Ruby Gemstone Origins - Best Sources of Rubies

Posted on December 24th, 2024 06:21 PM

What are the sources of ruby gemstones? Where are rubies found?

Various parts or regions of the world produce the beautiful red ruby (Manik) gemstones but not all sources are well known. Rubies are precious gemstones and their quality that includes their clarity, color and size differs according to the origin. Hence, origin plays a vital role in determining the value of a ruby. 

Whether you want to wear the gorgeous ruby stone for fashion purposes or astrological, you should wear this fiery gem of the best quality. 

Every origin of ruby have its own distinct property which makes them unique. If you are looking forward to buying a Manik Stone, then you should have the knowledge of the ruby sources and choose a gem from a popular origin. 

Know all about the most known or top sources of ruby stones here - 

Where Do Rubies Come From?

Rubies are mined from the core of the Earth, where they are formed under extreme pressure and temperature over millions of years. These gems are made of corundum mineral that is aluminium oxide (Al2O3) and gets their red color due to the presence of Chromium in the gem. The percentage of chromium in the gem decides the shade of the red color in the stone. 

Over the past decades, the major ruby sources have been Asia and Africa. Asia is the earliest source while the mines of Africa were discovered in the 20th and 21st centuries. 

Let's discuss them in brief:

(Note: - Rubies are also found in Greenland and Australia. )

Also Read - Top 25 FAQs About Ruby Gemstone

Africa Origin of Rubies 

In Africa, the major regions where ruby stones are found include Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar and Malawi. Here are the best ruby origins of Africa: 

Africa Ruby

Madagascar

Madagascar is one of the most important ruby origins which is located on the southeastern coast of Africa. The corundum minerals are all over the island and are often found in the hues of dark brown red, orangish red or purplish red. 

This origin first produced these red gems in the 17th century and then again more gems were found in large sizes in the 20th century. 

Many of the Madagascar ruby stone are of good quality, and a few ones are found in exceptional quality as well. But most are of dull or pale in color and have less clarity which is why they often undergo heat treatment for the improvement of their color and clarity. 

Price of Madagascar rubies - INR 2,000 to INR 70,000 and above.

Madagaskar Ruby

Mozambique

Mozambique is one of the most recent ruby sources, where metamorphic amphibolite-related rubies are found to have great characteristic variations. These gems are found in extreme variation in quality from low to high. 

These gems are often found in pink, purple orange or brown overtones with medium fluorescence and low fluorescence. 

The most famous ruby province in this region is the Cabo Delgado, which had became the world’s largest deposit of Manikya Ratans in 2013. 

Mozambique Ruby Stone Prices - Rs 20,000 per carat ($315 approx.) to Rs 1 lakh per carat ($1400 approx.) and above.

Read More - 5 Reasons to Go with a Ruby Engagement Ring

Mozambique Ruby

Tanzania

In Tanzania, the first time Manik stone was discovered in the 1900 by a German officer but the deposits of the stone are scattered all across the country. The most famous area of mining is known as Winza. 

The rubies found here vary from low to high grade. But this source is known to produce some intense red ruby stone. They are known for their bright color and the Winza rubies have iron content as well which makes it different from other sources of rubies. 

Indeed, large Tanzanian ruby gems are highly rare. 

Famous Fact - in 2022, a red ruby named Burj Alhamal was presented in public which is the largest rough ruby. It weighed 2.8 Kg or 8400 carats and was from Tanzania. 

Price of Tanzania Ruby - INR 1000 per carat and goes as high as 2 lakh per carat.

Tanzania Ruby

Ruby Gemstone Origins in Asia 

The major sources of Ruby in Asia are Burma (Myanmar), Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Pakistan and Vietnam. 

Burma 

Burma or Myanmar is the most important and popular source of ruby stones which is known to produce the best of rubies. Burma is known as the land of rubies because the gems found here are of exceptional quality. The rubies found here are of the most desirable color which is pigeon blood. 

As per history, Burmese ruby are one of the most expensive rubies in the world. All the exceptional ruby stones of the finest quality were discovered at this origin including the Sunrise ruby and Estrela De Fura

The most famous mining area is the Mogok and the Mong Hsu. Mogok ruby are loved the most for their deep dark hue and good clarity and is one of the oldest gemstone mines. 

Price of Burmese Ruby - $10,000  to $1 million per carat & Above, vary significantly based on the color and clarity of the gem. 

Further Reading - Exploring Difference Between Old Burma and Burma Ruby

Burma Ruby

Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

Sri Lanka is also one of the oldest known origins of ruby. These red gems are very rare, especially of good quality and large size. Ceylon Ruby stone are mostly of good color in pinkish-red tones and sometimes are found in good sizes. 

Because of their pinkish-red hues, they are loved very much and are highly in demand as same as the Burma Ruby stones. 

Ceylon ruby stone price per carat - INR 30,000 to 5,00,000 

Sri Lanka Ruby

Thailand 

The Thailand ruby are known since the 1600s but commercial mining started here in the 19th century. The gems here are mostly found surrounding the volcanoes. The Manik stones found here are often darker in color which is why they have to be heated to lighter their tone. 

Value of Thailand Ruby Gems - INR 40,000 to 90,000 per carat, depending on the clarity, weight and cut.

Thailand Ruby

Vietnam

In Vietnam, the Manikya stones are been mined since the 1980s and are mostly used for carvings. The most famous mining area is the Luc Yen. Rubies found here are known for their bright color and brilliance. They come in purplish and pinkish shades. Mostly the rubies found here are known for their star phenomenon which is called star ruby. They have the finest 6-ray star seen in them. 

Vietnamese ruby stone price - Highly depends on the quality of the gem. 

Discover More - What Is A Star Ruby Stone?

Vietnam Ruby

FAQs 

Ques. Why are Burmese Rubies Special?

Ans. Burmese or Myanmar ruby stones are some of the finest gems ever found. They mostly have the best quality and history says that too which makes them special. 

Ques. How does the ruby origin affect the quality of a ruby?

Ans. Some origins are known in history for producing the best quality Manik gems and so they are more in demand. For example, Burmese rubies, which are known for their pigeon blood color are desirable and in-demand and so they are sold at higher values. 

Ques. How to verify the source of a ruby?

Ans. You should purchase a lab-certified gemstone only, that way you can verify the authenticity and source of the gem. 

Ques. Where Can I Buy an Original Ruby Stone?

Ans. You can buy original gemstones at navratan, the online gem bazaar, where you will get lab-certified, natural gems or gemstone jewelry at the best prices.

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