Ruby Gemstones

Yes, a ruby can be a beautiful and meaningful choice for an engagement ring. Rubies are precious gemstones known for their vibrant red color and durability. Here are some considerations that might make a ruby a good choice for an engagement ring:

1. Symbolism: Rubies are often associated with love, passion, and romance due to their rich red color. Choosing a ruby for an engagement ring can symbolize strong emotions and a deep, enduring love.
2. Durability: Rubies are one of the hardest gemstones, scoring a 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This hardness makes them well-suited for everyday wear in an engagement ring, as they are less prone to scratching and damage.
3. Uniqueness: While diamonds are the traditional choice for engagement rings, opting for a ruby can make the ring stand out and be a unique expression of personal style. The distinctive red hue of a ruby can make a bold and elegant statement.
4. Cultural Significance: In some cultures, rubies are considered symbols of protection, prosperity, and passion. If you have a cultural connection to rubies or simply appreciate their significance, they can be a meaningful choice.
5. Vintage Appeal: Vintage and antique engagement rings often feature colored gemstones, including rubies. Choosing a ruby for your engagement ring can give it a timeless and classic look, reminiscent of vintage styles.

While rubies have many positive attributes, it's important to consider a few factors:

1. Color Preferences: Ensure that the intended recipient of the ring appreciates the rich red color of rubies, as individual color preferences vary.
2. Care and Maintenance: Like any fine gemstone, rubies should be cared for to maintain their beauty. Regular cleaning and occasional professional maintenance may be necessary.
3. Setting Considerations: Choose a setting that protects the ruby and minimizes the risk of damage. Additionally, consider the metal type and design that complements the ruby's color.

Ultimately, the choice of a ruby for an engagement ring is a personal one, and if the deep red color resonates with you and your partner, it can be a stunning and meaningful choice.

Rubies have been highly valued throughout history and across various cultures, and they carry a range of symbolic meanings. Here are some common interpretations associated with rubies:

1. Passion and Love: The vibrant red color of rubies has long been associated with passion, love, and desire. Rubies are often considered symbols of deep and enduring love, making them a popular choice for engagement rings and romantic jewelry.
2. Vitality and Energy: The intense red hue of rubies is often linked to themes of vitality and life force. The color red is associated with energy, strength, and courage, and wearing a ruby is believed by some to bring vitality and passion to the wearer.
3. Protection: In many cultures, rubies are considered protective gemstones. It is believed that wearing a ruby can provide protection against negative energies, ward off danger, and bring good fortune.
4. Prosperity and Wealth: Throughout history, rubies have been associated with wealth and prosperity. Some cultures believe that owning or wearing a ruby can attract abundance and success.
5. Courage and Confidence: The bold and intense color of rubies is often associated with qualities such as courage and confidence. Wearing a ruby is thought to empower the wearer and instill a sense of self-assurance.
6. Devotion and Commitment: Due to their deep red color and association with love, rubies are often seen as symbols of devotion and commitment. This makes them a popular choice for engagement and anniversary jewelry.
7. Spiritual Significance: In certain spiritual traditions, rubies are believed to have spiritual properties, promoting wisdom, insight, and a connection to higher realms.

It's important to note that the symbolism of gemstones can vary across cultures and personal beliefs. The significance of a ruby in jewelry often goes beyond its physical beauty, and the wearer may attribute personal meaning to the stone based on their own experiences and cultural background.

