Ruby (Manik)

Ruby Quality & Price

Ruby is one of the rarest and most valuable gemstones in the world. Understanding the key quality factors will help you identify a genuine, high-quality Manik stone and make a confident purchase decision.

Ruby Quality — The Key Quality Factors

Colour — The Most Critical Factor

Colour is the single most important quality determinant for Ruby. The most prized and astrologically powerful colour is Pigeon Blood Red — a vivid, pure red with a slight blue or purple fluorescence, most famously found in Burma (Mogok) Rubies. The ideal Ruby colour should be a medium to medium-dark, vivid, pure red without any brownish, orangish, or purplish overtones. Stones with a dull, dark, or washed-out colour are significantly less valued. Mozambique Rubies typically display a vivid, slightly darker red with strong fluorescence — also highly prized for astrological use.

Clarity — Natural Inclusions

Natural Rubies almost always contain inclusions — internal characteristics formed during the gemstone's growth in the earth. Common inclusions in Ruby include silk (rutile needles), fingerprints, and colour zoning. Eye-clean Rubies — those with no visible inclusions to the naked eye — are extremely rare and command very high prices. For astrological use, a Ruby with minor inclusions that do not significantly affect its transparency or colour is perfectly suitable. Natural silk inclusions are considered a positive indicator of natural origin in Vedic gemology.

Cut — Brilliance & Proportion

A well-cut Ruby maximises its colour richness and brilliance. Common cuts include oval (most popular for astrological use), cushion, round, and emerald cut. For astrological rings and pendants, an oval or cushion cut in an open-back setting is preferred, allowing maximum stone-to-skin contact for effective energy channelling from the Sun.

Carat Weight — Size & Ratti

Ruby weight is measured in both Carats (international unit) and Ratti (traditional Indian unit). 1 Ratti = approximately 0.9 carats. The minimum recommended weight for astrological use is 3 Ratti (approx. 2.7 carats). Fine quality Ruby above 3 carats is very rare — quality of colour and clarity always takes precedence over size.

Transparency & Lustre

A high-quality Ruby should be fully transparent with a strong, vivid lustre — light should pass through clearly, illuminating its rich red colour from within. Burma Pigeon Blood Rubies are uniquely known for their extraordinary red fluorescence under UV light — a quality that sets them apart from all other origins. Translucent or opaque Rubies are of significantly lower quality and astrological value.

Origin — Geographic Source

Burma (Mogok) Ruby commands the highest premium globally — followed by Mozambique. The laboratory certificate will always disclose the geographic origin. At Shubh Gems, origin is always clearly stated on both the certificate and our product listings. We strongly recommend verifying the certificate on the laboratory's official website before purchasing.

Treatment Status — The Most Important Consideration for Ruby

Ruby is one of the most heavily treated gemstones in the world. The vast majority of Rubies available in the market — particularly from Thailand — are heated, glass-filled, or otherwise treated to artificially enhance their colour and clarity. It is absolutely critical to understand these treatments before making a purchase:

Ruby Price in India — Per Carat & Per Ratti (INR)

The price of Ruby (Manik) in India varies significantly based on origin, colour, clarity, and treatment status. Here is a comprehensive price guide for natural, unheated Ruby:

Ruby Treatments — What Every Buyer Must Know

At Shubh Gems, we do not deal in heated or treated Ruby of any kind. We firmly believe that only a natural, unheated, untreated Ruby carries the genuine planetary energy of the Sun required for astrological effectiveness. Here is what every buyer must know about common Ruby treatments:

• Most Common — Avoid for Astrological Use: Heat Treatment (Thermal Enhancement)
  Heat treatment is by far the most common treatment applied to Ruby. Stones are heated to extremely high temperatures to dissolve silk inclusions, improve colour, and enhance clarity. While heat treatment does not make a stone synthetic, it permanently and irreversibly alters the gemstone's natural state and eliminates its astrological potency. The overwhelming majority of Rubies in the market — especially from Thailand — are heat-treated. A laboratory certificate from a reputed lab is the only reliable method to confirm whether a Ruby is heated or unheated.
• Very Common — Strongly Avoid: Lead Glass Filling
  Lead glass filling is an extremely common and highly deceptive treatment — particularly prevalent in Thai Ruby. In this process, low-quality, heavily fractured Rubies are filled with lead glass to dramatically improve their apparent clarity and transparency. Glass-filled Rubies have little to no commercial or astrological value. They are fragile, can be permanently damaged by heat or cleaning agents, and are completely ineffective for astrological use. Unfortunately, glass-filled Rubies are widely sold in the market — often to unsuspecting buyers — at prices that appear attractive. Always insist on an independent laboratory certificate before purchasing Ruby.
• Advanced Treatment — Avoid: Beryllium Diffusion Treatment
  Beryllium diffusion involves heating Ruby with beryllium oxide to artificially alter or enhance its colour. This advanced treatment creates a superficial colour layer and requires specialised laboratory testing to detect. Beryllium-diffused Rubies are considered heavily treated and have significantly reduced astrological and commercial value.
• Easy to Identify — Avoid: Surface Coating
  Some lower-quality stones are coated with a thin colour film to simulate Ruby's red colour. Surface coatings wear off with regular use and can be identified through a basic gemological examination. Always purchase from a reputed, certified dealer to avoid surface-coated stones.