Ruby is known as the gemstone of love and passion, hence the object of fancy for the International Colored Gemstone Association’s (ICA) first ever category of gemstone promotion.

Throughout the year, the king of colored stones will be subject to royal treatment as the ICA celebrates and promotes new sources of ruby.

Ruby was mined as far back as the Bronze Age. Throughout the years, a variety of colors and phenomenon have been discovered, ranging from the famed pigeon’s blood ruby to the six-point star ruby.

It is a gemstone for those who won’t blush from its radiation and intense red color, which is bound to get noticed in bold designs with diamonds, or set in gold or platinum.

The ICA has declared this the “Year of the Ruby” “it is a historic moment for the ruby and we want to let people know that ruby jewelry is now within their reach,” says Cheryl Kremkow of the ICA.