Ruby Gemstone: Origin, Characteristics, and Feng Shui Meaning
Key Takeaways
- Ruby is one of the most prominent gemstones, known for its brilliant red color and deep feng shui significance. Ruby belongs to the corundum mineral group with high hardness, second only to...
Ruby is one of the most prominent gemstones, known for its brilliant red color and deep feng shui significance. Ruby belongs to the corundum mineral group with high hardness, second only to diamond. Not only does it possess luxurious beauty, but Ruby is also considered a symbol of luck, love, and power. So what is Ruby stone, what are its outstanding characteristics, and what is its value? Let Jemmia explore the details right below!
What is Ruby stone?
Ruby stone, also known as Red Gemstone, is one of the most valuable gemstones in the world, belonging to the corundum mineral group (Al₂O₃). Ruby’s characteristic red color comes from the element chromium (Cr) in its crystal structure.
Ruby is a gemstone symbolizing power, love, and good fortune, and is favored in the high-end jewelry industry.
Characteristics of Ruby stone
Ruby belongs to the corundum mineral group (Al₂O₃) and has a characteristic red color thanks to the element chromium (Cr). It is one of the hardest gemstones, second only to diamond, which gives it high durability and makes it suitable for jewelry making.
Property | Ruby stone |
Hardness | 9/10 on the Mohs scale, with excellent scratch resistance, helping it remain durable over time. |
Color | The primary color of Ruby is red, which can range from light red to deep red. The most beautiful red color is called “Pigeon Blood” |
Luster and transparency | Ruby has a vitreous to silky luster when properly cut and polished. Its transparency ranges from transparent to opaque; highly transparent stones are very rare and highly valuable. |
Inclusions | Most natural Rubies contain inclusions:
|
Popular types of Ruby stone
On the market, Ruby stones come in many different types depending on their origin and treatment method. Distinguishing between Ruby types helps buyers better understand the value and quality of the stone before owning it. Below are the three most common types of Ruby:
Natural Ruby: Naturally formed over millions of years, with high hardness and characteristic inclusions that help identify it. This is the most valuable type of Ruby.
Heat-treated Ruby: Natural Ruby heated at high temperatures to enhance color and transparency. This type is common on the market and is more reasonably priced than untreated natural Ruby.
Dyed, glass-filled Ruby (fake): These are low-quality stones dyed or infused with glass to improve appearance. Although inexpensive, they have poor durability and low value.
What are the effects of Ruby stone?
Ruby is not only a highly valuable gemstone but is also believed to bring many benefits in feng shui, health, and spirit. Since ancient times, Ruby has been regarded by old civilizations as a symbol of strength and protection. Below are the main effects of this gemstone:
Meaning in feng shui
Ruby has long been considered a gemstone symbolizing power, luck, and love. In feng shui, this stone is often used by successful people and entrepreneurs to enhance positive energy.
It is believed to help attract wealth, bringing prosperity and success.
Enhances decisiveness and courage, helping the owner become stronger in work and life.
Helps ward off negative energy, creating balance and stability in the soul.
Effects on health
Besides its aesthetic value, Ruby is also believed to have positive effects on human health. Some ancient medical traditions believed that Ruby’s energy could help improve blood circulation and increase vitality.
Supports the cardiovascular system, helping improve blood flow and enhance overall health.
Helps reduce stress and fatigue, bringing better sleep and a more relaxed mind.
Some beliefs say that Ruby can help regulate blood pressure and balance body energy.
Spiritual effects
Ruby is the gemstone of passion, inspiration, and determination. Throughout history, many warriors and leaders have used Ruby as a symbol of spiritual strength.
Helps increase confidence and determination, promoting fighting spirit and creativity.
Dispels anxiety and negativity, bringing positive energy to the owner.
Supports improved concentration, helping the wearer gain greater clarity and wisdom in work.
Although these effects are mainly based on feng shui concepts and folk beliefs, it cannot be denied that Ruby is a highly valuable gemstone in both aesthetics and spirit.
Comparing Ruby and diamond
Ruby and diamond are both highly valuable gemstones, but they differ clearly in composition, hardness, color, and market value. Ruby belongs to the corundum group with aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) as its main component and has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond. Meanwhile, diamond is made of pure carbon and is the hardest natural material with a hardness of 10/10.
In terms of color, Ruby stands out with its brilliant red tones, especially the extremely rare "Pigeon Blood" red shade. In contrast, diamonds are most commonly colorless but also come in many other colors such as blue, pink, yellow, and black,... In terms of sparkle, diamonds are superior thanks to their strong light reflection ability, creating a brilliant dispersion effect, while Ruby has a characteristic vitreous and silky luster.
The value of these two gemstones also differs. A high-quality deep red Ruby can be as expensive as a diamond. However, diamonds have an advantage in popularity for wedding jewelry and long-term investment, thanks to their eternal durability and strong symbolism. In feng shui, Ruby brings luck, power, and love, while diamond represents eternity, luxury, class, and success.
