The scarcity and incomparable magnificence of ruby has connected this gemstone with legends from the time of ancient to the present. Due to its beautiful vibrant color, it was believed by many cultures that a ruby held a fire within its crystal. In antiquity, ruby was considered as a sign of friendship, the finest and most lavish gift which could be presented to another. In India rubies were thought to possess caste: the deeper colors were of the highest caste; the paler the color the lower in the caste structure. Furthermore according to Hindu culture, a ruby’s internal fire could boil water. The ancient eastern cultures believed that ruby was self-luminous. Therefore it was usually called “glowing stone” or “lamp stone”. Brahmin traditions describe the home of the gods to be lightened by enormous rubies and emeralds. The Roman considered the ruby to be the stone of the war god Mars; as a strong color it was particularly appropriate to a man since it signified command, nobility, power, and vengeance. Also due to its color (like other red stones), ruby was used as a cure for bleeding. Growing from ground, like a vegetable is an interesting beliefs that is held by many ancient cultures. For instance, in Burma (is one of main sources for ruby) it was believed that ruby have growing period. The reddest of rubies were “ripe”, while the pale colors were “unripe”. Flawed rubies were thought to be “over-ripe” and left in the ground too long. Ruby is the stone of good luck, gives the wearer courage and its magical power always brings success. No matter how dangerous the task is, ruby's metaphysical power always brings victory. At the time of the Crusades it was favorite talisman and love token. Many beliefs about rubies are connected to its change of color. For instance it was believed that ruby can predict misfortune, illness or death for its owner by becoming dark and losing lustre. Another belief was that a ruby turned white when peril threatened its wearer and regained its color when the danger was passed. It is worth noting that ruby is the birthstone of July.