23 Red Gemstones

Are you fascinated by the allure of red gemstones but unsure which ones make the best choices for rings and other jewelry pieces? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about red gemstones, from popular ruby gems to rare red diamonds and everything in between.

In this article, you'll discover:

• How to evaluate the quality and durability of different red gemstones.
• Which red gemstones are ideal for everyday wear in rings.
• Red gemstone options that work better for occasional jewelry wear.
• Collector-worthy red gemstones that are best kept in display cases.
• The unique properties and characteristics of 23 different red gemstone varieties.

Can you guess what's the stunning red stone in this necklace? It's not a well-known gem, but the 28.14-ct rubellite tourmaline has remarkably strong color. © Zoltan David. Used with permission.

How to Evaluate Red Gemstone Quality: Key Factors to Consider

Before choosing the perfect red gemstone for your jewelry, understanding how to evaluate quality is essential for making an informed purchase.

Understanding Red Gemstone Color Properties

Gemologists assess color by considering three primary factors: hue, tone, and saturation. When examining red gemstones:

• Most red gemstones feature a secondary hue alongside their primary red color.
• Purple and orange are the most common secondary hues in red gemstones.
• Pure red or red with minimal purple undertones is typically considered the highest quality.
• As the hue moves further from this ideal, the value generally decreases.
• Despite this, purple-reds and orange-reds can still be extraordinarily beautiful.
• Very few gemstones actually approach the ideal pure red color.
• Red hues reach their gamut limit (maximum saturation) at approximately 75-80% tone.
• This means the most intense red color appears at medium-dark levels.
• These highly saturated reds display a bright, traffic-light quality.
• Darker reds often shift toward brown tones.
• Light reds below 50% tone are classified as pink.

While gemologists debate the distinction between red and pink, this discussion focuses on deeper-toned red gemstones.

Assessing Red Gemstone Clarity Factors

Clarity grades carry less significance in red gemstones than in colorless gems like diamond. This is because the darker color naturally helps conceal minor imperfections. Nevertheless, here are some important clarity considerations for red gemstones:

• Still, it's important to avoid stones with large inclusions or fractures.
• These imperfections can compromise the stone's structural integrity.
• Eye-visible inclusions near the center of the gemstone are typically more noticeable than those positioned toward the edges.

Purchasing High-Value Red Gemstones

Determining whether a colored gemstone justifies its price tag can be challenging. For significant purchases:

• We recommend working with a trusted custom jeweler like CustomMade.
• Educate yourself with our comprehensive gemstone buying guides before making a purchase decision.
• Consider factors beyond just color and clarity when evaluating price-to-value ratio.

7 Red Gemstones Perfect for Everyday Ring Wear

Looking for a red gemstone that can withstand daily wear in a ring setting? These durable options deliver both beauty and longevity.

Each of these exceptional red gemstones rates at least 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them highly resistant to scratches. They're also tough enough to withstand accidental drops or impacts against hard surfaces, making them ideal candidates for engagement rings and other frequently worn jewelry pieces. With regular cleaning, these durable red gemstones will maintain their beauty indefinitely.

Ruby: The Classic Red Gemstone Choice

Among all red gemstones, none commands the same respect and recognition as the ruby, the July birthstone and quintessential red gem. These spectacular stones offer:

• Vivid, bright color saturation enhanced by natural fluorescence.
• The ability to glow in natural sunlight due to their reaction to UV light, a property shared with some other highly fluorescent gems.
• Exceptional durability and beauty that make them prized possessions.

Ruby is a gem-quality variety of corundum containing chromium. This rare chromium element imparts both the distinctive red color and fluorescent properties that make rubies so special.

Rubies rank among the world's rarest gemstones, with most specimens undergoing heat treatment to enhance their color — and consequently increase their market value. If natural rubies exceed your budget, consider lab-created alternatives that offer identical durability and visual appeal at a fraction of the cost.

Red Spinel: The Underappreciated Ruby Alternative

If you're unfamiliar with spinel, you're not alone. Many gem professionals consider it one of the jewelry industry's best-kept secrets! A fine spinel adorns the British crown, mistakenly called the "Black Prince's Ruby". Natural red spinel provides an affordable alternative to ruby with several notable advantages:

• Exceptional wearability makes it perfect for engagement rings.
• Offers similar visual appeal to ruby without the premium price tag.
• Its outstanding durability is suitable for everyday wear.

