What Is a Ruby? A Guide to Natural Ruby Jewellery
par {{ author }} LeeDyleen au Sep 28, 2026
Ruby is one of the most recognised coloured gemstones in the world. Known for its rich red colour, natural ruby has been valued in jewellery for centuries and remains a popular choice for rings, earrings, pendants and other fine jewellery.
But what exactly makes a ruby a ruby? And what should you look for when choosing natural ruby jewellery?
What Is a Ruby?
Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum. The red colour is mainly caused by the presence of chromium.
Corundum in other colours is generally classified as sapphire, which means ruby and sapphire belong to the same mineral family.
Natural rubies can vary considerably in colour, clarity and appearance. Their natural characteristics are part of what makes each stone different.
Ruby Colour
Colour is one of the most important factors when choosing a ruby.
Natural rubies can range from lighter red and pinkish-red tones to deeper, more saturated reds. The appearance of a ruby can also change depending on the lighting, surrounding metal and cutting style.
When choosing ruby jewellery, consider the colour you personally prefer rather than looking only for a particular description.
A ruby with a beautiful colour can make a strong impression even when it is not perfectly clear.
Natural Ruby and Inclusions
Like many natural gemstones, rubies can contain inclusions.
These may appear as tiny internal features, lines or other natural characteristics. In many cases, inclusions are part of the evidence that a gemstone formed naturally.
This means that natural ruby jewellery does not necessarily have to look completely flawless.
Instead, colour, overall appearance, cut and the individual character of the stone should all be considered together.
What Should You Look for When Buying Ruby Jewellery?
When choosing a ruby ring, pendant or pair of earrings, consider several factors:
1. Colour
Look for a red tone that appeals to you and works well with your jewellery style.
2. Clarity
Natural rubies may contain inclusions. Consider how visible they are and whether they affect the overall appearance of the stone.
3. Cut and Shape
The cut influences how the ruby reflects light and how it looks in the finished jewellery.
Round, oval, pear and other shapes can create very different styles.
4. Size
A larger ruby is not automatically a better ruby. The overall combination of colour, clarity, cut and size is more important.
5. Treatments
Some rubies available on the market may have undergone treatments to improve their appearance.
If this is important to you, ask the seller whether the gemstone is natural and whether any known treatment has been applied.
Ruby Jewellery for Everyday Wear
Ruby can be used in many different jewellery styles.
A small ruby can create a subtle everyday ring or pair of earrings, while a larger stone can become the centre of a statement piece.
The setting also changes the character of the jewellery. Silver can create a clean and contemporary appearance, while gold can give the same gemstone a warmer and more classic look.
Natural Ruby for Custom Jewellery
Ruby can also be a beautiful choice for custom jewellery.
At DYLEEN FASHION, custom jewellery can be created around a gemstone you already have, a gemstone you would like us to help source, or a reference design you want to adapt.
Depending on the project, you can choose between a semi-custom approach using a standard setting or a fully custom design created around your preferred gemstone and reference.
Choosing Ruby Jewellery from DYLEEN FASHION
Natural gemstones naturally vary from one stone to another. For this reason, we focus on showing the actual characteristics of the gemstone and helping customers understand what they are purchasing.
Whether you are looking for a ready-to-ship ruby piece or considering a custom design, the most important step is finding a gemstone and jewellery style that suits you.
