Rubies are prized for their intense red hue, but their color can vary across a natural spectrum — from orangy-red to purplish-red. This visual guide breaks down the full ruby color chart, grading scale, and how to recognize stones of the highest quality.

High Quality Ruby Colour Chart

The highest-quality rubies exhibit a vivid, slightly purplish red color, medium tone, and strong color saturation. These stones typically have high transparency, minimal inclusions, and excellent clarity under 10x magnification.

Gem-quality rubies (AAA and AA grades) are cut to maximize brilliance and minimize flaws.

The cutter may orient a ruby for ideal color, even at the cost of weight, especially when working with ruby rough that includes natural rutile silk. When properly balanced, these silk inclusions can enhance brilliance rather than detract from it.

Ruby Grading Scale: AAA to B Explained

Grade	Approx. Market Share	Description	Suitable For
AAA	~1%	Extremely rare, vivid red, minimal inclusions	High-end fine jewelry
AA	~10%	Strong saturation, minor inclusions	Quality fine jewelry
A	~20%	Good color, visible inclusions	Commercial-grade jewelry
B	>50%	Poor color, dull tone, many inclusions	Fashion or decorative use

What Color Is a Ruby?

While red is the basic color of rubies, natural ruby specimens can display a range of hues due to geological variation.

Acceptable shades include slight orange, purplish red, and other subtle modifiers. The most desirable color falls between these extremes — a saturated red with slight purple undertones and a balanced medium tone.

When the hue is masked by brown or gray, or the tone becomes too dark or too light, the ruby’s visual appeal and market value decline.

Some stones may closely resemble pink sapphire or red spinel, especially if transparency is low or inclusions are prominent.

The final appearance of a natural ruby is influenced by its crystal structure, facet quality, and whether it has undergone heat treatment.

Most rubies on the market are treated to improve color saturation and clarity, while maintaining an intact and natural-looking surface.

Can Rubies Be Different Colors?

Rubies must remain within a narrow spectrum of red-based hues to retain their classification. Acceptable variations include:

• Orangy red color
• Purplish red color
• Slight purple or slight orange modifiers

When the hue shifts too far — becoming pinkish, strong purple, or blue — the stone may be considered a sapphire. Light-toned stones may also be reclassified as pink sapphires. These boundaries are recognized by gem dealers and affect pricing per carat.

Stones with obvious inclusions, uneven tone, or low visibility may still be sold, but not as top-grade gems. Even potential loss of weight is considered when cutting, especially if it helps orient the ruby for ideal color.

Comparison of Ruby and Other Red Gemstones

While rubies are the most valuable and well-known red gemstones, several other gems can look similar — especially to the untrained eye. The most common ruby look-alikes include red spinel, garnet, and tourmaline.

Gemstone	Mineral	Color Characteristics	Rarity	Typical Price per Carat	Key Differences
Ruby	Corundum	Vivid red, purplish-red, orangy-red	Rare (especially untreated AAA)	High	Strong brilliance, high durability, iconic red hue
Red Spinel	Spinel	Bright red to pinkish-red	Moderately rare	Medium	Often confused with ruby; lower brilliance
Garnet (Almandine)	Garnet group	Dark red to brownish-red	Common	Low	Deeper tone, less sparkle, affordable
Red Tourmaline	Elbaite (Rubellite)	Pinkish-red to purplish-red	Available	Medium	Softer, more pink-purple, often included
Red Sapphire	Corundum	Lighter red or pinkish tone	Uncommon	Medium	Technically pink sapphire, not ruby
Red Diamond	Diamond	Pure red to purplish-red	Extremely rare	Very High (up to millions)	Exceptional hardness and rarity, collector’s gem