Ruby stone is the red variety of corundum mineral. These precious gemstones make the big fours, along with sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds. The flattering beauty of this gem lies in its color. The ruby color varies from pinkish red to intense red, making it a valuable gemstone for heirloom jewelry. It is a good stone for healing and gaining spiritual awareness. Thus, this red gemstone is a captivating addition to your jewelry box for individuals seeking health benefits and beauty.
Origin and Formation
Ruby’s chemical formula is Al2O3 and is distinguished from other corundum varieties of sapphire by its color. Rubies are red, whereas sapphires are not. The color of this gemstone is due to the presence of trace element chromium. The higher the trace element amount, the more intense the color and the price. In addition, iron and titanium are responsible for giving brownish and bluish tints, whereas vanadium gives a purplish secondary overtone.
Like other gemstones, these precious stones are formed beneath the earth’s surface under intense heat and pressure. The formation of rubies takes place in metamorphic and igneous rocks. Minerals are transformed from a molten state into a crystalline form, where elements like aluminum and oxygen come together to form a trigonal ruby crystal. Significant deposits are found in Sri Lanka, the United States, Pakistan, Australia, India, Mozambique, Madagascar, Vietnam and Thailand.
Benefits
These gems from the corundum mineral family have been known for their potential benefits for centuries.
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These red gemstones increase passion and deepen love. They are thought to alleviate stress and anxiety and allow you to ease out worries and have a positive outlook.
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It improves focus and clarity. Wearing this gemstone can work if you are a working professional or a business person who needs specific skills to excel in your profession.
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It boosts self-confidence and motivates you to work with strong determination in your field.
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Natural ruby gemstone is for root chakra. Activating this energy center allows you to keep grounded and stable. So, if you are emotionally unstable, meditating with this gem can relax your mind, and you can face challenges in your life.
How to wear
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Ruby’s hardness is nine, and thus makes excellent jewelry choices for daily wear. You can wear them as rings, necklaces, bracelets or earrings.
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Wearing this gemstone as a necklace activates your heart chakra; thus, wearing it close to your heart allows a free flow of energy, adding love and passion to your relationship.
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Ruby engagement rings for special occasions like engagements or weddings are a great bliss. They represent love and commitment to the partner.
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You can wear these stones as bracelets in your left hand. This will help in energy flow and vitality. It is a good choice for those who want to add positive vibes to each day.
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In Vedic Indian astrology, wearing a ruby ring on the ring finger of the right hand brings wealth and success in life. So, for those who wish fame in their respective careers, this is a great choice.
Who can Wear
Rubies can help boost your physical vitality and overall stamina if you feel tired or low on energy.
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Rubies can help boost your physical vitality and overall stamina if you feel tired or low on energy.
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Red ruby is the birthstone for July month. Those seeking positivity all day wearing it as a birthstone can bring miracles.
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These red gems might be a great choice if you want to strengthen love bonds, build romantic relationships, and deepen emotional connections.
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Rubies are unique stones for those who want a striking addition to their jewelry collection. They add a touch of elegance and sophistication to outfits.
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Individuals seeking chakra activation meditating with ruby crystals can help them align their energy to these energy centers.
Quality and Price
Ruby gemstone costs from $12 to $1600 per carat. Let’s see the significant factors determining this stone’s quality.
Color: Ruby gemstone colors range from pale pink to dark red. The color of this corundum is because of the trace elements, especially chromium. The more quality these elements present, the more intense the color becomes. Vanadium and iron are other elements that give the stone a secondary color. While vanadium gives a yellow-orange color to the stone, iron gives a blue hue to the gem. Pigeon blood red rubies from Burma are of the best quality and are priced higher.
Clarity:These red gemstones’ common inclusions or natural imperfections are rutile needles. When higher in amount, these imperfections interfere with the light reflection, making it look dull. Inclusion-free gems are hard to find, and they are highly priced. These gems are graded as VVS, SI1, SI2, I1, I2, and I3. VVS (very, very slightly included) and VS gems have minimum inclusions and are known for their high qualities. However, some of these gems come under the category of rare rubies. For instance, needles that intersect with each other form a star effect on the surface called asterism. They are referred to as star rubies and are among the valuable gems. The symmetrical arrangement of each ray of the star highlights its price. So the more proper it looks, the higher its price. These gems are also heated to improve their color and clarity. Heated ruby shows great hue and transparency but is less expensive than natural gems.
Cut: These red gems look perfect in all shapes and cuts. The common ones are round, cushion, pear, octagon, oval, and heart. Star rubies are generally given a cabochon cut to highlight the beauty of the star on its surface. The high precision of the cut amplifies its beauty, especially the color and clarity of the stone, and thus adds to its quality.
Carat Weight: The higher the gem’s weight, the higher the price. When discussing gemstone size, a 1-carat ruby looks smaller than a 1-carat diamond because colored gems are denser. But owing to their rare hue, high clarity, and limited availability, high-carat weight rubies can be more expensive than diamonds. Thus, these red gems can be a significant future investment.
Origin: Burma rubies are worth more than those obtained from other origins. They can cost you US$30 to US$7000 per carat and even more. The high price of these gems is due to their rare pigeon blood red hue and high clarity. Today, Madagascar and Mozambique mines also produce the same hued gems. They are, however, less priced than those obtained from Burma and generally undergo heat treatment.