How expensive is ruby gemstone? As it relates to economics, the term expensive means that there are more buyers than sellers, which usually drives the price of an item up until it becomes too high for most people to afford. The price that an item costs depends on several factors, such as supply and demand as well as rarity.
What makes ruby red in color
The actual chemical composition of red ruby is chromium, while blue topaz has iron. This difference in composition causes different reactions with light wavelengths which cause Ruby and Blue Topaz to appear different colors. Red rubies are a variety of corundum that contains chromium and traces of other elements like titanium or vanadium. These trace elements make it possible for a ruby to be red or pink depending on its color saturation. Red rubies are usually considered more valuable than pink ones because they’re rarer and contain less color saturation, making them more difficult to produce.
Ruby's chemical composition
A certain mineral crystal structure is what makes a stone a ruby. By definition, color varies from orange-red to red-violet; hardness 9. The word ruby comes from ruber, Latin for red. The ancient Romans believed that rubies gave their bearers strength and helped protect them from illness. Blue topaz (mined in Brazil) was often mistaken for real rubies until people learned how to tell the difference between them. However, some gems are treated with heat or given artificial coloring to make them look more like rubies. A heated stone looks glassy and will feel warmer than an untreated stone; both of these things give away whether or not your stone has been treated by man.
Are all rubies red?
What most people don’t know is that not all rubies are red. In fact, it’s a common misconception that all rubies are red and in reality they can range from pink to violet. The difference between red and pink or violet-colored gems comes down to their chemical composition and trace elements. The most popular examples of colored rubies are pigeon blood, which has a violet hue; sunset (orange); cognac (dark brown); raspberry (red with a hint of orange) and amethystine, which has an intense blue-violet color. Ruby by itself has no color -- it's simply transparent quartz; what gives them their different colors is the trace amounts of chromium impurities found within them. It's all about chemistry!
Are there any other precious stones like rubies?
The only other gems in existence that are more valuable than rubies are sapphires. While both stones have similar chemical compositions, there are a few distinctions that keep each from being quite as valuable as its counterpart. For example, sapphires tend to be easier to find than rubies and can also be synthetically manufactured. These factors keep sapphires from fetching prices near those of rubies. In fact, some experts believe that blue sapphires will eventually become more precious than red rubies (Source: Forbes).
Does ruby have any negative impacts on health, wealth and relationships in our lives?
Rubies have been attributed to various ailments and disorders over time, but there's no scientific evidence that has shown it will actually cause these problems. You'll also see a lot of urban legends about how damaging it can be for your relationships. This stems from an age-old belief that wearing red garnets can bring on infidelity in married people (though people who were already thinking about cheating would be more likely to purchase rubies because they’re showy). One study has shown that couples are more likely to get divorced if their ring features a bright red stone than one with a white stone.
Is there an alternative to this stone?
Yes, there are various other stones that you can use in place of rubies. Two that I would recommend are garnet and jade. Garnet has a similar red color to a ruby, but it does not have any real significance as a luxury stone. This makes it much cheaper than a genuine Ruby. It is still quite popular among those who are getting started with jewelry making or need pieces on a budget. Jade can also be used as an alternative. While its colors may not match perfectly with actual rubies, it matches well enough for most people’s taste to pass off for jewelry made from pure stones at first glance. You will find it much more affordable than true rubies or even garnets.
