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Ruby AF: Records, Royals, and Red-Hot Lies

Ruby AF: Records, Royals, and Red-Hot Lies

Gallery Gems on 2nd Jul 2025

This isn’t your average birthstone breakdown.

Every July, the internet fills up with soft-focus ruby posts and reheated Pinterest quotes about love and passion. But let’s set the record straight: ruby doesn’t just sparkle. It scorches.

Behind that blood-red glow is a history of war, obsession, deceit, and wealth so extreme it makes diamond look like a side hustle. While most of the world is stuck selling mystery rubies with mystery pricing, Gallery Gems is here to break the illusion. Welcome to the Real AF guide to ruby—raw, royal, and red-hot.

The Million-Dollar Ruby That Shook the Market

In 2015, a 25.59-carat Burmese ruby known as the Sunrise Ruby sold at auction for a staggering $30.3 million. That’s over $1.18 million per carat—more than most diamonds or blue-chip art.

Why? Because that ruby was natural, unheated, and the deepest pigeon-blood red ever recorded—born in the legendary mines of Mogok, Myanmar. Not all rubies reach this level, but when they do, they don’t just compete with diamonds—they dominate them.

Royal Obsession: Crown Jewels, Fakes, and Bloodlines

Rubies weren’t just prized—they were hoarded. In ancient India, they were known as the “king of precious stones.” In Burma, warriors believed rubies made them invincible—some even implanted them beneath their skin.

One of the most famous rubies in the world, the Black Prince’s Ruby, sits in the British Imperial State Crown. Except—it’s not a ruby. It’s a red spinel. A royal-level case of gemstone identity theft.

Still, queens, emperors, and maharajas obsessed. A ruby was seen as more powerful than gold—a symbol of status, blood, and conquest.

Ancient Myths and Supernatural Fire

Throughout history, ruby has been more than a gem. It’s been:

  • A poison detector

  • A talisman of protection

  • A promise of reincarnation

In Hindu lore, offering a ruby to Krishna guaranteed rebirth as a powerful emperor. Medieval Europeans believed ruby could boil water or glow in the dark.

And in a way, they weren’t wrong—top rubies from Mogok often fluoresce like they’re lit from within.

Ruby Localities: Rare Isn’t Just About Color

Mogok, Myanmar (Burma)

The legendary source of pigeon blood ruby. Strong fluorescence, rich tone, and unmatched rarity. The true elite.

Mozambique

Now the largest producer. Known for clean material with bold reds—some rival Burmese quality, especially if only heat-treated.

Winza, Tanzania

Bright red, exceptional transparency. Winza rubies made waves when first discovered in 2007.

Greenland

Yes—Greenland. Ruby from ancient rock formations with cool-toned character and a focus on sustainable sourcing.

The Fissure-Filled Truth (And the Macy’s Scandal)

Here’s what most won’t say: over 90% of rubies are treated in some way.

The most controversial method? Fissure-filling—injecting leaded glass into fractured ruby to boost clarity and color. It makes lower-grade material appear gem-grade. Some sellers pass them off as natural. That’s where it becomes a problem.

At Gallery Gems, we do offer fissure-filled rubies, but:

  • We tell you exactly what they are,

  • We explain how they’re made,

  • And we price them fairly AF.

Unlike Macy’s, who was sued for selling them as natural, we don’t fake it. There’s a place for filled ruby—especially for budget-conscious buyers—but honesty is non-negotiable.

Crystal Science: What Makes Ruby Red?

Ruby is just red corundum. If it’s any other color, it’s sapphire.

The red comes from chromium. Too little, and it’s pink. Too much, and the stone may be dark or overly fluorescent. But just the right amount? That’s what creates those rich reds with fiery inner glow.

Fine rutile silk in the stone helps scatter light and create that soft, velvety texture you see in the best rubies.

Gallery Gems: Ruby, But Real AF

We don’t sell mystery stones.
We don’t hide treatments.
We certify every piece.

  • Want an unheated, pigeon-blood ruby? We’ve got you.

  • Looking for an affordable filled ruby with full disclosure? We’ve got that too.

  • Confused about the difference between heat-only, filled, and diffusion? We’ll walk you through it.

Transparency is our policy—and passion.

Own the Ruby. Own the Power.

Ruby isn’t just a birthstone—it’s a challenge. A statement. A story.

At Gallery Gems, we offer:

  • Certified natural ruby jewelry

  • Affordable, fully disclosed filled ruby styles

  • Expert gemologist analysis with every fine piece

Born in fire. Sold with facts. Owned by legends.

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