Weighing 7.51 carats, this rare untreated Ceylon red ruby ring was crafted by Oscar Heyman
For thousands of years, precious rubies and sapphires have been revered for their beauty and perceived mystical powers. It was thought that rubies held the key to serenity and peace and could secure eternal love and happiness. The ancient Persians believed that the earth itself rested upon a great sapphire whose reflection caused the sky to be blue. Rubies and sapphires continue to captivate with their unparalleled beauty, and quality stones have become excellent investments. So what are the differences when comparing rubies vs sapphires? This guide will review these two legendary gemstones and provide a brief history of both.
Judging by their distinct gemstone colors, it may be hard to believe that red rubies and sapphires are actually the same gemstone, identical in all characteristics except color. Both are corundum and each derives its rich color from tiny amounts of different chemical impurities. These amazing corundum minerals are second only to all famous diamonds in hardness, and in many cases, are a much better value.
This 7.00 carat sapphire exhibits a stunning, deep blue hue
Exotic Origins...Rich History
Burma, Ceylon, and Kashmir are the legendary names most associated with the world's finest sapphires and rubies, and their history is rich with intrigue. When discovering and comparing the histories between rubies vs sapphires, it’s important to look at their origins. Burma was a bountiful source of both rubies and sapphires for over 800 years, though the best stones were never allowed to leave the kingdom. Until the middle of the 19th century, the Burmese King commanded that any and all rubies weighing more than five carats would become a possession of the Royal Family. Miners, anxious to sell their red gem supply, broke the magnificent rubies into pieces smaller than five carats to bypass the King's law. Thus, rubies weighing over five carats are exceptionally rare and precious. In 1962, the borders of Burma were closed, and political unrest has all but shut down the mining of these magnificent natural ruby gemstones. Now the July gemstone is highly sought after by collectors from around the world.
Kashmir, which lies in the Himalayas, is renowned for its rich, cornflower-blue sapphires. The precious stones were discovered by accident in 1881 when a landslide unearthed a rich cache of sapphire crystals. The pure deep color and velvety appearance of the sapphire gemstone so enamored the Maharajah, he soon took control of the mines and halted the trade of all sapphires. By 1887, the initial gemstone mine was exhausted. Other mines in the area proved so difficult to reach and the climate so unpredictable and hazardous that only a few precious stones were ever mined.
Although origin is important, it should not be the determining factor when choosing a stone. Rubies and sapphires hailing from various locations exhibit many different characteristics, each with a strong following of admirers. In fact, the Gemological Institute of America does not rate corundum in quality because there is no universal agreement as to which origin or color is best. Rarity, cleanliness, and beauty will always determine the relative value of a precious stone.
27.42-carat Intense Purplish-Pink Ceylon sapphire
Rarity, Size, Color, Clarity... Selecting a Stone
Whether you are browsing for estate sapphire rings or ruby jewelry, choosing a Burmese ruby or sapphire gemstone is, in part, a matter of taste, but there are several factors that will affect the value and desirability of a precious stone. As a rule, both rubies and sapphires are at their best when surrounded or paired with quality white diamonds whose fire and white brilliance perfectly contrast the rich colors of the corundum gem.
Prices will vary greatly depending on the size, clarity, origin, and relative rarity of the colored stone. Fine red rubies are second in value only to fancy colored diamonds, and their value grows exponentially as their carat weight increases. Indeed, rubies weighing more than 5 carats are extraordinarily rare and can cost as much as nine times more per carat than a 3- or 4-carat stone.
Larger, quality sapphires, though rare, are slightly more plentiful than their red ruby counterparts. Look for stones cut with a large table or top surface, which makes the colored stone appear larger. A 5-carat fine ruby, cut with a large table, can have the appearance of a 7-carat stone at a fraction of the cost per carat. Remember, the price per carat increases exponentially as the stone's size increases.
Look for a clean precious gemstone with few inclusions. Flawless rubies or sapphires do not exist, though many appear to be so. Clean rubies, in particular, are extremely rare, the most desirable, and thus the most valuable of the corundums.
Choosing a precious gem based on color is a highly personal matter. While Kashmir sapphires are heralded as the world's finest and exhibit a rich, velvety cornflower hue, many collectors prefer the luminous, lighter blue of the Ceylon sapphire. Experts have argued for centuries over which variation of a natural ruby is truly the best and to no avail, though the deep red color hue known as "pigeon blood" is highly desirable. If the stone's color is rich and even, the perfect hue and intensity of color depend on one's personal taste.
3.95-Carat Burmese Ruby and Diamond Ring
A Limited Supply... A Great Demand
Whether used on an engagement ring, precious gemstone necklace, or even antique brooch, sapphires and rubies are among the most sought-after gems in the world. Yet, the mines that have provided them for thousands of years have almost been exhausted. Political strife, over-mining, and simply the limited supply available from mother nature, have made high quality stones exceptionally rare. There are working mines today producing quality rubies and sapphires, but these are more the exception than the rule. Laboratory-created stones, however, do flourish on the market, and collectors must be very careful as these seemingly perfect stones can be very deceiving.
The best stones are those which were found during the heyday of the legendary mines of the East during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These magnificent "second hand" stones are most often found through antique dealers or experienced jewelers specializing in investment-quality gems.
For the investor, sapphires and rubies make excellent long-term investments. Unlike white diamonds, there are no stockpiles of rubies and sapphires, and there have been no new substantial discoveries in decades. The value of these wonderful stones continues to rise at a steady pace.
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So, while sapphires may not change color if a man's wife cheats on him, as many once believed, and a fine ruby is not actually fiery coal set in stone, as the Greeks thought, there can be no denying that these precious stones are, nevertheless, hot.
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