skin, but the dry heat of the sauna is safe.
Saunas are heated with stones placed on some kind of heater -- usually electric or wood-burning. From time to time, water is poured on the stones that produce a thick cloud of steam. This has the effect of raising the temperature in the sauna by several degrees, but the steam quickly dissipates.
A steam generator, on the other hand, heats steam baths. The steam is fed into the almost airtight room where it builds up to create humidity level of around 100%.
The different type of heat determines the type of materials that each can be made of. Saunas are usually wood-lined and have wooden benches to sit on. They are insulated to retain the heat but there is no concern about moisture damage to the outside structure.
Steam baths need to be made to contain the moisture created by the steam. They are usually finished in ceramic tile and the ceiling must be slanted so that the steam buildup does not drip from the ceiling onto the bathers.
Advantages / Disadvantages
Both have therapeutic benefits. They are good for blood circulation and can cleanse and rejuvenate the skin through heavy perspiration. They are good for easing muscle tension and promoting feelings of relaxation and well-being.
Some people find the dry heat of the sauna to be uncomfortable to breathe. Those with respiratory problems like sinus congestion and asthma may prefer the moist heat of the steam bath. Steam inhalation is often used for treating bronchitis, sinusitis and allergies so people with these conditions may benefit from steam baths.
If you are thinking of installing either in your home, there are several considerations to keep in mind. Generally speaking, saunas are easier to build and require less material and labor than a steam bath. You can buy self-enclosed steam baths, however, which can be easily installed in any bathroom. These cut down on construction and installation costs.
Both types of bath can be installed in a small space. Pre-built saunas can be placed in a bedroom or basement and can be put together in less than half an hour. Steam bath enclosures are usually installed in a bathroom and require the services of a plumber to connect the steam generator.
If you plan on converting an existing bathroom into a steam bath, all the walls and ceilings of the bathroom must be finished with a material like ceramic tile to prevent moisture from escaping. The room has to be airtight with only a small opening at the bottom of the door to allow a fresh air intake.
Maintenance
Both require relatively little maintenance. The steam bath simply needs to be washed with a ceramic tile cleaner once a week or so, and the sauna can be vacuumed or swept out occasionally. The natural wood of the sauna can become stained after a while, but the stains can be removed with light sanding or by washing the wood with an acidic solution.
Copyright 2005. William McNutt. All rights reserved This article may be freely distributed and reprinted as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article.
Authored by: William McNutt Sauna or Steam
Bill McNutt is a retired Aerospace Engineer. Retirement got boring so he took up web page building. He spends most of his time working on websites and writing articles.
Online Shopping
Loans for Every Need and Want.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Power of Positive Beliefs
What's In Your Electronic Medical Record?
Coffee Grinders Jumpstart Your Java
US Social Security - Is President Bush A Robin Hood After All?
Andropause and Depression
Tips for Writing Great Coaching E-Books
A New Dad To Be? Deer in the headlights?
Alternatives to Filing Bankruptcy
How's Your Net Working?
In 1408 on a grade of the Moscow grand duke it has been decided to decorate with a fresco list decay...