Are Rubies Rarer Than Diamonds?

Rubies and diamonds are undoubtedly two of the most common minerals used in jewellery. Forbes included ruby among the "big three" gemstones, which also included emerald and sapphire. Diamonds, on the other hand, have long been considered emblems of riches and power. Notwithstanding the obvious colour variation, the two minerals are quite different in many other aspects, save one. 

A ruby of the proper colour and shape can be significantly more costly than even a pure white diamond of comparable weight, suggesting that rubies and other coloured gemstones have been more popular among millennials. Explore Temple & Grace's wide selection of engagement rings and embark on a memorable journey to find the one that speaks to your heart. 

In their gem-quality form, rubies are even more uncommon than diamonds. The mineral that contains sapphires, rubies, and emeralds is more common, but it's the deep red tint a ruby comes in that is uncommon. They're rarely used in jewellery, especially in comparison to the ubiquitous diamond.

What Is Ruby?

Rubies, members of the corundum family, are a type of precious red stone. Though most rubies are deep red, the exact shade can vary from a deep blood red to an orangy red, brown red, purple-red, or even pink red.

Considering the recent increase in the popularity of coloured gemstones, we'll be focusing on the charming ruby, arguably the most romantic of all precious stones.

Corundum, a crystalline type of aluminium oxide, is used to create rubies. Ruby's distinctive red hue results from the mineral's aluminium being replaced by minute amounts of the element chromium.

Ruby is the name given to red corundum. Sapphire is the name given to the gem when its colour is something other than transparent, such as blue, yellow, or pink. The deep pink to blood-red colouration that rubies are known for makes them easy to spot among other precious stones.

Of the "big three" precious stones, rubies are among the rarest. The other two are sapphires and emeralds. Besides being the July birthstone, it also serves as the 15th anniversary stone and the 40th anniversary stone.

Ruby, like many other precious stones, is mined all over the world for jewellery. The subsequent nations are good sources of rubies:

It includes the countries of Australia, Sri Lanka, Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Colombia, Brazil, Namibia, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Kenya, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Scotland, Scotland, and the United States.

As a result of their high hardness (nine on the Mohs scale), rubies are highly durable gemstones. But they still aren't as flawless as the diamond.

It's good news that rubies are so tough that rings, pendants, and earring settings can be worn daily without fear of chipping or scratching the precious stone.

Ruby Cut

The cut of a ruby describes the shape, size, and proportions of the gem. Ruby values are not based on cut quality like diamond values are. This is because to the fact that the cut of a ruby is significantly less significant than the colour and clarity.

But, the ruby's true brilliance is only shown after a superb cut that maximises light return and colour, as is the case with most gemstones. When slicing precious stones like sapphires and rubies, cutters need to remember these four things.

• Minimise inclusions.
• Maximise colour.
• Maximise carat weight.

Think about whether a round, oval, cushion, cabochon, pear, etc., is what the buyer has in mind.

Ruby Clarity

The inclusions of ruby are flaws that can vary in size, colour, location, and quality. To gain a detailed look at the diamond's internal structure, gemologists utilise 10x magnification while evaluating its clarity.

Gemologists don't use magnification to inspect coloured stones; instead, they examine for "eye-cleanliness" or whether or not the stone seems to be free of imperfections to the unaided eye. Rubies with higher clarity ratings command higher prices.

Natural rubies will always have trace amounts of rutile needles or "silk" inclusions. For gemologists, the absence of rutile needles in ruby is a red flag that the stone was either treated or is synthetic.

Ruby Colour

Like emeralds, a ruby's colour is the most crucial aspect of its overall worth. The greater the depth and intensity of the colour, the higher the value of the ruby. It is commonly accepted that a rich, vibrant red is ideal for rubies. In contrast, rubies of other colours—like pink or brown-red—can be just as beautiful.

Colour in rubies is evaluated according to three primary characteristics: hue, tone, and saturation.

