Hey there, a little birdie told us that you’ve finally found the one and are now ready to pop the question – Congratulations! While many components make up the perfect proposal, in our opinion, the ring is what matters most. And if you’re looking for a stunner that reflects your love, you can’t go wrong with a ruby sparkler. But wait, how to pick a ruby engagement ring?
Lucky for you, our guide is here to help!
From explaining the difference between natural and lab-grown rubies to covering their 4Cs and even highlighting which metal options make the best pairings, this guide is just what you need to find a ruby engagement ring for women that both you and your girl adore.
So, what are you waiting for? Read on…
Natural vs. Lab-Grown Rubies: What’s the Difference?
As indicated by their name, natural rubies are formed deep within the Earth. Lab-grown rubies, on the other hand, are created within the confines of a labouratory under the watchful eye of scientists.
Contrary to popular belief, lab-grown rubies share the same physical, chemical and optical properties as their natural counterparts which basically makes them real rubies.
In fact, these stones are so similar that only an expert will be able to tell them apart.
Besides this, the main difference between the two lies in their clarity and price point.
You see, while natural rubies have several inclusions (tiny flaws that occur during the gemstone’s formation), lab-grown rubies have very few to no inclusions. Besides this, lab-grown rubies tend to be more affordable than their natural counterparts.
Did You Know?
The first lab-grown rubies were presented by Auguste Verneuil at the Paris World Fair in 1900.
Also Read: The History of Ruby: Know Everything About This Gorgeous Gem
How to Buy a Ruby Engagement Ring
Trust us – When it comes to rubies, buying the perfect natural or lab-grown engagement ring isn’t as tough as people say. All you need to do is keep the following factors in mind and pick your sparkler accordingly.
The 4Cs
Indicating the colour, clarity, cut and carat weight of a gem, the 4Cs form the foundation for evaluating, grading and deciding the quality and by extension, the value of a ruby.
1. Colour
Believe it or not, the colour of a ruby plays a huge role in determining its overall value. That’s why our biggest trick to finding the perfect ruby engagement ring is paying attention to the stone’s colour!
According to gemologists, this factor can be broken down into three components:
a) Hue
This indicates the gem’s colour. The basic hues here are orange, red, yellow, blue, green, purple and violet. Brown, black and white indicate the saturation and tones, not hues.
b) Tone
This indicates the relative lightness or darkness of a stone.
c) Saturation
This indicates the intensity of the stone’s hue.
Interestingly, gems that feature purer hues with stronger colours typically fetch a higher value.
Rubies can be found in several shades of red ranging from pinkish to bluish red. It’s worth noting that slight differences in colour can make a massive difference in how the stone is valued.
Here, if the colour of the stone is too light, the gem is considered to be a pink sapphire. On the other hand, if the shade veers toward purple or orange, it can cause the ruby to move down the quality scale.
Rubies that feature a pure, vibrant red colour with a hint of blue are the most coveted.
Also Read: Do Rubies Chip Easily?
2. Clarity
This refers to the absence of flaws within a gemstone. Because of their formation process, all natural rubies have inclusions.
These include thin mineral inclusions known as needles. Intriguingly, these needles are called silk when present in intersecting groups. Apart from this, a ruby’s inclusions can also appear in the form of patches of varied colour or ones that resemble fingerprints as well as small crystals.
Coming to a ruby’s value, the same really depends on how visible the stone’s inclusions are. Here, major inclusions as well as ones that reduce the brightness or transparency of the ruby can lower its value. As such, we highly recommend staying away from stones that feature the same.
Our Suggestion: If the idea of inclusions makes you break out into a cold sweat, then a lab-grown ruby is the best bet for you. Because they’re created under controlled conditions, these gemstones have very few to no inclusions. That makes them a total winner in our books.
Also Read: 5 Amazing Facts About Ruby
3. Cut
The cut of a gemstone refers to the arrangement of facets needed to create an attractive face-up appearance.
