Ruby

What does ruby symbolise?

Rubies have long been considered symbols of passion, protection, and power. Ruby is associated with love and commitment as their deep red hue is reminiscent of a relationship with passion. The ruby is traditionally given as a gift for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries. But a ruby could also be used for promise rings, engagement rings, wedding rings, eternity rings, or another special occasion.

Early cultures also treasured the ruby as a talisman against all dangers and as a means for a peaceful life. The ruby was also used by ancient warriors for protection in battle, under the belief that it granted invulnerability. They would even go as far as injecting the ruby into their flesh as this was said to make them invincible to spears, swords, and guns.

Are rubies expensive?

Rubies are some of the most expensive gemstones, but they can also be very affordable and cheaper than a diamond. Because they’re rarely eye-clean, rubies are commonly treated; heat-treated stones can cost just a few thousand dollars per carat. Untreated stones, on the other hand, increase in pricing significantly, with some stones going for up to over $1 million per carat. A lab grown ruby will also be cheaper than a natural ruby, creating a very affordable option for gifts.

Are precious rubies more expensive than diamonds?

Exceptional untreated rubies will be more expensive than diamonds. However, in general, rubies are less expensive than diamonds of the same weight, making them a great alternative for those who want stunning jewellery on a budget. You can get anything from a ruby ring to a ruby pendant. The options for ruby jewellery are endless!

What’s the best ruby to buy?

Rubies are graded based on the four Cs: colour, clarity, carat, and cut. Of these four, colour bears the most weight when determining the quality of the ruby. The best rubies have a pure and vibrant red hue; the more orange and purple overtones they have, the less valuable they’ll be. The finest rubies are also not too dark nor too light. The former will affect the stone’s brilliance, while the latter will de-classify it as a ruby (it’d be considered a sapphire, instead).

All rubies will have natural inclusions. Those that are completely translucent are incredibly rare and extra expensive, but the best rubies will still appear clear or transparent without magnification.

Are rubies good for jewellery?

Rating as a 9 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, rubies are very durable stones that are ideal for jewellery. Ruby is resistant to scuffs and scratches, so they are great to adorn all kinds of jewellery, from rings and bracelets to pendants and to earrings.

Can I wear ruby jewellery every day?

Ruby jewellery can be worn every day, thanks to the durability of the stone–but don’t wear it when you’re doing anything particularly active. If you’re wearing ruby jewellery daily, remember to store and clean it properly, and to have it checked once in a while by professional jewellers to ensure and maintain its quality. You can wear a ruby on necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, and any other piece of jewellery.

Rubies are a beautiful and meaningful investment. Whether you’re giving the ruby as a gift or buying a piece for yourself, find the perfect natural ruby jewellery from Holloway Diamonds today!

How do you know if a ruby is real?

Authentic, high-quality rubies are formed deep in the earth. Real rubies commonly feature tiny flaws, such as lines, which are entirely natural and a key factor to consider when analysing rings, earrings, bracelets and other jewellery. A professional jeweller will inspect a ruby to look at the clarity of the stone, which should be consistent; ruby rings with clear and dull patches are unlikely to be real.

Rubies have a unique, rich red glow. In contrast, a fake ruby or a less valuable gem may look bright red but produce a less luminous effect because tinted glass cannot create the same incredible impact as an authentic ruby.

Another typical imitation found in bracelets, rings, necklaces and earrings is a composite ruby, a manufactured, less durable stone. These ruby stones are identifiable as they can be scratched; in contrast, a genuine ruby cannot be marked by anything other than a diamond.

Do rubies glow under black light?

The natural fluorescence of a ruby means that these stunning stones glow a fiery and captivating colour you can view under a black light–the colour is intense and looks as if it has been lit from within.

Rubies created in layers of marble rock are particularly vivid. A ruby can even begin to glow under the UV rays in the sunlight, an effect that is impossible to replicate. This occurs due to the mineral chromium, which exists as a trace element. The chromium in the jewellery glows in bright sun or under a black light, ranging from a rose red to a decadent hue.

In contrast to diamonds, which sparkle in the light with a blend of white and rainbow-coloured shades, rubies glisten in a spectrum of reds, oranges and pinks. You can tell a ruby apart from a less valuable garnet by identifying the darker, more earthy gold tones you can view in a garnet.

How many years is the ruby anniversary?

Rubies are traditionally given as jewellery gifts to celebrate fifteen, forty and eighty years of marriage but are also a stone that has long been used for other special occasions. The deep red hue signifies devotion, passion and romance, and the glow produced when a ruby encounters sunlight was once thought to be a ‘flame of love.’ People give rubies set in jewellery as valentine’s day gifts and on other dates, such as proposing with a ruby engagement ring. A ruby could also be used for wedding or promise rings.

Ruby birthstone month

Those born in July have the ruby as their birthstone, named after the Latin ruber, which means ‘red,’ a colour of tenderness and love. Throughout history, the ruby has been one of the most valued gemstones, given as gifts and set into engagement rings. In Sanskrit, the word is ratnaraj, which translates as ‘king of precious stones.’ The ancient Hindu culture believed that offering rubies as gifts to Krishna would mean they would be reborn as emperors, and Burmese warriors felt that wearing rubies, often as necklaces, would protect them in battle.

Shop our ruby collection to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. You can explore our beautiful ruby necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, and so much more.

Learn more about how to tell if a ruby is real.