Video advice: The Search for Rare Sunset Rubiesĭon Kogen of Gem Hunters, Inc.

The world’s most expensive ruby is the Sunrise Ruby. Ruby is the traditional birthstone for July and is usually more pink than garnet, although some rhodolite garnets have a similar pinkish hue to most rubies. Cut and carat (weight) are also an important factor in determining the price. After color follows clarity: similar to diamonds, a clear stone will command a premium, but a ruby without any needle-like rutile inclusions may indicate that the stone has been treated. The brightest and most valuable “red” called blood-red or “pigeon blood”, commands a large premium over other rubies of similar quality. Natural occurrence – Prices of rubies are primarily determined by color. Ruby is considered one of the four precious stones, together with sapphire, emerald and diamond. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires. Its name comes from ruber, Latin for red. The red color is caused mainly by the presence of the element chromium. A ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide).

Digging Native Ruby and Sapphire at the Cherokee Mine in North Carolina.

Cherokee ruby & sapphire mine