A ruby's hue is its position on the colour wheel. A ruby's primary and secondary hues are distinct. Primary red, with secondary orange, purple, or pink. The more intensely red a ruby appears, the higher its price.

Secondary Colours

Certain rubies, like those mined in Myanmar, are known to have distinctive secondary colours. For example, rubies mined in this country often have a faint purple tint.

Adding a touch of purple to the ruby can improve its appearance by making the red stand out more. (for an authentic Burmese look, try setting a ruby with a purple undertone in yellow gold. By contrast with the blue in the purple, the yellow will highlight the red in the ruby.

Ruby Carat

Finally, think about how many carats the ruby has. You might undoubtedly predict that the price of a ruby increases as its carat weight does. A larger ruby will cost more than a smaller one because, according to supply and demand, larger gemstones are in shorter supply than smaller ones.

What Is A Diamond?

Diamond, the most well-known and mythologized jewel, is one of a kind in many respects. Diamond is the most valuable diamond since it is the toughest natural material, has the brightest fire of any gemstone, lasts forever, and is extremely rare. Diamond is the only gemstone that can compete with it in terms of beauty and intrigue.

Colourless or very weakly coloured diamonds are the most common type used for jewellery and gemstones. Fancy Diamonds, as Diamonds of other colours are called, are the rarest and most expensive jewels in history. Brilliantly coloured Fancy Diamonds have historically fetched prices of over a million dollars per carat, making them the most expensive material in the world.

Diamond-Cut

A diamond's cut is more significant than its colour or clarity since it is one of the three Cs (cut, carat, and clarity) that define a good diamond from a great diamond.

A diamond's fire, flare, and brilliance all come from how it was cut. Cut to exacting standards, and a diamond will dazzle brightly, whereas a poorly cut stone may fail to live up to its full potential.

Diamond cut, along with clarity, colour, and carat weight, is one of the four Cs that can be difficult for consumers to evaluate on their own. For this reason, it is crucial to only purchase diamonds whose cut grade has been determined by a credible jeweller or gemological laboratory.

So, what, exactly, are the qualities of a great haircut? Excellent cut diamonds are perfectly balanced and proportional and show off their natural lustre. It's ideal for a diamond to have a girdle that's thin to moderately thick and a culet that's tiny to nonexistent. Likewise, the diamond's polish and other finishing touches must be of a high calibre.

Diamond Clarity

The diamond's Clarity is the second most crucial of the 4 Cs since it affects the diamond's appearance and its capacity to resist damage. Low-clarity diamonds, which contain extensive fissures or cracks, are more likely to break or chip than higher-clarity diamonds.

Diamond clarity is another attribute that might be hard to assess visually. Under 10x magnification, trained gemologists inspect the surface of a diamond for flaws and imperfections to determine the stone's purity.

The clarity of a diamond can be affected by two different kinds of flaws: inclusions, sometimes called internal features, and blemishes, which are seen on the diamond's surface.

Most inclusions in diamonds are created during the diamond's formation process, and the most prevalent causes are pressure fissures, bubbles, and tiny mineral deposits. Throughout the cutting and polishing processes, diamonds frequently acquire flaws, including chips, scratches, and pits.

Moreover, remember that not all additions are negative. Smaller imperfections that are not readily apparent to the human eye can be utilised to map and identify a diamond, despite the fact that larger flaws can damage a diamond's beauty and strength. They're evidence that a diamond didn't come from a lab.

Diamond Colour

The beauty and value of a diamond are greatly affected by its colour. Yet, of the 4 Cs of diamond quality (cut, clarity, colour, and carat), colour is the most transparent to the naked eye.

It is the lack of colour that serves as the basis for the diamond colour grading for white diamonds. Fancy colour diamonds (also known as coloured diamonds) are evaluated based on their diamond colour grade, which takes into account things like hue and saturation.

