

Ruby is the most valuable variety of the corundum mineral species, which also includes sapphire.
Traces of chromium give this red variety of the mineral corundum its rich color. Long valued by humans of many cultures. In ancient Sanskrit, ruby was called ratnaraj, or "king of precious stones."
BIRTHSTONE: Ruby

Overview
Rubies can command the highest per-carat price of any colored stone. This makes ruby one of the most important gems in the colored stone market. In its purest form, the mineral corundum is colorless. Trace elements that become part of the mineral's crystal structure cause variations in its color. Chromium is the trace element that causes ruby's red color.


Ratnaraj
$32.4 Million
Mogok
In Sanskrit, ruby is ratnaraj, meaning the king of gems.
On May 12, 2015, a 25.59-carat ruby ring sold for $1,266,901 per carat, setting a new record at auction for a colored gemstone.
Myanmar´s legendary valley of rubies; the source of many of the world´s most fabulous gems.
quality factors
The prices of fine-quality rubies have been breaking auction records.
color

Color is the most significant factor affecting a ruby's value: Fine gems are a pure, vibrant red to slightly purplish red.
clarity

If a ruby's inclusions affect its transparency or brilliance they reduce the gem's value significantly.
cut

Rubies are commonly fashioned as mixed cuts, which have brilliant-cut crowns and step-cut pavilions.
carat weight

Fine-quality rubies over one carat are very rare and price goes up significantly as size increases.
