Restores HP. It cannot be used in the field. Equip as an Add-on.
Description
The Ruby is a jewel in Final Fantasy IX that everyone can equip as an add-on. It can also be used during battle as a healing item, though the player should not do this as Ruby is a limited item and the rarest jewel: there are only two in the game. It teaches Carbuncle to Eiko and Reflect to both Eiko and Dagger. It can be used for synthesis.
Obtain[]
Stiltzkin at the end of the game.
A Ruby is first obtained as part of the story when the player enters Iifa Tree. Another Ruby is bought from Stiltzkin in Alexandria at the end of the game.
Mechanics[]
The Ruby can be used as an item during battle, to restore HP equivalent to the total stock of Rubies x60. Jewels are the only healing items that work on Zombiefied/undead targets. It can be a powerful healing item, but is unaffected by Chemist and cannot be used while in the field. However, as the Ruby is a limited item, it is best not used as a consumable, unless in the final battles.
Use[]
The Ruby is useful for learning Carbuncle and Reflect. After Eiko masters Carbuncle, she can equip other jewels to change the effect Carbuncle bestows on the party.
A Ruby can also be used in synthesis to make a Promist Ring, but there are other ways to get it.
As jewels do not grant stats, the player should unequip them after mastering the abilities they hold.
Etymology and origin[]
A ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). It is the birthstone for July. The jewels are based on real life birthstones. As such, when equipping as an add-on and if the player has all twelve jewels in their inventory (minus Ore), the jewels are listed in the same order as the birthstones where each gemstone represents a month.