In general, rubies can be priced similarly to or even higher than diamonds on a per-carat basis, and this is because rubies, especially high-quality ones, are considered precious gemstones with their own set of characteristics that contribute to their value. Several factors influence the price of both rubies and diamonds, and comparing them can be complex. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Color: The color is a significant factor in determining the value of both rubies and diamonds. For rubies, a deep red color with minimal secondary hues is highly prized. Diamonds are graded on a color scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown), and the most valuable diamonds are often those with little to no color (in the D to F range).
2. Clarity: Both rubies and diamonds can have inclusions (internal flaws) that affect their clarity. Inclusions are often more accepted in rubies than in diamonds. However, for both gemstones, higher clarity generally commands a higher price.
3. Cut: The cut quality influences the overall appearance and brilliance of both rubies and diamonds. Well-cut gemstones are more valuable, but the specific cut considerations can vary between the two.
4. Carat Weight: The size of the gemstone, measured in carats, contributes to its overall value. Larger rubies or diamonds of high quality command higher prices per carat.
5. Treatment: Many rubies undergo heat treatment to enhance their color, which is an accepted practice in the gemstone industry. However, untreated, high-quality rubies can be exceptionally rare and valuable. Diamonds, too, can undergo treatments, such as laser drilling or fracture filling, to improve their appearance.
6. Supply and Demand: Both rubies and diamonds are subject to market forces, and their prices can be influenced by supply and demand dynamics. Rarity, cultural preferences, and fashion trends also play a role in determining prices.

While it's challenging to make a direct comparison between rubies and diamonds due to their distinct characteristics, it's safe to say that high-quality rubies can be quite valuable and, in some cases, may be priced similarly to or higher than diamonds of equivalent quality. The pricing ultimately depends on the specific qualities of the individual gemstone.

The most sought-after and rarest shade for rubies is often referred to as "pigeon's blood red." This term describes a specific vivid red color with a slight purplish or bluish undertone. Pigeon's blood red rubies are characterized by a rich, intense red hue without being too dark or too light. The color is reminiscent of the deep red color seen in the blood of a pigeon.
Key characteristics of pigeon's blood red rubies include:

1. Hue: A pure and intense red hue is the defining characteristic. There should be minimal to no traces of brown, orange, or other secondary colors.
2. Saturation: The color should be highly saturated, meaning that it has a strong and vibrant appearance. This saturation contributes to the gem's visual appeal.
3. Tone: The tone of the gemstone refers to how light or dark it appears. Pigeon's blood red rubies typically have a medium to medium-dark tone, allowing them to exhibit a bright and lively red color without appearing too dark or too light.
4. Clarity: While some inclusions are common in natural rubies, the presence of eye-visible inclusions can impact the overall value. However, in high-quality pigeon's blood red rubies, the color is often the primary focus.

Finding rubies with the perfect combination of these factors is extremely rare, making pigeon's blood red rubies the most highly prized and valuable among all ruby colors. These exceptional gemstones are often associated with top-quality rubies from specific sources, such as Myanmar (Burma), which is renowned for producing some of the finest rubies in the world.

Rubies often undergo various treatments to enhance their color, clarity, and overall appearance. These treatments are widely accepted in the gemstone industry, and they can improve the marketability of rubies. Common treatments for rubies include:

1. Heat Treatment: This is the most common and widely accepted treatment for rubies. Heating the gemstone can enhance its color by removing or reducing undesirable brownish or purplish secondary hues. Heat treatment is generally permanent and stable, and the majority of rubies on the market have undergone this process.
2. Fracture Filling: Some rubies have fractures or cavities that may affect their clarity. Fracture filling involves filling these fractures with a glass-like substance to improve the gem's appearance. While this treatment can improve clarity, it is less stable than heat treatment, and care must be taken to avoid exposure to high temperatures, strong acids, and ultrasonic cleaning.
3. Lead Glass Filling: Similar to fracture filling, lead glass filling involves filling surface-reaching fractures with lead glass to enhance the appearance of the ruby. This treatment can significantly improve clarity but may require special care to prevent damage. Disclosure of lead glass filling is essential in the jewelry industry.
4. Diffusion Treatment: This involves introducing certain elements (e.g., beryllium) into the surface of the ruby through diffusion to enhance its color. Diffusion treatment can create color zones, and care must be taken to disclose this treatment to consumers.

It's important for consumers to be informed about the treatments that gemstones, including rubies, may undergo. Reputable jewelers and gemstone dealers should disclose any treatments that have been applied to a ruby, and consumers should ask for this information when purchasing a ruby.
Natural, untreated rubies with vibrant color and good clarity are highly prized and may command higher prices. However, it's common for rubies to undergo treatments to improve their appearance and make them more visually appealing to consumers. The key is transparency in the disclosure of treatments and ensuring that consumers make informed choices when purchasing ruby jewelry.