The Worth of a Ruby

          Rubies are one of the most valuable gems on earth. Rare and expensive, they are carefully and painstakingly sought out by miners in search of the perfect stone. But very rarely is the perfect stone found. More often than not, the ruby found, while still a beauty, has much work to be done before it will appear at a sale. Very rarely does a ruby appear without blemish, perfect and ready to be claimed.

            Rubies are actually made of mineral corundum, the same substance which sapphires are made of. The only difference is the color. Their hardness is a 9 on the Mohs scale with only diamonds having a higher number. The gems contain aluminum oxide and chrome; chrome giving it the brilliant red color. The red color of rubies is actually what makes them so rare. While in the earth’s core, the chrome make fissures and cracks inside of the stone basically stopping the stone from becoming a large beautiful gem. Hardly ever are ruby crystals able to grow larger than 3 karats without being cracked. This makes large rubies more valuable than even diamonds.

            Rubies of lesser value can be found. They can even be made to look brighter and their color more brilliant by a heating method. Fractures in the rubies can be filled and hid with lead glass so as to make their appearance seem without blemish, but these gems will not be the high bid of the day. They will not make it to the top of the market. Only the ruby that has grown in the depths of the earth unhindered and untouched, guarded only by the hands of God, will be a first rate ruby. That ruby will not need heat to brighten its color, because the earth has heated it thoroughly; it will not need to be filled with glass because it will have grown perfectly, without spot. This ruby is one to be sought for. She will be the high bid of the sale and she will be treasured.

            So it is with a virtuous woman. She is so very rare that it will take only the most persistent, and courageous of men to find her. He will have to seek her out long and hard. He will have to search in the hardest of places. There will be women that appear to be rubies. They will try to brighten their appearance, and powder and fill their flaws, but a man that truly seeks a rare gem will have the discretion to see past their costumes. He will not be satisfied until he has at last set his eye on the prize of a genuine ruby. Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”

            But a virtuous woman is not the only thing that is better to posses than rubies. Proverbs 8:11 “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” Job 28:18 “No mention shall be made of corals, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.” Wisdom, like a ruby, is a gem to be sought. Even through pain and trial it should be sought with utmost exigency.

            A virtuous woman and wisdom; brighter and rarer than rubies, to be claimed only by those brave enough to endure the call, these shall stand as two of the greatest possessions mankind can own. Will men be courageous enough to seek wisdom and search for a virtuous woman? And will women also have the determination to find wisdom and the resolution to become that virtuous gem? Only our Creator knows. We should set out hearts on trusting Him because as He knows men’s hearts, He also knows where the greatest and purest of rubies lies.