What is a ruby?

Ruby is a beautiful, durable, and rare red stone! It is part of the gemstone family corundum, meaning sapphire is its sister! However, this crimson beauty is special. In fact, ruby is the only color of corundum with a special name. That’s right! All the other colors of corundum – and it spans the whole rainbow! – are simply called sapphire. That is because this red gem is significantly more rare than its sibling.

Do rubies make good engagement rings?

Yes! Rubies are one of the best engagement ring center stones because it is romantic, durable, and rare. As red is the most romantic color, red rubies are a natural choice! Also, being a 9 out of 10 on the hardness scale means this stone will stand up to daily wear and tear. In fact, it is the hardest natural gem on the planet, next to diamonds. Finally, they are a great choice for an engagement ring because they are rare, just like true love.

Do rubies sparkle?

Yes. However, it sparkles differently than diamond. Specifically, its sparkle is a subtle red and orange/pink, whereas diamond gives off an extreme rainbow and white sparkle. So, if intense sparkle is your goal, you may wish to consider red diamond (we offer natural and color enhanced red diamonds too!) That said, ruby’s sparkle is elegant and stunning! Take a look below!

Can you wear a ruby every day?

Sure! It is certainly hard enough to withstand daily wear and tear. That is because of this red stone’s 9/10 hardness on the Mohs Hardness Scale. As with any engagement ring (even diamond!), to keep it beautiful for everyday wear, we suggest keeping it clean and removing it before doing anything super physical.

Can rubies chip?

They can, however, it is fairly rare. As you’ve read, they are very hard! However, a hard enough knock against something can chip even a diamond. So, always remove your rings before doing anything physical, like working out, doing dishes, or yard work.

Who should wear a ruby engagement ring?

Couples that love color, want to express their passion, or want something unique. This is a fantastic choice for those who love having color in their lives. It is bright, beautiful, and eye-catching! Also, for those who love showing their love to the world, this red stone is a great choice. Its bright red color shows that you put your love first! Finally, because ruby is so rare, those who want a unique engagement ring should definitely consider ruby. Fine gems are even rarer than diamond!

Who should not wear this red stone?

Couples that want the traditional “white” engagement ring or those with extremely physical jobs. Obviously, this red gem is not white. So, if the look you are going for is a traditional colorless engagement ring, this isn’t the right stone for you! Also, those with intensely physical jobs (such as those which would cause the stone to scrape against other stones or metal constantly) should consider a very low-set diamond (such as a rose-cut) instead.

Quality

What color ruby is most valuable?

The most valuable stones are vivid red with no visible inclusions. However, this gem comes in all sorts of shades, and they may be orangey, pinkish, or purplish as well. In order to be called a “ruby”, corundum must be at least 51% red (decidedly NOT 51% pink, orange, or purple). The most valuable color is actually known as “pigeon blood” (I know, right).

What is pigeon blood red ruby?

A pigeon blood ruby is a natural ruby with a vivid slightly purplish red color. Legend has it that the nickname “pigeons blood” arose in Burma (current day Myanmar) where these gems were traditionally set in pure yellow gold. Because of the striking warmth of the yellow metal, in order for the gem to appear vivid red (and not orangey), the stone needed a blue/purple tint. So, gem traders began to use this somewhat gruesome term to describe purplish-Red gems, as blood also has this blue/purple tint.

Fun fact! Setting in white gold, rose gold, or platinum? You don’t need (or want) a purplish-red pigeon blood color. A bright red stone is your goal!

How can you tell if a ruby is good quality?

The best quality stones are vivid red, eye clean, and well-cut. Color is the most important factor, so look for a red that is not too heavily tinted pink, orange, or purple. Next, check out the stone up close. Look for any eye-visible imperfections. An eye clean stone will look flawless without magnification. Finally, a well-cut gem will have even color throughout the stone (no washed-out pool or dark area in the center), and will have fairly symmetrical faceting (facets on the left are a mirror image of those on the right).

