Got a photo? Identify rocks instantly with the Rockby app
Open the appDescription
A Ruby and Diamond Ring is a piece of jewelry featuring one or more rubies and diamonds set into a metal band, typically gold or platinum. The ruby, a red variety of the mineral corundum, is prized for its vibrant color, while the diamond, a crystalline form of carbon, is valued for its exceptional hardness, brilliance, and fire. The combination of these two highly esteemed gemstones creates a visually striking and valuable item.
How to Identify
- Color
- Ruby: Red to purplish-red. Diamond: Colorless to various shades of yellow, brown, or rarely other colors (fancy colors).
- Luster
- Ruby: Vitreous to adamantine. Diamond: Adamantine (the highest natural luster).
- Texture
- Smooth, polished facets on cut gemstones. The metal setting will have its own characteristic texture.
- Crystal Form
- Ruby: Typically cut into faceted shapes from hexagonal prismatic crystals. Diamond: Typically cut into brilliant, step, or mixed cuts from isometric (cubic) crystals.
- Cleavage
- Ruby: No true cleavage, but exhibits parting along rhombohedral planes. Diamond: Perfect octahedral cleavage in four directions.
- Geological Environment
- Rubies are found in metamorphic rocks (e.g., marble, gneiss, schist) and some igneous rocks (e.g., basalt). Diamonds are found in kimberlite and lamproite pipes, which are volcanic conduits that bring them from the mantle to the surface, and in alluvial deposits derived from these primary sources.
Key Facts
- Hardness: Ruby (Corundum): 9 on Mohs scale. Diamond: 10 on Mohs scale (the hardest known natural material).
- Specific Gravity: Ruby (Corundum): 3.97-4.05. Diamond: 3.50-3.53.
- Crystal System: Ruby (Corundum): Trigonal. Diamond: Isometric (Cubic).
- Color: Ruby: Red, purplish-red. Diamond: Colorless, yellow, brown, rarely other 'fancy' colors.
- Luster: Ruby: Vitreous to adamantine. Diamond: Adamantine.
- Transparency: Transparent to translucent (for both, gem quality is transparent).
- Fracture: Ruby: Uneven to conchoidal. Diamond: Conchoidal.
- Cleavage: Ruby: No true cleavage, but parting. Diamond: Perfect octahedral cleavage.
- Composition: Ruby (Corundum): Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) with chromium (Cr) as the chromophore. Diamond: Pure carbon (C).
Quick Check
- Color: Ruby: Red. Diamond: Colorless to yellow/brown.
- Luster: Ruby: Vitreous to adamantine. Diamond: Adamantine.
- Streak: Ruby: White. Diamond: White.
Physical Characteristics
- Crystal Habit: Ruby: Typically prismatic, tabular, or rhombohedral. Diamond: Octahedral, dodecahedral, or cubic.
- Cleavage Type: Ruby: Parting on {0001} and {1011}. Diamond: Perfect on {111}.
- Fracture Type: Ruby: Uneven to conchoidal. Diamond: Conchoidal.
- Tenacity: Ruby: Brittle. Diamond: Brittle.
- Luster Type: Ruby: Vitreous to adamantine. Diamond: Adamantine.
Formation
Rubies (Corundum) form in metamorphic or igneous rocks under specific conditions of high temperature and pressure, often in aluminum-rich, silica-poor environments. Diamonds form deep within the Earth's mantle (150-200 km depth) under extreme pressure (4.5-6 GPa) and high temperature (900-1300 °C) and are brought to the surface through kimberlite or lamproite volcanic eruptions. The 'ring' itself is an anthropogenic artifact, a manufactured item combining these natural minerals with a metal setting.
Usage
Primarily used as ornamental jewelry, symbolizing love, commitment, and luxury. Also serves as an investment and a status symbol.
Age Distribution
The age of the individual minerals (ruby and diamond) can range from hundreds of millions to billions of years, while the ring setting is typically modern.
Where to Find
Myanmar (Burma)
Renowned for producing some of the finest 'pigeon's blood' rubies, particularly from the Mogok Stone Tract.
Mozambique
A significant source of high-quality rubies in recent decades, particularly from the Montepuez deposit.
Thailand
Historically a major source of rubies, especially from the Chanthaburi and Trat provinces.
Sri Lanka
Known for a variety of gemstones, including rubies, often found in alluvial deposits.
Australia
Major producer of diamonds, particularly from the Argyle mine (now closed, but historically significant for pink diamonds).
Botswana
One of the world's leading diamond producers by value and volume, with major mines like Orapa and Jwaneng.
Russia
A significant diamond producer, with mines in Siberia (e.g., Mir, Udachny).
Canada
A relatively new but important diamond producer, with mines like Diavik and Ekati in the Northwest Territories.
Finding Tips
Consult a Certified Gemologist
For accurate identification and valuation of rubies and diamonds, especially in a ring setting, consult a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or equivalent certified gemologist.
Examine Color and Clarity
For rubies, look for a vivid, saturated red color with good transparency. For diamonds, assess the '4 Cs': Carat weight, Cut, Color (lack of yellow/brown), and Clarity (absence of inclusions).
Check for Treatments
Many rubies are heat-treated to enhance color and clarity. Diamonds can also be treated (e.g., HPHT, fracture filling). Disclosure of treatments is crucial for value assessment.
Verify Certification
High-value rubies and diamonds should come with independent laboratory certifications (e.g., GIA, AGS, GRS) detailing their characteristics and any treatments.
Similar Rocks
Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Corundum (Sapphire) and Diamond
Also known as: Gemstone Ring
Emerald and Diamond Ring
Beryl (Emerald) and Diamond
Also known as: Gemstone Ring
Garnet and Diamond Ring
Garnet Group and Diamond
Also known as: Gemstone Ring
Scientific Classification
- Mineral Class
- Ruby (Corundum): Oxide mineral. Diamond: Native element mineral.
- Group
- Ruby (Corundum): Corundum group. Diamond: Carbon group.
- Crystal System
- Ruby (Corundum): Trigonal. Diamond: Isometric.
- Chemical Formula
- Ruby (Corundum): Al2O3. Diamond: C.
- Composition
- Ruby (Corundum): Aluminum oxide with trace chromium. Diamond: Pure carbon.
Explore Ruby and Diamond Ring
Identify rocks anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo identification, full database, and your personal collection.