Ruby rough is very expensive, so many cutters try to conserve as much weight as possible. Ultimately, the most desirable color of ruby is the one you prefer the most. A ruby’s crystal shape dictates its suitability for certain cuts. they are not so dark as to appear almost black. They might fashion flattened ruby rough into shallow stones, even though light escapes through flattened pavilions, causing an unattractive see-through area in the stone called a window. Round, triangular, emerald-cut, pear, and marquise rubies are also available. Andrew Campbell started trading in antiques during the 1970s. Courtesy: Tommy Wu, Shire Trading Ltd., Hong Kong. Even though it's debatable as to what are the most valuable ruby hues and tones, gem dealers agree that pure, vivid colors are far more desirable than dull, muddy, brownish colors. These rubies are the most prized and valuable of all rubies. Photo: Robert E. Kane/GIA. Traditional descriptions like these are useful for evoking images and describing color among professionals. Pidgeon blood rubies contain spots of blue or purple in them, making your find incredibly valuable. Burmese rubies are far and away the most expensive, most valued rubies. It’s hard to say what might make a ruby ‘perfect’ as so much is subjective. Needles that intersect can also cause the star effect, called asterism, when the stone is cut with a curved upper surface, called a cabochon cut. The color must be neither too dark nor too light to be considered finest quality. The finest ruby has a pure, vibrant red to slightly purplish red color. Ruby value can depend on how visible the inclusions are. In May of 2015, Sotheby’s Geneva hosted a sale that offered a one-of-a-kind Pigeon Blood Mogok Burmese ruby that managed to break all records when it sold for over $30 million and for over $1 million a carat. 15.99ct Burmese Ruby Ring by Verdura. At a November 2014 auction held by Christie’s in Hong Kong, an incredible signed Cartier platinum, diamond, and Burmese… Obvious inclusions, or inclusions that reduce transparency or brightness, lower a ruby’s value dramatically. Having graduated university with a BA in English Literature and an MA in Creative Writing Bethany then joined the AC Silver team as a content creator. Historically, the word ruby referred to shades of red, which technically included pink. Photo: Robert Weldon/GIA. Pleochroism—the appearance of different colors in different crystal directions—is another factor that influences cut. However, size isn’t everything. Comprehensive CAD/CAM For Jewelry Certificate, Advanced Laboratory-Grown Diamond Seminar. Rubies often have … The most expensive type of ruby is called 'pigeon-blood ruby' and is a ruby with a slight purple hue to it. The GIA Laboratory uses a controlled set of comparison stones called masterstones to determine if corundum is ruby The laboratory grades its masterstones on the principle that red must be the dominant hue before a stone can be called a ruby. If the color is too dark, it has a negative effect on the stone’s brightness. Even so, it’s not always possible to orient a ruby for ideal color return because the potential loss of weight would be too great. The most valuable color of ruby is familiarly called, “pigeon blood red.” It is not the most glamorous name, but the color is one of the most heart stopping colors found in the gemstone world. What colour ruby is most valuable? An untreated, vividly colored large ruby is almost priceless and any untreated ruby gemstone with a good color will demand a very high price. Their color is a lustrous, sparkling true red color. There are also cultural differences in the interpretation of ruby versus pink sapphire. Similar to color diamonds, color is the most important determining factor in regards to its value. When we think about rubies, we immediately recognize the deep blood-red color that makes rubies so desired. Sapphires over 5 carats, clean and with good blue color, are similarly rare and also valuable. This color is often known as “pigeon’s blood” red and is very rare and highly valuable. Ruby can command the highest prices of any colored gemstone. Needles might be short or long and slender, and they might appear to be woven tightly together. Rubies are among the most valuable gemstones in the world and they are often referred to as ‘King of Gemstones’ by collectors. When the mineral is rutile and needles are present in intersecting groups, it is called silk. The primary color is red, and the secondary color is usually orange, purple or pink. However, ruby colors range from lighter, bright red to