When deciding between ruby and sapphire, it’s all about what matters most to the wearer—color, rarity, or personal symbolism. Rubies are prized for their vibrant red with a slight pink hue and are generally less common in fine quality. Sapphires, though more abundant, come in a rainbow of colors, from classic blue to orange and…
Ruby and sapphire come from the same mineral—corundum. What separates them is color, and that’s where the confusion begins. A red ruby and a red sapphire may look similar, but gemologists draw a hard line. If you’ve ever wondered how to tell the difference, this guide breaks it down using GIA standards, market pricing, and…
Rubies and emeralds are among the most sought-after colored gemstones in the world. Both have rich histories and are prized for their vivid hues. But when it comes to price, the answer isn’t always clear. Factors like clarity, saturation, origin, and carat weight all influence cost. High-quality rubies from Myanmar, especially those with few inclusions,…
When evaluating any type of gem, rarity plays a direct role in determining the value of the stone. In the case of rubies, this rarity is not just marketing—it’s geological. Gem-quality rubies with vivid color, minimal inclusions, and over one carat in size are exceptionally scarce. Compared to diamonds, even those that show color, rubies are…
The value of a ruby depends on more than just size. Color saturation, treatments, and origin all play a role. Mozambique rubies, for example, often differ in price from rubies from Burma. Synthetic rubies may look stunning but are far less valuable. In this ruby pricing guide, we’ll explain what makes one ruby worth a…
A raw ruby is a ruby in its most natural state—uncut, unpolished, and straight from the earth. Found in countries like Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and across Africa, these rough stones often carry clues about their origin and overall quality. Natural ruby rough often contains inclusions, growth lines, and signs of fracture. These features help gemological…
Think all red gemstones are rubies? Not quite. Real rubies are rare, expensive, and take millions of years to form under extreme heat and pressure. They’re a variety of the mineral corundum, just like sapphires—but with one key difference: chromium. That trace element gives rubies their vivid red hue. In this guide, I’ll walk you…
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…
Burma, now Myanmar, is home to some of the finest ruby mines in the world. The Mogok region, in particular, produces rubies with an intense red hue known as “pigeon blood.” These high-quality stones are prized for their clarity and saturation. Natural ruby from this region commands premium prices and collector attention. When you see…
Ruby stones have been valued since ancient cultures for their deep red color and rarity. They are considered the most valuable of all colored gemstones. A perfect ruby is hard to find—especially untreated or unheated ones. Geographic origin matters. The Mogok region in Myanmar and Montepuez in Mozambique produce many of today’s significant ruby deposits.…