The word "ruby" derives from the Latin word "ruber," which means red. Rubies have always been favored by those in roles of power as well as by those in love and are therefore considered a gemstone that involves a lot of emotion. Some cultures even have a fable regarding the source of the stone. It was told that rubies grew on trees, starting out as white buds and then blossoming into ripe red rubies ready to be picked. Rubies are mentioned in the Bible and have been used and appreciated in some of the most ancient cultures.