Ruby

Rubies, with their fiery red colour, have long been seen as the “king of gemstones.” A ruby’s red ranges from bright pinkish-red to deep blood-red, a result of chromium within the corundum mineral. Like sapphire, ruby is corundum with Mohs hardness 9, meaning it’s exceptionally durable for everyday wear. This hardness, combined with its passionate colour, makes ruby an excellent choice for engagement rings. 

A ruby can symbolize love, courage and passion in a way few other gems can. Ruby engagement rings often appeal to those who want a bold, romantic statement beyond the traditional diamond. Historically, fine rubies (especially the pigeon-blood red rubies from Myanmar/Burma) have even surpassed diamonds in value.  

Hardness: 9 (Mohs scale); rubies are as hard and resilient as sapphires (both are corundum), making them excellent for a lifetime of wear without easily scratching or chipping. 

Colour: Always red, but shades vary. The most prized rubies display a rich, pure red with a hint of blue (often called “pigeon blood red” in the trade). Lighter red or pinkish stones may be termed “pink sapphires” in some cases, but in many gem markets, any corundum sufficiently red is a ruby. Ruby’s intense colour is due to chromium; interestingly, this element also causes fluorescence, which can make rubies appear to glow under sunlight. 

Origin: The classic source is Myanmar (Burma), known for top-quality rubies with vivid colour. Thai rubies tend to be darker garnet-red, while Mozambique and other African rubies have brought significant new supply with colours ranging from purplish-red to pure red. Each origin can influence a ruby’s hue and clarity, but top gems are found in small quantities across all these locales. 

Notable Fact: Rubies are intertwined with royalty and legend. In lore, rubies have been said to symbolize warmth and life force; ancient warriors even wore rubies for protection in battle.