GemTrove
Ruby Gemstones Melbourne
Ruby gemstone guide covering natural and lab-grown ruby options, colour, treatment, properties, care and custom jewellery design.
GemTrove guide
Natural and Lab-Grown Ruby Gemstones
Whether you are creating a ruby ring, pendant, necklace, earrings, anniversary piece or custom-made jewellery design, GemTrove provides gemologist-led guidance.
Quick answer
Choose ruby with confidence
Ruby selection should consider colour, clarity, treatment, natural or lab-grown origin, cut, durability and the jewellery design it will be used in.
Ruby basics
What makes ruby special?
Ruby is the red variety of corundum, the same mineral family as sapphire. It is valued for deep red colour, excellent hardness and its traditional place in fine jewellery. Fine ruby can appear vivid, rich and lively when colour, cut and transparency are well balanced.
Rich red colour
Ruby is prized for red colour, from pinkish red to deeper red tones with strong saturation.
Natural or lab-grown
Choose natural ruby for rarity and origin, or lab-grown ruby for ruby beauty at a more accessible price.
Excellent jewellery durability
Ruby is practical for many jewellery styles when properly selected and set.
Origin choices
Natural ruby and lab-grown ruby options
GemTrove offers both natural ruby and lab-grown ruby options. Natural ruby forms in the earth and is valued for natural origin, rarity and individual character. Lab-grown ruby is created in controlled laboratory conditions and is chosen for ruby look, strong colour and size flexibility.
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Natural ruby | Natural origin, rarity, traditional fine jewellery appeal and heirloom value. | Fine quality can be expensive; many stones are heated and disclosure matters. |
| Lab-grown ruby | Ruby appearance, strong red colour, often cleaner look and larger size options. | Does not have earth-mined rarity and must be clearly disclosed. |
| Natural ruby with diamonds | Classic luxury look, red and white contrast and premium jewellery character. | Quality and treatment level can significantly affect price and value. |
| Lab-grown ruby with diamonds | Beautiful red centre-stone look with diamond sparkle and size flexibility. | Should not be described as natural and may not carry the same rarity value. |
Gemological properties
Ruby gemstone properties
| Property | Ruby guidance |
|---|---|
| Gem family | Corundum |
| Mohs hardness | 9 |
| Colour cause | Chromium |
| Refractive index | Typically around 1.760–1.770 |
| Specific gravity | Typically around 3.99–4.05 |
| Treatment | Heat treatment is common in natural ruby |
| Origin | Natural or lab-grown should be clearly disclosed |
| Jewellery suitability | Excellent for rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets |
Treatment matters
Ruby treatments and disclosure
Many natural rubies are heat treated to improve colour and clarity. Some treatments, such as lead-glass filling or heavy clarity enhancement, require more caution because they can affect durability, care and value.
| Treatment or origin | General meaning |
|---|---|
| Unheated natural ruby | No evidence of heat detected under gemological assessment. |
| Heated natural ruby | Ruby has been heated to improve colour or clarity. |
| Fracture-filled ruby | Fractures have been filled to improve appearance. |
| Diffusion-treated ruby | Colour has been altered or introduced near the surface. |
| Lab-grown ruby | Laboratory-grown ruby that must be clearly disclosed. |
Custom ruby jewellery
Ruby jewellery design options
Ruby can be used in rings, engagement rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets and remodelling pieces. The best design depends on origin, colour, size, shape, treatment, budget and wear purpose.
Ruby and diamond rings
Classic ruby rings with diamond side stones, halos, trilogy designs or solitaire settings.
Ruby pendants
Elegant and practical designs for showcasing red gemstone colour.
Ruby earrings
Studs, drops, halos and matched gemstone pairs.
Lab-grown ruby designs
Larger statement pieces, dress rings, pendants and earrings with vivid red colour.
Frequently asked questions
Ruby gemstone FAQs
Does GemTrove offer lab-grown rubies?
Yes. GemTrove offers lab-grown ruby options as well as natural rubies. Lab-grown rubies can suit customers wanting ruby look, vivid red colour and larger size options at a more accessible price.
What is the difference between natural ruby and lab-grown ruby?
Natural ruby is formed in the earth, while lab-grown ruby is created in controlled laboratory conditions. Natural ruby is valued for origin and rarity; lab-grown ruby is often chosen for appearance, size and value.
Is lab-grown ruby real ruby?
Lab-grown ruby is ruby grown in a laboratory rather than mined from the earth. It should always be clearly described as lab-grown, lab-created or synthetic ruby.
Which is better: natural ruby or lab-grown ruby?
Neither option is automatically better. Natural ruby suits rarity and natural-origin priorities, while lab-grown ruby suits customers wanting ruby appearance and size flexibility for budget.
Is ruby suitable for everyday jewellery?
Yes. Ruby is one of the most practical coloured gemstones for everyday jewellery because of its hardness and durability when properly selected and set.
Are rubies treated?
Many natural rubies are heat treated to improve colour or clarity. Heat treatment is common, but it should still be disclosed.
What ruby colour is best?
The most desirable ruby colour is generally a rich, lively red with good saturation and brightness, while personal taste and final jewellery design also matter.
Can ruby be used in engagement rings?
Yes. Ruby can be a strong coloured gemstone choice for engagement rings, provided the setting is well made and the stone is properly checked.
How should I clean ruby jewellery?
Clean ruby jewellery gently with mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Be cautious with filled or heavily treated rubies and avoid harsh methods if treatment history is unknown.
Can GemTrove remodel old ruby jewellery?
Yes. Ruby remodelling may be possible after inspection. GemTrove can assess condition, setting, chips, fractures and treatment considerations before recommending redesign.
Create ruby jewellery with GemTrove Melbourne
Speak with GemTrove for private, gemologist-led guidance from the Melbourne CBD showroom.
Phone: 0488 878 000
Email: diamonds@gemtrove.com.au
Showroom: Suite 903/125 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000