Notably, due to this stone’s rarity, natural rubies will almost always have small cutting variances. That is because cutters use small inconsistencies to cut the largest, cleanest stones! However, the overall look of your stone should be symmetrical, and any inconsistencies should not be distracting.

What does AAA Ruby mean?

Like diamonds, gemstones are judged by their quality and beauty. In colored gemstones, jewelers often use a B-AAA scale. “B” and “AB” quality stones are the least attractive, typically having no or low transparency and brilliance. “A” quality stones may have some visible inclusions but are more attractive. “AA” quality is a standard middle grade with good brilliance, cutting, and sparkle.

So, “AAA” is top quality in terms of color, clarity, cutting, and sparkle! To give you a visual, the poorly cut stone above would be an AB quality. On the other hand, the well-cut stone is an AAA! AAA rubies typically represent the top 10% of gems on the market. They are a more beautiful, richer red color, and their brilliance can’t be matched.

What is the transparency of a ruby?

High-quality faceted ruby is completely transparent. “Transparency” refers to light’s ability to travel through a gemstone. So, if your stone is “transparent” it means that light is able to enter and bounce around your gem to make sparkle! “Translucent” refers to when a stone has inclusions which make light appear more billowy or gauzy – there are no crisp sparkles. Finally when a gem is “opaque” it means that light cannot travel through it at all.

Gemologist’s note: Star rubies are translucent or opaque – that’s ok, they’re graded differently!

Natural vs Lab Created

What is a lab-created ruby?

They are rubies…made in a lab! Interestingly, there is no chemical or visual difference between a natural and a lab-created gemstone (except that the lab stone will look more perfect!). So, when you choose a lab-created stone, you are getting the same beauty, hardness, and sparkle as its natural counterpart. The only difference is that it is made by man, and that it is a lot less expensive.

What are synthetic rubies?

“Synthetic” is another name for Lab-Created. Just make sure you’re not getting a “simulant.” A simulant is a red stone that looks like a ruby, but is glass, plastic, or some other gemstone.

Is a lab-created ruby a real ruby?

Yes! Lab-created stones are real! Natural and lab-created gems have the exact same chemical and optical properties – they are the same material! So, both natural and lab-created rubies are real. They just have different origins.

How can you tell the difference between real and synthetic rubies?

The only way to tell between a natural and a lab-created ruby is to have it tested. However, perfection in cutting + perfection in clarity can be a clue it is lab-created.

How do you know a ruby is genuine?

While the only way to know for certain you have a ruby and not another red stone is to have it tested. Good indications of a natural ruby are inconsistencies in cutting, visible inclusions, and crisp facet edges. Even the highest quality natural stones will frequently have inconsistencies in cutting. This is because gem cutters will make an extra facet to cut off an imperfection, or leave the stone a little too long to add carat weight. So, if the red stone isn’t “perfect” looking, that’s a good clue that it may be natural.

Imperfections, or “inclusions”, are another way to tell. It is pretty rare that a synthetic stone has eye-visible inclusions. So, if your red stone has cracks or black spots, it is more likely to be natural. Finally, one way to tell ruby from other red stones is crisp facet edges. As it is a 9/10 on the hardness scale, it is less likely to chip.

What is glass-filled ruby?

Glass filling is an ill-advised treatment performed upon low quality “B” natural stones to make their inclusions less visible. It is not a permanent treatment, it will come out during normal ring cleaning. And, it makes a gem much less valuable. Unfortunately, these glass-filled stones are sometimes sold by unscrupulous dealers without a customer being aware. So, it is important to always purchase your gemstones from a jeweler with a sterling reputation. Always make sure to ask about your ruby’s treatment! The only acceptable treatment for a ruby is heat.

Rubies vs Garnet

Which is better garnet or ruby?

For an engagement ring, ruby is better than garnet due to is far greater durability. This is because garnet is only a 7-7.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. And, dust is a 7/10. So, that means that every time a garnet ring is cleaned with a cloth, it gets micro scratches. This will dull the stone over time. As a result, when considering rubies vs garnet, garnet is typically better for an occasional-wear ring, not an engagement.

