It is sometimes more valuable than the highest quality blue sapphires. The most expensive sapphire is the padparadscha, the pinkish-orange sapphire. Natural gemstones have imperfections in them those with fewer imperfections are more valuable.Īrtificial rubies have no imperfections and they are less expensive. Rubies which are over two carats are very rare. High-quality rubies found in larger sizes are very rare and are valued more than diamonds at times. The hardness of these can be beaten only by a diamond.Īll gemstones are valued for their color, cut, size, and clarity. They are both very hard and durable thus very popular with jewelry makers.

They are white or colorless too but only after heating grey ones.Ī ruby and a sapphire both measure a nine on the hardness scale. They are also found in grey, black and brown colors. Corundum of all colors except for red and pinkish-orange are called sapphires. These minerals give sapphires the blue, pink, yellow, purple, or greenish colors. Corundum consists of aluminum oxide in pure form and traces of iron, titanium, and chromium. Sapphires found in a blue color are called blue sapphires while other colors are called fancy color sapphires. Sometimes they are heated to enhance their color. Rubies which are darker and have purple hues are less valuable than with a bright, red color. Corundum attributes its red color mainly to chromium. Ruby is a red precious stone it is made of the mineral corundum.

“Sapphire” has originated from a Latin word, “saphirus,” meaning blue. The name “ruby” has originated from the Latin word, “rubeus,” meaning red.

What most people do not know is that they are made of the same mineral called corundum. This is the basic difference between sapphires and rubies. People who know about gemstones know that a sapphire is blue in color and a ruby is red.

Ruby v sapphire