See more: Ruby and Diamond: Which Is More Expensive, Which Is Harder?
How to identify real and fake Ruby
On today’s market, fake Rubies appear in many forms such as dyed Ruby, glass-filled Ruby, or synthetic stones. To avoid buying low-quality goods, you need to know how to distinguish real and fake Ruby through the following important characteristics:
Observe the color: Real Ruby has a natural red color that is not overly vivid, while fake Ruby often has a bright red or patchy color due to dyeing.
Check hardness: Natural Ruby has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, making it very difficult to scratch, while fake Ruby made from glass or synthetic stone is softer and can be scratched more easily when tested with a knife or sandpaper.
Look at internal inclusions: Real Ruby often has natural inclusions such as mineral impurities and silk inclusions, while fake Ruby is usually transparent or contains air bubbles from industrial production.
Use light to inspect the stone: When placed under a lamp or strong light, real Ruby will show a natural sparkling effect, while fake Ruby may reflect light unevenly or show an excessively harsh red glow.
Test with water: Dip the stone in water; if it is dyed Ruby, the water may change color as the dye dissolves. Natural Ruby is not affected by water.
Criteria for choosing real Ruby
Choosing a quality Ruby is not based only on color but also requires considering many other factors such as clarity, size, origin, and treatment method. Below are important criteria to help you choose a real and highly valuable Ruby:
Color: The most valuable Rubies usually have a pure red color (Pigeon Blood – Pigeon Blood Red), neither too light nor too dark. Rubies with too much blue or purple tint usually have lower value.
Transparency: Natural Ruby is rarely completely transparent but should not have too many impurities or large cracks. Ruby with moderate transparency and beautiful light effects will have higher value.
Treatment method: Untreated natural Ruby has the highest value. If it has been heat-treated to improve color and clarity, the value remains high but is lower than original Ruby. Avoid buying Ruby that has been dyed or glass-filled because of poor durability.
Hardness and weight: Real Ruby has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, making it very difficult to scratch. Weight is also important; the larger and better quality the Ruby, the more valuable it is.
Origin: Ruby from Myanmar (Burma) has the highest value, followed by Ruby from Thailand, Mozambique, and Vietnam (Yen Bai, Luc Yen). Origin affects the color and value of the stone.Certification: When buying Ruby, you should request certification from reputable organizations such as GIA, IGI, or domestic gemstone appraisal centers to ensure quality.
Choosing real Ruby not only helps you own a stone with long-term value but also ensures the best aesthetics and feng shui.
How much does real Ruby cost nowadays?
The price of real Ruby on the market today varies greatly, depending on many factors such as quality, weight, color, transparency, and origin. Below are some reference prices for natural Ruby types:
High-quality natural Ruby: Rubies with beautiful color and high quality have considerable value. Specifically, a 1-carat ruby costs about 70-100 million VND per carat. For a 2-carat stone, the price ranges from 100-200 million VND per carat, and a 3-carat stone can reach 200-300 million VND per carat.
Heated Ruby (heat-treated): This is natural Ruby that has been heat-treated to improve color and transparency. The price of heated Ruby usually ranges from 2-3 million VND per carat.
Natural star Ruby: This type of Ruby has a special star effect under light. The price of natural star Ruby can range from 11 million VND to more than 21 million VND, depending on size and quality.
Please note that the prices above are for reference only and may change depending on the market, the specific quality of each stone, and the reputation of the seller. When buying Ruby, you should choose reputable stores and request a quality certification report to ensure the product’s value.
See more:
- Top 10+ luxurious and elegant men's Ruby ring designs
- Top 6 Beautiful Women's Ruby Ring Designs, Best-Selling in 2025
Proper care, cleaning, and use of Ruby stone
Ruby is a gemstone with high hardness, but if not cared for properly, the stone may get scratched, lose its shine, or decrease in value over time. To keep Ruby always beautiful and durable, you need to know how to store, clean, and use it properly.
How to store: Avoid exposing Ruby to chemicals, strong impacts, or storing it together with other gemstones without a protective lining.
How to clean: Use warm water mixed with mild soap and a soft brush to clean, then dry with a soft cloth.
How to use: Wear Ruby jewelry regularly on your body. Limit wearing Ruby when doing heavy work, exercising, or coming into contact with hard surfaces to avoid scratches and affecting its shine.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Is Ruby a rare gemstone?
Ruby belongs to the top-tier gemstone group along with diamond, emerald, and sapphire.
What is the feng shui effect of Ruby?
It brings strength, boosts confidence, and attracts romance and wealth.
How do I know if my Ruby stone is real?
Apply the observation tips that Jemmia shared above. However, to be certain, you should have it tested at a reputable center such as GIA.
What factors affect the price of Ruby?
Color, clarity, weight, origin, and whether it has been treated or not.
Ruby is not only a highly valuable gemstone but also carries deep feng shui meaning, symbolizing luck, love, and power. Through the sharing above, Jemmia hopes that you will understand Ruby better. Follow Jemmia to learn more useful knowledge.
