Only diamonds are harder than rubies. Rubies are rare. When not red, it’s a sapphire.
Rubies are striking gemstones. Like diamonds, they are cut in a variety of shapes and facets. They can also not be cut and instead polished smooth, which is a cabochon ruby.
Also like diamonds, you can buy synthetic rubies. However, if you want the real deal, you’ll have to pay. The most expensive ruby ever sold is called the Sunrise ruby, which is a 25.59-carat ruby ring that sold for $30,335,698. That works out to $1,185,451 per carat.
Of course, you don’t need $30 million for a ruby gemstone. You can get them for a lot less, but do expect to pay into the thousands of dollars.
How rubies are formed?
Like other gemstones, they form in the earth. In the case of rubies, they are formed from corundum which is made from densely packed oxygen and aluminum atoms. The red color materializes when some of the aluminum atoms are replaced by other minerals such as chromium [Source: Four Mine].
Where are rubies formed and mined in the world?
Most of the world’s rubies form and are mined in Asia. Below we list out different types of rubies by country.
Here’s everything you need to know about the different types of rubies.
FYI, thanks to AI imagery software, we’re able to create very specific fashion and hairstyle examples to illustrate the points being made. In some cases, imagery is exaggerated to hammer home the point.
By Type
1. Star
Source: Gem Select
The star ruby is a rare variety of ruby that exhibits asterism; a six-rayed star that shimmers over the surface of the stone when it is moved.
2. Faceted
Faceted refers to the cut. You see the flat surfaces cut into the ruby below? Those are facets.
3. Cabochon
A cabochon ruby is one with no facets. It’s rounded and polished smooth. Here’s an example.
4. Trapiche
Source: Starruby.in
A trapiche ruby has a 6-pointed radial pattern like ray spokes expanding out from the center in raw form just like the one above.
Types by Location
5. Afghanistan Rubies
Source: Shelterrockminerals.com
People have been mining rubies in Afghanistan since the very first century. Most of the mines found in Afghanistan are in the regions of Jagdalek and Badakhshan, with Jagdalek producing rubies that are faint- to deep-red in color.
In fact, rubies found in Jagdalek have qualities not found in rubies from any other part of the world. Overall, rubies from Afghanistan range in light-red to dark-red in color, giving them a truly unique look and one you automatically think of when you hear the word “ruby”.
6. African
Source: Ebay
African rubies are gems of the sun. It is said that they will help you concentrate better and even make your skin look better. If you wish for all-around success or even leadership skills, you can get that effect by wearing jewelry with African rubies in it.
Rubies were first discovered in East Africa, and they are a hardy stone with a beautiful shade of red. Today, rubies are also found in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, and they come in various shades of red, from very light to very dark. All rubies, however, are very hard, making them a long-lasting and durable stone to have in your jewelry.
7. Indian
India has long loved and appreciated rubies, and, in fact, they were considered more valuable than diamonds prior to the 20th century. Found mainly in areas such as Mysore and Orissa, Indian rubies have cuts and colors that are very original, making them extremely attractive and valuable.
Indian rubies are thought to clear your mind and add some luster to your skin, as well as give you better leadership abilities, speaking and writing abilities, and intellectual capabilities. Although not as bright as some other types of rubies, the Indian ruby has a deep-red color that many people find preferable to other shades of red.
8. Madagascar
Source: Starruby.in
Until very recently, rubies from Madagascar just weren’t seen, but now that is changing. Madagascar rubies come in colors that include orange-red and even a pinkish color, and they do not require heating in order to be made into a certain shape.
Like other rubies, Madagascar rubies are very valuable and come in a wide variety of sizes, cuts, and shapes. Rubies are found in two main regions of the country – Vatomandry and Andilamena, although there are differences when it comes to the rubies found in these areas.
The Andilamena region’s rubies work best when they receive a heat treatment, but this is not so with the rubies found in the Vatomandry area. Furthermore, the rubies found in Vatomandry tend to have highlights of pink, orange, and red, making them quite unique, as far as rubies are concerned.
9. New Burma Rubies
These rubies are found mostly in Myanmar and are some of the best quality rubies in the world. The color of New Burmese rubies varies, but they are usually found in every shade from a brownish-red to blood-red rubies. The ones that have a more vibrant color are also found in Burma, and this is one type of ruby that is much sought-after and desired.
Burmese rubies have a deep-red color, in part because of the amount of chromium in the stone. While all rubies have some blemishes, the ones from Burma have the least amount of blemishes of all of the types of rubies. If you are shopping for jewelry containing rubies and you want the best quality available, choosing a Burmese ruby is your smartest choice.