Rubellite: Vibrant Red Tourmaline Variety

Tourmaline, a modern October birthstone, appears in every color imaginable. The red variety, known as rubellite, derives its color from trace manganese in its crystal structure. Although these gems can have fantastic color, rubellites often contain inclusions. Some notable selling points for rubellite:

• They provide an affordable alternative to rubies.
• Their raspberry red hues make them particularly attractive for distinctive engagement rings.
• They offer excellent durability for daily wear.

Red Diamond: The Ultimate Rare Red Gemstone

For collectors interested in extraordinary rarity, red diamond represents the pinnacle of exclusivity. Consider these remarkable facts:

• Only a handful of natural red diamonds have ever been discovered.
• Most specimens weigh less than one carat.
• The world's largest red diamond, the Moussaieff Red Diamond, weighs 5.11 carats.
• Their extreme scarcity commands astronomical prices.

If you're not prepared to invest six figures for a half-carat red diamond, consider diamonds treated with high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) technology. These treated stones offer comparable pricing to white diamonds while delivering the coveted red coloration.

Carnelian: Ancient Red Gemstone with Rich History

Perhaps the most renowned variety of chalcedony, carnelian is a tough, translucent gemstone that derives its red coloration from iron content. This alternative birthstone for Virgo boasts:

• A long history of use in jewelry across numerous civilizations
• A rich body of folklore connecting it to protection and vitality
• The unusual property of color enhancement through sunlight exposure

Garnet: Affordable Red Gemstone in Many Varieties

Another classic gemstone with numerous symbolic associations, garnets are plentiful and budget-friendly even in substantial sizes. The traditional January birthstone is best known for brownish red hues, but garnet actually occurs in virtually every color depending on its specific chemical composition. The garnet varieties that show red colors include:

• Almandine garnets display the familiar brownish-red color.
• Pyropes can feature intense red hues.
• Rhodolites exhibit purplish-red tones that many enthusiasts adore.
• Spessartites tend toward orange colorations.

Although the pure reds found in pyrope fetch higher prices than other red garnets, they remain affordable and durable gemstone options. Learn more through our comprehensive garnet buying guide and engagement ring guide.

Take a look at the range of hues in these garnets. All photos used with permission,

Jasper: Versatile and Affordable Red Stone Option

Similar to carnelian but more opaque, jaspers come in many color varieties, including vibrant reds. This abundant, durable birthstone for February offers:

• An excellent option for adding colorful accents to inexpensive jewelry
• Exceptional durability for everyday wear
• An earthy, rustic appearance

10 Red Gemstones Best for Occasional Jewelry Wear

Not all red gemstones are suitable for daily ring wear. Some scratch easily, while others are prone to breakage if accidentally impacted. While these red gemstones might not withstand everyday wear in rings, they still make excellent options for other jewelry types or occasional ring wear. If you prefer one of these gems for daily-wear rings, use a protective setting to safeguard the stone.

Topaz: Beautiful but Potentially Fragile Red Gemstone

Although resistant to scratches, topaz can chip relatively easily. Nevertheless, this November birthstone makes a beautiful choice for jewelry when properly protected. Here are some key facts about topaz varieties:

• Blue topaz is abundant and inexpensive due to advanced gemstone treatments.
• Traditional yellow, orange, and red colors remain popular among collectors.
• The red "imperial" topaz colors are particularly rare.
• Top-color specimens can command premium prices.

Red Beryl: Rare American Red Gemstone

Beryls come in many colors, with the most popular being green (emerald) and blue (aquamarine). However, this mineral family also includes a rare red variety. Some notable facts about the red beryl include:

• Red beryls are found exclusively in one location in Utah's mountains.
• This limited geographical distribution makes them genuinely rare gems.
• With a hardness rating of 7.5-8, they resist scratching reasonably well.
• They can break if impacted, requiring protective settings.
• Rarely found in large sizes but create unique jewelry pieces.

