Mohs hardness:
9

Refractive index:
1.76-1.77

Birthstone:
July

Everything you need to know

What is a Ruby?

Rubies have captivated jewelry lovers for centuries. Known as the "King of Gemstones," rubies symbolize love, vitality, and passion. A ruby is a precious gemstone belonging to the corundum mineral family, the same family as sapphires. What sets rubies apart is their vibrant red color, caused by trace amounts of chromium. The deeper and more vivid the red, the more valuable the ruby.

Rubies have been cherished across cultures for their symbolism: representing strength, wealth, and enduring love. They are also the birthstone for July and a traditional gift for 40th wedding anniversaries, making them a meaningful choice for both personal and celebratory jewelry.

How to buy a Ruby?

Color
The most important factor for rubies.
The most desirable rubies display a pure, rich red with a hint of blue undertone, often called “pigeon blood red.”
Too much pink or purple lowers value, while vivid, deep red increases rarity and price.
Clarity
Almost all natural rubies contain inclusions, but fewer and less visible inclusions make a stone more valuable.
Eye-clean rubies (those without visible inclusions to the naked eye) are rare and highly prized.
Cut
A ruby’s cut affects its brilliance and how well it shows off its color.
Well-proportioned cuts enhance the gem’s sparkle, while poorly cut rubies may appear dull even if the color is strong.
Carat Weight
Larger rubies are exceptionally rare, and prices increase exponentially with size.
A one-carat ruby of fine quality can be more valuable than larger rubies of lower quality.

Origin & Treatment
Always purchase rubies from trusted sources that provide full transparency on origin and treatments. At Nivoda, we ensure every stone meets the highest standards of authenticity and quality.

How to clean a Ruby?

Rubies are among the hardest gemstones, making them durable enough for everyday wear. However, proper care ensures they remain as stunning as the day you bought them.

Use warm, soapy water and a soft brush to gently clean your ruby.
Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth.
Professional cleaning once a year is recommended for mounted ruby jewelry.

Natural Ruby
If you want rarity and long term value → choose a natural ruby.
Labgrown Ruby
If you want affordability and a flawless look → choose a lab-grown ruby.

What gives a gemstone its magic?

It’s the perfect harmony of color, clarity, carat and cut. The cut ignites brilliance by directing light, the color defines its character, and the clarity tells the story of its natural origin, whether flawless or marked with unique inclusions like an emerald’s “beauty marks.” Carat adds to presence, but a masterful cut can make a gem feel larger than life. And when it comes to wearability, hardness matters, diamonds reign supreme at 10 on the Mohs scale, with sapphires and rubies close behind at 9, making them exceptional for daily wear. At Nivoda, every gemstone is carefully curated to ensure your jewelry shines with unmatched beauty and durability

shop gemstones

Want to learn more?

Sign up for our Gemstone Newsletter to keep up with all new updates