
Ruby
Ruby’s Latin word is rubeus, which means red. Rubies are the red variety of corundum with the other colors of corundum known as sapphires. On the Mohs scale, corundum has a rating of 9 and is the second hardest substance. It is this hardness, its silky shine, and rich colour that make the ruby so valuable. Rubies can range in colour from pink to orange, purple and brownish tinges of red. The colour is dependent on the iron content and chromium of the stone. A good ruby in a medium to medium dark red tone will command a very high price. The colour is the most important factor in what determines the price of a ruby gemstone. The majority or rubies are mined in Asia, with Myanmar (Burma) being the biggest supplies. The newest Ruby supplier is Mozambique with a company called Gemfields doing large scale mining in the area. It is producing some of the most beautiful red Rubies that could rival the famed Burmese stones. SHOP RUBIESRed Topaz
Red topaz is an imperial topaz. Imperials come in a range of colours including orange, yellow, pink, and pinkish red. These are the rarest topaz, and red imperial topaz are even more rare. The red topaz is the most valuable of all imperial topazes, because of its rarity. They are found very rarely, those that do appear tend to come from Brazil.
Red Spinels
Spinels come in various colours, including red. Previously, the red stones were mistakenly known as balas rubies or spinel-rubies. This was before modern science could differentiated between Ruby and Spinel. The word balas originated in Persia, which was the main source of spinels for centuries. They are also found in Myanmar and Sri Lanka. The most famous Spinel is called the Black Princes Ruby and sits in the Royal Crown.Rubellite
A red tourmaline, which is hard and glassy. The red rubellite come from the family of elbaites. Elbites are the most common form of Tourmaline and come in green, blue, and colourless varieties. Rubellites colours range from pinkish red to red and the red stones are found in an abundance throughout Brazil, Pakistan, and Africa.Red Diamond
Red diamonds are extremely rare. Impurities in diamonds create various colours, but red is rare. There are very few red diamonds in known existence, and they are very small.
Red Beryl
Previously known as bixbite, red beryl is a rare red gemstone. By nature, the pure beryl is colourless. When the beryl is tinted by other minerals, coloured gemstones are produced. Beryl’s can be emerald, green, and red. The red gemstones are found in New Mexico and Utah, but they are expensive due to their rarity.
Pezzottaite
This is a type of beryl, but it’s a different variety due to the presence of lithium. Pezzottaite were only discovered recently, with large deposits being found in Afghanistan and Madagascar. They come in orange red, pinkish red, and raspberry red.
Red Zircon
These are diamond like gemstones that come in green, yellow, black, and red. The red gemstone is specifically referred to as hyacinth. They are often used as an inexpensive alternative to diamonds, as they are found abundantly.Andesine
Another recent discovery, and belongs to the mineral group feldspar.Red Sunstone
Like andesine, the sunstone is a feldspar. These are found in an abundance in Oregon.
Fire Opal
These are found in orange, red, and yellow- however the red fire opal is extremely rare. The majority of the red gemstones hail from Mexico.
Good and valuable information on red gems
I have found an antique sterling silver ring with a med-large round, smooth red gemstone that shines with intense blue highlights when the stone is moved. Any idea what this could be, please?
It could be lots of different stones. Unfortunately there is not much we can tell unless the physical stone is in hand. Your best bet is to find a local gemologist or jeweler that can take a look at it for you.
I figured out what it is. I looked at a ton of photos online and turns out it is a Dragon’s Breath Mexican Fire Opal. A gorgeous stone in a lovely old setting. Thank you for contacting me about it.