Rubies

A rose by any other name would still be a rose. Both sapphires and rubies come from the same gem family, corundum. The differentiating factor between a sapphire and a ruby is its colour. A ruby is a red corundum and all other colours of corundum are considered to be sapphires. Different trace elements, such as iron, titanium, chromium, copper or magnesium, lead to the different colours of corundum. Chromium is the trace element that causes the red in rubies.

Rubies are incredibly rare and can cost more per carat than white diamonds. The most sought-after rubies are of a deep, rich red colour, called pigeon red, and come from Myanmar (Burma). However, like all other coloured stones, many accompanying factors affect the beauty of a ruby, such as inclusions and its liveliness and proportions. Sources of rubies include Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Rubies, along with sapphires, rate 9 out of 10 in the mohs scale, making them the seconds hardest stone after diamonds. That makes these gorgeous stones perfect to be set in any jewellery and can be worn every day.