How can you tell a ruby from a garnet?

While you cannot be certain without testing it, good clues to tell garnet vs ruby apart include color, clarity, facet edges, and cost. In other words, while there are certain garnets that can rival the color of a ruby, most garnets are a transparent dark brownish-red. Most rubies of this color will be more included (less transparent). Also, due to its lower hardness, garnet will show scratches and chips. Finally, when comparing rubies vs garnet, a pretty garnet will only be a fraction of the cost.

Rubies vs Diamonds

Which is better ruby or diamond?

An AAA ruby is more unique, more colorful, and more rare than a diamond. A diamond, on the other hand, is harder, more brilliant, and more firey (remember those rainbow sparkles I was talking about?). So, it depends! Which do you like better when you compare rubies vs diamond?

Are rubies rarer than diamonds?

Yes, high-end AAA natural stones are rarer than diamonds!

Size & Cost

Are rubies measured in carats? How big is a 1-carat ruby?

Rubies are measured in carats, however, they are heavier than diamonds. So, a one-carat ruby will measure smaller than a one-carat diamond. For example, one carat round rubies measure around 5.7mm, whereas one carat round diamonds measure around 6.5mm. To work with this, it is best to figure out what millimeter size you want instead of carat weight.

How much is a 1-carat ruby worth?

A 6.5mm (the size of a 1 carat diamond) round AAA quality natural ruby is $4,500+, whereas a lab created 6.5mm is $880. Check out the table below to see how this compares against their sister sapphire, and lab-created stones, too!

Can you help me design a ruby engagement ring?

I sure can! Feel free to ask for me, Corinne, the gemologist. I’ll help you pick out a gorgeous stone and pair it with a ring that will bring out the love. Send me a note here, or email me at care@doamore.com!

What is an Elongated Cushion Cut?

An Elongated Cushion Cut is shaped like a rectangular pillow. Whereas many Cushion Cut gems are somewhat square, what makes an Elongated Cushion Cut different is its extraordinarily long length-to-width ratio (more on that below!). In other words, an Elongated Cushion Cut is tall and skinny! Elongated Cushion Cuts are typically brilliant cut gemstones, meaning that they give off a lot of sparkle.

Are elongated cushion diamonds rare?

The longer the cushion, the rarer the diamond! Diamonds that are only a little elongated, around 1.10 and below, are common. Stones between 1.11 and 1.18 are rarer, while stones above 1.19 are pretty hard to come by. So, if you’re looking for a really elongated stone, make sure to build in some time for your search!

What are the Best Elongated Cushion Cut Engagement Ring Stones?

The best gemstones for an Elongated Cushion Engagement Ring are Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby, Spinel, and Garnet. These gems are the best choice for an Elongated Cushion Cut Engagement Ring because they are durable and naturally grow in long crystals. What’s great about choosing a long-crystal gem for your Elongated Cushion Cut Engagement Ring is that they will be less expensive (less waste during cutting) and you’ll have a better selection of stones to choose from.

How Do I Pick the Best Elongated Cushion Cut?

Step 1: Size

Size

This may sound crazy, but the way you get what you really want is to slap a ruler on your finger! Because an Elongated Cushion Cut is really a look, you likely have an idea of what shape and size you’re going for. So, measure it out. Jewelers use millimeters when they measure gemstones. Use a ruler to find the length and width you want. This will also inform what gemstone is best for you (some crystals form bigger than others)!

What is Length-to-Width Ratio?

Length-to-Width Ratio is a helpful measurement calculation which allows you to pick how plump or skinny your Elongated Cushion Cut is. To calculate a Length-to-Width Ratio, simply divide the gemstone’s width by its length. So, a Length-to-Width Ratio of 1.0 is perfectly square. On the other hand, bigger Length-to-Width Ratios will appear long and skinny. The defining feature of an Elongated Cushion Cut is that it’s, you guessed it, long. So, in order to get the look, you’ll want to choose a long Length-to-Width Ratio (think 1.15+ for diamonds and 1.4+ for gemstones).

