What is more expensive - sapphire or ruby: description of minerals, characteristics and photos

The largest jewelry brands have long identified the so-called big three precious stones that are preferred by customers. Jewelry in sapphire, ruby ​​and emerald can be found in almost any jewelry store.

And if emerald is an independent mineral of the highest class of precious stones, then not everyone knows that sapphire and ruby ​​are actually “relatives”, since they are varieties of the same mineral called corundum. Blue corundum is a sapphire, and red corundum is a ruby. But what is more expensive – sapphire or ruby? And what characteristics should you pay attention to when choosing jewelry with these gems? Read about this in our article.

Mineral corundum

Crystalline alumina, also known as aluminum oxide, also known as corundum, is the name of a mineral stone known in scientific circles.

One of the main properties of corundum is its high hardness, which ensures the durability of the mineral and its widespread use in jewelry, and the presence of a variety of colors and shades that the stone acquires depending on the chemicals in its composition. For example, titanium, vanadium and iron oxide give corundum a blue tint. This gem is known to many as sapphire. Chrome, iron and titanium color the stone in shades of red and form a ruby. Corundum without impurities has a gray tint, is not precious and is used for technical and industrial needs.

Physicochemical characteristics

Star sapphire is endowed with certain physical and chemical properties, for which master jewelers love it. Weight, density, color and other parameters are taken into account.

International classification

Jewelry corundums, depending on color and shine, are divided into several varieties:

• Red – ruby.
• Blue – sapphire.
• Colorless - leucosapphire.
• Orange-pink – padparadscha.
• Violet – oriental amethyst.
• Green – oriental emerald.
• Grayish-white - ordinary corundum.
• Varieties of corundum that have asterism (an optical effect in which the rays of a star are visible on the surface of the stone) are found in ruby ​​and sapphire - star ruby ​​and star sapphire

Today, some names are already outdated, so all stones, except red and blue, are simply called fancy sapphire.

However, the most sought-after crystals have a classic blue color scheme. Green sapphires are not nearly as beautiful as emeralds and cost significantly less. Many people wonder: sapphire, emerald or ruby ​​- which looks more expensive? It is impossible to determine, because each gem is a wonderful gift from nature that delights the eye.

How to spot a fake

Star Ruby Ring
True star rubies are rarely found in nature and mining them is a difficult process. These factors affect the formation of high prices and demand. Taking this into account, in laboratory conditions they began to produce artificial samples from corundum alloy, similar in properties, but more affordable.

There are also a large number of fake star rubies on the stone market, made from cheap synthetic materials - glass and polymer. Even an inexperienced buyer can find the difference between them and stones of natural origin. To do this, you should pay attention to several signs:

• if a natural gem is dipped into milk for a short time, the liquid will acquire a pale pink tint;
• the structure of a star ruby ​​contains zigzag cracks, while painted glass or plastic does not have any defects;
• under the influence of a stream of violet light, the fake stone acquires a red-orange color;
• The coolness of a real ruby ​​is pleasant to the touch; even when exposed to heat, it persists for a long time.

Precious corundums

The most popular varieties of noble corundum are rubies and sapphires. There is not a single precious stone that can be compared with these gems in blue and red color and their shades. Moreover, the highest quality rubies and sapphires are valued at the same price as, or more expensive than, diamonds. The extraordinary beauty and excellent natural properties of corundum have made it the most sought-after mineral for artistic processing for centuries. Earrings, rings, bracelets and other jewelry with gems are a treasured highlight in the wardrobe of the fair sex. As a rule, they choose between two popular stones - blue and red. But which is better - sapphire or ruby? Of course, there is no definite answer to this question and there cannot be - no one has yet canceled personal preferences. Nevertheless, there are some differences in price and symbolic designations between these jewelry, and we will tell you which ones.

Application

Star ruby ​​is rarely found in nature, so all mined crystals are instantly sold out among jewelers and collectors.

