Ruby
Origins: Burma (Myanmar), Afghanistan, India, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand
Birthstone: July
Wedding Anniversary: 40th anniversary
A Ruby is a variety of the mineral ‘corundum’. More specifically, they are the red variety, coloured by chromium. Corundum found in other colours are sapphires. As with sapphires, Rubies are 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, just under Diamonds, making them a good durable choice for all jewellery.
The colour of a Ruby is always a hue of red, although the hue can vary from ‘pigeon blood’ red to red with tones of orange, purple and pink. A light coloured ‘ruby’ will be classified as ‘Pink Sapphire‘ Colour is the most significant factor affecting a ruby’s value. Fine rubies can vary in colour according to source but should radiate warmth, depth and liveliness. In most markets, pure red colors command the highest prices but ruby with overtones of orange and purple are more commercially affordable. The colour must be neither too dark nor too light to be considered of finest quality. Gemstone traders expect rubies to have at least some inclusions because inclusion-free rubies are practically non-existent. Due to this, top quality Rubies can command the highest per-carat price of any coloured stone or even diamond, particularly if over 1ct in weight. This makes ruby one of the most important gems in the coloured stone market.
The wonder of rubies starts with the fact that most gem-grade corundum occur in metamorphic rocks (rocks that have formed due to high pressure and heat) under specific conditions, rock formed from lava flows that have cooled and solidified such as basalt or syenite. The highest quality rubies typically form in marble. The low iron content in marble allows it to produce rubies with especially intense red colours and this process will have taken millions and millions of years with erosion over more millions of years releasing many rubies.
The colour of ruby will be judged by the hue, the tone and the saturation. The hue specifies how red the gemstone is, are there any hints of yellow, blue or brown for example. The redder, the better. The tone is simply how light or dark the stone is. A ruby should be solid in colour but not too dark and not too light as to appear pink. Dealers, buyers and scientists can argue for hours over when a ruby stops being a ruby and becomes a pink sapphire when the tone gets too light. Thirdly, colour saturation, does the gem have a vivid, strong or intense colouring. The perfect coloured ruby has been described as pigeon blood red, usually sourced in Myanmar (Burma), this rather gruesome description does capture the most desired colour for rubies. However, the true beauty of the gem lies entirely with the delight of the owner.
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