July Birthstone: Ruby

Those lucky enough to be born in July, have the ‘king of precious gemstones’ as their birthstone. They have attracted and fascinated many cultures throughout the centuries, inspiring legends and stories. 

Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum which comes in all sorts of colours. The different colours are caused by various trace elements that become part of the crystal structure of the mineral. Chromium is the trace element that gives rubies their beautiful red colour. All other gemstones that are varieties of corundum in colours other than red are classified as sapphires. 

Rubies are so valued that the highest quality rubies can fetch some of the highest prices of any coloured gemstone.

 

Where do rubies come from?

Ruby is found in several places worldwide, including Vietnam, Mozambique, Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Afghanistan amongst others. However, one of the most important and oldest-known sources of ruby is Myanmar (formerly Burma). Some of the most sought-after gems come from the Mogok region which is where many of the world’s ‘pigeon blood’ rubies have been found. 

 

What to look out for when buying ruby jewellery

What colour is best for ruby?

This is probably going to be the most important factor for you when buying a ruby. Whether you like the purer reds, a more orangey-red or a slightly purplish-red, your choice can be purely based on personal preference. However, it’s good to know which are considered the more valuable and higher quality as this can have a dramatic impact in price. 

The rubies that are considered highest in quality when it comes to colour are those that are a pure and vibrant red and those that have a slight purplish colour (known as ‘pigeon blood’ rubies). Rubies that have a less vivid colour saturation or are slightly towards an orangey colour are less valuable. 

 

What does ‘clarity’ mean when it comes to rubies?

‘Clarity’ is a term used by gemmologists to describe features on the inside or surface of a gemstone that may have occurred while the crystal was forming or when it was being cut. You may have heard people talking about ‘inclusions’, especially in a conversation about diamonds. Inclusions are the features on the inside of the stone or that extend to the surface of a gemstone that you might be able to see with the naked eye. 

It’s very unusual to find a ruby that is free of inclusions and this rarity makes them very valuable. Most rubies will have some inclusions and these can have an impact on the gemstone’s value depending on how visible they are.

Be wary if the inclusions in a gemstone are very obvious and appear to have a significant impact on the brightness of the colour or if you can see damage to the surface of the stone. As well as having an impact on value, these features can make a ruby more susceptible to damage.  

 

Looking for a bespoke piece of ruby jewellery?

We have a number of rubies currently in stock which might fit the bill for your bespoke project and if we don’t have the perfect stone, we can source some options for you. You might already have a piece of ruby jewellery that you’re looking to remodel and we can help with that too. Head over to our bespoke page to find out more about our process and how to get in touch. 

How to look after rubies

How to look after rubies at home

Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum, second only to diamond on the Mohs Hardness Scale used by gemmologists. This means they are relatively durable and are easy to look after. At home, use a soft toothbrush, warm water and a few drops of washing up liquid to give your rubies a clean. If they are set in a piece of jewellery with other types of gemstone, check that these other gemstones are safe to be cleaned in this way first. Organic gemstones, like pearls, might be damaged if they’re submerged in water that’s too hot.

 

Take your rubies to a jeweller

It’s a good idea to get your jewellery professionally checked every now and then, especially if you wear it frequently. If you take your pieces to a jeweller, they will usually use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean rubies and pieces set with rubies. While you’re there, ask them to check over the piece to make sure that all the settings are secure and they should be able to give the piece a polish at the same time.

 

How to look after treated rubies

Be aware that rubies are sometimes treated to improve their appearance. They might have been heat treated to improve the colour and remove tiny inclusions that might make the gemstone appear more opaque. Some rubies are treated with a lattice diffusion process that uses heat and chemicals to change their colour. If your ruby has been heat treated or lattice diffusion treated, it’s usually still safe to clean them with a soft brush, warm water and washing-up liquid. They should also be safe in an ultrasonic cleaner, although it’s worth getting a professional jeweller to check them over first. 

There are other treatments that might make a ruby more vulnerable to damage and you might need to be a little more careful when cleaning them. For example, some gemstones that have significant fractures and cavities that reach the surface and are sometimes filled with glass in order to reduce the appearance of this. This can also make the gemstone look more transparent. If your ruby has been glass-filled, it’s usually recommended that it should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. 

When you buy a piece of ruby jewellery, ask whether the gemstone has been treated and what method was used if so. This will help you look after it in the years to come.