The gem is processed into a cabochon, after which it is inserted into earrings, rings, pendants, bracelets and men's rings. Silver is used as a frame, which emphasizes the beauty of the stone and the radiance of the star. Star ruby ​​jewelry is not produced in series. Basically, these are handmade products made to order by jewelers.

Unusual stones are in demand among collectors.

Of particular value are rubies in which the star has 12 or 24 rays, as well as crystals with a high degree of transparency.

Ruby as a variety of corundum

The admixture of chlorine in corundum gives the mineral a reddish tint and makes it a real jewel, widely known as a ruby.

The name of the gem comes from the word rubens, which means “red” in Latin. This mineral belongs to the first order stones and has different intensities of red color: bright red, dark red and violet-red. Large rubies, as a rule, have an uneven color, distributed in stripes or spots. The most valuable and rare rubies have a purple hue. First-order stones also include sapphire, emerald and diamond. The last one is traditionally considered the most expensive gemstone, but not everyone has an idea about the cost of the other three gems. Sapphire, emerald, ruby ​​- which is more expensive? High-quality examples of ruby ​​are more expensive than sapphire and emerald, which, in turn, have approximately the same price.

Colors and famous stone specimens

Mineral colors:

• black star sapphires;
• purple (due to the presence of vanadium in the composition);
• blue (the most common specimens, got their color due to the presence of iron impurities in the composition);
• blue;
• white;
• padparaja - minerals with iridescent yellow, pink, red colors;
• green (the rarest specimens), the star is mostly six-pointed and has a white or golden hue.

The most famous star sapphires:

1. “Star of Adam” - a mineral discovered in Sri Lanka, its weight is 1404 carats, the price is 90 million euros. This is a blue stone, on the surface of which a white six-pointed star is clearly visible.
2. "Lone Star" - a gem discovered by Harold Ropper in 1989 in North Carolina. It is a blue-blue stone weighing 9,719.5 carats with a six-pointed star that stands out brightly.
3. "Black Star of Queensland" - this gem was found in 1938 in Australia by 12-year-old teenager Roy Spencer. This is a dark brown stone, weighing 733 carats, worth $88 million. After Roy Spencer brought the gem home, it was used for a long time as a door support. And only 10 years later (after the discovery of black sapphires) the stone was taken for examination. Then its real value was discovered.
4. “Star of India” is a bright blue gem weighing 563.35 carats with a thin long six-pointed star on the surface. Found in Sri Lanka.

View this post on Instagram
Posted by L'atmosphère Jewelry Company (@latmospherejewelry) Nov 26, 2022 at 3:01 PST

A little history

Ruby gained fame in ancient India, where it was considered the king of precious stones. The Greeks and Romans also highly valued ruby ​​and believed that the stone promoted victories and great feats, so the palaces of rulers and their clothes were often decorated with ruby ​​items. In eastern countries, the stone personified vital energy, and its owners received love, strength and health. In Rus', the gem became popular in the 9th century and was called yakhont (like its “brother” sapphire). It was believed that the stone gives strength and heals the heart. And since “yakhontovy” used to be a synonym for “precious”, the expression “you are my yakhontovy” was adopted among the people as an address to a dear, beloved person.

Photos of the ruby ​​stone demonstrate its unsurpassed majesty and mystery.

What you need to pay attention to when choosing ruby ​​jewelry

Ruby can be confused with other minerals, particularly red spinel, garnet, topaz and tourmaline, as well as glass and composite stones. In the 19th century, they learned to produce ruby ​​artificially, so when choosing a gem, you need to know some of the features of the stone:

• Real rubies tend to sparkle with a bright red color, which is why the stone is nicknamed fire. Fake gems tend to be dull and their shine is not as deep as that of real rubies.
• Ruby is quite easy to process, so it is not difficult for a jeweler to make clear edges, without bulges or irregularities.
• Under a microscope, small defects and inclusions may appear on the surface of a natural ruby, while artificial analogues look perfectly clean.
• A real ruby ​​is very hard, so it is almost impossible to scratch it. Also, if it falls, nothing happens to a ruby ​​- it is extremely difficult to damage.
• Since ruby ​​contains chromium, the stone has a violet color, the intensity of which depends on the percentage of chromium. There are no purple tints in artificial samples.
• A natural sample takes a long time to heat up in your hands, unlike a synthetic product.

