Discover the Radiance of Rubies
The birthstone for the month of July, rubies dazzle proudly as one of the crown jewels of the gemstone world. With their striking red hue and remarkable brilliance, they hold a special place in both history and heart.
Rubies are often regarded as one of the “big four” gemstones, alongside diamonds, emeralds and sapphires, because of their timeless beauty and rarity. Their vivid colour and durability (rubies are 9 on the Mohs hardness scale) make them a perfect choice for both everyday jewellery and heirloom pieces.
In addition to being a symbol of passion and love, rubies have also been associated with power and prestige among royalty and nobility. Burmese warriors, for example, were believed to have embedded rubies into their skin to ensure invincibility during battles. It is of no wonder then that they are one of the most sought-after and valuable gemstones in the world.
Fiery Masterpiece
Rubies are a stunning variety of corundum, with their signature deep red hues coming from trace amounts of chromium. This unique composition is what sets them apart from sapphires, which are also formed from corundum but display a range of other colours.
Fun fact: While corundum can occur in many colours, pink corundum, depending on its hue, region, and sometimes even personal opinion, may be classified as either a pink sapphire or a pink ruby!
The most coveted rubies are those with a rich, vibrant red hue, with pigeon blood rubies considered as the pinnacle of quality. Pigeon blood rubies are a deep, vivid red with a slight blue undertone, with exceptional clarity and brilliance that give them a glowing, almost ethereal quality.
Beyond their beauty, pigeon blood rubies have also been revered throughout history for their supposed healing properties. The light emitted from these stones, a mix of red and blue-violet rays, is thought to have a calming effect on the nervous system and uplift moods.
What makes pigeon blood rubies even more extraordinary is their rarity. Comprising less than one percent of all rubies, these gemstones often command prices far higher than those of other rubies.
In 1996, the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) introduced a grading system to define pigeon blood rubies. According to this system, a pigeon blood ruby is characterised by several key factors, including a chromium content of approximately 0.3-0.5 weight percentage or higher, and must be unheated and untreated. This rigorous classification ensures that only the finest, most authentic rubies meet the criteria.
In High Demand
Myanmar historically generated the most pigeon blood rubies due to the geological location of the mines. For over a thousand years, a mining tract in the Mogok region has been the principal source of gem-quality rubies, producing some of the world’s finest specimens, and the term “Burmese ruby” is often synonymous with top quality.
However, other sources exist, including in the United States, Australia and Africa. In 2009, ruby deposits were discovered in Mozambique, and the location is rapidly developing into a leading source of high quality rubies.
Rubies of exceptional quality, especially those weighing over 10 carats, can surpass the value of similarly sized diamonds, with some commanding prices upwards of $225,000 per carat. Some of the most expensive rubies in recent history include:
Estrela de Fura: A 55.22-carat Mozambique ruby that sold for $34.8 million in 2023
Ruby and Diamond Ring by Bhagat: A 13.26-carat Burmese ruby that sold for $10.5 million in 2017
Graff Ruby: An 8.62-carat Burmese ruby that sold for $8.6 million in 2014
Mogok's Burmese rubies have long commanded premium prices, historically reaching around $10,000 per carat, with the highest-quality stones fetching even greater sums. As these rubies are becoming increasingly scarce, their value has surged. In fact, some of the finest Burmese rubies have recently fetched up to $1 million per carat at auction, making them some of the most expensive gemstones in the world. Recent years, however, have seen the rise of Mozambique rubies, which present a more accessible price point.
A Vibrant Alternative
If you admire the rich hues of rubies but would like a more accessible option, rubellites could be a great option. Hailing from the tourmaline family, they can be found in a wide range of hues from soft pink to deep crimson, and often with hints of purple, a result of the presence of aluminium and iron.
While not as hard as rubies, rubellites boast a respectable Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5, which makes them suitable for most types of jewellery. They can be found in several parts of the world, including Brazil, Madagascar, Nigeria and Afghanistan.
Discover the Brilliance Firsthand
Whether you are drawn to the timeless allure of rubies or enchanted by the vibrant charm of rubellites, Venessa Diamonds offers a thoughtfully curated selection of ruby and rubellite jewellery. Visit us today to explore their elegance and brilliance up close, or chat with our team to learn more about each of them, so you can decide which one that perfectly suits your style and purpose.
