Macedonia’s National Treasure: The Fascinating Story of Macedonian Ruby

As one of the traditional cardinal gems, along with amethyst, sapphire, emerald, and diamond, ruby holds a special place in the world of precious stones. Its name derives from the Latin word “ruber,” meaning red, reflecting the primary characteristic that defines this gem.

Many countries have their national precious stones: China has jade, Australia opal, Czech garnet, Colombia emerald, Baltic amber. Few people know that Macedonia has its own national precious stone – Macedonian ruby, also known as Prilep ruby, since it is most commonly found in the marble quarries around this city in central Macedonia.

The story of the Macedonian ruby begins approximately a century ago, when German geologist Otto Heinrich Ernstmann made a groundbreaking discovery. In several scientific papers following World War I, Ernstmann first identified the presence of corundum in the Prilep region. Although this finding was documented in German archives, it failed to generate significant interest for further exploration in Macedonia.

Decades passed before renewed attention was focused on the area. The opening of the Sivec marble quarry in Prilep marked a turning point. Workers at the quarry encountered an unexpected challenge – a material so hard that it damaged their tools. To their surprise, this mysterious substance was none other than corundum, specifically the crystal form of aluminum oxide containing traces of iron, titanium, or chromium, resulting in various colors. When corundum appears in its vibrant red hue, it’s referred to as ruby.

On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, rubies rank 9.0, placing them among the hardest naturally occurring gems. Only moissanite and diamond surpass them, with diamond holding the top position at 10.0. Rubies are renowned for their durability and popularity in traditional jewelry. Interestingly, other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires, highlighting the versatility of this mineral family.

As one of the traditional cardinal gems, along with amethyst, sapphire, emerald, and diamond, ruby holds a special place in the world of precious stones. Its name derives from the Latin word “ruber,” meaning red, reflecting the primary characteristic that defines this gem. The distinctive red color of a ruby is attributed to the presence of chromium.

Geologically speaking, Macedonian rubies originate from ancient metamorphic dolomites formed during the Precambrian era, dating back over 600 million years. These rocks represent some of the oldest formations on Earth.

Scientific confirmation of the existence of corundum in Macedonia came in 2000, courtesy of a British laboratory. They analyzed samples provided by enthusiastic Macedonian collectors, findings that were subsequently verified by the London Natural History Museum in 2006 using advanced spectroscopic techniques.

According to international standards, fragments of corundum displaying pink or light pink hues are classified as rubies. This classification underscores the significance of the Macedonian find within the global gemstone community.

While high-ranking natural gemstone deposits are rare across Europe, Macedonia’s discovery adds to the continent’s geological treasures. The country joins a select group of nations privileged to possess unique national gemstones.

In 2001, Macedonian entrepreneur Dejan Skatarov Deko launched a workshop dedicated to cutting and processing Macedonian rubies. This initiative not only showcased the beauty of these stones but also introduced innovative techniques like combining rubies with traditional Macedonian filigree work.

Today, Macedonian rubies adorn celebrities from both film and music industries, including Hollywood stars Daryl Hannah and Catherine Deneuve. These precious stones have also found their way onto crosses worn by popes, including Benedict XVI and Francis. Additionally, the Emir of Qatar and numerous state leaders who have visited Macedonia proudly wear Macedonian rubies, solidifying the stone’s status as a symbol of international recognition and appreciation.