Resources of naturally formed sapphires were diminishing when a process called lattice diffusion was discovered which made it easy to create blue sapphires from worthless corundum. Rubies do not make up such a large proportion of the industry, but on an individual basis, rubies are far more valuable than sapphires. Rubies and sapphires are both very popular gems, but sapphires are worth around $460 million dollars in imports a year in the USA gem industry, outstripping all other gems but emeralds. How valuable are rubies and sapphires?įew pieces of natural corundum have the color or clarity required to create a nice faceted stone, and many are treated by heating or fracture-filling to improve their quality. Sapphires range from a pale watery blue color to a rich violet-blue hue, with these darker more intensely colored stones being the most desirable.Īlthough corundum by any color other than blue or red is known as a ‘–sapphire’ the color it is is used as a prefix to the word sapphire – used alone, sapphire refers only to blue corundum. Rubies range from a pale orange-pink color to a dark purplish-red – the most desirable colors are those from vibrant to dark red, and these are more expensive. The blue color of sapphires is caused by iron and titanium.Ī colorless corundum is known as a white sapphire, and of any other color (such as yellow, orange, or green) are known as ‘fancy sapphires.’ The red color of rubies is caused by the presence of chromium. Impurities in the mineral cause it to take on different colors. Red corundums are rubies, and blue corundums are sapphires they have the same chemical composition. What are rubies and sapphires?īoth rubies and sapphires are variations of the same mineral, corundum. Learn more about the composition of rubies and sapphires, and how much these rare gems are worth. However, both gems are widely synthesized and quality synthetics of both can be bought for under $500.
Though rubies and sapphires are variations of the same mineral, natural rubies are far rarer than natural sapphires and considerably more expensive. Rubies and sapphires are rival emeralds in their popularity and stunning colors, and are widely synthesized – but which is more expensive?
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