The ruby is a precious stone that shimmers in red, an enigmatic beauty that has been sought after by all cultures and civilizations throughout history. Known for its color and hardness, the ruby captivates both the eyes and the mind. The ruby is striking red or deep red and is one of the four recognized precious gemstones along with diamond, sapphire and emerald.
How much is a ruby worth?
The value of a ruby is determined by several factors. This includes colour, clarity, carat weight and cut – so not completely different from the diamond.
A flawless, deep red ruby of significant size can cost exceptionally much, sometimes even surpassing the price of a diamond of similar size.
Depending on how the market looks, where the ruby comes from and several other factors, the value of the ruby, whose color is the result of the element chromium being present in its structure, changes.
Is a ruby valuable?
A ruby is one of the most valuable gemstones and is often regarded as a symbol of passion, vitality and prosperity.
The ruby is both rare and almost unbelievably hard, making it highly sought after by collectors, investors and other jewelry lovers.
It is no coincidence that many royal crowns were decorated with rubies, or that many legends and myths throughout history included rubies.
What is a ruby made of?
The chemical composition of a ruby consists mainly of aluminum oxide with traces of the element chromium, which is the reason why the ruby is red. If there are other substances, the shade can vary and go from vibrant to more subtle rose red.
In terms of durability, the ruby is second only to diamond thanks to its exceptional hardness.
Did you know that…
In ancient Sanskrit, the ruby is called "ratnaraj", which means "king of precious stones". It shows how valued the ruby is.
The largest broken ruby to date is the Liberty Bell Ruby, which weighs as much as 8,500 carats and is valued at over $200 million.
