A Guide to Rubies
Fiery Intensity • Exceptional Strength • Timeless Prestige
Few gemstones command attention the way a fine ruby does. Prized for millennia across cultures and continents, the ruby is one of the four precious gemstones and the most valuable of all coloured stones when found in exceptional quality. Like sapphires, rubies belong to the mineral family corundum, scoring 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness and second only to diamond. Their extraordinary red, ranging from vivid pinkish-red to the deeply saturated tones of a Burmese stone, gives them a presence in fine jewellery that is simply unmatched.
What Makes a Ruby a Ruby?
A ruby is a red corundum, coloured by the presence of chromium within its crystal structure. It is this same element that gives rubies their characteristic fluorescence, causing them to glow with an almost inner fire under natural light. The boundary between a ruby and a pink sapphire is a matter of debate in the gem trade, but generally a stone must show a sufficiently strong red saturation to be classified as a ruby.
The most prized colour is known as "pigeon blood" red, a term used in the trade to describe a pure, vivid red, free from any brown or orange tone. Stones of this quality, particularly those from Burma, are among the most valuable gemstones per carat in the world, often surpassing diamonds of equivalent weight.
Where Do Rubies Come From?
The origin of a ruby is one of the most significant factors in determining its value. Different regions produce stones with distinctly different characters, and provenance from a prestigious source can dramatically affect price.
Burma (Myanmar)
The Mogok region of Burma has been the most celebrated ruby source in the world for centuries. Burmese rubies are prized for their exceptional colour, described as "pigeon blood" red, and for their natural fluorescence which gives them an almost luminous quality. Fine, unheated Burmese rubies with a certificate of origin are among the most valuable gemstones available anywhere.
Mozambique
The discovery of the Montepuez deposit in Mozambique in 2009 transformed the global ruby market. Mozambican rubies produce stones of exceptional quality with strong, vivid red colour and excellent lustre, in some cases rivalling the finest Burmese material. This source has become the most important modern producer of fine rubies and has made high-quality stones more accessible than ever before.
Thailand
Thailand was historically one of the most significant ruby sources, producing stones with a deeper, more purplish-red tone compared to Burmese material. While production has decreased significantly, Thailand remains one of the world's most important centres for ruby cutting, treating and trading. The majority of the world's rubies pass through Thailand at some point in their journey.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan rubies tend toward a lighter, more pinkish-red tone. While they are generally less intensely saturated than Burmese or Mozambican stones, fine Sri Lankan rubies possess a beautiful clarity and a soft, romantic colour that appeals to many buyers. Sri Lanka is also the source of some of the world's finest pink sapphires, which sit at the boundary of the ruby classification.
What Determines the Price of a Ruby?
Ruby pricing is shaped by a combination of factors. Understanding these helps you make a confident and considered choice when selecting a stone.
1
Colour
Colour is the single most important factor in a ruby's value. The ideal is a pure, vivid red and no brown or orange tone. Saturation, hue and tone all contribute. The finest "pigeon blood" rubies command extraordinary premiums that can exceed the price of equivalent diamonds.
2
Origin
Provenance has a profound effect on value. A certified Burmese ruby of fine quality will command significantly more than a comparable stone from another source. Mozambican rubies have established themselves as a prestigious origin in their own right, while Thai and Sri Lankan stones typically sit at more accessible price points.
3
Treatment
The vast majority of rubies are heat-treated to improve colour and clarity. This is widely accepted in the market as standard practice. An unheated ruby of fine quality, confirmed by a gemological certificate, is exceptionally rare and commands a very significant premium over a treated stone of equivalent appearance.
4
Clarity
Rubies almost always contain natural inclusions. Unlike diamonds, where clarity grading is rigorous, some inclusions are accepted in rubies provided they do not significantly affect the appearance or durability of the stone. Eye-clean rubies with no visible inclusions are rare and carry a premium, particularly in larger sizes.
5
Cut
A well-executed cut enhances the depth and evenness of a ruby's colour and maximises the return of light through the stone. Oval and cushion cuts are the most traditional shapes for rubies and are chosen to preserve as much of the rough crystal as possible, given the rarity and value of fine material.
6
Carat Weight
Fine rubies are considerably rarer than diamonds of equivalent weight. A top-quality ruby above 2 carats is exceptionally rare, and above 5 carats extraordinary. The price per carat increases steeply with size in rubies of fine colour and clarity, more so than in almost any other coloured gemstone.
Heat Treatment and Certification
Heat treatment of rubies is a long-established and widely accepted practice in the gem trade. Stones are heated to high temperatures to dissolve inclusions, improve clarity and intensify colour. The result is a genuine ruby, unchanged in its fundamental nature, simply enhanced from its rough state.
Unheated rubies with exceptional colour and clarity are among the rarest objects in the natural world. They should always be accompanied by a certificate from a recognised gemological laboratory such as GRS, Gübelin, GCS, SSEF, Belaphon, AIG or GIA confirming the absence of heat treatment and, where possible, confirming the country of origin. These certificates add significant value and provide important assurance for the buyer.
Rubies in Engagement Rings
With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, rubies are an excellent choice for an engagement ring. They are highly resistant to scratching and capable of withstanding daily wear over many years. Their durability is second only to diamond among natural gemstones, which makes them a genuinely practical as well as beautiful choice.
The deep red of a ruby carries an intensity and romance that makes it a particularly powerful choice for an engagement ring. Set in yellow gold, a ruby takes on a warmth and richness that feels classical and timeless. In white gold or platinum, the contrast is striking and contemporary. At Cheshires, we can help you find the right stone and design the right setting to do it justice.
Quick Facts
Birthstone July
Anniversary 40th Year
Hardness 9 Mohs
Notable Sources Burma, Mozambique, Thailand, Sri Lanka
Mineral Family Corundum
Most Prized Colour Pigeon Blood Red
Why Choose Ruby Jewellery?
A ruby is more than a beautiful stone. It carries centuries of meaning, symbolising passion, protection and prosperity across cultures from ancient India to the courts of medieval Europe. Emperors and kings wore rubies as talismans of power. Today they remain one of the most desirable gemstones in the world.
Their exceptional hardness makes them as practical as they are beautiful. A fine ruby set with care will last a lifetime and beyond, making ruby jewellery a genuine investment in something of lasting value. Whether as a statement piece, a deeply personal engagement ring or a meaningful gift, a ruby brings an intensity and character to fine jewellery that few other stones can match.
At Cheshires, each ruby in our collection is hand-selected for colour, clarity and quality. We would love to help you find the right stone and create something truly extraordinary around it.
Discover Our Ruby Collection
Visit us in store to view our curated selection of ruby jewellery, or book a personal appointment with our gemstone specialists to find your perfect stone.