deep, reddish-brown. At auction, especially rare and valuable rubies have sold for millions of pounds. For better-quality material, slight differences in color can make significant differences in value. Bethany spends her days writing content for the AC Silver blog and other luxury goods/antique blogs. By closing this banner or using this site you agree to our revised Privacy Notice, Terms of Service and Cookie Policy. An excellent color can make the difference between an amazing ruby and an average ruby. Naturally, there is something of a value system for all precious gemstones. In the case of rubies, light tones result in pink/orange gems, while dark tones create deep red, almost black colours within the stone. The striking red colour of the Sunrise ruby – also referred to as ‘pigeon blood red’ makes it unlike most others of its kind. Though India is typically seen as the origin of the finest ruby crystals, there are deposits throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East. red, pink etc. All other color varieties of gem-quality corundum are referred to as sapphire. The most valuable rubies tend to have medium darkness, i.e. Weighing 25.59 carats, the Sunrise ruby is comparatively quite modest. Raw gemstone carved into the shape of the Liberty Bell, and adorned with 50 diamonds, the Liberty Bell Ruby would certainly be counted amongst the most valuable rubies in the world. Until recently, only emerald, ruby, and sapphire were officially called precious gemstones. Rubies are commonly cut into oval and cushion shapes. Purchased anonymously during a 2015 auction in Geneva, the final listing price for the Sunrise ruby was a staggering $30.42 million. The quality of a ruby is determined by its color, cut, and clarity, which, along with carat weight, affect its value. Color is the most significant factor affecting a ruby’s value. However, rubies come in a variety of colors from bright red to dark pink. Much darker red or lighter pinker shades are considerably less valuable. All other gems were referred to as semi-precious. Over time and years of experience trade terms can conjure up perceptions of certain colors and qualities that are associated with a stone’s source. The price per carat goes up significantly for ruby as it increases in size. It is significant because of its size as a deposit of raw ruby. We have also included sections for multicolor, color change and star/cat's eye gems. They might fashion flattened ruby rough into shallow stones, even though light escapes through flattened pavilions, causing an unattractive see-through area in the stone called a window. Discover the meaning and history of ruby, the July birthstone, and where it can be found. Look for rubies that are not too light or too dark. They are all beautiful, but why are some more expensive than others? There is something powerful about the rich reds and glittering depths of rubies. In the 1960s, rubies were discovered in East Africa. Colors range from pink red ruby to a vivid pigeon blood red that is regarded as the finest color for ruby. Ruby is gem-quality red corundum. You can unsubscribe at any time. People in the trade expect rubies to have at least some inclusions because inclusion-free rubies are practically nonexistent. The combination of Burmese origins with the colour described as ‘pigeon blood red’ is what makes a ruby the most valuable of its kind. Lighter shades are classified as pink sapphires. The combination of colour found in Burmese stones and what is called ‘silk’ is a rarity in the gemstone world. The color comes from traces of chromium. Each ruby has a primary and secondary color. Other factors that would determine the value of a ruby … So, perhaps emeralds aren’t all that after all. The mines in Myanmar (formerly Burma) have the perfect combination and balance of minerals to create rubies precisely how we like them. This 59.60 carat pink diamond was sold in 2017 for $ 71.2 million in Hong Kong. Let that sink in for a moment. Inclusions can also limit a ruby’s durability. The items featured on this blog, for example, all have Burmese rubies. The finest ruby has a pure, vibrant red to slightly purplish red color. Click on an item to learn more. It set a record as the most expensive colored gemstone ever sold at a US jewelry auction. The more the ruby’s color is strictly red, the more valuable it is. Red is one of the rarest colors in the gems world, and a pure red, such as the famed pigeon's blood ruby, is exceptionally rare. The ‘best’ place a ruby can originate from is Burma. So, what made the Sunrise ruby more valuable than the Prince of Burma or the