A Ruby Story: The Gem That Started Meashell.

There are gemstones that sparkle, and then there are gemstones that speak to you.

Rubies have always spoken to me, long before Meashell existed, long before I ever imagined turning a sketchbook of ideas into a brand. They appeared in small, almost secret ways throughout my life, leaving a trail I didn’t recognize until much later. Maybe that’s why this first blog begins with the ruby gemstone. It’s not because it’s trending, though it absolutely is, but because rubies are where the Meashell story truly begins.

The Stone That Means More

Rubies have carried meaning for thousands of years, believed to stir the heart, protect the spirit, and symbolize love with a kind of intensity no other gemstone quite matches. Ancient cultures feared and worshiped them. Royals hoarded them. Rubies have also been known as the King of the jewels. Even today, gemologists still call ruby one of the world’s “Big Three” precious stones, an honor shared only with emerald and sapphire. For me, ruby has always meant something more intimate. Every meaningful piece of jewelry my husband has ever given me, including my engagement ring, hides a ruby somewhere only I would notice. Quietly placed. Never announced. A warm streak of red that feels like a private whisper. A love note in gemstone form. Maybe that’s why I see ruby as the stone of connection more than anything else. Of all the gemstones I could’ve started with emeralds, opals, aquamarines, and pearls, rubies kept returning as I drafted my designs. Rubies aren’t the easiest stones. They are rare. They are valuable. They have opinions with their color shifts (depending on the light), mood, and environment. Rubies demand the right touch. It’s never perfect. That’s exactly what I love. Scientifically, it’s one of the most durable stones on earth (it is a 9 on the Mohs scale), which means it can be worn every day without fear. Economically, rubies have outperformed most colored gemstones over the past decade as demand rises and fine-quality stones grow scarce. Emotionally, they’re unmatched. There’s a reason cultures across the world saw them as symbols of passion, protection, and life force. When you wear ruby, you don’t just accessorize, you express yourself.

Color, Travel, and the Spark That Started it All

In 2025, during travels through Morocco and Spain, I found myself surrounded by color in a way that felt almost cinematic. Deep desert reds, tiles in impossible blues, sun-washed gold, market stalls bursting with textures and tones. Everything felt warm, alive, and unedited. Colors weren’t just colors there, they were moods. Conversations. Stories.

Somewhere between Marrakech and Marbella, the thread clicked. Ruby wasn’t just a stone I loved, it was a feeling I had been chasing without realizing it. The warmth of it. The depth. The emotion. The way red holds both power and vulnerability at the same time. When I came home, I created a collection named Onamenta, and rubies were some of the casual luxury bracelets created in the beautiful collection.  

The World is Turning to Color Again

As I began sketching Meashell’s first collection, the jewelry industry was quietly shifting. Consumers were choosing authenticity over perfection, symbolism over sameness, color over safe choices. Reports showed a surge in demand for colored gemstones. Trend forecasts pointed toward 2025 and 2026 being the years of expressive, meaningful jewelry, pieces that feel personal, emotional, and crafted with intention. Colored gemstones are all rising. It felt like the world was catching up to what I felt all along. They were becoming relevant again, and rubies is a part of the relevancy. 

How Rubies Wear in Real Life

Despite their reputation for drama, rubies ground beautifully into everyday style.

• They warm up a crisp white shirt.

• They make denim feel intentional.

• They add sophistication to black silk or a holiday velvet dress.

• They soften next to pearls.

• They glow next to yellow gold.

• And they absolutely shine with a camel coat and winter neutrals.

Rubies don’t ask to be the center of attention. They simply become it. And when you stack them, there is something magical about pairing ruby with other Meashell pieces. A ruby bracelet next to black diamonds becomes midnight and candlelight. Ruby with cultured pearls becomes feminine strength. Ruby with clear quartz becomes clarity meeting fire. Ruby with emeralds becomes pure, regal energy. Stacking isn’t about excess, it’s about tension and balance. Rubies gives that balance depth.

The Value Behind the Beauty

I think about jewelry differently because of my background. Data, market behavior, trend adoption curves. They are always in the back of my mind, and the numbers tell a clear story:

• Demand for ethically sourced, high-quality rubies is rising.

• Fine ruby remains one of the rarest colored gemstones in the world.

• Colored gemstone jewelry is one of the fastest-growing luxury segments globally.

• Ruby pricing has shown long-term strength as availability tightens.

So when someone purchases a ruby bracelet, they are not just buying beauty, they are buying longevity, scarcity, and emotional value, which are three factors that make a piece not only cherished but meaningful over time. It is where sentiment meets investment. It is absolutely where Meashell lives.

Why Rubies Will Always Be Part of Meashell

When I look at the ruby bracelets in the Meashell collection, I see more than gold and gemstone, I see a story that began long before the brand did. I see a hidden ruby in an engagement ring. I see warm Moroccan sunsets. I see Spanish tiles that almost seemed to glow. I see joy in its purest, most saturated form. Ruby is woven into the Meashell identity, and now, if you choose to wear one, it becomes part of your story too. A bracelet that glows softly in daylight, deepens in evening light, and reminds you that color has a voice, and when you wear it, so do you. This is the beginning of our color story, and ruby is the perfect first chapter.