Since there are now many counterfeits of rubies, and its authenticity is difficult for a non-professional to determine, the most reliable way to verify it is to be assessed by a certified jeweler. It will help determine not only the authenticity, but also the approximate cost.

Healing and magical properties of ruby, zodiac meaning

It is generally accepted that real minerals have healing properties. Ruby is no exception. It is credited with a number of useful qualities that allow one to get rid of many ailments: diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system, epilepsy and vision problems, diseases of the musculoskeletal and nervous system, hypertension and tonsillitis. The mineral also helps with insomnia and depression, restores memory and relieves fatigue.

Ruby is considered to enhance the main character traits of its owner: it favors kind and honest people, and multiplies the negative qualities of powerful and cruel natures. Ruby helps to find and maintain love, gives spiritual harmony, and is a symbol of courage and dignity. It has long been believed that ruby ​​contributes to victories and the achievement of goals, and eliminates uncertainty and doubt.

According to astrologers, ruby ​​is ideal for Cancers and Sagittarius. First, it adds confidence and helps in achieving heights in life. The latter gets rid of pride, increases confidence and determination. Ruby enhances the attractiveness of Leo women and the confidence of Leo men, directs the energy of Aries in the right direction and softens temperamental Scorpios. Ruby helps energetic Capricorns achieve their goals, and adds movement and activity to the lives of calm representatives of the sign.

Ruby is energetically incompatible with Taurus and Virgo.

Many faces of sapphire

The color palette of sapphire is incredibly rich. The classic example is considered to be stones of blue shades: from light blue to almost black. Nature also gave the world gems in pink, green, yellow, orange and purple. In ancient times, blue and cornflower blue stones were considered royal decorations that endowed rulers with justice and wisdom. Today the gem is considered a symbol of wealth and power. The main supplier of sapphires is Australia. Dark blue sapphires are mined there and are considered relatively inexpensive. The most valuable representatives of sapphires are cornflower blue stones, located in Indian Kashmir. Orange-pink sapphires (padparadscha) from Sri Lanka also have a high value, as they are rare finds.

The photo of jewelry with a sapphire stone shows a rich palette of colors and shades of this corundum.

Origin and deposits of the mineral

The mineral is formed in loose accumulations of sedimentary rocks, in soil rich in titanium and aluminum. In natural conditions it is represented by nuggets of different sizes, similar to cobblestones. It is mined by open-pit mining using special equipment.

The gem is processed as a cabochon; without processing it is impossible to see the star. The main deposits are located:

• in Thailand (90% of all minerals are mined there);
• Burma;
• Sri Lanka;
• Vietnam;
• Australia.

How to choose a sapphire?

Today, a fake sapphire is almost identical to a natural stone. Sometimes even jewelers find it difficult to evaluate this gem, not to mention ordinary people. However, understanding some of the distinguishing features of a true sapphire can help when purchasing:

• Like ruby, sapphire cannot be scratched as it is a very hard stone.
• Unlike natural or synthetic sapphire, glass fakes instantly heat up in your hands.
• If, when examining the product under a magnifying glass, gluing is visible, it means that this is a composite stone: one layer is real sapphire, the second is an artificial filler (glass or a cheap gem).
• As a rule, sapphire has a heterogeneous structure, and in bright light you can notice inclusions that are not found in artificial stones.
• Real jewelry has a certificate or passport.

Remember that some analogues of sapphire are so similar to it (for example, tourmaline) that only a professional can give an accurate expert opinion.

