The jewellery guide
How to recognise a genuine ruby? Discover the great beauty of this special stone
For centuries, ruby has been one of the most admired gemstones due to its deep red hue, symbolism, and rich history. Known as the stone containing the essence of life, it adorned royal regalia and played a significant symbolic role in ancient cultures. In this article, you will discover what defines a ruby, what it looks like, its symbolism and how to distinguish a natural gemstone from a synthetic one.
Ruby - the colour and its uniqueness
Its colour is what makes ruby so special. The red spectrum, ranging from deep wine-red tones to the legendary pigeon blood, makes it unmistakable. Ancient civilisations viewed it as a symbol of life’s essence. A ruby is the red variety of corundum, the second-hardest mineral in the world, scoring 9 on the Mohs scale. Its exceptional hue and durability have made it a treasured gemstone throughout history.
The symbolism and allure of ruby
The symbolism of the ruby spans thousands of years. In the Bible, it was associated with beauty and wisdom, while Pliny the Elder, in his book “Natural History”, described its brilliance, hardness, and exceptional properties. A ruby is a gemstone with a rich cultural heritage, linked to passion, courage, and inner strength.
How to Identify a Genuine Ruby?
Recognising a real ruby is not simple and usually requires gemmological expertise. A natural ruby contains inclusions: crystals, rutile needles, or microfractures that testify to its origin. Synthetic rubies tend to be too “clean,” with an almost flawless interior that is rare in nature. There are also glass imitations on the market, which reveal lower durability. To be certain, it is advisable to seek a gemmologist’s assessment or purchase exclusively from trusted manufacturers and reputable jewellers.
Where do ethical rubies come from?
For centuries, the most prized rubies originated from Myanmar (Burma). Today, however, some of its deposits lie in conflict zones, making ethical sourcing a matter of utmost importance. At La Marqueuse, we place great emphasis on responsible, ethical sourcing. Our rubies come from ethical sources, including Mozambique, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. According to GIA reports, Thailand is currently the world’s leading centre for ruby processing.
How much does a ruby cost?
The price of a ruby depends on numerous factors. Colour plays the most significant role; the highly sought-after pigeon blood hue reaches the highest values. Cut quality, natural clarity, lustre, and country of origin are also essential. High-quality rubies may cost several thousand dollars per carat, while exceptionally rare stones can command significantly higher prices.
Louvre Rubis Earrings
Natural Ruby 0.85 ct
11,028 €
Details
La Marqueuse rubies - ethical origin and meticulous selection
At La Marqueuse, we select only rubies of the highest quality. During the selection process, we place particular emphasis on depth of colour, precision of cut, brilliance, and natural clarity. Our Louvre Collection unveils pieces such as the Louvre Rubis earrings, where the ruby’s intense red takes centre stage, beautifully accentuated by white gold and G-colour diamonds.
What makes ruby a remarkable choice?
A ruby is a gemstone of exceptional heritage, symbolism, and enduring value. By choosing a natural ruby from an ethical source, you invest not only in beauty but also in cultural significance. If you are wondering what a real ruby looks like, how to identify one, or how much it costs, rely on expertise and trusted sources such as La Marqueuse, where gemmological knowledge and decades of experience form the foundation of our work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more expensive: an emerald or a ruby?
Rubies usually achieve higher prices, especially in the pigeon blood hue, though exceptional emeralds can also be extremely valuable. The reason lies in rarity: the most vividly red rubies are far less common in nature than high-clarity emeralds, and such colour is difficult to find in untreated stones.
What is a synthetic ruby?
It is a ruby grown in a laboratory, with the same chemical composition as a natural one, yet lacking the characteristic inclusions formed in nature.
Which is more expensive: a ruby or a sapphire?
Top-quality rubies are generally more valuable than sapphires, as intense red is rarer in nature than the finest blue of a sapphire.
Is ruby more expensive than diamond?
The most exceptional rubies can exceed the price of diamonds of the same size, although in standard commercial grades, diamonds typically command higher prices.
Can a ruby crack?
Yes. Despite its high hardness, a ruby can crack due to strong impact or pressure. Hardness does not equal resistance to brittleness.
How to distinguish a natural ruby from a synthetic one?
The most reliable method is a gemmological analysis, available at La Marqueuse. We examine the gemstone’s internal structure, inclusions, light response, and any signs of heat treatment. This allows us to determine whether the ruby is natural, synthetic, or modified.
Where are the rubies used in La Marqueuse jewellery sourced?
Our rubies come primarily from modern and ethical sources in Mozambique. At present, this is considered the finest alternative to Burmese deposits, which are affected by ongoing armed conflict.
Do La Marqueuse rubies occur in the pigeon’s blood colour?
Rubies of this colour, confirmed by certification, are sourced mainly on a bespoke, made-to-order basis.
Rubies in the pigeon’s blood colour, an intense, vivid red, most commonly originate from Myanmar (formerly Burma). Unfortunately, Burmese deposits are currently located in conflict zones. For this reason, many responsible luxury brands such as Tiffany, Harry Winston and La Marqueuse have consciously chosen to refrain from sourcing them.
Burmese rubies of this colour achieve extraordinary prices on the collectors’ market, often reaching tens of thousands of dollars per carat.
Instead, we select rubies from Mozambique, which are today regarded as the finest alternative to Burmese stones. They are distinguished by their deep, saturated colour, high clarity, and origin from modern, ethically managed sources. Exceptional stones of pigeon’s blood quality do occasionally occur within these deposits.
How much do Burmese rubies cost?
Burmese rubies, particularly those in the pigeon’s blood colour confirmed by a recognised certificate, are among the most valuable gemstones in the world. The price of a one-carat stone may begin at approximately USD 25,000–50,000, while a two-carat ruby can reach USD 100,000–150,000 or more.
Burmese rubies of a lower colour grade typically range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per carat, depending on clarity, colour, cut quality, and certification. On the gemstone market, Burmese origin alone can increase the value of the stone by approximately 50% compared to a ruby of similar quality from other sources.
We can provide expert support and concierge service if requested.
Schedule an appointment
Concierge
We offer various care, repair, and customization services for our products.
In the spirit of responsibility and transparency, all of our products come from ethical and verified sources.