Birthstone Spotlight: Ruby

Welcome to our birthstone spotlight for July! Let’s learn about rubies!

What is Ruby? 

Ruby is a variety of the same mineral species as sapphire -- corundum. Rubies are the most valuable variety and can command the highest per-carat price of any colored gemstone.

Pure corundum is colorless. Ruby’s red color is a result of trace amounts of chromium present in the crystal. The more chromium that is present, the stronger the color of the crystal will be.

The History of Rubies

Rubies have been incredibly significant throughout history. They are even mentioned in the Bible four separate times! The Roman scholar, Pliny, described rubies in his book Natural History, which was written in the first century AD. Rubies also played a large role in Hindu history. Ancient Hindus believed that if a person offered a ruby to the god, Krishna, they would receive a rebirth as an emperor.

Rubies were named after the Latin word for “red” -- ruber. After the birth of the western world, they remained one of the most important gemstones. European royalty and upper classes desired rubies, and many people in medieval times believed that rubies offered its wearers health, wealth, wisdom, and success in love.

To this day, rubies remain of the most sought-after gemstones in the world.

Quality Factors

Rubies have the same quality factors as diamonds: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. 

Color: Color is the most critical factor in the quality of rubies. The most valuable rubies are a bright, vibrant red. Some markets also highly value slightly purplish-red rubies. For the most part, however, rubies with orange or purple hues are considered less valuable. The most sought-after rubies are neither too dark nor too light in color. If a “ruby” is too pink, it will likely be sold as a pink sapphire and not as a ruby at all!

Clarity: Nearly all rubies have some inclusions. The more visible the inclusions are, the less valuable a ruby becomes. If a ruby has inclusions that reduce its transparency or brightness, it will be considerably less expensive.

Cut: Rubies are often cut into cushion or oval shapes. Rubies can also be cut into several other shapes, including round, triangular, emerald-cut, pear, and marquise. Many factors influence how cutters decide to approach rubies. In general, rubies are cut in a way that conserves weight and leads to the best distribution of light. 

Carat Weight: Like all fine gemstones, the heavier carat weights demand the highest prices. It’s rare to find fine-quality rubies over one carat. As sizes increase, the price-per-carat increases dramatically. 

How to Care For Ruby Jewelry

Caring for your ruby jewelry depends on a few different factors. It’s always safe to use warm soapy water and a soft brush. It is usually safe to use ultrasonic and steam cleaners for rubies, as long as they are not fracture-filled or cavity-filled. If you’re not sure if your rubies are fracture or cavity-filled, it’s best to see a professional jeweler for cleaning. 

Interesting Facts About Rubies

• Ruby is the birthstone for July, as well as the gemstone of 15th and 40th anniversaries.
• Rubies are a 9 on Mohs Hardness Scale.
• In ancient Sanskrit, ruby is called "ratnaraj," which means “king of gems.”
• Rubies are mentioned in the Bible in association with beauty and wisdom.
• In May 2015, a 25.59ct ruby ring was sold at auction for $1,266,901 per carat -- a new record for a colored gemstone!