Emerald vs Sapphire vs Ruby: How to Choose Your Gemstone

Colored gemstones have held people for thousands of years, and for good reason. An emerald's deep green, a sapphire's still blue, a ruby's red: each carries its own character, history and energy. If you are choosing a colored stone for a custom piece, an engagement ring or a meaningful gift, here is how to think it through.

Emeralds: growth and elegance

Emeralds belong to the beryl family and take their green from chromium and vanadium. The finest come from Colombia, Zambia and Brazil, and the color runs from a light, grassy green to a deep, velvety forest green that seems to hold light inside it.

What makes an emerald an emerald is its jardin, the French word for garden, which describes the natural inclusions inside the stone. In a diamond, inclusions count as flaws. In an emerald they are part of the character. A flawless emerald does not exist in nature, and heavily included stones are routinely treated with oils or resins to improve clarity, which is standard practice in the trade.

Hardness: 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. Durable enough for jewelry, but treat it with care: no ultrasonic cleaners, no hard knocks.
Best for: statement rings, pendants, people drawn to nature, growth and quiet luxury.
At Albisia: we choose emeralds for depth of color and character. Read more in our guide to Colombian emeralds.

Sapphires: wisdom and loyalty

Sapphires are corundum, the same mineral family as rubies, and they come in nearly every color, though blue is what most people picture. The most prized are the cornflower blues of Kashmir and the velvety royal blues of Sri Lanka and Burma. Teal, grey and parti-color sapphires feel entirely modern.

Sapphire is one of the most durable gemstones there is, second only to diamond, which makes it an excellent choice for jewelry worn constantly: engagement rings, bracelets, anything that lives on the body. Its color is stable, it needs no special cleaning, and its hardness stands up to real life.

Hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale. Extremely durable, ideal for daily wear.
Best for: engagement rings, anniversary pieces, anyone who wants longevity and deep color.
At Albisia: we work mostly with Ceylon sapphires in classic blue, set in 18k gold, a combination that never ages. See the Sapphire collection.

Rubies: passion and vitality

Rubies are corundum too; chromium is what makes them red rather than blue. The finest, called pigeon's blood, come from Burma and show a pure, vivid red with a slight blue fluorescence that makes them glow. Mozambique and Thai rubies are beautiful alternatives at different prices.

Rubies carry real cultural weight, prized for centuries across South and Southeast Asia as symbols of protection, love and royalty. A fine ruby in 18k gold is one of the most powerful things a person can wear. It commands a room without a word.

Hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale. As durable as sapphire, excellent for every kind of jewelry.
Best for: statement pieces, gifts of love or celebration, anyone drawn to warmth and bold color.
At Albisia: our ruby pieces range from small accents to a single stone at the center of a ring, chosen for warmth and depth of red. See Precious Gemstones.

How to choose

The truth is that the right stone is the one that speaks to you, but a few questions help.

• What draws you in? If you keep returning to lush green, emerald. If deep, still blue feels right, sapphire. If you want fire, ruby.
• How will it be worn? For everyday rings and pieces that take knocks, sapphire and ruby win on durability. Emeralds are happiest in settings that protect them, such as bezels and halos.
• What is the occasion? Emeralds for something organic and personal. Sapphires for lasting commitment. Rubies for passion and celebration.
• What is the budget? Fine quality varies widely in price across all three. We can work within your budget to find the right stone for the piece.

If you are considering a custom piece with a colored stone, come in and see the stones in person. With these gems color is everything, and photographs do not do them justice. We would love to show you what we are working with.