Stephen Alan's Jewellers - The Jewellery Blog

As one of the rarest gemstones around, rubies are up there with natural diamonds. These stunning red stones are the perfect centrepiece for so many types of classy jewellery, including rings, necklaces and earrings.

But, like diamonds and some other precious stones, rubies are shrouded in mysteries, such as ‘Where do they come from?’ ‘Why are they red?’, ‘How big do they get?’, and ‘What else are they used for?’.

If you’ve found yourself asking any of these questions about rubies, you’re in the right place. In this short article (which we’d love you to share) we answer all of the above questions and a lot more.

1. How are rubies made?

To form, rubies require the combination of some very specific minerals, the most prominent being Corundum, which in short, is aluminum oxide which has gone through a process where some of its ions are swapped with chromium.

The ruby-making process happens when the Corundum, along with trace amounts of a few other elements including titanium, vanadium, and rutile, are exposed to extreme heat and pressure beneath the Earths surface.

This specific mineral combination then becomes molten and cools, leading to the formation of the distinct red crystals we know as rubies. It’s also worth mentioning, some of these crystals deviate in colour, so are classified as sapphires.

2. Why are rubies red?

As mentioned above, rubies become red due to the addition of chromium ions during their formation. And how deep the red of the ruby is and it’s fluorescence, depends solely on how much chromium is present.

3. Where do rubies come from?

Rubies are found in various parts of the world, but mostly places including:

Myanmar – Known as the ruby capital of the world, Myanmar is the country 90% of rubies are found. It’s also the place where you’ll find one of the worlds largest cut rubies, weighing in at a staggering 1,184 carats.

Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka is another country famous for its rubies, so much so that it’s earned the name ‘Ratna Dweepa’ which translates to ‘Gem Island’. And the reason for all the rubies, is that Sri Lanka is situated on some of the earths oldest rocks, dating back to the Precambrian Epoch.

Cambodia and Thailand – Strangely, despite rubies being mined all over Cambodia and Thailand, the locals don’t actually have a definitive name for rubies, so call them ‘ksath rung’, which translates to ‘hard flesh’, and is an all-encompassing term for rubies and sapphires.

Afghanistan – Despite the country having some of the highest quality rubies in the world, and having mined them since the Neolithic era, in Afghanistan it’s illegal to trade gemstones, so most of the rubies are smuggled and sold in neighbouring Peshawar, a city in Pakistan.

4. How big do rubies get?

There are some big rubies out there, such as the Liberty Bell at 8,500 carats, or the Neelanjali Ruby at 1,370 carats. But, the largest rough-cut ruby in the world, is the 125 West Ruby, weighing in at an eye-watering 18,696 carats.

5. What’s the most expensive ruby?

When talking about cost and how much rubies have sold for, the two best examples are:

• An 8.24 carat ruby ring made by Van Cleef & Arpels belonging to Elizabeth Taylor which sold for $4.2million!

• And the most expensive ruby ever, the 32.08 carat ‘Hope Ruby’ sold for $6.74million!

6. Why are rubies called rubies?

Rubies are named after the Latin word ‘ruber’, which translated is simply ‘red’, although this doesn’t account for the purple, orange and pink hues, which all go together to give the ruby its distinctive beauty.

7. How hard are rubies

Second in hardness to diamonds, rubies come in at 9 on the Mohs Scale. And in case you’re wondering – the Mohs Scale, is a scale used to measure the hardness of a mineral and its ability to scratch softer minerals.

8. What do rubies symbolise?

What a ruby symbolises largely depends on your culture, but generally, rubies symbolise passion, wealth, protection, and love, making them an ideal gemstone for a wedding ring and a great alternative to a diamond.

The ruby is also the July birthstone, and the gift you’d give for both for a 15th and a 40th wedding anniversary.

9. What else are rubies used for?

As well as being used to make some truly gorgeous ruby jewellery, due to having less friction than some metals, rubies are also used as bearings in machines, and because of their exceptional ability to transmit light, are commonly used in the manufacture of lasers.

Looking to buy ruby jewellery?

Then come down to Stephen Alan’s Jewellers in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire where you’ll find a wide variety of new and preowned ruby rings, ruby necklaces, ruby earrings and more.