Ruby Stone

Ruby · The King of Gemstones

The most storied red in the world.

Ruby has been treasured for over four thousand years — burned into the crowns of Burmese kings, set into the breastplate of Aaron, and called ratnaraj by ancient Sanskrit, "king of precious stones." It's the deepest, most saturated red of any gem on earth, and one of the four precious stones alongside diamond, sapphire, and emerald.

Shop Ruby Design with Ruby

Ruby drop necklace in gold-fill, genuine ruby pendant

Ruby · Pigeon's Blood Red

What gives ruby that red?

Ruby and sapphire are the same mineral — corundum — separated only by what colors them. A single trace element decides everything: chromium turns corundum red, and it becomes ruby. Anything else, and it's sapphire. The deepest, most saturated reds are graded "pigeon's blood" by gemologists, a centuries-old term originally coined in Burma. It describes a red so intense it appears to glow from within — and a top-quality natural ruby of significant size now commands more per carat than a diamond.

Origin

Burma, Mozambique, Thailand

The legendary "Mogok" rubies of Burma have set the standard for two thousand years — but Mozambique now produces some of the world's finest stones. Thailand and Madagascar round out the modern market.

The Stone

Corundum + Chromium

Ruby is the red variety of corundum — the same mineral as sapphire. Trace chromium produces the signature red and a faint internal fluorescence that makes top stones appear to glow even in low light.

Hardness

9 Mohs

Second only to diamond in hardness, ruby is one of the most durable gemstones for daily wear. Suitable for every piece in the collection. Clean with mild soapy water and a soft brush — no special precautions needed.

The Meaning

The stone of passion and lifeforce

Ruby has been worn as a talisman of vitality and protection for as long as recorded history. Burmese warriors embedded rubies into their flesh believing it would render them invincible in battle. Medieval Europeans wore ruby rings to ward off plague, sadness, and bad dreams. Indian royalty offered rubies to Krishna in the belief that the stone would buy them rebirth as kings.

Across every culture that's encountered ruby, the symbolism converges: love, courage, vitality, and lifeforce. It's tied to the heart chakra and the fire element — said to deepen romantic devotion, sharpen confidence, and root the wearer in their own power.

Whether you're marking a milestone or simply drawn to that singular red, ruby is a piece you keep — and pass on.

Passion Vitality Courage Heart Chakra Devotion Lifeforce

Handcrafted in Steamboat Springs, CO · Ethically sourced

July Birthstone & Anniversary Stone

For the moments worth marking

VII

July Birthdays

July 1 – July 31

Ruby has been July's official birthstone since the standardized list was published in 1912 — but the association goes back centuries. A meaningful gift for summer babies, especially those drawn to bold color and stones with a long lineage.

15^th Anniversary

Crystal Year

The traditional 15th anniversary stone. Fifteen years of devotion deserves the most enduring red on earth — a stone that, in its finest form, outvalues diamonds carat for carat.

40^th Anniversary

Ruby Year

The official "ruby anniversary." Four decades together is the kind of milestone ruby was made for — a stone of sustained passion, honored across cultures as the gem of lasting love.

The Collection

Ruby jewelry, handcrafted in Colorado

Bezel-Set Ruby Necklace

From $175

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Ruby Solitaire Necklace

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Natural or Lab-Grown

Two ways to wear the same stone

Both natural and lab-grown rubies are real rubies — chemically and optically identical, both red corundum colored by chromium. The difference is how (and how long) they took to form. Top-tier natural rubies are among the most valuable gems on earth; lab-grown rubies offer the same brilliance at a fraction of the price. We offer both, and every product listing tells you exactly which you're getting.

Natural

Heirloom investment

Each natural ruby is hand-selected for color, clarity, and character. Significantly higher price, irreplaceable rarity. The stone you pass down.

Lab-Grown

Same stone, smaller footprint

Identical mineral composition, fewer inclusions, more saturated color, more accessible price. A more sustainable option without compromising the gem itself.

Shop Both Options