When it comes to this gem, ruby crystal’s shape is basically what decides its suitability for certain cuts. Here, gemstone cutters typically want to make the most of the rough stone and waste as little of the material as possible. They usually do this to preserve the ruby’s value.
Considering the above, it’s probably no surprise that rubies are often cut in cushion and oval shapes, with step-cut pavilions and brilliant-cut crowns.
4. Carat Weight
Let’s be honest – When it comes to engagement rings for women, a lot of emphasis is placed on the carat weight of the stone. Simply put, the carat weight of a stone refers to how much it weighs. Here, 1 carat = 200 milligrams.
In terms of its value, it’s interesting to note that the per-carat price of this gemstone can drastically increase as its size increases. What’s more, fine-quality natural rubies over the one-carat mark are exceptionally rare and therefore can cost quite a bit.
Our suggestion: If your girl is someone who lives by the ‘bigger is better’ rule, opting for a lab-grown ruby (which is more affordable) is a fabulous way to stay within budget while simultaneously making her heart skip a beat.
Also Read: Can Ruby Be Worn Every Day?
Shape
When people ask us how to choose a ruby engagement ring, we typically respond by telling them to focus on the gemstone shape (after the 4Cs, of course!) IMO, the easiest way to make your girl swoon is to pick a shape that reflects her personality.
For instance, if she’s a fan of all things luxe, then you can’t go wrong with a cushion-shaped ruby. On the flip side, if your girl is bold and elegant, then an oval is bound to make her smile. Similarly, if your partner is the epitome of confidence, then the rectangular shape associated with the emerald-cut is sure to make her fall in love. And lastly, if your lady love is one of the most unique people you’ve ever met, then the pear shape is definitely something she’ll adore.
Setting
NGL, the setting of a natural or lab-grown ruby engagement ring can make or break its overall aesthetic.
That said, with a 9 rating on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, rubies are one of the toughest gemstones out there so they aren’t as limited as far as settings go. Our top two choices are as follows:
1. Prong
This popular setting is made up of tiny metal claws (typically 4 – 6) that protrude from a metal basket to delicately cradle your ruby and make sure it stays in place.
It’s adored for its classic aesthetic, minimal metal interference and security.
2. Bezel
This setting protects the ruby centre stone by surrounding it with a metal collar. It’s undoubtedly one of the most secure settings out there and is a great option if your girl has an active lifestyle.
Also Read: How To Buy Quality Rubies?
Ring Style
1. Halo
Featuring several small diamonds that surround the ruby centre stone and highlight its incredible hue, the halo is a great way to show your girl that she’s the centre of your world.
2. Vintage-Inspired
Does your girl love all things vintage? Because if so, we bet she’ll adore a vintage-inspired ring. Featuring designs and patterns inspired by the Art Deco, Edwardian and Victorian eras (among others), this style is sure to take your partner’s breath away.
3. Solitaire
Signifying the love and commitment that exists between partners, the solitaire ring is an absolute classic. It features a single gemstone which makes it a fabulous choice for your minimalist.
4. Three-Stone
Featuring three prominent gems that represent the past, present and future of a relationship, this ring design effortlessly encapsulates the story of love. We love it for its bold yet reserved vibe, which makes it the perfect choice for your sophisticated partner.
Also Read: How to Care for Your Ruby Jewellery
Metal
Our last tip to choosing the perfect ruby engagement ring is to consider the metal of the piece.
For the most part, people like to pair their rubies with yellow gold to enhance the warmth of the gemstone. That said, if you’re someone who likes a cool look, we highly recommend teaming your ruby with white gold or platinum.
Of course, if you don’t like the ring designs available, you can always design your own engagement ring with our Create With Angara feature. From the metal used to the overall style of the piece, every aspect of the engagement ring can be customised by you here. This will ensure that you wind up with a sparkler that meets all your requirements.
We hope this natural and lab-grown ruby engagement ring buying guide helps you find your desired piece!
Read more: Birthstone Engagement Rings
