At JQV, rubies aren’t just gemstones — they’re drama, desire and divine sparkle all rolled into one dazzling red rock 💋 Let’s get to know them better, shall we?
🔴 What Exactly Is a Ruby?
Rubies are the red variety of corundum (fancy science name: aluminium oxide with a splash of chromium 🧬). Any other colour of corundum is a sapphire — so yes, rubies are technically red sapphires, but only rubies get the red carpet treatment ❤️
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Colour: Rich reds rule the ruby world. The ultimate shade? Pigeon’s blood red — that vivid, velvety red with just a whisper of blue.
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Hardness: A strong 9 on the Mohs scale. Just below diamonds. Built to last 💪
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Rarity: Clean, vividly red rubies (especially over 1ct) are rarer than diamonds — and often more expensive too.
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Symbolism: Think love, power, passion and protection. Rubies have been worn by royalty and warriors. And now, by you. 👑
🌈 Ruby Colours: It’s Not Just Red
Think all rubies are the same shade? Think again. Rubies come in a delicious variety of tones — and they’re all gorgeous in their own way. Here’s how we break it down at JQV:
💖 Pinkish-Red
Bright, sweet and a little flirty. These rubies dance on the line between ruby and pink sapphire — but if the red dominates, it’s still a ruby in our book. Take a look at some of our pink rubies!
🍷 Purplish-Red
A little moodier, a little deeper. These rubies can feel rich and romantic, especially under low light. They’ve got that vintage cocktail ring energy 💅 Take a look at some of our purple rubies!
🍂 Brownish-Red
Earthy and grounding. Sometimes underrated, but we’re all about their subtle glamour — especially when paired with yellow gold.
🔥 Vivid Red (aka Pigeon’s Blood)
The queen of the ruby world. This is the bold, pure red with a kiss of blue. Intense, glowing, and seriously rare. If you see one, you’ll know 💎 Have a browse of our deliciously red rubies!
📝 At JQV, we stock the full ruby rainbow — so whatever mood you’re in, we’ve got the stone to match.
👁️🗨️ Clarity in Rubies: From Opaque to Oooh!
Rubies are born under intense heat and pressure, so inclusions are completely normal — in fact, they help gem experts know the ruby is natural (not synthetic). But clarity does affect value and look, so let’s break it down:
🌫 Opaque Rubies
These stones don’t let much light through — but they can still be bold in colour and perfect for carved pieces or antique-style jewellery. And they’re great value for makers (also known as commercial rubies).
🌤 Translucent Rubies
A happy middle ground. Some glow, some softness, some visible light play. These are popular choices in boho and organic designs.
🔮 Eye-Clean Rubies
Harder to find, but oh-so-satisfying. These rubies are transparent with no major inclusions visible to the naked eye. They sparkle beautifully and show their colour off like a dream.
💎 Flawless Rubies
The unicorns 🦄. Extremely rare — and valuable. Even then, many of the finest rubies still have some fine "silk" inclusions (tiny rutile needles) that give them that velvety glow.
👉 At JQV, we celebrate clarity in all its forms and thanks to our high-resolution images on our website and expert advice — you'll always know what you’re getting.
🌍 Where Do Rubies Come From?
Rubies are mined all over the world — but some sources are legendary. Here’s the JQV lowdown:
🇲🇲 Myanmar (Burma)
The MVP. Burmese rubies, especially from the Mogok Valley, are chef’s kiss — rich, deep, and absolutely iconic. Pigeon’s blood rubies mostly come from here and yes, they’re the ones dreams (and auction records) are made of.
🇲🇿 Mozambique
Mozambique rubies are the new kids on the block — and we at JQV are big fans. Incredible colour, great clarity, and some stones genuinely rival Burmese rubies in beauty and punch. They’re that good and real contenders.
🇹🇭 Thailand
Thai rubies lean towards deeper reds, often with brownish tones. Classic and sultry. Thailand’s also a major cutting hub, so a lot of rubies pass through here before landing in your treasure box.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
Lighter, pinkish-red rubies with amazing clarity. Think fresh and feminine 💖
🌎 Also: Tanzania, Madagascar, Vietnam — they’re all in the ruby game too, and we always keep our eyes peeled for the best.
💰 What Affects the Price of a Ruby?
Rubies are one of those gems where a tiny difference can mean a big jump in price. Here's what matters most:
🔥 Colour
This is the big one. Pigeon’s blood red? That’s premium. Too brown, too purple, or too pink? The price dips. Still beautiful to us though ✨.
🔍 Clarity
Rubies usually have inclusions — often silky, thread-like ones. That’s normal (and sometimes even desirable). But fewer and finer inclusions = more sparkle = more value.
💎 Cut
Most rubies are cut into ovals or cushions to keep as much carat weight as possible. At JQV, we stock all shapes and sizes of rubies — we’re obsessed with a good marquise, pear, or even a sassy octagon cut ruby 💃
⚖️ Carat Weight
Rubies don’t just scale linearly — prices leap at the half-carat mark, and again at 1ct. A 1.2ct ruby of top colour and clarity can be many times the price of a 0.9ct sibling.
🌍 Origin
Burmese stones (especially untreated ones) = 💸. Expect to pay a lot more — but you’re also buying history, prestige, and long-term value.
