Yes, the ruby is the birthstone of the month of July.
Ruby Color
The colour of a ruby is the most important factor when it comes to determining its value. The most exclusive colour is rich, pure red with subtle hints of blue. Slight colour grades, such as vivid-red, pigeon blood-red, orange-red and pinkish-red, offer an array of subtle and spectacular differentiation. Lighter colored rubies and rubies with pink or orange hues tend to be less valuable, but oftentimes are equally as beautiful. On the other end of the light spectrum, rubies that are very dark or purple in colour can impact the gemstone’s brightness, which in turn also affects its value. In the end it’s purely a personal preference, as rubies in all colors are spectacular gemstones.
Ruby Carat Weight
Rubies are available in a wide range of sizes and the price per carat tends to increase as the size of the gemstone increases. The most common size of rubies is 0.5 carats to 1 carat, though there are prized rubies as large as 25 carats. Rubies over one carat, however, are considered very rare.
Ruby Cut
As with the sapphire, the natural shape of the ruby largely decides its cut. Since most rubies form in a flat hexagonal shape, they are most commonly cut in oval and cushion shapes to enhance their rich colour, but brilliant round cuts, emerald cuts, and pear cuts are also available.
Ruby Clarity
Due to the natural formation of rubies in the presence of minerals, almost all rubies have inclusions. For this reason, their value and quality is largely determined by their colour and how clear and brilliantly it radiates. At Gemdaia we go great lengths to find the most pure colored rubies with the least visible inclusions, to ensure you receive the best value. Rubies without subtle imperfections are exceptionally rare and, as such, demand prices that are sometimes even higher than diamonds.
Ruby Origins
Rubies form under our earth’s surface when mineral corundum and aluminum oxide are exposed to heat and pressure. Their deep red colour results when 1% of the aluminum atoms are replaced by chromium atoms.
Burma is home to many of the world’s finest rubies, though rubies are also sourced in a number of other countries including Cambodia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, USA, and Vietnam. Only a decade ago, the world’s largest ruby deposit was discovered at a mine in Mozambique. Because the origins are so varied, we take great care to source the highest-quality, ethically-mined rubies.
Ruby Meaning
Since medieval times, rubies have represented love, health, wealth, and wisdom. The ruby is considered to have powerful holistic properties that protect and stimulate the heart chakra, improve energy and concentration, and symbolize loyalty, honor, and compassion. The romantic red hue of ruby gemstones makes it a popular choice for engagement rings, as it stands for everlasting love and passion.
The ruby is the birthstone of July and the gemstone that commemorates the 15th and 40th anniversary.
Ruby Durability
The second hardest substance on earth after the diamond, rubies are extremely durable and make a great choice for everyday jewellery wear, such as engagement rings. Composed of aluminum and oxygen, with trace minerals of iron, titanium, and chromium, rubies are as hardy as they are beautiful.
Ruby Enhancements
Nowadays, rubies are often heat-treated to stabilize and enhance their colour tone. This is a popular choice as it can improve a ruby’s clarity and transparency permanently. That said, treating rubies does make them slightly less valuable than completely natural, unheated rubies of the same quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
The majority of fine rubies are found in Burma, but rubies are also sourced in Cambodia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, USA, and Vietnam.
Rubies are made of mineral corundum and aluminum oxide. They form under our earth’s surface when exposed to extreme heat and pressure.
Rubies are sought-after gemstones for fine jewelry and are often used in engagement rings, pendant necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Rubies are also used in birthstone jewelry to celebrate the month of July.
The value of rubies is determined by color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. The color of rubies is the most important factor when determining what rubies are worth.
Rubies represent love, health, wealth, and wisdom, and are believed to have powerful holistic properties, and symbolize loyalty, honor, passion, and compassion.