Pezzottaite: A Recently Discovered Beryl Variety

Pezzottaite is frequently called "raspberry beryl," but this name isn't quite accurate. This distinction has created confusion with red beryl since pezzottaite is actually a different beryl variety. Here's some helpful information if you're considering buying pezzottaite:

• Discovered in Madagascar in 2003.
• Classified as a lithium and cesium-bearing beryl analogue.
• Typically light in tone but can achieve rare, saturated raspberry red colors.
• Hard enough to resist scratching but often contains inclusions that increase breaking risk.

Coral: An Endangered Beauty

Red corals can make beautiful gemstones. However, sustainability concerns have significantly impacted the industry. If you're considering coral as a gemstone option, be aware of these facts:

• Most coral-producing regions have ceased harvesting due to environmental impacts.
• Despite this, coral remains in demand throughout many parts of the world.
• Ensure any coral purchase is secondhand or sustainably harvested.
• Unsustainably harvested coral is illegal to possess in numerous countries.
• Deep red colors are most valuable and make beautiful cabochon material.
• As a relatively soft gem susceptible to scratching, avoid using coral in everyday jewelry.

Zircon: Natural Red Gemstone with Diamond-Like Sparkle

Not to be confused with cubic zirconia, a synthetic gem material, zircon is a fascinating natural gemstone with a striking appearance and notable properties, such as:

• Its exceptional dispersion makes colorless zircon a natural diamond simulant.
• Comes in various colors including fantastic, bright reds.
• Red color typically results from low-temperature heat treatment.
• This treatment lightens the gem and removes brown hues.
• Reasonably hard but can chip and abrade, especially along facet edges.
• With proper care, red zircon may be the sparkliest option among all red gemstones.

Rhodochrosite: Rare Red Crystalline Beauty

Facetable red rhodochrosite occurs in only a few locations worldwide. More commonly, it's used in massive form to create attractive opaque pink cabochons. The rare red gems can be quite stunning when properly cut, though crystalline rhodochrosite remains a delicate jewelry stone. Be aware of the following characteristics of rhodochrosite before purchasing it as a gemstone:

• Susceptible to scratching and breaking.
• Acids can dissolve the gem.
• Features such high birefringence that some stones display a fuzzy, hazy appearance.

Fire Opal: Warm-Toned Transparent Opal Variety

The "fire" in fire opal refers to the gem's body color, which ranges from yellow to vibrant red. Here are some facts about fire opal gemstones:

• May be translucent or transparent.
• May or may not display the typical play of color seen in other opals.
• Mexico serves as the principal source, leading to the trade name "Mexican opal".
• Natural color is often quite attractive, though the GIA has identified dyed specimens.

Sunstone and Oregon Sunstone: Sparkling Red Feldspars

A variety of feldspar, sunstone and Oregon sunstone contain glittery inclusions that create a unique schiller effect. These gems can display fantastic red colors. Some notable facts about sunstone:

• Features sparkling inclusions that inspired their names.
• Represents two different gem varieties with a small distinction.
• In traditional sunstone, inclusions consist of hematite or goethite.
• In Oregon sunstone (the state gem of Oregon), inclusions are copper.
• Makes for an interesting but somewhat soft red gemstone option.

Friedelite: Rare Red Collector's Stone

This somewhat soft, rare stone is more commonly found in mineral collections than jewelry collections. Nevertheless, with proper care, friedelite could be worn as a jewelry stone. Here are some notable facts about friedelite:

• Facetable crystals are rare.
• Translucent cabochons can make attractive and unique jewelry pieces.
• Requires protective settings and careful handling.

Eudialyte: The Radioactive Red Gemstone

If you enjoy a touch of danger, a small eudialyte gem might become your favorite red gemstone. It is rare in facetable form and its bright colors are attractive even in massive specimens. However, important safety considerations apply:

• Avoid wearing eudialyte specimens above five carats.
• This mineral is mildly radioactive and could deliver unwanted radiation exposure in large sizes.
• Eudialyte requires careful storage to prevent affecting other gemstones.
• Dangerous radon gas can accumulate in its container.
• For storage recommendations, see our article on toxic and radioactive gems.

6 Red Gemstones Best Reserved for Collectors

Some red gemstones simply won't withstand jewelry wear. Whether due to extreme softness or toxicity concerns, it's best to keep the following gems for display purposes only.