Only the finest gem-quality diamonds have no colour tint, although most natural diamonds have a faintly yellow or brown hue. A yellow diamond set in a yellow gold mounting, on the other hand, will appear less yellow than it actually is. Platinum, palladium, and white gold settings bring out the most brilliance in colourless diamonds.

Diamond Carat

One carat of a diamond is equivalent to 200 milligrammes, the standard unit of measurement for diamond weight. Although it may sound similar, the carat is not the same as the karat used to measure gold purity or the carrot, a tasty and healthy vegetable.

Because larger diamonds are so much more unusual than their smaller counterparts, the value of any given diamond rises as its size increases. Yet, the overall diamond cut clarity colour qualities also contribute to the entire value, in addition to the size.

Diamonds with superior cut, clarity, and colour features, for instance, can command a higher price tag than one of the same carat weight but with worse cut, clarity, and colour grades.

Rubies Vs. Diamonds

A growing number of people are choosing rubies over diamonds for engagement rings and other jewellery. Rubies are not the same as diamonds in a number of ways.

• Colour. The colour is the glaring distinction between ruby and diamond. Diamonds often appear white, but other colours, such as yellow, champagne, pink, and even red, are possible.

Rubies only come in red. Certain rubies may appear pink, brown, purple, or orange because of variations in their tone, saturation, and secondary colours.

• Brilliance. Rubies aren't as highly valued as diamonds because of their sparkle and radiance. Instead, the hue of a ruby is what makes it so desirable and expensive.
• Hardness. Rubies and diamonds are both extremely hard gemstones, but that's about it. Diamonds are the hardest natural substance, according to the Mohs scale. The scratch resistance of a material is used as the basis for this scale. Diamonds are worth 10 points, with rubies close behind at 9.
• Cost. Unlike diamonds, which are among the most expensive gemstones in the world, rubies are typically quite affordable. On the other hand, natural-colour rubies can fetch prices that rival or even surpass those of diamonds.
• Tradition. Diamonds are traditionally given as engagement rings or wedding bands, whereas rubies are given as birthstones or anniversaries. Ruby engagement rings, however, are quickly becoming the norm.

Do Rubies Cost More Than Diamonds?

The price of a ruby is often lower than that of a comparable diamond. However, there are exceptions.

As a result of this price difference, rubies are widely chosen as wedding bands and other jewellery instead of diamonds. Compared to more than five times the price of a diamond of comparable size and quality, this 1.25-carat ruby is a steal at around $820.

Extremely rare and exceptionally beautiful rubies can cost as much as or even more than a comparable carat weight of diamonds. Such a beautiful Mozambican Pigeon Blood ruby retails for about $50,000 and is valued at around the same as a huge oval-cut diamond.

The cost of diamonds and rubies can vary greatly. The latter can cost anywhere from $100 to $20,000 per carat, whereas the price of a high-quality diamond begins at roughly $2,000. The colour, cut, clarity, and carat weight make up the "4 Cs" of diamond and gemstone pricing. The two most critical cost-determining factors of ruby are its carat weight and its hue. There are numerous aspects to consider to determine the price of these jewels, so if you shop, you might find a gorgeous stone for under a thousand dollars. There is also the fact that synthetic diamonds are substantially cheaper than their natural counterparts (by about 20% to 30%). Below, we'll go into more detail about each of the four Cs, which are used to determine the final price of these stones:

Carat Weight

The price of both minerals is highly dependent on their carat weight. The value of a diamond rises exponentially with its weight. One study found that just one in a million diamonds mined could be cut and polished into a diamond weighing one carat. It's also worthwhile to remember that a diamond's size does not automatically grow in tandem with its carat weight. Diamonds of the same carat weight are more common than rubies over 1 carat in weight. As with diamonds, the cost will rise dramatically with each additional carat of ruby.

Colour Differences

Diamonds get their colour from impurities that occur naturally during their creation. The value of a diamond decreases if it has a drab yellowish hue. Fancy-coloured diamonds, on the other hand, can fetch a hefty price tag on the open market. In contrast to white diamonds, which are assessed solely on how colourless the mineral is, coloured diamonds are evaluated on a scale of vividness and clarity.