🧪 Treatments
Here’s where things get spicy and we will cover that next!
⚠️ Ruby Treatments: What to Know Before You Buy
Most rubies — about 95% — are heat-treated. That’s totally normal and accepted in the gem world. But there are a few other treatments to be aware of:
🔥 Heat Treatment
Done to improve colour and clarity. It's stable and permanent and industry standard.
🥴 Glass Filling
Used to fill cracks and make low-grade rubies look better. Not cool. These rubies are fragile, often cheap, and usually not worth it. Always ask, especially when buying abroad. At JQV, we avoid these like last season’s trends.
⚠️ Other Treatments
Irradiation, diffusion, dyeing… they happen. But you need to know. Transparency is everything.
👉 Remember: If it seems too good to be true — it probably is. Especially on holiday 😬
We’ve heard it all… “I got this ruby in Bali, they said it was real!”....If it cost £30 and came with a cocktail, it’s gonna glass.
🏺 Ruby Myths, Legends & History: A Stone Fit for Kings (and Drama Queens)
Rubies have been stealing hearts (and thrones) for thousands of years. Here’s just a taste of their rich, glittering history:
👑 Ancient India
Rubies were called Ratnaraj — "King of Gems". They were believed to offer protection, power, and the ability to live in harmony with enemies (handy!).
🗡 Medieval Europe
Worn by knights and nobles to bring courage in battle, and supposedly darken when danger was near. Basically an ancient mood ring… but make it royal ⚔️
🐉 Burmese Legend
Warriors implanted rubies into their skin (ouch 😬) to make themselves invincible. That’s serious dedication to gemstone energy.
💘 Love, Passion, & Protection
Across cultures, rubies have symbolised fire, fertility, and deep love. They were gifted by emperors, passed down by queens, and guarded in temple treasures for centuries.
💍 Best Cuts & Settings for Ruby Jewellery
Rubies are bold, dramatic, and full of fire — so the way you cut and set them makes a big difference to how they shine. Whether you're designing your own piece or buying ready-to-wear, here’s the lowdown on what works best for these red-hot beauties 🔥
✂️ Best Ruby Cuts
💎 Oval & Cushion
The classic ruby shapes! These cuts retain weight (and value) beautifully and show off colour in all its juicy depth. Ideal for statement rings or heirloom pendants. Shop Round Rubies or Oval Rubies!
💃 Pear Shape
We love a pear here at JQV — elegant, vintage vibes with a bit of sass. Perfect for dangle earrings or romantic rings with a twist, anything shapely by design. Always works well in a flowing design. Have a nose at our beautiful collection of Pear Shaped Rubies.
🔻 Navette / Marquise
An underrated cut that brings drama. Long and lean, marquises are perfect for stacking, east-west settings, and pieces that need a little edge 💅 Shop Marquise Rubies.
💥 Round Diamond Cut
Maximum sparkle, but rarer in rubies because cutting round means losing more of the rough. Still — when done right? Total firecracker. Browse our collection of round brilliant cut rubies.
🧩 Freeform & Slices
For the makers and lovers of unusual gems! These cuts show off natural inclusions and are so good in organic-style jewellery. Big “one-of-a-kind” energy.
🛠 Best Ruby Settings
🫶 Claw/Prong Setting
Let that ruby shine! Prong settings lift the stone and let in maximum light — ideal for showing off vivid colour and sparkle. As they are hard stones, this is a great way to show them off.
🧱 Bezel Setting
Modern, sleek, secure. Bezel settings surround the stone in metal, offering fab protection — especially for rings you’ll wear every day, it also makes your stones look bigger.
🌸 Halo Setting
A JQV fave! Surround your ruby with diamonds or coloured stones for extra sparkle and classic glamour 💃
💫 Three-Stone
Perfect for engagement or anniversary rings — one ruby centre with side stones (or vice versa). It’s meaningful and stylish.
👩🏭 Rubies for Makers
At JQV, we handpick rubies that are perfect for all levels of jewellery making — from beginner bezels to high-end commissions. Whether you’re designing fine jewellery or playing with new settings in class, we’ve got you covered with the cuts, shapes, and sizes you need.
❤️ Why We Love Rubies (And You Should Too)
Rubies are fire in gem form. Passion, courage, power, romance. They’re the drama queens of the gem world — and we’re here for it 🔥
They're also:
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Durable enough for everyday wear 💪
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Rarer than diamonds 💎
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Perfect for engagement rings, bold pendants, and yes — custom pieces you’ll make yourself
Whether you’re collecting, designing, or just obsessing (like us), rubies deserve your attention. And your love.
🛍️ Where to Buy Loose Rubies?
Right here 🎉
At JQV, we’ve got:
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Loose rubies in all shapes and sizes
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Hand-selected stones (we’re picky)
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Options for jewellery making or ready-to-set sparkles
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Friendly, honest advice
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High resolution photos & videos so you know what you are buying ✨
- We won't just sell you a stone, our fantastic team will help and advise every step of the way
Whether you’re a trade buyer, a collector, or a one-off romantic — if you're wondering where to buy rubies online, the answer is: JQV Gemstones. We’ve got you.