If you’re trying to decide between buying a ruby stone or diamond, you might wonder if the ruby will be more expensive than the diamond. While both precious gems are certainly luxurious and eye-catching, they each have unique properties that make them desirable in different ways, and their prices will vary accordingly. Read on to learn about some of the most important factors that influence the price of ruby stones, so you can decide if ruby is really more expensive than diamond.
Why is Ruby Gemstone so Expensive
The pinkish-red ruby gemstone is known for its strength and durable nature. Ancient Greeks used to believe that Rubies are fallen stars from rainbow moonstone skies. Thus, they have been associated with myths and legends since times immemorial. The most expensive ruby stone in world history was auctioned off for $400 million USD in 2015 to a Macau casino owner.
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Consider the Source
All things being equal, a diamond will be more expensive than a ruby. They’re both precious stones, but diamonds are rated for hardness on the GIA scale (diamonds rank at 10, rubies rank at 9) and have greater durability under impact. Rubies also contain fractures and inclusions that diminish their value when compared to a similar-sized diamond. However, not all sources are created equal. If you find an expert who knows how to work with rainbow moonstone or is skilled at cutting/polishing these gems, it may be worth paying more for a ruby stone. Buyer beware!
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Where Does One Buy Rubies
When looking to buy rubies, your first stop should be a jeweler. It is important to seek out a reputable jeweler who has experience with fine gemstones. You can begin by asking other people you know for recommendations or looking for reviews online. The next step is to contact and visit several different jewelers in your area. When shopping around for rubies, it is important to make sure that you are comparing apples to apples. That means that all of your potential purchases should come from reputable sources and have a similar cut, color, and clarity grade. Be sure to thoroughly examine your options under both 10x magnification as well as natural light so that you can get an accurate sense of what each stone looks like before making a purchase.
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Are Rubies Harder than Diamonds?
A Rainbow Moonstone is far more rare than a diamond and are considered more valuable because of their rarity. A rainbow moonstone exhibits a stunning prismatic effect due to small inclusions that reflect various hues of red, green, blue, and purple. The most prized stones are flawless and exhibit a deep red color with vibrant flashes of multicolored hues when faceted under sunlight or artificial light. The reason why rubies are more expensive than diamonds lies in its rarity and rarity often means better quality when it comes to gemstones; thus why it is very hard to find high-quality natural ruby nowadays.
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Different Grades of Rubies
The first thing to understand is that ruby is a gemstone, meaning that it comes in different colors and grades. If you’re looking for a specific color and quality, you’ll want to take that into account. For example, some purples are very dark and almost look black in low light; if you’re looking for something brightly colored or vivid, then it may be difficult to find what you’re looking for in a lower-quality stone.
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A Brief History of Ruby Gemstone
The ruby has been around for centuries, with some scholars and historians dating its use back to as early as 2500 B.C. The stone was mined from a variety of places, including Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), India and Sri Lanka (Ceylon). The word ruby comes from ruber, which is Latin for red; it is also one of many gemstones that have derived their names from their colors. A ruby will often display a vivid red color; however, there are different variations of color and tone within rubies that can include dark tones such as purple-red or deep pink shades known as pinks.
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The Future of Rubies
Rubies have historically been prized above all other gems, and in some ways that remains true today. The only gemstone to rank higher than ruby is diamond, but ruby still has many advantages over diamonds. But a question arises - is ruby expensive than diamond? Let's take a look at what makes rubies so valuable in comparison to diamonds, and why they're getting even more popular.