Ruby Red Slippers - Wizard of Oz

Perhaps the most recognized pop culture "rubies" are the shoes worn by Dorothy in the movie "The Wizard of Oz". It is speculated that at least 7 pair were originally made for the filming of the movie. One of the pair is on display at the National Museum of American History in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.

These famous ruby shoes, in fact, were not decorated in rubies at all. The shoes used for Dorothy's slippers were dyed red; then burgundy sequined organza overlays were attached to each shoe's upper and heel. The film's early 3-strip Technicolor process required the sequins to be darker than most red sequins found today; bright red sequins would have appeared orange on screen. The Art Deco-inspired bows comprised three large rectangular red glass jewels with dark-red bugle beads, outlined in orange-red glass rhinestones in silver settings. The stones and beads were sewn to a piece of red strap leather, then to the organza-covered shoe.

On May 20, 2000, one of the pairs sold at Christie's East Auction House for $666,000 to a group of partners who own memorabilia shops in Hollywood, CA.

During the fall Fashion Week in New York City 2008, Swarovski company held a charity contest with nineteen designers, including Gwen Stefani, Diane von Furstenberg, Moschino, among others, to redesign the ruby slippers from the classic 1939 film.

July's Birthstone - Ruby

Like a red rose, the Ruby’s rich color speaks of love and passion. Nicknamed the King of Gems, July’s birthstone ruby is among the most highly prized of gems known both for its rarity, as well as beauty.

The gemstone ruby is the red variety of the mineral Corundum, the second hardest mineral known. The stone of passion and heart’s desire ruby is surely a must have. Thanks to its intense red color, the Ruby has been associated with blood, fire, heart and passion throughout the millenia.

Ruby is also the stone for the 40th and 50th anniversary, and the stone of Capricorn.In healing, rubies are the gem of choice to cure diseases of the blood and the heart.

Sapphires

Star sapphire jewelry has always been favorite amongst both the young and old. Everyone is sporting sapphires these days. Celebrities are one reason why these earrings are so hugely popular. You can find them flaunting around their star sapphire jewelry at major events. In fact these pieces are much more than fashion accessories. They are actually status symbols. Sapphire being a rare gemstone is rather expensive. Even the sometimes steep price does not deter people from craving for this type of jewelry.

Sapphire is one the most expensive gemstones known to mankind. These rare gemstones are coveted by jewelry makers all over the world. The sometimes exorbitant cost of sapphires can be attributed to their rarity. Star sapphire pieces are priced according to the number of fissures, flaws or inclusions actually present in the sapphire stone. There could also be in some cases bubbles which affect the quality of a sapphire. All these factors in turn have an affect on the clarity of a sapphire and this in turn has its impact on the pricing.

There are a lot of other things attached with sapphires apart from style. For one if you wear star sapphire pieces, immediately you will be sporting an image of a successful person. In fact the reasons why these earrings find a large number of takers is because of the large number of celebrities endorsing them. There could be seldom a celebrity event when they do not come to the event wearing them. Such is the popularity of star sapphire earrings among the rich and famous. These earrings are much more than style accessories and have become a sort of status symbol these days.