Ruby Necklaces
The red July birthstone at full saturation
Ruby is red corundum, colored by chromium, the July birthstone and, with sapphire, the second hardest gem in jewelry. The finest rubies, historically from Mogok in Myanmar, show a vivid red with a slight purple modifier and strong fluorescence that makes them glow in sunlight, the color the trade calls pigeon blood. Most rubies are heat treated, many are filled or diffusion treated at the commercial end, and lab created ruby is common and inexpensive, so disclosure decides value more than in almost any other necklace stone. This guide covers ruby color and fluorescence, sources, treatments and what they mean, necklace formats from solitaires to bead strands, and care.
Ruby Necklaces: A Gemstone of Passion and Elegance
Ruby necklaces are stunning jewelry pieces adorned with rubies, which are coveted gemstones known for their vibrant red hue and historical significance. Rubies have captivated hearts for centuries, making them a popular choice for creating exquisite necklaces.
Historical References and Famous Examples:
Rubies have been cherished since ancient times. In ancient cultures, rubies were associated with power, protection, and passion. One notable example is the Black Prince's Ruby, a large red spinel mistaken for a ruby, set in the British Imperial State Crown.
The "Necklace of the Burmese Rubies" is another famed piece, a gift from the people of Myanmar (formerly Burma) to Queen Elizabeth II. The necklace features 96 rubies and diamonds, showcasing the historical importance and value of rubies.
Geological Significance and Rarity:
Rubies are a variety of the mineral corundum, composed of aluminum oxide with chromium impurities responsible for its red color. The deep red hue is what distinguishes rubies from other corundum varieties like sapphires.
High-quality rubies are exceptionally rare. The presence of chromium and other factors during formation determines the depth and intensity of the red color, making top-quality rubies scarce and highly sought after in the gemstone market.
Ruby Mining and Determining Quality: A Gem of Passion and Rarity
Ruby Mining:
Rubies are primarily mined in several countries, with Myanmar (formerly Burma) historically known for producing some of the world's finest rubies. Other significant sources include Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tanzania. More recently, Mozambique and Madagascar have emerged as important ruby-producing regions.
Ruby mining involves both traditional methods like open-pit mining and modern techniques utilizing heavy machinery for deeper deposits. Miners extract ruby-bearing rocks and then process them to obtain rough ruby crystals.
Determining Ruby Quality:
a. Color:
Hue: The most crucial factor in determining ruby quality is its color. The ideal hue is a rich, vibrant red with a hint of blue, often described as "pigeon blood red." Rubies with this color are considered the most valuable and sought after.
Saturation: The color should be vivid and intense, without being too dark or too light. Well-saturated rubies command a higher value.
b. Clarity:
High-quality rubies have minimal to no inclusions or imperfections visible to the naked eye. Clarity significantly impacts a ruby's value and brilliance.
c. Cut:
A well-cut ruby maximizes its brilliance, sparkle, and color intensity. Precision cutting brings out the best in the gemstone and ensures the light interacts with the stone optimally.
d. Carat Weight:
Carat weight is also a factor in determining ruby quality. Larger rubies with exceptional color, clarity, and cut are rarer and, therefore, more valuable.
e. Origin:
Rubies from historically renowned sources like Myanmar (Burma) often carry a higher value due to their reputation for producing top-quality rubies with intense red hues.
f. Treatment:
Heat treatment is common in rubies to enhance their color and clarity. While treated rubies are widely accepted, transparency about treatments is essential for ethical practices in the gemstone industry.
Expert Assessment:
Consulting a gemologist or jeweler with expertise in gemstone evaluation can provide a professional assessment of your rubies' quality. They use specialized tools and techniques to analyze color, clarity, cut, and other factors.
Determining ruby quality involves a careful assessment of its color, clarity, cut, carat weight, origin, and any treatments it might have undergone. It's advisable to purchase rubies from reputable sources and, if possible, obtain certifications or reports from recognized gemological laboratories to validate their quality and authenticity.
Appeal to Consumers:
Intense Red Color: The mesmerizing red hue of rubies, ranging from deep red to purplish-red, symbolizes love, passion, and power, making them an appealing choice for consumers seeking vibrant and meaningful jewelry.
Symbolism: Rubies are often associated with love, passion, courage, and prosperity, making them popular for expressing deep emotions and desires in the form of a gift or personal adornment.
Timelessness: Rubies have stood the test of time and continue to be a timeless choice. Their appeal remains strong across generations, making ruby necklaces an enduring symbol of elegance and sophistication.
Jewelry Designers and Rubies:
Jewelry designers appreciate working with rubies due to their exceptional color, brilliance, and versatility. Rubies can be cut into various shapes, allowing designers to create diverse and intricate necklace designs.
Designers often pair rubies with diamonds or other gemstones to enhance their beauty. The contrast of red rubies against the sparkle of diamonds creates a visually stunning effect, making ruby necklaces a favorite among designers.
The rarity and prestige associated with high-quality rubies attract jewelry designers who aim to craft exclusive and luxurious pieces that cater to discerning clientele.
Ruby necklaces continue to be cherished and celebrated for their exceptional beauty and historical significance. The allure of rubies, their rich symbolism, and the passion they evoke make them a cherished gemstone for necklaces that transcends fashion trends and captivates jewelry enthusiasts worldwide.
Learn about ruby earrings, ruby rings and ruby bracelets.
Formats for a Rare Stone
Because fine ruby is rare above a carat, necklace design works around scarcity: a solitaire or halo pendant with one good stone, cluster designs that gather small rubies into a larger red field, line necklaces of small matched stones, and ruby bead strands, where color consistency along the strand is the quality test. Burmese, Mozambican, Thai and Tanzanian rubies each carry typical color signatures, pink-red to deep red, and origin affects price where a laboratory confirms it.
Ruby pairs classically with yellow gold, which warms the red, and with diamonds, whose white frames the color; in white metals the same stone reads cooler and more formal. For a buyer, the sequence is color in daylight, treatment in writing, and then setting and make. A modest, untreated or simply heated ruby of fine color will out-wear and out-value a larger filled stone, which is the central judgment this category asks for.
Common Questions
What does pigeon blood ruby mean?
It is the trade's traditional name for the finest ruby color: a pure, vivid red with a very slight purple or pink modifier and strong red fluorescence, associated with the Mogok valley in Myanmar. The term is descriptive rather than a formal grade, and laboratories that use it apply their own standards. What matters practically is saturated red color that stays red, not brown or dark, in ordinary light at the neck.
Are most ruby necklaces treated?
Most contain treated stones. Heat treatment to improve color and clarity is standard and accepted, and it is permanent. Glass filling of fractured, low-grade ruby produces inexpensive material with much lower durability and value, and it must be disclosed; such stones need gentle care and can be damaged by jewelers' torches and acids. Lab created ruby is chemically ruby and costs least of all. Every ruby necklace listing should state treatment and origin plainly.
How should a ruby necklace be cleaned?
Untreated and heat-treated rubies are hard and tough: warm soapy water, a soft brush and even ultrasonic cleaning are generally safe. Glass-filled rubies are the exception and should be cleaned only with a soft damp cloth, and the jeweler should be told before any repair work. Knowing which kind of ruby is in the necklace is therefore part of owning one.