The Origin of Ruby Engagement Rings
Ruby gemstones are found in varied locations including Burma, Afghanistan, Australia, India, Madagascar, and parts of the United States. Their scarcity has earned them high esteem. Unique ruby engagement rings, like Fergie’s prominent ruby diamond engagement ring, have captivated modern brides. Though usually blood red, modern trends also celebrate diamond and blue ruby engagement rings.
The History of Ruby
Once diamonds dominated the engagement ring realm, but in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, rubies were paired with diamonds to symbolize eternity and love. This contrast became a sought-after style among the affluent. In Hindu tradition, rubies were categorized into castes—upper, middle, and lower—based on beauty, quality, and color, with the belief that a lower ruby touching an upper ruby would contaminate it.
The Meaning of Ruby
Ruby engagement rings are now symbols of desire, passion, and courage with their rich red hue. Legends say rubies, often referred to as the “Stone of Nobility,” are hardened fire capable of igniting passion. Furthermore, rubies are believed to bring light, peace, and harmony, even settling disputes between lovers.
How to Choose a Ruby and Diamond Ring
Rich and stunning options for engagement rings include ruby solitaires, three-stone designs, and ruby accent rings. Nonetheless, many people enhance their appeal by incorporating diamonds either as accent stones or in primary settings.
For example, a round brilliant cut ruby solitaire in white gold stands out alone. Adding diamond accents to the band, or alternating rubies with diamonds, elevates it from eye-catching to eye-popping.
A tri-stone ruby engagement ring on a yellow gold band draws attention. Replacing side rubies with diamonds further accentuates the gold’s sheen and the ruby’s fiery intensity, crafting an engagement ring that inspires envy.
Choosing Between a Ruby Ring and a Diamond Ring
Integrating diamonds into an all-ruby ring can be a cost-effective strategy that also diversifies the ring’s look and style. By weight, diamonds are less expensive than similarly sized rubies. High-quality, true natural rubies are rarer and more valuable than diamonds. Thus, experimenting with ruby-diamond combinations while selecting a ruby engagement ring can yield a stunning yet affordable ring.
Popular Shapes for Ruby Engagement Rings
The round cut is the most favored shape for ruby engagement rings. Its circular design highlights essential ruby features while often offering competitive pricing.
Round cut rubies pair well with similarly cut stones and allow for creative metalwork in solitaire rings, such as vine, filigree, and floral designs.
Oval-shaped rubies are commonly used in rings and can be matched with smaller ovals or round cut gems, enhancing their elegance and delicate appearance on the finger.
Cushion cut rubies create a vintage look in engagement rings, especially when paired with ruby or diamond halos and intricate metalwork, appealing to both vintage and modern tastes.
Square-shaped rubies complement any sharp-edged shapes like princess, rectangle, and emerald cuts, and even pair well with cushion cut gemstones, making them a top choice for engagement rings.
Common Setting Styles for Ruby Engagement Rings
Pave settings are a timeless choice for ruby engagement rings, suitable for solitaires, tri-stones, and accent designs, and can be set in yellow, rose, or white gold, platinum, and silver.
Four-prong settings secure the ruby elegantly, allowing band designs or metalwork to complement the stone’s shape and cut.
The bezel setting is another prevalent style, enabling various gemstone shapes and enhancing the center stone’s apparent size, suiting many preferred ruby engagement ring metals.
Types of Natural Rubies
| Name | Color | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Burmese Ruby Stones | Deep Red | Myanmar |
| African Ruby Stones | Purple to Dark Red | Mozambique, Kenya |
| Thai Ruby Gemstones | Dark | Bangkok |
| Tanzanian Ruby Gemstones | Color Diminishes with Size | Songea |
| Madagascar Ruby Stones | Red, Orange, Natural Red | Andilamena, Vatomandry |
| Afghanistan Ruby Gemstones | Light to Dark Red | Badakshan, Jagdalek |
Metal Options for Ruby Engagement Rings
Similar to other gemstone rings, ruby rings have specific metals that best complement the rich red hue.
Yellow gold is the most favored metal for ruby engagement rings paired with diamonds. It enhances the diamonds’ brilliance and the rubies’ deep red, tying the gemstones’ qualities with the ring’s setting to create a stunning engagement ring.
Yellow gold, being pricier than white metals blended with silver, adds to its luxurious appeal.
Rose gold, with its pinkish tint, is popular for all-ruby rings. This metal complements ruby’s red brilliance beautifully, though it also pairs well with large ruby center stones flanked by smaller diamonds.
Gold is less expensive than yellow gold due to its softer nature and the inclusion of various minerals and components, which contribute to its pink hue. This mixture reduces the proportion of “pure” gold in the metal, thereby lowering the steep costs typically associated with pure yellow gold.
White gold and platinum are commonly employed white metals for crafting ruby engagement rings. These metals are particularly favored in designs featuring a higher diamond-to-ruby ratio or when the diamonds are more prominent than the rubies.
Compared to white gold, platinum is a more prized metal. This is because platinum naturally exhibits a white color, while white gold is an alloy, mixed with silver to achieve its white appearance.
Our Top Ruby Rings
Toi et Moi Created Ruby & Lab Diamond Heart Engagement Ring
Perfect for the romantic at heart, this engagement ring showcases a created ruby alongside a heart-shaped lab diamond. Set on a graceful band, this piece symbolizes the unity and love shared between two people.
Toi et Moi Created Ruby and Lab Diamond Bypass Engagement Ring
This ring offers a contemporary take on the classic bypass design, featuring a created ruby and a lab diamond that seem to dance around each other. The bypass setting elegantly cradles both stones, enhancing their unique brilliance and significance.
Created Ruby Center And Oval Cut Three Stone Diamond Ring
This elegant three-stone ring features a vibrant created ruby flanked by two oval-cut lab diamonds. The smooth, elongated shapes of the side diamonds perfectly complement the bold center stone, making it a sophisticated choice for any occasion.
Created Ruby Center And Princess Cut Three Stone Diamond Ring
This ring showcases a captivating created ruby flanked by two princess-cut lab diamonds. The vibrant center stone is elegantly highlighted by the shimmering side diamonds, making this three-stone ring a timeless choice for expressing your love.
Toi et Moi Created Ruby Princess and Radiant Lab Diamond Split Shank Engagement Ring
Celebrate duality with this stunning Toi et Moi ring, featuring a created ruby and a radiant lab diamond set on a split shank band. The contrasting shapes and colors of the stones symbolize the beautiful union of two souls.
FAQs
Are rubies good for engagement rings?
Rubies are one of the most vivid and durable gemstones. Although they are not as hard as diamonds, they are tougher than other precious gemstones like emeralds. Hence, rubies are an excellent choice for engagement rings or anniversary rings.
How to clean a ruby ring?
You can clean ruby rings at home using a fine jewelry cleaner or a small amount of non-abrasive dish soap with warm water. However, the best method to clean ruby jewelry is to consult a jeweler who can utilize ultrasonic and steam cleaning to effectively remove all grease, grime, and buildup from the ring.
Which finger is a ruby ring worn on?
For engagement rings, ruby rings are worn on the ring finger of the left hand. For statement, anniversary, or right-hand rings, ruby rings are typically worn on the middle or ring finger of the right hand.
How to tell if my ruby is real?
Rubies are often sold in varying qualities. To determine if a ruby ring is genuine, have it appraised by an accredited lab. This ensures the assessment of the quality and any treatments applied to enhance the ruby’s clarity and color.
