Ruby Essentials

A Guide To What Makes A Ruby Colored gemstones are incredibly unique and rubies are some of the most spectacular examples of that originality. While technically made of corundum crystal, the same as sapphires, rubies have achieved their own classification within the gemstone world. And part of understanding the core of rubies is recognizing the […]

Rubies, and their close cousins, sapphires, are members of a mineral species called corundum.  In gemology, a “species” is a mineral that has a definite chemical formula and a specific three-dimensional structure.  Corundum is an aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and it has a regular crystalline structure that is formed by repeated patterns of arrangement at the […]

Understanding The 4Cs Of Rubies As a colored gemstone, the quality of rubies is assessed via the same four criteria that diamonds are assessed. However, with respect to diamond evaluation, all four criteria are well defined and equally weighted.  Ruby, on the other hand, lacks well defined, universally accepted quality standards and color is, without […]

Rubies have long commanded heavy interest and brought high prices when they are natural and untreated. In fact, the popularity of rubies was a critical component for those involved in the industry to develop color and clarity treatments. Innovations in types of treatments have helped satisfy a widespread demand for rubies, but have also led […]

There are many economic, geological, and political factors that create a limited supply of natural rubies.  While rubies and sapphires are found in many regions of the world, not all locations can be successfully mined.  If deposits are located in areas that are too remote, politically volatile, or environmentally extreme, those deposits will remain untouched. […]

With rubies commanding much of the colored gemstone market, treatments to enhance their color and clarity were developed early on in an attempt to be more desirable and fetch more money. Early in the history of rubies, treatments were established and they have only been improved upon over time with new technological innovations. It is […]

As one of the most popular and well-known colored gemstones, rubies have graced many famous pieces throughout time and command some of the highest prices per carat in the market. As a result of the demand and a limited supply of stones, alternate options for rubies have long been sought after with various simulants and […]