Rubies are the beautiful red gemstones from the corundum mineral family. They are known as the “king of gemstones” and have been cherished for centuries for their beautiful color and properties. In Western astrology, it is the birthstone for June month and is the lucky stone for the Leo zodiac sign. These gems are good talismans, exude a feeling of love, and offer health benefits to the wearer. Above all, they make the best of high-end jewelry. Do you know rubies are more expensive than sapphires and emeralds? Yes, it’s the most valuable ruby color that makes these stones command a higher price. Let me know more about the color range of this gem.
Understanding Ruby Colors
The primary color is red, whereas the secondary colors are orange, purple, pink, and brown. For a gem to qualify as premium quality, the primary hue should be evenly distributed. It is said that 51% of the primary color should be clearly visible. However, secondary overtones are natural, and they should be present in little quantity. In the case of this red corundum, the ruby colors chart is as follows:
Light Pinkish Red: This shade features a pale red color with pink secondary overtones. It has a low tone and less saturation.
Medium Red: It shows medium primary hue and secondary hues, including blue, which is present in low quantity.
Deep Red: This shade is characterized by an intense primary hue. Secondary overtones need to be clearly visible.
Vivid Red: Rubies showcasing this hue are the most sought-after ones. High saturation and medium tone are the other characteristics that make them highly prized.
The Most Valuable Ruby Color: Pigeon Blood Red
These are premium quality gems that showcase deep, rich red color similar to the eye of the pigeon and hence named so. Pigeon blood rubies come from the Mogok Valley and Mong Hsu mines of Burma. Those obtained from Mogok mines are the top-quality varieties, whereas the ones sourced from Mong Hsu are generally heat treated. The most expensive gemstone in the world, Sunrise ruby also features the same color and comes from the famous Mogok mines.
The pigeon blood ruby displays a vivid red hue with high saturation and medium tone. The chemical composition of these gems is, to a great extent, responsible for giving the incredible color to the stone. Let’s explore each of them:
Factor Affecting Gemstone Color
Gems are formed inside the earth’s crust. The combination of various environmental factors forms the crystals. Trace elements give color to the stone. Let’s see what are the parameters on which it is determined:
Hue: It is the color of the gem. In the case of pigeon blood rubies, the primary hue is always red. However, a slight tinge of blue is acceptable, and gemstones showing this secondary overtone command for a higher price. The chemical composition of ruby is aluminum oxide. The crystalline structure features two aluminum atoms and three oxygen atoms. These atoms are closely packed in a hexagonal structure. Trace elements like chromium and iron are responsible for giving color to this corundum. In the pigeon blood variety, 1% of aluminum is replaced by chromium, resulting in an intense red color.
Tone: It is referred to as the lightness and darkness of the gem’s hue. Burma rubies, as they are commonly named after their origin, medium to dark tones are preferred. These account for higher prices. Tone is graded on a scale from 0 to 100. These gems range between 70-80.
Saturation: It determines the intensity of the gem’s color. Lower saturation accounts for low quality. The most desirable ones are those with high saturation and even color distribution. There are six degrees of saturation according to GIA, and these rubies from Burma fall under vivid red to slight purple tinge.
Origin: The place from where gems are obtained holds great significance. The most valuable ruby color, pigeon red, is due to its origin in Burma (Myanmar). The peculiar characteristic of these Myanmar gems is the inner glow. This glow is clearly seen when these are exposed to high UV light. It shows fluorescence, which means it glows in UV light. Pigeon blood qualifies as the most valuable gemstone only if it possesses low iron content and high chromium content.
Other Valuable Rubies
Though the most valuable ruby color is obtained from Burma mines, other sources also feature desirable hues. Let’s see what these are:
Madagascar rubies: These gems show shades ranging from pinkish red to orangish red. Pigeon blood stones are also found here that are most desirable. They feature low or no fluorescence.
Mozambique rubies: These splendid gems feature an orangish to purplish red hue. This shade is common to these stones. Some of these corundums are treated, whereas the untreated ones command a higher price.
Indian Ruy: They showcase a pinkish to purplish red hue and are not transparent. These gems are budget-friendly compared to other sources.
Enhancement and Treatments
The standard inclusions in ruby gemstones are rutile needles. Inclusions appear within the stone due to its chemical composition. During their formation, particles get trapped inside, resulting in these imperfections. Some might appear more included, whereas others have fewer imperfections. Since these inclusions obstruct the light passing through them, they are treated or enhanced. In the case of these corundum, heat treatment is given. During this process, gems are heated at 800 to 1800 degrees Celsius. This process enhances the color, clarity, and durability of the stone. Heated rubies are less valued than untreated ones. This is because unheated gemstones are nature’s treasures, especially original ruby, which is rare. For budget-friendly choices, one can consider treated gemstones.
Price Evaluation
Burmese rubies command higher prices, starting from US$10,000 per carat and increasing depending on the cut, clarity, carat weight, and color. Gems from other sources, such as Madagascar and Mozambique, also account for good prices. Pigeon blood stones from Burma Mogok Valley are expensive, and those with carat weights greater than three are rare. Synthetic and glass-filled stones are also available in the market and are termed created rubies. These are low-quality gemstones, and one should be very cautious while investing in stones with the most valuable ruby color. Thus, one should always look for certificates while buying precious stones. You can buy certified gemstones from Navratan, the best online gem store in India.