What makes the ruby so valuable

Gembleu celebrates the month of July by throwing light on the exquisiteness of the Ruby, that is symbolic of the sun.The Ruby is also the birthstone for the month of July and we wish all July-born a very happy birthday! 

Origin 

The word Ruby originated from ‘Ruber’ (Latin), which means Red. The stone went down in history as one of the most revered gemstones that upholds the virtues of fortitude and strength. Warriors often planted the stone under their skin to ward off evil, attain valor and earn victory. 

The Properties 

Rubies are composed of the corundum mineral - a form of Aluminum Oxide. The red pigment is a result of the aluminum atoms. Corundum determines the stone’s hardness, explaining exclusivity. This puts rubies at a solid 9 on the Mohs hardness scale.

The ‘Pigeon Blood’ ruby is the most expensive ruby, owing to the intensity of its color. This particular variant is sourced from the mines in Burma. The ruby sourced from these mines are natural and do not undergo a process to intensity the color, hence, their higher value.

Hues

There are, however, different types of rubies available. The ones that are dark red and riddled with a brackish tint lose their exclusivity and are less expensive. The bright red rubies, like this ring from our collection,  that are more akin to a blood red in orientation, with streaks of purple, are dearer in price. As a ruby engagement ring, it would make quite an impression. Light pink rubies are emerging as a hot favorite and are just as competitively priced. But in most cases, the brighter the red, the dearer the Ruby.

Purity 

Even though the ruby is mined from a single source, the purity and color could vary, as the chemical composition differs. Just like with diamonds, the clarity of the ruby influences the price. The stone should be free of inclusions, or mineral presence.  

Processed Rubies mined from Afghanistan, Mozambique, and Vietnam sometimes undergo a heating process to intensify the color. However, overheating the gem can also cause the stone to lose its color, which in turn will devalue it. 

Shapes and More 

The value of the gemstone is also influenced by the shape/cut. For instance, a tear drop shaped ruby encrusted on a ring, like the one from our collection, is something we would consider an heirloom. A heart shaped ruby, for example, that is embellished on this glamorous ruby heart necklace, another from our range, can make for a very romantic gifting option. 

The Ruby comes in several shapes; popular cuts range from oval, pillow cut, pear, drop, and heart. The higher price for fancy shapes is attributed to the thought and planning involved in acquiring the desired shape. 

For additional information on rubies, in jewelry, read our blog here.