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Best Ruby Cut Styles

The cut of a ruby plays a crucial role in enhancing its brilliance, color, and overall appearance. The Best Ruby Cut Styles are selected not just for symmetry but to highlight the stone’s natural beauty. Unlike diamonds, where precise symmetry and facets maximize sparkle, rubies are cut primarily to enhance their color and carat weight while minimizing visible inclusions. Understanding the Best Ruby Cut Styles helps ensure that the gemstone looks its best in any jewelry setting and brings out the rich, vivid tones rubies are known for.

Best Ruby Cut Styles

1. Importance of Cutting in Rubies

Unlike diamonds, which rely on brilliance, rubies are valued mainly for their color and clarity. The right cut:

  • Maximizes color intensity by ensuring even saturation.
  • Reduces windowing (see-through effect) and extinction (dark areas).
  • Enhances durability, as rubies can have natural inclusions that affect strength.

Because rubies are rarer than diamonds, cutters often try to retain as much carat weight as possible, leading to unique shapes and proportions.

J10189| play | medium| middle| “17.54 Ct. Burma (Myanmar) No Enhancement Ruby Bracelet”

2. Most Popular Ruby Cut Styles

Rubies are available in a variety of cuts, each offering distinct aesthetic and functional benefits.

A. Oval Cut – The Most Popular Choice

  • One of the most common and preferred ruby cuts due to its ability to maximize color and carat weight.
  • Elongated shape enhances the appearance of size.
  • Works well in solitaire rings, pendants, and vintage-style jewelry.
  • Balances brilliance, symmetry, and durability, making it ideal for everyday wear.

5.01 Ct.Tw. Mozambique No Enhancement Ruby Earring

5.01 Ct.Tw. Mozambique No Enhancement Ruby Earring

5.01 Ct.Tw. Mozambique No Enhancement Ruby Earring

B. Cushion Cut – Classic and Timeless

  • Features a soft square or rectangular shape with rounded corners.
  • Allows for deep color concentration, making it perfect for high-quality rubies.
  • Commonly used in luxury rings and antique-style designs.
  • Ideal for larger rubies, as it retains significant carat weight.

3.60 Ct. Thailand Heat Treated Ruby Ring

3.60 Ct. Thailand Heat Treated Ruby Ring

3.60 Ct. Thailand Heat Treated Ruby Ring

C. Round Cut – Maximizing Brilliance

  • Offers excellent light reflection, though rubies are not as brilliant as diamonds.
  • Most suitable for smaller rubies, as cutting a large ruby into a round shape leads to weight loss.
  • Works well for ruby engagement rings and stud earrings.
  • Less common in larger sizes due to the higher material loss during cutting.

3.52 Ct. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Ring

3.52 Ct. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Ring

3.52 Ct. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Ring

D. Emerald Cut – Sophisticated and Elegant

  • Features a rectangular shape with step-cut facets, highlighting the clarity of the ruby.
  • Creates a sleek, elegant look, often seen in high-end ruby rings and Art Deco jewelry.
  • Requires a high-quality ruby with minimal inclusions, as the cut does not hide imperfections well.
  • Works beautifully in solitaire and three-stone ring settings.

1.13 Ct. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Bracelet

1.13 Ct. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Bracelet

1.13 Ct. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Bracelet

E. Pear Cut – Unique and Feminine

  • A teardrop shape combining the benefits of round and marquise cuts.
  • Creates a distinctive and elongated appearance, making fingers look slender when worn in a ring.
  • Less common but perfect for statement pieces, pendants, and drop earrings.

4.00 Ct.Tw. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Earring

4.00 Ct.Tw. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Earring

4.00 Ct.Tw. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Earring

F. Marquise Cut – Enhancing Size and Elegance

  • An elongated shape with pointed ends, maximizing the visible size of the ruby.
  • Often used in vintage and estate jewelry designs.
  • Requires careful setting to protect the pointed edges from damage.

0.35 Ct. Ruby Ring

0.35 Ct. Ruby Ring

0.35 Ct. Ruby Ring

G. Heart Cut – Romantic and Rare

  • A symbolic cut, often used in anniversary gifts and romantic jewelry.
  • Requires a highly skilled cutter to ensure symmetry and proportion.
  • Less common but valued for its sentimental appeal in rings and pendants.

0.71 Ct. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Pendant

0.71 Ct. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Pendant

0.71 Ct. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Pendant

H. Cabochon Cut – Traditional and Smooth

  • A non-faceted, dome-shaped cut used for star rubies and heavily included stones.
  • Often used for rubies that display asterism (star effect) under light.
  • Creates a soft, classic look seen in traditional and antique jewelry.

1.89 Ct. Burma (Myanmar) No Enhancement Ruby Brooch

1.89 Ct. Burma (Myanmar) No Enhancement Ruby Brooch

1.89 Ct. Burma (Myanmar) No Enhancement Ruby Brooch

3. Specialty Ruby Cuts for Unique Jewelry

While the cuts above are the most popular, some specialty cuts cater to unique jewelry designs:

Cut Style Characteristics Best For
Princess Cut Square shape with brilliant facets Modern rings, solitaire settings
Radiant Cut Combination of round and emerald cuts High-sparkle statement rings
Trillion Cut Triangular shape, brilliant facets Accent stones in multi-stone rings
Rose Cut Antique, domed shape with fewer facets Vintage jewelry, unique designs

J3790| play | medium| middle|

4. Choosing the Best Cut for Your Ruby

When selecting a ruby cut, consider:

  • Carat Weight & Size: Oval, cushion, and marquise cuts make rubies look larger.
  • Color Concentration: Cushion and oval cuts enhance deep red hues.
  • Clarity & Inclusions: Emerald cuts require high-clarity rubies, while cabochon cuts suit included stones.
  • Jewelry Type: Round and princess cuts work well in rings, while pear and heart cuts shine in pendants and earrings.

1.01 Ct.Tw. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Earring

1.01 Ct.Tw. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Earring

1.01 Ct.Tw. Mozambique Heat Treated Ruby Earring

5. Conclusion

The best ruby cut style depends on personal preference, ruby quality, and jewelry design. Oval and cushion cuts are the most common, as they balance color, brilliance, and carat weight retention. For a more unique look, pear, marquise, or heart cuts add individuality. No matter the cut, a well-shaped ruby enhances the gemstone’s natural beauty, making it a treasured piece for any collection.

Visit our detailed Ruby Color Grading Guide to learn more about how ruby colors are evaluated.

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