How sapphire stars “light up”

Sapphire as a chemical object is aluminum oxide plus titanium and iron, which provide color.

Star formation (scientifically called the “asterism effect”) is created when the agglomerate is “pierced” by needles of rutile (crystalline titanium oxide). They are arranged in co-directed beams. Smooth surfaces reflect light, creating a “path” on the stone.

Rutile layers are located along the axes at an angle of 120° relative to each other. Three harmoniously intersecting lines are created - a star with six rays.

When two rutile crystals grow together in a cabochon or a combination of rutile plus hematite appears, two stars are created. They look like a 12-ray formation. Such are, for example, Thai sapphires. Sometimes “star-likeness” is discovered during the processing of an ordinary gem.

Healing and magical properties of sapphire, zodiac meaning

It is believed that natural sapphire takes care of the health of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, relieves sleep disorders and mental disorders, and maintains clarity of thought.

Blue sapphire endows its owner with calmness and wisdom, harmonizes family relationships, helps those in doubt and protects travelers, and directs a person’s energy in the right direction. Since ancient times, sapphire has been considered a symbol of power; it helps to rule and lead, and demonstrate leadership qualities.

Astrologers recommend wearing sapphire for Aquarius and Sagittarius. First, it will help you cope with emotions and not be afraid of a sense of responsibility. The second one will provide concentration and suggest the right decision. It is not recommended for calm and wise Capricorns to have a stone, since for them wearing a gem can end in depression.

Favorable time to buy

It is better to buy a precious yacht in the first phase of the Moon. During this period, the mineral has less (increasing) energy, and therefore will enter into a relationship with a new host. That is, it will be saturated with the energy of the new owner. Favorable numbers for buying sapphire are from the 8th to the 22nd.

When purchasing a stone separately, it is not recommended to place it on your palm. They look at the gems only by holding them in their fingers. And remember, “your” stone will wear perfectly. Energetically, it is not your gem that will constantly interfere, strain, subside or crush.

Which stone is more expensive: ruby ​​or sapphire?

Many people want to have jewelry with a beautiful stone. At the same time, they ask themselves the question: what is more expensive – a sapphire or a ruby? And how much does one carat of these gems cost? Natural rubies and sapphires are considered precious stones, some examples of which are even more expensive than diamonds. The cost depends on the following characteristics: size, transparency, shade, type of cut, place of extraction. The best examples of ruby ​​are more expensive than the best examples of its blue counterpart. At the same time, red-violet rubies are considered the most valuable, and the cheapest are stones with defects and synthetic ones. Since high-quality specimens are rarely found in nature, most red corundums on world markets are glass-filled. This should be taken into account when purchasing jewelry with this gem, so as not to overpay to unscrupulous jewelers. Thus, the price of a carat of heat-treated rubies without impurities and inclusions should be up to 60 thousand rubles. Natural ruby ​​is a very expensive gem, second in price only to red diamond. At auctions, its value can reach astronomical values. The price of natural low-quality rubies depends on the country of extraction and varies from 35 thousand rubles. up to 200 thousand rubles. per carat Good quality rubies cost 3-4 times more, and excellent quality rubies cost 20 times more.

Sapphires of a classic blue hue are valued more expensive than sapphires of other colors. The cost of large stones starts from 60 thousand rubles. per carat and depends on the country of origin. Sapphires of Burmese origin are highly valued: stones cost approximately 250 thousand rubles. per carat The cost of padparadscha, another expensive sapphire, starts at 150 thousand rubles. per carat Medium-sized sapphires cost 18-36 thousand rubles. per carat, and small samples (less than half a carat) with various inclusions can be purchased at an attractive price of only 1200. Black sapphires are considered the cheapest. Their price is from 60 to 600 rubles. per carat

Due to such a range of prices, it is quite difficult to answer the question of what is more expensive - sapphire or ruby, because a high-quality sapphire sample will cost more than a low-quality ruby. But if we compare crystals of high quality and the same characteristics, then the red stone will surpass its blue counterpart.

