Ruby gemstones are one of the most popular types of gemstones on the market today, second only to diamonds in terms of popularity, but they are also the most expensive type of ruby you can purchase, which makes it important to know how much they cost so you don’t overspend on them. Each type of ruby has its own unique price and can vary widely depending on the color, cut and size of the stone, so be sure to do your research before purchasing anything if you plan on buying a ruby gemstone. Here’s what you need to know about how much does a ruby gemstone cost?
What makes these gemstones so special
The red color of rubies is caused by traces of chromium, which gives them their unique hue. The color can vary from orange to pinkish to blue or purple. In fact, different types of rubies command different prices based on their color, clarity and size. For example, violet-red Burma gems (also known as pigeon's blood) are considered among most valuable types because they're rare and unusual; sapphire-blue topaz that's any deeper or bluer than cornflower is also highly valued (worth about $400-$1000 per carat); tanzanite stones can run between $300-$1200 per carat depending on hue and intensity; etc.
The Most Expensive Rubies Ever Sold
Blue topaz is, by far, the most expensive gemstone out there. Of course, we’re talking about large rubies (four carats or more), but if you’re looking for more everyday wear gems – i.e., one of those small and pretty blue stones you can show off to your coworkers - rubies are much cheaper than diamonds.
The Most Expensive Single Cut Ruby
A ruby's worth is measured in size, color and clarity. In October 2014, two black star rubies were sold at auction for a total of $2.6 million to an unnamed collector. The auctioned gems weighed 1.59 and 1.57 carats, respectively, while they were each valued at $1 million per carat (making their approximate value just over $2 million). They were purchased from Sri Lanka and featured an exceptional level of transparency and luster -- making them among some of the finest blue topaz in existence.
History of rubies
While ruby is most famous for its use in jewelry, it's also found its way into many historical artifacts. In fact, historians believe that ancient man may have used rubies and sapphires as early as 4500 B.C.E., possibly to adorn clothing or tools. Ancient Egyptians were known to carve gems for ceremonial purposes or to be placed in tombs for eternal protection and good fortune after death; some of these gems have been recovered from mummies (such as King Tutankhamun) who ruled about 1350 B.C.E.
Famous people with favorite gems
The ruby gemstone is known as the king of gems, due to its beautiful color and outstanding hardness. Historically, it has been used by royalty and high-level officials for decoration and preservation. In ancient times, only kings and queens were allowed to use rubies in ceremonies and important occasions. Commoners were not allowed to wear or own rubies under penalty of death! Today, ruby is one of most popular precious gemstones in the world. It's estimated that over 90% of mined rubies are from Myanmar (Burma), which makes sense given that Burmese soil contains some of highest concentrations of corundum (the mineral which comprises all types of ruby) found anywhere on Earth.