Gemstones are graded on three criteria: hue, tone, and saturation, according to the GIA colour grading method. Colours like yellow, violet, blue, green, etc., are very typical. The value of a ruby that leans too pink is significantly lower than that of a true sapphire. In contrast, rubies with intense tones of red and purple fetch substantially higher prices. The degree to which a colour is saturated. The greater the saturation, the greater the value of the ruby. In general, the most precious stones are those that are neither too light nor too dark.

Clarity

The clarity of diamonds and rubies is affected by minute inclusions that are hidden from view below the surface. Inclusions, or birthmarks, as some people choose to call them, are what you get. A gem's fragility increases in proportion to the number and size of its inclusions. Different grading systems are used for the two gemstones, which is a significant distinction. Diamonds are graded on a scale of 11 points, while rubies are graded on a scale of 4. One possible explanation is the fact that 30% of all diamonds undergo some kind of treatment to reduce inclusions. The most common method for removing inclusions from diamonds involves drilling a tiny channel through the stone and flushing corrosive acid through it to dissolve the inclusion. These treatments can enhance the appearance of your stone to some degree, depending on your personal taste, but they can decrease its worth.

Cut

Diamonds and rubies are not the same, and the cut is one of the key distinctions between them. Although its impact on diamond quality and the cost is minimal, it may prove to be the deciding factor in a transaction. Native cut rubies are those that are faceted within a short time of their finding. There may be an effect on the price of ruby if a certain recut boosts its refraction or colour. The diamond's cut can have a dramatic effect on how it appears. Yet, while cutting diamonds, jewellers typically put weight over appearance.

Rubies, without a doubt, are stunning gems. Blue natural gemstones, such as sapphires and emeralds, are among the rarest and most valuable in the world. Why? The ruby has long been considered a symbol of nobility, prosperity, and authority. Yet, they are also believed to have magical properties.

Their vibrant red hue is thought to arouse passion in a partner, make the wearer invincible to harm on the battlefield, and even bring financial success. For centuries, rubies have been regarded as a must-have component of royal jewellery in European monarchies.

When compared to the cost of a diamond, rubies are a more affordable option. Among these is the widespread belief that diamonds are inherently more flawless than rubies. There is also the possibility that less care is taken when cutting a ruby. If you care solely about a ruby's colour and not its brilliance, the statement above is correct.

Conclusion

Diamonds and rubies—the most popular jewellery materials—differ in numerous ways. Blood red, orange-red, brown-red, purple-red, and pink-red rubies are precious corundum stones. Ruby is an aluminium oxide crystal with trace levels of chromium. The "big three" precious stones are mined worldwide. Unlike diamonds, rubies are valued by colour and clarity.

Diamond offers incomparable value, beauty, and mystery. It's most crucial (cut, carat, and clarity). To avoid fraud, buy diamonds with certified cut grades from reputable jewellers or gemological labs. Cut, clarity, colour, and carat determine diamond quality. Cut is the most crucial of the 4 Cs. Clarity is the second most crucial attribute. White diamonds have the most transparent colour. Besides size, cut, clarity, and colour determine a diamond's value. Ruby is red, unlike a diamond. Ruby's brightness, durability, cost, and history make it desirable.

They can cost as much as diamonds and are used in wedding bands and other jewellery. However, rare and beautiful rubies can cost more than diamonds of the same carat weight. This is because diamonds are rarer than rubies, which cost $100 to $20,000. The "four Cs"—colour, cut, clarity, and carat weight—determine gemstone and diamond value. Diamonds and rubies of the same carat weight are more frequent than rubies above 1 carat, yet their value grows substantially with carat weight.

