Ruby Gemstone Guide

Ruby is a captivating red gemstone cherished for its rich colour and beauty. Ruby symbolises love, passion and strength, making it a timeless choice for engagement rings. Explore our ruby guide to learn about its unique properties, quality and origins, and discover how to choose the right ruby for your jewellery.

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What Is A Ruby?

Ruby is one of the most popular precious gemstone belonging to the corundum mineral family, the same family as sapphire gemstones. While corundum can occur in several colours, only its red variety is classified as ruby. The presence of the trace element chromium gives ruby its characteristic red colour, with variations in composition contributing to differences in shade and intensity.

Rubies can display colours ranging from bright, vibrant red to deeper red with subtle purple undertones. Each gemstone has its own characteristics, influenced by its colour, clarity, cut and natural formation. Highly valued for its beauty and durability, ruby is a popular choice for engagement rings and jewellery intended to be worn and cherished for years.

What Makes Ruby Special?

Ruby stands out for its distinctive red colour and enduring appeal. Throughout history, it has been prized in fine jewellery and associated with powerful symbolism. Its hardness is another important quality. With a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale, ruby is one of the hardest natural gemstones, making it suitable for many types of fine jewellery.

Fine-quality rubies can also be exceptionally rare. Gemstones with a vivid, well-balanced red colour and attractive clarity are particularly sought after. However, every ruby is different, and the right choice depends on your personal preferences and budget.

What Determines Ruby Quality?

When choosing a ruby, several characteristics influence its appearance and value. Understanding these factors can help you compare different ruby gemstones and decide which qualities matter most to you.

Ruby Colour

Colour is one of the most important factors in ruby quality. The most desirable rubies typically display a vivid, well-balanced red that is neither too dark nor too light. Ruby colour can vary from bright red to deeper red with purple undertones. Some gemstones are also described using terms such as pigeon’s blood, traditionally associated with a particularly vivid red colour. Such descriptions should be considered alongside the stone's actual characteristics and any supporting gemmological assessment.

Ultimately, the shade you prefer is a personal choice. A brighter red may appeal to someone seeking a striking centre stone, while a deeper shade can create a rich appearance.

Ruby Clarity

Clarity refers to the internal inclusions and surface characteristics present within a gemstone. Natural rubies commonly contain inclusions formed during their growth, and completely inclusion-free stones are rare.

The visibility and position of these characteristics can influence a ruby's transparency, brilliance and value. An inclusion does not automatically mean a gemstone is poor quality, what matters is how it affects the stone's overall appearance and durability.

Ruby Cut

The cut determines how a ruby is shaped and polished. Cut influences its proportions, colour display and interaction with light. Rubies are available in a variety of shapes, including oval, round, cushion, pear and emerald cuts. Oval and cushion cuts are particularly popular for ruby jewellery, while round and other shapes can create distinctive looks.

A well-cut ruby should complement its natural colour and present an attractive overall appearance. The best shape depends on the gemstone itself and the design in which it will be set.

Ruby Carat Weight

Carat measures a ruby's weight rather than its physical size. Two rubies with the same carat weight may look different in size depending on their proportions and cutting style. Fine-quality rubies become increasingly rare as their size increases, which can significantly influence their value.

However, a larger gemstone is not automatically better. Colour, clarity, cut and treatment history should all be considered when comparing stones.

Ruby Gemstone Facts

Feature	Details
Mineral Family	Corundum
Chemical Composition	Aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃)
Available Colours	Red, ranging from lighter red to deep, purplish red
Mohs Hardness	9 out of 10
Birthstone	July
Popular Cuts	Oval, round, cushion, pear and emerald
Symbolism	Love, passion, courage and vitality
Countries of Origin	Myanmar, Mozambique, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar

Ruby Jewellery and Engagement Rings

Ruby's distinctive red colour makes it a beautiful choice for jewellery with personal meaning. While diamonds remain a traditional choice for engagement rings, a ruby offers an alternative for those seeking a colourful centre stone with a timeless appearance.

A ruby solitaire engagement ring creates a clean, elegant look, while a halo of diamonds can add contrast and brilliance. Trilogy ring designs offer another option, combining ruby with diamonds or other complementary gemstones.

Beyond engagement rings, rubies can be incorporated into earrings, pendants and other fine jewellery. The right design depends on your preferred style, the gemstone's characteristics and how you intend to wear the piece.

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