Ruby (Manik)

Ruby Prices

Ruby stone price varies steeply even within the same variety because of several quality factors. Origin, color, clarity and uniqueness, collectively influence the price of ruby. Ruby stone prices in India can range anywhere between ₹ 450 to 2 Lakhs ($12 to $1,600) per carat, even above.

• Origin– Burmese ruby is the most expensive ruby origin because of its exceptional color quality. However, African rubies too command high ruby rate in the market nowadays. On per carat basis, Old Burma ruby can cost between ₹ 90,000 - 1,20,000 ($1,400 to $1,600), Mozambique ruby can draw up to ₹ 90, 000 ($1,200 to $1,400). While Thailand ruby is economical, costing up to just ₹ 5,000 ($70), Indian ruby is even cheaper.

• Color– Color of ruby single handedly influences the cost of ruby. Dark red or pigeon blood color is the most desirable ruby color and draws exorbitant pricing. Ruby price per carat decreases as we move across from deep red rubies to vibrant red ruby, pink ruby and purple ruby.

• Treatment– Being precious, rubies are quite vulnerable to profiteering. Low quality rubies are often colored or heat treated for extensive margins. An original ruby gemstone is usually expensive (depending on the origin) than synthetic ruby or glass filled rubies. A genuine, untreated ruby bought at cheaper prices should always be seen with suspicion.

• Clarity– Clarity is broadly judged by the brightness and volume of inclusions found in the ruby gemstone. A real ruby gemstone will almost always have visible or invisible inclusions. Rubies with inclusions not visible to the naked eye are extremely rare and thus highly expensive. Ruby stone price per carat will be significantly high for such natural, inclusion free ruby.

• Carat Weight– A flawless, natural ruby gemstone above a few carats, is rare to find, even rarer than diamonds. Therefore, ruby price per carat increases exponentially when moving from one carat ruby to three or four carat ruby.

• Cut– The way a ruby is cut can contribute around 10-20% to the cost of Ruby. Faceted cut ruby is brilliantly enhanced but incurs significant stone wastage as well. For the same quality, a faceted ruby costs higher than ruby cabochon.