Content Summary

• Rubies and diamonds are undoubtedly two of the most common minerals used in jewellery.
• A ruby of the proper colour and shape can be significantly more costly than a pure white diamond of comparable weight. This suggests that rubies and other coloured gemstones have been more popular among millennials.
• In their gem-quality form, rubies are even more uncommon than diamonds.
• The mineral that contains sapphires, rubies, and emeralds is more common, but the deep red tint a ruby comes in is uncommon.
• Rubies are among the rarest of the "big three" precious stones.
• The other two are sapphires and emeralds.
• The cut of a ruby describes the gem's shape, size, and proportions.
• This is because the cut of a ruby is significantly less significant than the colour and clarity.
• The greater the depth and intensity of the colour, the higher the value of the ruby.
• Adding a touch of purple to the ruby can improve its appearance by making the red stand out more. 
• Try setting a ruby with a purple undertone in yellow gold for an authentic Burmese look.
• By contrast with the blue in the purple, the yellow will highlight the red in the ruby.
• You might undoubtedly predict that the price of a ruby increases as its carat weight does.
• A diamond's cut is more significant than its colour or clarity since it is one of the three Cs (cut, carat, and clarity) that define a good diamond from a great diamond.
• A diamond's fire, flare, and brilliance come from how it was cut.
• Under 10x magnification, trained gemologists inspect the surface of a diamond for flaws and imperfections to determine the stone's purity.
• The beauty and value of a diamond are greatly affected by its colour.
• The lack of colour serves as the basis for the diamond colour grading for white diamonds.
• Only the finest gem-quality diamonds have no colour tint, although most natural diamonds have a faintly yellow or brown hue.
• Platinum, palladium, and white gold settings bring out the most brilliance in colourless diamonds.
• One carat of a diamond is equivalent to 200 milligrammes, the standard unit of measurement for diamond weight.
• For instance, diamonds with superior cut, clarity, and colour features can command a higher price tag than one of the same carat weight but with worse cut, clarity, and colour grades.
• Rubies are not the same as diamonds in some ways.
• The colour is the glaring distinction between ruby and diamond.
• Instead, a ruby's hue makes it so desirable and expensive.
• Unlike diamonds, among the most expensive gemstones in the world, rubies are typically quite affordable.
• On the other hand, natural-colour rubies can fetch prices that rival or surpass those of diamonds.
• The price of a ruby is often lower than a comparable diamond.
• Compared to more than five times the price of a diamond of comparable size and quality, this 1.25-carat ruby is a steal at around $820.Extremely rare and exceptionally beautiful rubies can cost as much or even more than a comparable carat weight of diamonds.
• Such a beautiful Mozambican Pigeon Blood ruby retails for about $50,000 and is valued around the same as a huge oval-cut diamond.
• The cost of diamonds and rubies can vary greatly.
• The colour, cut, clarity, and carat weight comprise the "4 Cs" of diamond and gemstone pricing.
• The two most critical cost-determining factors of ruby are its carat weight and hue.
• Below, we'll go into more detail about each of the four Cs used to determine the final price of these stones: The price of both minerals is highly dependent on their carat weight.
• The value of a diamond rises exponentially with its weight.
• As with diamonds, the cost will rise dramatically with each additional carat of ruby.
• Gemstones are graded on three criteria: hue, tone, and saturation, according to the GIA colour grading method.
• The greater the saturation, the greater the value of the ruby.
• Generally, the most precious stones are neither too light nor too dark.
• The clarity of diamonds and rubies is affected by minute inclusions hidden from view below the surface.
• A gem's fragility increases in proportion to the number and size of its inclusions.
• Diamonds and rubies are not the same, and the cut is one of the key distinctions between them.
• Although its impact on diamond quality and the cost is minimal, it may be the deciding factor in a transaction.
• The diamond's cut can have a dramatic effect on how it appears.
• When compared to the cost of a diamond, rubies are a more affordable option.
• There is also the possibility of less care when cutting a ruby.
• The statement above is correct if you care solely about a ruby's colour and not its brilliance.