An underrated stone - emerald

Emeralds have also been popular since ancient times. Many beautifully crafted items made of precious metals, decorated with green crystals, which were owned by ancient kings and nobles, have survived to this day.

Emeralds come in different shades of green and brown, but the standard color is deep green. The uniform color of stones is quite rare, especially among large representatives of the mineral, so jewelers prefer to work with small stones.

The mineral is a type of beryl group. Kaolin is a compound of chromium oxide and vanadium, which provide the color range of the stone. Emerald is one unit inferior to ruby ​​in hardness and is 8 Mohs units. At the same time, it is quite normal for emeralds to have small scratches and cracks, which during processing they try to fill with cedar oil or hematrate.

The main mining of the mineral occurs in almost all countries of South America and only one Pakistan.

Emerald

Ruby and sapphire jewelry

The fashion for ruby ​​and sapphire jewelry has remained unchanged for many centuries. Gems are widely used in jewelry and are part of all kinds of products: earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, etc. Young ladies should not have a question about what looks more expensive – a ruby ​​or a sapphire. Both gems are stones of the highest order and a magnificent addition to the wardrobe of fashionistas. Ruby goes well with gold - white and yellow, as well as silver. Photos of jewelry with ruby ​​stone confirm this.

Sapphire looks best with silver or white gold. The abundance of different options allows you to choose jewelry for both everyday wear and special occasions.

Photos of gold jewelry with a sapphire stone indicate that the gem is in perfect harmony with white gold. No woman will refuse such jewelry!

What is preferable for a young girl - a ruby ​​or a sapphire?

Ruby and sapphire are stones that are ideal for all ages, so when choosing a gem, paramount importance is given to the tastes of the fair sex. It is only important to consider the size of the stone. Thus, products with huge rubies in massive frames are more suitable for mature ladies, while young fashionistas are better off choosing jewelry with small stones. It is important to remember that not all styles of clothing can be worn with a ruby. This stone is more suitable for classic, romantic, extravagant, and femme fatale styles. Also, when wearing a ruby, moderation is important: you should not combine it with other precious stones and wear all ruby ​​jewelry at once. Bright red rubies are more suitable for girls with a cold, winter appearance, and dull specimens will fit perfectly into the image of a person with a summer color type. The variety of shades of sapphire allows you to choose jewelry for almost any type of appearance. The blue gem is ideal for spring appearance. Autumn girls will look most vibrant with stones in yellow and orange shades.

Compatibility with other stones

If a natural sapphire is an amulet or a favorite everyday decoration that you don’t want to take off, then you can organically combine the gem with the following stones:

Silver long earrings with blue star yakhont and topaz

• diamond;
• aventurine;
• amethyst;
• aquamarine;
• turquoise;
• rock crystal;
• Moonstone;
• jasper;
• chrysoprase;
• ruby;
• pomegranate.

It is important that the shade of the leading sapphire matches the secondary stone. It is highly undesirable to combine the gem with sardonyx, agate and jade.

Summarize

So, there is no clear answer to the question of what is more expensive – sapphire or ruby, since everything depends on the characteristics of each specific sample and the place where the mineral is mined. If you compare high-quality samples of both gems, the ruby ​​will be somewhat more expensive, but this does not detract from the merits of the sapphire. Both stones belong to the first order of precious stones and are considered one of the most valuable jewelry. With the right choice of color and shades, as well as size, rubies and sapphires will suit almost all women. They will highlight the natural beauty of fashionistas and give a piece of their energy and strength.

Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?

The gemstone is suitable for almost all zodiac signs, but to a greater or lesser extent. The meaning for the signs is almost neutral, so each of the representatives of the astrological circle can safely wear a star yacht.

(“+++” – fits perfectly, “+” – can be worn, “-” – is strictly contraindicated)