Rubies and diamonds are certainly two of the most prized gemstones in jewelry making. Like sapphire and emerald, these minerals are precious stones. With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, they are a variety of corundum. In addition to the obvious difference in color, rubies and diamonds are quite different in other respects. Indeed, a ruby of the right color intensity and cut can be far more expensive, rare and valuable than a pure white diamond equivalent in weight.
Which is more expensive, diamond or ruby?
Diamonds and rubies can command very high prices. But diamonds have always been considered a symbol of wealth and power. Sought-after by high-end jewellers, ruby is undoubtedly the most expensive gemstone in the world. At equivalent levels of exception, the price of a white diamond never exceeds 266,000 euros per carat.
By contrast, rubies can fetch up to 1.06 million euros per carat, beating emeralds and sapphires by a wide margin. Rubies often form the centerpiece of a piece of jewelry, flanked by small diamonds. It’s certainly less common to see a large diamond surrounded by colored stones.
In 2015, a ring adorned with a massive Burmese ruby and diamonds sold at auction for over thirty million dollars. This piece set the world record for the value of a ruby from Burma (Mogok Valley deposits). It is considered one of the rarest and most beautiful.
Rubies are rarer than diamonds
Gem-quality rubies are considerably rarer than diamonds. Although some of the latter are also very rare. In general, you only have to look at jewelry counters to realize that most of them are made of diamonds. The overwhelming presence of diamonds on the market therefore highlights the rarity of rubies.
Rubies, with their evenly distributed color, high clarity and rich saturation, are highly sought-after. This makes these crystals incredibly expensive according to the 4 Cs (color, clarity, cut, carat weight). Because of this rarity, some will compromise on a few aspects such as weight, clarity (purity or absence of inclusions), or factors outside the 4 Cs (such as treatments). Depending on what they want and can afford.
The vast majority of rubies sold on the market are treated in one form or another, leaving untreated gems much rarer. That’s why it’s essential to turn to natural stone specialists like Planetys, who will be able to explain the stone to you. They can also provide you with a certificate of authenticity, a guarantee of the mineral’s quality.
Rubies are more precious than diamonds
Rubies are considered more precious than diamonds, and that’s not news to us. In the Old Testament of the Bible, God offers six stones to mankind. But the ruby was the most precious of them all. In fact, the ruby was worn around Aaron’s neck. The same mythical importance is found in Burmese mythology.
In ancient times, Burmese warriors inserted rubies under their skin in the hope of becoming invincible in battle. Elsewhere, notably in India, offering a ruby to the god Krishna was a good way of increasing one’s chances of being reborn emperor. Whatever the legend, the ruby has always been considered a stone of bravery, courage and passion.