Cinnabar: Toxic Beauty for Display Only

Even if it resembles appealing red candy, cinnabar is one mineral you absolutely want to avoid handling extensively. Some notable facts about rhodonite are:

• It's composed of mercury sulfide, making it toxic.
• It's so soft you can scratch it with a fingernail
• It should be kept in a secure display case away from children and pets.
• Never appropriate for jewelry applications.

Rhodonite: Challenging Gem for Faceting

This soft stone presents numerous challenges for gem cutters because it can cleave and fracture easily during cutting. Here are some notable facts about rhodonite:

• Crystalline rhodonite isn't suitable for jewelry use.
• Most commonly occurs as pink, massive stones.
• Rarely available as facetable material.
• Massive pink stones hold up better in jewelry since they can't cleave in massive form.
• Makes an attractive collector's display piece.

Cuprite: Light-Sensitive Red Copper Mineral

Few locations produce cuprite in forms large enough to facet, but those rare cut red stones display beautiful color. Some notable facts about (gemstone) include:

• The dust from this soft copper oxide mineral is toxic.
• Skin contact with a finished gem should pose minimal health risks.
• Color can fade with prolonged sunlight exposure.
• If set in jewelry, reserve for evening wear only.
• Best kept as a display specimen.

Proustite: Light-Sensitive Red Silver Mineral

Fantastic red hues have made proustite a favorite among mineral collectors and an excellent addition to any serious gem collection. However, significant limitations include:

• Extreme softness (hardness of 2-2.5)
• Almost any handling produces scratches
• Turns black over time when exposed to light
• Best stored in darkness and removed only for occasional viewing

Crocoite: Toxic Lead Chromate Mineral

Containing both lead and hexavalent chromium, crocoite makes a striking addition to any mineral collection due to its vivid coloration. It's rarely transparent but can display extraordinarily bright red hues. However, crocoite presents significant toxicity concerns:

• Handling crystals or finished gems typically poses minimal risk.
• Exercise caution is needed around mineral dust.
• Keep specimens away from children and pets.
• Best kept as a display specimen rather than used in jewelry.

Realgar: The Arsenic-Rich Red Gemstone

A toxic red gemstone, realgar contains arsenic and was historically a major source of this poison. Few lapidaries will handle this material due to its toxicity but some have cut this bright red mineral into gemstones with proper precautions. Keep the following facts about realgar in mind if you're considering purchasing it:

• Most enthusiasts of unusual gemstones prefer to keep realgar as a crystal specimen.
• It should be stored in a secure display location inaccessible to children and pets.
• It requires careful handling to prevent dust generation.
• The vibrant red color makes it visually striking despite its hazardous nature.

Frequently Asked Questions About Red Gemstones

What is the most valuable red gemstone?

Ruby is generally considered the most valuable red gemstone, with fine-quality specimens commanding premium prices. However, red diamonds are significantly rarer and can be even more expensive per carat.

Which red gemstones are suitable for engagement rings?

Ruby, red spinel, rubellite, red diamond, carnelian, garnet, and jasper are all durable enough for engagement rings and everyday wear. These stones rate at least 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale.

Are there any affordable alternatives to ruby?

Yes, red spinel and garnet (particularly pyrope and rhodolite varieties) offer excellent ruby alternatives at more affordable price points while maintaining good durability.

How can I tell if a red gemstone is natural or synthetic?

Most red gemstones require laboratory testing to definitively determine natural versus synthetic origin. Working with a reputable jeweler and requesting a gem lab report can help ensure authenticity.

Which red gemstones should never be worn in jewelry?

Cinnabar, crocoite, and realgar should never be worn in jewelry due to their toxicity. Proustite and rhodonite are generally too soft for jewelry use, while eudialyte presents radioactivity concerns in larger sizes.

How should I care for my red gemstone jewelry?

Most durable red gemstones can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for stones with inclusions or fractures. Store soft red gemstones (those with Mohs hardness scores of 6 or lower) separately from harder gems to prevent scratching, and keep light-sensitive stones like cuprite away from prolonged sun exposure.

Addison Rice

A geologist, environmental engineer and Caltech graduate, Addison’s interest in the mesmerizing and beautiful results of earth’s geological processes began in her elementary school’s environmental club. When she isn’t writing about gems and minerals, Addison spends winters studying ancient climates in Iceland and summers hiking the Colorado Rockies.

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