Discover Red Jewellery this International Lover’s Day

Coloured gemstones are a sight to behold, and we're thrilled they’ve seen such a huge resurgence in recent years. Our faves are deep blues, regal greens, and vibrant reds, with rubies and garnets giving off vibes of romance, fire and power that are sure to spice up your daily look.

17 APRIL 2023 - H.SAMUEL EDITOR

Discover Red Jewellery this International Lovers Day

Rubies are perhaps the most famous of all red gemstones. They have long been associated with Indian culture where rubies were most commonly discovered for over 2 thousand years. More recently, the finest rubies are considered to be those mined in Burma but there are abundant ruby deposits all over the world, including places such as Afghanistan, Australia, and Cambodia.

With red being the colour of love and passion, International Lovers Day is the perfect time to invest in a pair of red earrings or a ruby eternity ring for the one you love. But when is International Lovers Day? International Lovers Day falls on the same day as St George’s Day – the 23rd of April.

Of course, rubies aren’t the only beautiful red gemstones we love. Garnet jewellery is very popular for its similarity to the revered ruby, but it can be hard to differentiate between rubies and garnets.

What’s the Difference Between Rubies and Garnets?

Rubies and garnets might look the same, but when you know what to look for, you’ll soon be able to spot the difference. So, how can you tell the difference between a ruby and a garnet?

• Price: Rubies are costlier than garnets because they’re rarer and harder to come across – especially large rubies
• Colour: Garnets are typically a darker red and on close inspection may have earthy tones or hints of orange or yellow. Rubies, however, are typically a vibrant red and lighter in colour. They may also have undertones of purple or even blueish hues. 
• Clarity: Rubies, like diamonds, have inclusions or imperfections within the stone that can be seen when you hold the gem up to the light. Garnets are clear and don’t feature imperfections.
• Light Refraction: When you hold a garnet up to the light, you’ll get a full spectrum rainbow featuring green and yellow rays of light. Rubies, however, absorb the colours green and yellow so you won’t see these colours in the stone’s rainbow when you inspect it against a bright light.
• Durability: At best, garnets measure 7.5 out of 10 on the Mohs scale whereas rubies measure 9, making them highly durable and resistant to damage or scratches. So if you’re shopping for a garnet ring but you’re planning on wearing it daily, you might notice scratches over time that you wouldn’t with a ruby ring. A garnet necklace or garnet earrings might be a safer choice as they’re less likely to be knocked or scratched, alternatively, treat yourself to a ruby ring – you know you want to.

What are the Rarest Red Gemstones?

Red beryl is the rarest of all red gemstones. Beryl is the name for the mineral whilst the colour of the mineral decides the stone’s name. For example, green beryl is more commonly known as emerald, blue beryl, aquamarine. Red beryl is only discoverable in Utah’s Wah Wah mountains and they’re rarely faceted. You’d be very lucky to find one and even luckier if you could afford to buy it.

There are other alternatives to rubies and garnets, such as spinel, rubellite (the red variety of tourmaline), carnelian, jasper, red topaz and many more. But we adore rubies for their durability and relative affordability.

Whether you’re after a ruby ring or a ruby necklace, they’re a gemstone you can dress up or down. Match them to your outfit or your shade of lipstick to really make the rich, gorgeous colour pop.

Ruby jewellery is perfect for everyday wear but when set in precious metals such as platinum or classic yellow gold, they look exquisite and very regal. Diamond and ruby jewellery is guaranteed to enhance any jewellery box, the beautiful colourless sparkle of the diamonds perfectly highlighting the vibrancy of the ruby. Stunning.  

What Does a Red Stone Symbolise?

Vibrant. Romantic. Eye-catching. Red gemstones symbolise fire, passion, warmth and vitality.

The colour red means different things for different cultures. Within Chinese culture, red is the colour of prosperity and joy and is the most commonly chosen colour for wedding dresses. With intricate beading and detailing red wedding dresses are absolutely gorgeous, though we can’t see the western tradition of white and ivory changing any time soon. In fact, rubies have been a gemstone of choice in Asian culture for centuries. Some ancient Chinese and Burmese warriors inserted rubies under their skin thinking it would make them invincible; the stones had perceived protective properties. It’s probably too late to tell them that inserting anything under the flesh is more likely to make you ill than protect your health.

In crystal healing, rubies are believed to remedy bleeding and inflammation. So, if you’re into crystal healing and you’ve got little ones constantly grazing their knees – rubies are the stone for you.

For us though, it’s all about how gorgeous jewellery featuring red stones adds a pop of colour to your outfit. Whether you jazz up your workwear with a red necklace, complement perfectly manicured fingers with a stand-out red ring, or add dramatic ruby earrings to a simple LBD outfit for a night on the town, red gemstones stand out and make a statement. Set in traditional yellow gold or emphasised by a backdrop of silver, rubies, garnets and other red gemstones will give you the wow factor wherever you wear them.