Liberty Bell? Corundum is a crystalline form of aluminium oxide (Al 2 O 3) typically containing traces of iron, titanium, vanadium and chromium. The ruby, along with the sapphire, is in the corundum group. The most desired ruby color is a vibrant, vivid, highly saturated red to subtly purplish red color with red fluorescence. Color-Change Sapphire. Although, don’t be mistaken, it still knows how to make an impression. Star. Some examples include the Liberty Bell ruby – the world’s largest ruby, weighing 8,500 carats. It’s all about colour. Ruby can also contain needles composed of other minerals, small crystals, zones of color variation, or inclusions that resemble fingerprints. Since the ruby was only 8.62 carats, its sale price was only $2,200 shy of the new per-carat record… In fact, the descriptive trade term might represent only a small, yet highly desired percentage of stones from that source. The balance of elements contained within the stone gives it this colouration, making it incredibly rare. At the other extreme, if the color is too light, the stone may be considered to be a pink sapphire, even if color strength or intensity is high. Some gem dealers debate the borderline between ruby and pink sapphire. This gem – if cut into a processed stone – could result in a stone weighing in at 300 carats. This adds softness to the color and spreads the color more evenly across the ruby’s crown. Courtesy: Hussain Rezayee, Rare Gems & Minerals. If the temptation of a Burmese ruby is too much to take, explore the ruby category of our website. The most valuable attribute of Sapphire is the cornflower blue color, known as Kashmir Sapphire or Cornflower Blue Sapphire. The most valuable blue sapphires have a slight violet or purple hue to them, this deepens the blue color. All rights reserved. The most common shape is a flat tabular hexagonal shape, but ruby crystals from some sources can be elongated. This is a rare variety of sapphire and it shows different colors under different light. Andrew sold these items at various London markets and antique fairs. The per-carat price of ruby can also increase dramatically as size increases, especially for better-quality stones. Red ruby. Over time, and through selling at a range of venues, Andrew built up a large and diverse customer base from private buyers to national and international trade customers. Burma Ruby is the rarest and most valuable member of the corundum family. The color must be neither too dark nor too light to be considered finest quality. A Cartier Pin in Ruby and Diamond ($ 8,428,127) This jewelry is made up of a Burmese ruby ​​of 10.10 … It is a myth that diamonds are the most valuable gems whereas the fact is Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald are much more valuable. The name ruby comes from the Latin "Rubrum," meaning red. If large and prominent inclusions are located under the table facet, they greatly diminish the transparency, brilliance, and value of the stone. Some inclusions can actually contribute positively to a gem’s appearance. However, a highly valuable, expensive ruby would be opaque, with high saturation, a red hue, and a tone that creates a rich, but very obviously red colour. Ruby is the red variety of the mineral Corundum. But they can be subject to misinterpretation when used to describe a ruby’s actual color. Mined in… New sources can produce material very similar to rubies from classical localities or present a slightly different appearance, but remain just as beautiful. The most valuable among its different variations of colors would be the so-called ‘blood-red’ or ‘pigeon blood’, which characterizes the brightness of its color. The faceted stone weighs 11.55 carats and the rough stones weigh between 16.65 carats and 278.50 carats. They are: colour, cut, clarity, and carat. Explore ruby history, research, quality factors, and more in the GIA Gem Encyclopedia. April 2016 a 15.99ct oval-cut Burmese ruby ring, made by Verdura, sold for $14.16 million at Christie’s New York. Your ruby could be a pidgeon blood ruby, the rarest kind. Beside for its bright color, it is a most desirable gem due to its hardness, durability, luster, and rarity.Transparent rubies of large sizes are even rarer than Diamonds. In ruby it typically appears as red to purplish red in one crystal direction and orangy red in the other. A very eye-catching and beautiful species of precious stones, they come in different colors starting from pink to a darker red. That’s some serious stone, possibly not realistic for a stud earring. 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