Ruby – the king of colored gemstones and a coveted store of value
What makes the ruby so special
The name "ruby" comes from the Latin rubeus – “the Red One”. The ruby owes its characteristic color to the trace element Chromium , which is also responsible for the green color in emeralds. The higher the chromium content, the more intense the red – and the higher the Ruby value . Undesirable brownish tones are caused by iron, pinkish hues by titanium. One pinkish-red ruby It is considered lively and is accepted, but only Intense red rubies , especially those with pigeon blood color, fetch top prices.
Ruby vs. Sapphire – mineralogical siblings
From a mineralogical point of view, rubies are... red corundum (Al2O3) – any other color of this mineral type is considered sapphire The difference between a ruby and a pink sapphire is often minimal. Gemological laboratories GRS or SSEF, for example, make this distinction based on the The ratio of chromium to titanium . These subtle nuances can have significant effects on market value.
Ruby in history – symbol of strength and power
Rubies have always been revered as royal gemstones. In ancient times, all red gemstones were generally considered as Carbuncle stones denotes – a distinction from Spinel, garnet or tourmaline This was not possible back then. It has only been possible since the 18th/19th century thanks to modern analytical methods.
A famous example of this confusion is the "Black Prince's Ruby" – a 170-carat spinel in the British crown, which was considered a ruby for over 400 years.
In Burma (Myanmar) – one of the most historically important sources of rubies – warriors implanted rubies under their skin to make themselves invincible. The stone was considered a symbol of Courage, passion, and masculinity – Properties that the Planet Mars be assigned.
Ruby in jewelry – the radiant evening stone
Besides their symbolic power, rubies also possess ideal properties for fine jewelry :
· Hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale – directly behind the diamond
· Intense shine with high refractive index
· Particularly attractive in warm light (e.g. candlelight)
It is therefore no wonder that the ruby is highly regarded by collectors and enthusiasts. classic Abendstein It is – luxurious, elegant and durable.
Pigeon Blood Ruby – the ultimate benchmark
The most valuable of all ruby colors is the famous "Pigeon Blood" (Pigeon Blood Red) – a strong, fluorescent red with a bluish undertone. This color quality is generally exclusively attributed to untreated rubies from Burma and is considered Reference class in international trade.
Ruby as an investment – prices, origin & development
Rubies are considered today to be rarer gemstones than diamonds or sapphires , especially in untreated and weighing 3 carats or more . These are considered genuine. Rarities and achieve prices with a strong upward trend.
📈 Ruby price development (as of 2025):
· Mozambique / Madagascar: from approx. 3,500 – 4,000 € per carat (1 ct)
· Burma (Myanmar): from approx. 10,000 – 12,000 € per carat (1 ct)
· Top quality: far beyond that – depending on color, origin and certification
The prices for investment rubies have fallen by around [amount missing] in the last five years. Up 50% , with a further upward trend. International auctions confirm the hype:
· Sunrise Ruby (Burma, 25.59 ct): above USD 30 million (2015) – Record price per carat
· Estrela de Fura (Mozambique, 55.22 ct): USD 34.8 million (2023) – highest total price
Buying a ruby – what you should pay attention to
Around 95–99% of all rubies worldwide are treated – be it through heating, coloring, or lead glass filling. Only untreated rubies with expert opinion are considered to be of real value.
✅ Tips for buying rubies:
• Exclusively untreated gemstones with excellent color
· Independent expert reports & certificate from recognized gemological laboratories
· Traceable origin (e.g. Burma, Mozambique)
· Avoidance of all types of treatments, especially lead glass fillings and synthetic stones.
Conclusion: Ruby – rarity, symbolic power and substance
Rubies are among the The world's most valuable colored gemstones . As the king of gemstones, they offer not only cultural depth, but also a A stable foundation for gemstone investments , if selected with the necessary expertise and care.
The Valoterna GmbH We accompany you as a gemstone developer with sound knowledge and gemological expertise – transparently, individually and value-oriented.