Natural Ruby: Complete Guide for Trade, Jewelry, and Collections

Explore the world of natural ruby, from classic Burmese pigeon's blood to the varied hues of global deposits, serving the needs of trade professionals, jewelry manufacturers, and discerning collectors.

Overview

Ruby, the red variety of corundum, has been prized for millennia as one of the most valuable colored gemstones. From the historic mines of Myanmar (Burma) to modern discoveries in Mozambique, ruby continues to captivate the global gem trade with its rich red hues and remarkable durability.

Physical Properties and Specifications

  • Chemical Composition: Al2O3 (Aluminum Oxide) with Cr

  • Hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale

  • Crystal System: Hexagonal (Trigonal)

  • Refractive Index: 1.762-1.770

  • Specific Gravity: 3.97-4.05

  • Pleochroism: Red to purplish red

  • Fluorescence: Strong red under UV (variable)

  • Cleavage: None

  • Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven

Color and Quality Classifications

Available Color Ranges

  • Pigeon's blood red (historic Burmese classification)

  • Pure red to slightly purplish red

  • Pink-red to deep red

  • Secondary colors: purple, orange undertones

  • Optimal saturation ranges by source

Clarity Characteristics

  • Typical inclusions: rutile silk, fingerprints, crystals

  • "Silk" can enhance value in unheated stones

  • Source-specific inclusion patterns

  • Trade acceptance levels by size

Source Locations and Material

  • Myanmar (Burma): Mogok and Mong Hsu

  • Mozambique: Montepuez region

  • Madagascar: Various deposits

  • Thailand/Cambodia: Pailin region

  • Tanzania: Longido, Winza

  • Vietnam: Luc Yen region