Step 2: Color & Gemstone

The next step is choosing your color and gemstone. The size and shape you chose will help you with this selection!

Colorless Elongated Cushions

Those looking for a traditional colorless Elongated Cushion Cut Engagement Ring should check out these Diamonds and also consider White Sapphire and Moissanite. When looking for an Elongated Cushion Diamond, look for length-to-width ratios of 1.19 and above. Be warned, you will not likely find a cushion cut Diamond with a length-to-width ratio longer than 1.25 due to Diamond crystal shape. Natural White Sapphires longer than 1.4 are also rare. However, Lab White Sapphire, Moissanite, and Lab Diamonds can be grown and cut to very long lengths! So, if you have a long, elegant shape in mind, we can happily custom cut it for you.

Sneaky Trick: We know we always tell you to look for “Excellent” cut quality in our Diamonds. This one’s a special exception, though. Leave that part out for this round. The search engine will think these stones are “too long” and filter them out!

Blue Elongated Cushions

Those looking for a regal blue Elongated Cushion Cut Engagement Ring should look at Blue Sapphire and Blue Spinel (read here about the difference between these two stones). Because Sapphire and Spinel grow in nice long crystals, Elongated Cushion cuts are pretty common! Those looking for a larger stone will like the value that comes with Spinel. However, those looking for a deeper blue will likely find Sapphire more to their liking. Both Sapphire and Spinel are available in Lab-created versions, too.

Pink Elongated Cushions

Pretty pink Elongated Cushion Cut Engagement Rings may be made from Pink Sapphire or Pink Spinel. As with their blue cousins, couples looking for a larger stone will find a better value in Pink Spinel. However, Sapphire tends to be a purer pink and a harder gem. So, the choice is up to you! Again, both of these gems are available in Lab versions.

Red Elongated Cushions

Finally, those looking for a passionate red Elongated Cushion Cut Engagement Ring should consider Ruby, Red Spinel, and Garnet. Garnet is by far the most affordable of these options, with large stones often available under $1,000. Next comes Spinel, with large stones and more durability. Ruby is the rarest and most precious of these gems, and so commands the highest prices.

3. Cut Quality

Two really important things to look for in a high-quality Elongated Cushion Cut are facet symmetry and lack of bow-tie effect. Another thing to look out for is whether your stone is modern or antique.

Facet Symmetry

Because Elongated Cushion Cuts are extra long (and often not considered “Excellent cut” for this reason), paying attention to the quality of its faceting is really important. This is because gemstones that fall outside of “Excellent” standard are often imperfect. But, as you can see, not always! You just chose a really special shape. “Facet symmetry” means that the little cuts all over your stone mirror each other from left to right. So, when looking for an Elongated Cushion Cut, draw an imaginary line down the center of your stone. Do they look like mirror halves? Bingo! If they look kinda haphazard, pass on it.

Antique Stones

Another thing to consider is whether the stone you’re purchasing has an antique cut or a traditional cut. There are a significant amount of Elongated Cushion diamonds out there that were faceted way before we really knew about how to maximize brilliance. In other words, while antique Elongated Cushions have a charm all their own (I adore them) they do not give off as much brilliance as modern Elongated Cushions. A quick way to look for this is a large culet (the bottom facet). If a stone has a large culet and less symmetrical facets, you’re looking at an antique stone!

Uneven Light Return

Because you’re choosing such a long stone, some gems will exhibit uneven light return. What I mean by that is the gem will be brighter in the center or on the ends, instead of being bright throughout. Don’t let uneven light return ruin your stone! Instead, look for even sparkle and light return in your Elongated Cushion Cut.

Can You Help Me Choose a Perfect Elongated Cushion Cut?

I sure can! My name is Corinne, and I’m obsessed with them. Send me a note here, or email me here! Tell me everything you are looking for, or ask me any questions!

