When it comes to iconic colored gemstones, a ruby is in a league of its own. Known as the “King of gems,” it dazzles with a fiery red hue and warm velvety glow. Throughout the ages, rubies have been worn by emperors and empresses, kings and queens, celebrities and fashion icons. They’ve also been prominently featured in Hollywood films (who could forget Dorothy’s ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz or Julia Robert’s ruby and diamond necklace in Pretty Woman?)
Today, rubies are one of the most sought-after gems on the market, often commanding more dollars per carat than the top flawless diamonds. A ruby is a romantic choice for an engagement ring, especially since red is synonymous with love and passion. It’s also the traditional gem given to celebrate 14 and 40 years of marriage. If you’re not betrothed, don’t worry – rubies are equally stunning when worn as a regular ring, necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings.
Whether you're thinking about buying ruby jewelry for a special someone or want to add some red to your personal jewelry collection, you've come to the right place. Keep reading to find out how rubies are formed, the various types of rubies by place of origin, and tips for styling ruby jewelry.
What is a ruby?
The name ruby comes from the Latin word ruber or rubens, which means “red.” Rubies are part of a quartet of stones, including diamonds, sapphires and emeralds that are considered truly precious. Ruby has the same chemical composition (corundum or aluminum oxide) as sapphires but gets its vibrant red color from trace amounts of chromium present in it. Fun fact: Gemologists consider chromium to be the “rock star” of trace elements. No wonder rubies are king!
How are rubies formed?
Ready for a quick geology lesson? A long time ago the Earth’s surface was covered in hot magma or molten rock. As the magma cooled inside the Earth’s crust, it formed different types of rocks and minerals, including a mineral called corundum. Over the course of millions of years, corundum was subjected to intense heat and pressure, causing it to crystallize. During this metamorphic process, trace elements of the chemical chromium became trapped within the corundum crystals, turning them into red rubies!
Where are rubies mined today?
Gem-quality rubies can be found on several continents, including Asia, Africa, South America, North America and Australia.
Ruby characteristics
Signature red color. The primary color of a ruby is red but different varieties can exhibit secondary hues like blue, purple, orange, brown and pink. In the jewelry market, rubies with a deep, saturated red color are considered the most valuable. Tidbit: A ruby stops being a ruby and becomes a pink sapphire when the tone gets too light.
Durable. Ruby has a rating of 9.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, second only to diamonds and moissanite, making it highly resistant to scratching, and thus, well-suited to wear as jewelry.
Always have inclusions. Natural rubies, like other mined gemstones, tend to have inclusions (tiny imperfections) that develop during their formation in the earth. The most common inclusions in rubies are “silk” (a network of rutile needles that intersect at different angles and scatter light), small crystals, fingerprints, fractures, fissures and feathers.
Heat treated. Over 95% of the world’s rubies are subjected to heat treatment to improve their color and clarity. However, be wary of rubies that are “glass-filled.” These are low-grade rubies infused with lead glass that can break over time. Always make sure to ask for a lab report to verify what treatment was used.
Glow under ultraviolet light. Rubies can “glow” or fluoresce when exposed to ultraviolet light and natural sunlight. The effect is mesmerizing and can appear as if the ruby is “blushing red” from the inside out.
5 different types of rubies
Rubies are typically differentiated based on their shade of red or location of origin. Here are six varieties:
- Burmese Pigeon’s Blood Ruby: Burmese rubies are considered the finest and most desired rubies in the world, sourced from the mountainous Mogok region of Myanmar (formerly Burma), often called the “Valley of Rubies.” The term “pigeon-blood” is often used to describe the color of Burmese rubies—a highly saturated red with bluish-purple undertones—thought to resemble the color of pigeon’s blood or the center point of a pigeon’s eye. Most rubies from Myanmar possess a strong red fluorescence because they formed within marble, a chromium-rich rock.
- Star Ruby: Star ruby is a ruby that displays a six-point star inside the stone, a phenomenon known as asterism. The star-like pattern is formed due to the presence of tiny, needle-like “silk” inclusions. Mined in Myanmar, star rubies are incredibly rare. Only three out of every 100 rough mined rubies will have visible stars after being cut.
- Thai Ruby: Thai ruby, also known as Siamese Ruby, is mined in Southeastern Bangkok in Thailand as well as in neighboring Cambodia. Thai ruby exhibits a darker, more maroon-like red than the brighter red associated with Burmese rubies. This is due to a high concentration of iron in the stone which can dim its fluorescence but enhance its clarity.
- Mozambique Ruby: Since its discovery in 2009, the Mozambique ruby, from the southern African nation of Mozambique, has emerged as a popular and affordable alternative to Burmese rubies. Mozambique rubies range in color from a dark crimson red to pinkish red with a bright fluorescence.
- Madagascar Ruby or Malagasy Ruby: A new variety of ruby called the Malagasy ruby was recently discovered in Zahamena National Park in Madagascar in 2015. It features a deep red color with a secondary pink or orange hue.
5 red hot ways to style ruby jewelry
Now that you’re an expert on rubies, it’s time for the fun part—styling ruby jewelry! Here are five styling tips for looking radiant in red. Keep in mind, these are just recommendations. Do whatever makes you feel most confident!
- Consider the occasion. For everyday events like a virtual work meeting, coffee date, or trip to the grocery store, less is more. Try wearing a pair of solitaire ruby stud earrings, a dainty ruby ring or thin ruby bracelet for a subdued yet classic look. Dial up the drama after dark with a large ruby cocktail ring or sparkly ruby chandelier earrings. For black tie occasions, break out your most eye-catching piece, like a ruby and diamond encrusted necklace.
- Coordinate with an outfit’s silhouette and design. Avoid wearing loud ruby statement pieces with clothing items that have busy patterns or embellishments. This can be too much.
- Experiment with color blocking. If you really want to make the red in your ruby pop, pair it with black, white, green, purple or blue outfits for a visually stunning contrast. To accomplish a softer, more romantic look, try wearing it with light pink, camel or gray colored outfits.
- Go monochromatic red. Don’t be shy about dressing in head-to-toe red! Red outfit, red shoes, red bag, red lipstick, red everything! Your ruby jewelry will be the ultimate cherry on top.
- Wear a ruby ring as a standalone, not as part of a stack. Although the current jewelry trend is stacking rings, a red ruby ring commands enough attention on its own.
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