Red Gemstones
Red gemstones symbolise passion, romance, power and sensuality... if these words have sparked your interest, a fiery red jewel might be the perfect addition to your adventurous ensemble. Here are a few of the finest red gemstones to consider.
1. Red Spinel
ORIGIN
Sri Lanka (the old Ceylon), Myanmar (the old Burma), Tajikistan, Tanzania and Madagascar
COLOURS
Orange-red, purplish red, traffic light red or ruby-red
WHY YOU’LL LOVE RED SPINEL
Considered to be the better ruby by some of the world's best gem dealers, the red variety of spinel shines just as bright with an equally intriguing history and comes in alluring red hues.
HOW TO WEAR RED SPINEL
Getting engaged? Try a romantic red spinel as the centre stone in your custom ring design.
BY SEASON
⭐️ For summer, stand out from the crowds with a pair of dazzling spinel earrings that you can show off by pulling your hair back to cool off from the summer sun.
⭐️ For winter, a red spinel ring paired with a deep red lipstick adds the perfect touch of mystery to your winter wardrobe.
A PEEK INTO THE HISTORY OF RED SPINEL
Spinels are most famous for having been mistaken for rubies in ancient royal jewellery. It is unknown how many spinels were sold as rubies throughout history as it wasn't until the 18th century that "ruby" was the name given solely to the red variety of the corundum mineral and the term "spinel" was first used for this entirely different species!
Because of their confusion with ruby, spinels didn't have the reputation they deserved for a long time. After they became recognised as their own mineral, they eventually earned the value they deserved and are now considered a top fine-quality gemstone and remarkable ruby-substitute.
DID YOU KNOW?
⭐️ The "Black Prince's Ruby" and the "Timur Ruby", both part of the British Crown Jewels, were mined in Tajikistan and are actually spinels.
⭐️ Red is regarded as the most valuable of the spinel hues.
⭐️ Red spinel is associated with wealth and luck in business and is known to increase positivity and success in one's career.
2. Ruby
ORIGIN
Myanmar (the old Burma), Mozambique, Thailand, Afghanistan, Namibia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka (the old Ceylon), Cambodia and Vietnam
COLOURS
The finest ruby has a pure, vibrant red to slightly purplish red color. And rubies with overtones of orange and purple are less valued.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE RUBY
From its rich history and Oriental sources dating back to 600 A.D in Mogok to the modern beauty of the African rubies, this classic stone is easy to love. It's also known as one of the "Big 4" precious gems along with emerald, blue sapphire, and diamond.
HOW TO WEAR RUBY
Neutral colours in your style really make the ultra-special ruby stand out even more and ensure that your look is perfectly stylish. Rubies are also the perfect go-to for an alternative engagement ring or glamorous statement piece.
BY SEASON
⭐️ For summer, adorn yourself with dangling, dazzling ruby-earrings paired with a bright pink sundress for an overall vibrant summer look.
⭐️ For winter, opt for a dazzling statement ring paired with your favourite cold-weather attire.
A PEEK INTO THE HISTORY OF RUBY
Burmese rubies were brought to the attention of Europeans by the explorer Marco Polo in the 13th century. And 800 years later, they still are so rare that they always cause a stir in the auction room. Especially when it concerns pieces over 2 to 5 carats. And rubies that are untreated.
As far as its historic origins, ruby has been found in four old mining areas: Afghanistan, Sri Lanka (the old Ceylon), the Thai-Cambodian border, and Myanmar (the old Burma), with Burma being the most famous source of them all for producing some of the finest quality rubies.
DID YOU KNOW?
⭐️ The name ruby comes from the Latin word "ruber" which means red.
⭐️ Rubies without imperfections are exceptionally rare and often come with price tags higher than diamonds.
⭐️ The most expensive Burmese ruby to sell at auction was the “Sunrise Ruby". It weighed 25.59 carats, was mounted by Cartier and brought in $30.38 million at Sotheby's Geneva Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels Sale in May 2015.
⭐️ Historically, rubies with a red to slightly purplish or pinkish red hue and with a soft glowing red fluorescence were described by the term "pigeon's blood". The term is frequently associated with the ancient ruby mining area of Burma but also with other regions these days ... and can be subject to misinterpretation. 'Pigeon's blood' is a trade term which can conjure up perceptions of a certain colour and a certain high quality that is associated with a stone’s source. However, the qualities might be typical of that source or they might represent the very finest stones from that source. That doesn't mean that all stones that come out of that mine are of amazing quality though! Remember that a single source never yields gems that are all the same colour and quality.
