Different Types of Ruby Gemstones
Certainly, Rubies can exhibit a range of red hues with remarkable luster and saturation. Ruby is among the most precious gemstones and belongs to the Corundum mineral family (aluminum oxide). The color of Rubies can vary from red, dark red, blood red to reddish-pink, and even pigeon blood-red. This coloration is due to the presence of chromium in the stone. Besides the color, saturation, and tone of Ruby, it can be classified further based on its shape and origin, which includes Burmese, Thai, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Africa. These variations of Ruby can possess significant differences among them.
- Ruby
Stones from India: Ruby has
been highly valued in India for a long time. Prior to the 20th century,
Ruby was considered more valuable than even diamonds. Indian Rubies are
predominantly found in Orissa and Mysore and feature unique cuts and
colors. These are commonly used in silver and fashion jewelry due to their
exquisite aesthetic appeal.
- Deep
Red Ruby: The most commonly known type of Ruby stone features a rich
blood-red color with excellent saturation and luster. The color of a
natural Ruby stone has the most significant impact on its overall value,
with well-balanced, dark red, and consistent hues being the most
desirable.
- Ruby
Stones from Burma: Burmese Rubies can be further categorized as Old
Burmese Ruby gemstone and New
Burmese Ruby stones. Rubies from Old Burma are flawless and can be worth
millions of dollars, and their unique markings help to identify them as
being from Old Burma. Meanwhile, Rubies found in Myanmar (New Burma) are
of exceptional quality and are highly sought-after gemstones. Many mines
in Myanmar yield dark-brownish red Rubies and some also produce Pigeon's
Blood colored Rubies, while vibrant colored Rubies are also found.
- Star
Ruby: The Surya Kant Manik or Star Ruby is a rare and natural type of Ruby
stone that displays a star-like visual effect, known as Asterism, when
viewed under a single light source. The Burma Star Ruby is the most
valuable due to its brilliant red hue and distinct star effect, while Star
Ruby from Sri Lanka and India are other important varieties that are
highly valued after Burmese Ruby stones.
- Pigeon’s
Blood Ruby: The Pigeon’s Blood Ruby gets its name from the bright red hue
with a hint of purple, reminiscent of the color of freshly killed pigeons.
This color is highly sought after and makes the Purple Ruby or Pigeon
Blood Red Ruby gemstone popular and astrologically significant. Finding a
Pigeon Blood ruby gemstone with few visible inclusions is rare, and stones
with exceptional clarity command a higher premium.
- Pink
Ruby: In certain parts of the
world, low-chromium Rubies are referred to as Pink Rubies rather than Red
Rubies or Pink Sapphires due to variations in color intensity.
- Tanzania
Ruby: Tanzania is renowned for its abundant supply of Ruby gemstones,
including large, untreated Rubies of exceptional quality. While some
stones may display blue color-zoning, the area is also known to produce
top-quality, perfectly red, and very clear Manik stones. These Rubies are typically hosted in basalt,
which may contribute to their darker color and higher clarity due to a
lack of fluorescence.
- Mozambique
Ruby: The most valuable and high-quality African Ruby stone comes from
Mozambique. The typical color of Mozambique Ruby ranges from purple to a fine red with a slight purplish
touch. This gemstone's exceptional hue and high level of transparency make
it more valuable than other African gemstones.
- Mogok
Ruby: The mines located in Mogok are famous for producing the world's
finest and most sought-after Ruby stones. Mogok Ruby gemstones are rare
and command high prices in the global market. The top-quality Mogok Rubies
display a pure, vivid red color, also known as "pigeon blood
color".
- Glass
Filled Ruby: First identified by the GAAJ laboratory in Japan in 2004,
these rubies are created using natural Rubies and then filled with
substances such as lead glass to enhance their transparency and
durability. These fissure-filled Rubies are commonly used in making
attractive jewelry.