Natural Ruby Ring Buying Guide: Colour, Treatment and Origin
Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum, the same mineral as sapphire. Its red comes from chromium. At 9 on the Mohs scale, ruby is one of the most durable coloured stones for everyday wear. Here is what to look at before buying a ruby ring.
Colour sets the value
The finest rubies are a pure, saturated red, sometimes with a slight purplish tint. In the trade the strongest red is often called pigeon blood. This is a trade term, so it is safer to rely on a laboratory report than on the label. Stones that are too light are usually classed as pink sapphire, not ruby.
Clarity
Natural rubies almost always have inclusions. Fine inclusions that do not disturb the return of light are normal. A very clean ruby at a low price is more likely to be synthetic or heavily treated.
Treatments to ask about
- Heating: very common and accepted in the market. The result is stable and permanent.
- Unheated: rarer and far more expensive for the same quality.
- Glass filling: fractures are filled with lead glass to make the stone look clear. These stones are worth far less and are more fragile, so the seller must state it clearly.
Origin
Well-known sources include Myanmar, Mozambique and Thailand. Myanmar rubies carry the highest reputation, while Mozambique is now one of the main suppliers of fine ruby. As with other coloured stones, the quality of the individual stone matters more than its origin.
Certification and setting
- For a higher-value ruby, ask for a gemological laboratory report stating whether the stone is natural and which treatments were detected.
- Ruby pairs well with small diamonds around it because the colour contrast is strong.
- Yellow gold warms the red, while white gold makes it look more contrasted.
Caring for a ruby ring
A natural ruby without filling can be cleaned safely with warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Glass-filled rubies need more careful handling and should be kept away from chemicals and heat.
Talk to Kimfook Jewelry
Kimfook Jewelry sells natural diamonds and natural gemstones only, set in SNI-audited 18K gold. Browse our natural ruby rings, visit the showroom at Ruko Spectra Blok 23B No. 12, Alam Sutera, South Tangerang, or message us on WhatsApp +62 811-270-055. Not in Jakarta? See how to buy online with insured delivery to Bali and across Indonesia.
Frequently asked questions
Are ruby and sapphire the same stone?
Both are the mineral corundum. Red corundum is called ruby, and all other colours are called sapphire.
Is a heated ruby still natural?
Yes. Heating is a common treatment for natural ruby and is accepted in the market. Unheated rubies are rarer and more expensive.
What is a glass-filled ruby?
A ruby whose fractures have been filled with lead glass to make it look clearer. It is worth far less and is more fragile than an unfilled ruby.