3. Imperial Topaz
ORIGIN
Brazil
COLOURS
The finest colour is pinkish orange with red flashes
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IMPERIAL TOPAZ
Its unique, extraordinary colouring and reputation as one of the rarest jewels around make it worthy of your consideration when shopping for a loose gemstone or rare gemstone jewellery piece. Looking for something to break out on special occasions and dazzle anyone in your path? You've found your jewel.
HOW TO WEAR IMPERIAL TOPAZ
Imperial topaz is best cut in elongated shapes, such as an emerald cut, oval, pear-shaped, etc. It would surely make for a one-of-a-kind alternative engagement ring on its own or shouldered by dazzling diamonds or colour stones.
Bezel settings are recommended (rather than pronged settings) for daily wear to protect the stone which has something that's called 'basal cleavage' and makes it more fragile to break.
BY SEASON
⭐️ For summer, an emerald cut imperial topaz ring is sure to turn some heads at your poolside cocktail parties.
⭐️ For winter, add a touch of pink-red hot sparkle to your winter attire with a set of pear-shaped imperial topaz drop earrings.
A PEEK INTO THE HISTORY OF IMPERIAL TOPAZ
One of the rarest and most valuable varieties of topaz, the now famed imperial topaz, should be a pinkish orange with red flashes and is solely found in Brazil.
The name imperial topaz originated in nineteenth century Russia when Russia's Ural Mountains were the leading source of all topaz. It was named in honour of the Russian Czar and was only allowed to be owned by royalty at that time.
Today, this variety of topaz comes in much smaller quantities on the market than the treated blue topaz and is considered very rare. Top imperial topaz can sell for thousands of US Dollars per carat on the wholesale market...
DID YOU KNOW?
⭐️ Imperial topaz is the rarest variety of topaz and also the most sought-after.
⭐️ The pinkish-orange colour with those red flashes is the most valuable and sought-after hue of imperial topaz.
⭐️ Imperial topaz has perfect basal cleavage which makes it easier to cut than other gemstones but also means it can break easier than most other stones with equal hardness.
⭐️ The Field Museum of Natural History (USA) holds the famous "Blaze Imperial Topaz" which weighs 97.45 carats.
4. Red Beryl (Bixbite)
ORIGIN
Utah, USA. There is only one known commercial occurrence of the extremely rare, gem-quality red beryl in the world which is the Ruby Violet (or Red Beryl) mine in the Wah Wah Mountains of Beaver County, Utah.
COLOURS
Pink to deep-red
WHY YOU’LL LOVE RED BERYL
It belongs to the beryl family and so is related to the more famous emerald and aquamarine. This beautiful, raspberry red stone is known to have a variety of healing and health benefits, some of which include increased energy, stamina and unity within relationships. It's also extremely rare and valuable! If you love bold, eye-catching red sparkles, this is the jewel for you - if you can get hold of one...
HOW TO WEAR RED BERYL
The pinkish hue of this stone may be partial to those with warmer undertones to their skin but luckily for us all, the deeper, brick-red hues flatter any skin tone.
BY SEASON
⭐️ For summer, a pair of dangling red beryl earrings are perfect for your all-day, outdoor adventures.
⭐️ For winter, an eye-catching ring with wine-red beryl will help you sparkle through the months of sweater weather.
A PEEK INTO THE HISTORY OF RED BERYL
Since its discovery in 1904 by bookkeeper-turned-miner Maynard Bixby, this material has remained one of the rarest colour varieties of gem beryl, with its increased recognition and acceptance in the marketplace being offset by the continued limited scale of production.
It was originally called Bixbite in honour of Maynard Bixby, however, this name has fallen out of favour due to confusion between it and Bixbyite (a cubic, black, manganese iron oxide also discovered by Bixby in 1897). And red beryl seems the preferred name now.
As stated by Gem-A, the largest gemological institute in the UK:
"To put its rarity into perspective, only one red beryl is mined for every 150,000 diamonds, and a two carat red beryl is considered as rare as a 40 carat diamond! The largest known faceted red beryl is 8.0 carats."
DID YOU KNOW?
⭐️ For every 150,000 gem-quality diamonds, 1 red beryl crystal is found, making this one of the world's rarest gemstones.
⭐️ Red beryl receives its colour from trace amounts of manganese.
⭐️ Prices can come in at around $10,000 per carat, which makes red beryl one of the most expensive gemstones in the world.
⭐️ While it is found in other locations, mainly New Mexico, Utah is the main source of gem-quality red beryl.
Hopefully you now have an idea of which red jewel suits you!
⭐️ MORE FOR YOU ⭐️
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