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Ruby

Gemstones
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A deep red gemstone, a variety of corundum, symbolizing passion, power, and protection.

Detailed Definition
Rubies appear in poetry as emblems of intense emotion—love, fury, or sacrifice—owing to their vivid crimson hue reminiscent of blood or fire. Historically linked to royalty and divine favor, rubies evoke themes of vitality and courage. Poets use rubies to contrast or complement cooler stones like sapphires, creating chromatic tension that mirrors emotional or moral dualities in lyrical narratives.
Example
Example in poetry:
Shakespeare’s “ruby lips” symbolize passionate vitality; in medieval verse, ruby represents Christ’s blood and divine love; modern poetry uses it to explore sacrifice and courage; its deep red appears in elegies and love poems; as corundum, it embodies fiery resilience; its rarity ties it to exceptional emotion.
Additional Notes
Ruby, the red corundum, symbolizes passion, power, and protection; historically more valued than diamond, it’s linked to the sun, blood, and divine love—its deep red hue and durability make it a timeless emblem of enduring fire, whether of heart, spirit, or will, in poetic tradition.
Other Meanings of “Ruby”
Also Known As
red corundum July birthstone passion gem
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