The Red Gemstone Guide

Red gemstones are particularly valued for their color and luster. These stones can vary in color from a light cherry color to a deep, rich hue of burgundy or even scarlet. Throughout the world, the color red is associated with passion, love, and energy. In addition to these properties, it is believed that those who wear red gemstones will also be imbued with strength. Red gemstones may be precious, semiprecious, or synthetic. Synthetic jewels are ones that are created in a lab, and they offer a more affordable alternative to precious stones. Some of the most well known types of red gemstones include:

Ruby – This is perhaps the most well known example of a red gemstone. Its color can range from that of a pale pink to a blue red. Generally, the deeper the color is, the more valuable the ruby is considered to be. Two of the most popular examples of true rubies are the Burmese Ruby and the Pigeon’s Blood Ruby.

Garnet – There are many minerals that are considered to belong to the garnet family. The most well known classification of the garnet is pyrope, which has a deep, red hue. Garnets are popularly used as secondary stones in diamond jewelry; however, they can create striking pieces when used as standalones as well.

Tourmaline – As it is well known, tourmalines are actually available in a wide variety of colors and shades. However, the red tourmaline is highly prized in the gemstone world. Their colors can range from a pale pink to a red-violet color. The intensity of the color of the stone can change according to the angle of the light that hits it, which contributes to the stone’s popularity.

Spinel – The spinel is commonly mistaken for the ruby, due to their numerous similarities. For many years, the Black Prince’s Ruby was thought to be a genuine ruby, but it is actually a 170 carat spinel. Due to the rarity of spinel, synthetic spinel is often used in gemstone jewelry, such as birthstone rings. Additionally, spinels are prized because they tend to maintain their color over long periods of time.

Red Jasper – Although not as well known as its other counterparts, red jasper has been used for decoration vases, seals, and snuff boxes, as well as jewelry for centuries. The name jasper means spotted stone, and it is the imperfections of the stone that lend, in part, to its popularity.