Promise rings are romantic and fulfilling. Couples that choose to wear promise rings want to show the world that they are loyal and proud of their partner. In case you’re just hearing about them now, a “promise ring” is a ring or band worn prior to engagement to show the wearer is promised to their beloved. Some couples choose to wear them in a pre-engagement phase to mark their love. Others wear them while saving for an engagement ring. While traditionally only worn by her, it is now common for men to wear promise rings today too. Both my husband and I wore them before we got married – and I love mine so much I still wear it on my right hand!

Here’s how to custom design the perfect affordable, high-end promise ring in 4 easy steps:

Step One: Who is it For?

Promise Ring For Her

Most promise rings for women are gemstone rings that are beautiful and easy to wear. Because promise rings do not need to have a wedding band next to it, you can pick a much more fanciful or asymmetric style! Keep in mind that you want her to love it so much she switches it to her right hand after you get married. So, while you want to choose something that is her style, you also want it to be different enough from her future engagement ring that she’ll be able to wear both without them looking too similar.

Promise Ring For Men

Most promise rings for men are bands with a more ornament than a traditional, simple wedding band. So, check out styles with eye-catching finishes that will set it apart from what you think his future wedding band will look like.

Step Two: What Style are They?

Promise Ring For Her

The next step is choosing her style. Does she like classic designs? A simple, low profile setting highlighting the gem of your choice would be perfect. Want a little extra glam? A few small diamonds will contrast fabulously with your colored gemstone center. I happen to think our Lily ring, with its ribbon of diamonds, is an incredible value at $680 in 14k gold including custom engraving! Just add a gem For those looking for a real knock-out, you can pave the entire band with diamonds too!

Promise Ring For Men

When choosing a style for your guy, think about his lifestyle. Does he work with his hands? Is he in an office? Is he laid back, or does he like to dress up? For men who work with their hands, a hammered band is a great look. Those that are dressier may like a bit of shine. However, a really special ring for your man could include your fingerprint. A fingerprint ring is super special, very subtle, and will definitely be different than his wedding band.

Fingerprint Promise Rings For Couples

Want matching promise rings for couples? That’s so awesome. I like your style. My favorite option is our fingerprint collection. A fingerprint ring is super special, very subtle, and means you each can carry around a piece of the other everywhere you go. We carry a thicker band for men, and a thinner band for ladies (you can even stack other rings with it!)

Step Three: What Color Do They Wear?

Promise Ring For Her

Our rings are available in white, yellow, and rose gold, along with platinum and palladium. Because you’re trying to keep to a budget with this custom promise ring, we suggest choosing gold. So, look at her other jewelry. If she wears white metals like silver and white gold, stick with white. If she wears yellow, you have the option of yellow or rose! Rose gold is a warm tone, with just a little more pink than yellow.

Promise Ring For Men

If  your guy wears other jewelry, same goes for your man! What color does he wear? Also, check out his watch for clues. However, if he’s like a lot of guys, maybe he doesn’t wear a watch or any jewelry yet. If so, here’s a quick guide on how to pick the right color gold based on skin-tone:

• Cool skin tones – go for white gold.
• Warm skin tones – go for yellow or rose gold.

Step Four: Give it Meaning

Promise Ring For Her

Choose a center gemstone that has meaning. Maybe the gemstone of the month you started dating? Or maybe your birthstone would make her smile. What about the color of her eyes? Her favorite nail polish color? Or possibly the gemstone representing the month you give this special promise ring to her. There are affordable gemstone options in every color – we can add any of these 6mm top-quality natural AAA gems to your custom ring for less than $200!

Promise Ring For Men

Make his ring unique by including a special engraving inside. Maybe his nickname? The date you first met? What about a lyric to your song? Or an inside joke! Do Amore offers free engraving on every ring sold, so take advantage and make it special!

Can You Help Me Design the Perfect Custom Promise Ring?

I sure can! My name is Corinne, I’m the gemologist, and I’ve been helping people design affordable, custom promise rings for years. Email me here and tell me about your beloved!