Rubies can command the highest per-carat price of any coloured stone. This makes ruby one of the most important gems in the coloured stone market. Chromium is the trace element that causes ruby’s red colour.

Similar to colour diamonds, colour is the most important determining factor to its value. The darker and more visible coloured rubies are the most sought after and the most expensive. Clarity plays an important role as well. Clear stones will sell for sky-high prices, but rubies without any needle-like rutile inclusions may signify that the stone has undergone treatment.

Add the fact that the stone is natural, untouched, and displays impressive quality and we’re already talking bundles and bundles of cash. Then you’ve got the origin factor. Rubies hailing from the Mogok deposit in Burma tend to fetch the highest sums due to their vivid and saturated red colour (pigeon blood).  JennyBay Diamond specialises in sourcing non-heated Vivid Red (pigeon blood) ruby for collectors.