They are usually flame-red in color, often described as pigeon’s blood, and they can even include shades of pink or even blue mixed in with the red.
10. Old Burmese
In most instances, Old Burmese rubies are flawless and therefore worth a lot of money, sometimes in the millions of dollars. They have few, if any, marks or blemishes on them, which is a good sign that they come from Burma.
11. Sri Lankan
Sri Lanka does not produce a huge number of rubies every year, but the ones they do find in their mines are stunning. In fact, if you can’t afford a ruby from Burma, Sri Lankan rubies will look just as beautiful. Most of them have a pink tint in them, so they are a unique-looking ruby you’ll be proud to show off in any type of jewelry.
12. Tanzania
Rubies from Tanzania have very few if any, flaws and are very clean and eye-catching. When compared to other types of rubies, Tanzanian rubies are a little darker; however, the more you reduce the size of the ruby while working with it, the lighter the color becomes. In addition, Tanzanian rubies are very affordable when compared to other types of rubies.
Found mostly in the areas around Songea, Tanzanian rubies have colors that are similar to garnet, and, in fact, even some jewelers cannot tell them apart. In addition, the smaller the ruby is, the lower its intensity of color, and the more valuable it becomes.
13. Thailand
Thai rubies are very high in quality and have a very dark color, due to the fact that there is a lot of both iron and chromium present in the stone. Some Thai rubies, in fact, have traces of brown in them, so if you come across a ruby with a darker, brownish color, it is very likely one from Thailand.
While Burmese rubies are considered the most valuable, rubies from Thailand are the second-most valuable of all ruby types. Most of these rubies come from an area just south of Bangkok, and the ones with brown or burgundy in them are sometimes called Siam rubies. They come mostly from the provinces of Trat and Chanthaburi, and they are almost always heat-treated.
14. Vietnamese
The rubies in Vietnam have a quality similar to Burmese rubies. The two main areas where rubies are found include Nghe and Yan Bai. Although the rubies mined in Vietnam are high in quality and quite beautiful, the country produces an unpredictable supply of their rubies, which means that you can’t always count on them being there when you want them.
15. Mozambique
Mozambique is an important ruby producing country with star rubies found in Montepuez in the northern part of the country. While nice, they are not as high quality as Burmese rubies.
16. Types of Synthetic Rubies
Doublets
Source: Shape.com
Although these types of rubies make good gifts, they are not very popular nowadays. They usually have an imitation backing and a crown made out of a natural corundum, either white or green in color, and if you look at them hard enough, you can even see the glue that the stone was made with.
Flux-Grown
Unlike other synthetic rubies, this one has a very realistic look. The process used to make the rubies is a high-quality process that includes the right amount of pressure and the right temperature, and even though they can develop fractures during the production stage, this usually gives the gem a more natural look in the end.
Verneuil (Flame-Fusion)
the name comes from the production process, and you can tell that they are not natural rubies. They typically have a curved color band, called striae, and you can even find gas bubbles in them if you look close enough.
This is an example of a synthetic ruby:
Chart: 10 Popular Ruby Shapes and Cuts for Jewelry
Below is our chart setting out the 10 most popular ruby cuts by shape which include round, heart-shaped, radiant, princess, Asscher, cushion, pear, emerald, oval, and marquise.
Things to Remember About Rubies
Some Rubies are Extremely Rare
Larger rubies that are transparent in color are even rarer to find than diamonds.
The Color is Not Always Red
Rubies come in a wide variety of colors, including bright red, pink-red, brownish red, dark-red, and even pink or purplish-red.
A Very Sturdy Gem
With the exception of the diamond, no other gem is harder than a ruby. Rubies have a hardness level of 9.0, topped only by the diamond at 10.0.
A High-Quality Stone
If you own a ruby that ignites in the darkness, this is a sign that the ruby consists of superb quality.
Rubbing Your Ruby Tells a Lot About It
If your ruby is rubbed on the stone, pay attention to how much rubbing action is displayed. If the rubbing shows up, that gem is called a fine ruby. It is considered to be a good ruby if you rub it and it does not lose weight.
Rubies are True Gemstones
There are only four different stones that qualify as a gemstone, and the ruby is one of them. The other three are diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds.
A Very Powerful Stone
Traditionally, rubies have been worn for protection, as a symbol of power, and for wisdom and beauty. Rubies are referenced in the bible a total of four times, and in ancient times they were even thought to have the ability to make peace between two enemies. Even the movie The Wizard of Oz contains ruby slippers that were thought to ward off evil.