Ready When You Are - A Guide To Radiant Red Gemstones
There are many great reasons why you should add some red gemstones to your jewelry collection. Not only are they seriously stunning, they are also eye-catching. They can bring a whole new level of sophistication to your appearance.
Red gemstones have only gotten more and more desirable over the years. Now, they are some of the most precious gemstones available.
So - you want to add some red gemstones to your collection, but what gemstones are available and which ones are the best to get?
Take a look at some of the most amazing red gemstones in the world. Let us see which ones suit your style and taste best.
About Red Gemstones
We said earlier about how beautiful red gemstones are, but that’s only touching the surface of their potential.
Red gemstones are not just beautiful because they also represent a range of themes and attributes. These make them even more special. In particular, red gemstones has an association with warmth, passion, and fire.
This makes them a crystalized form of love and energy in a lot of people’s eyes.
In Chinese culture, red gemstones are even closely associated with prosperity. This makes it one of the most in-demand gems for weddings. People believe they will bring good luck to the new couple.
A lot of cultures believe that red gemstones can also help you feel physically stronger and give inspiration.
For these reasons, red gemstones are also used as healing stones to revitalize and balance emotion. They are used to help motivate, recharge, and balance emotions.
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When it comes to buying a red gemstone, there are always a few things you should consider.
The first is the color itself as all red gemstones range in shades and hues. Some have secondary colors, others are more saturated.
Red gemstones have a gamut limit at about 75%. Those that are below 50% will appear more pink than red. Deep red gemstones also help hide imperfection which is why color is often a more important factor to buyers than clarity.
Another thing to consider is your budget. Like with all gemstones, red gemstones can vary in availability and price. So, it may be trickier to get your hands on some more than others.
With this in mind, you may want to consider what type of jewelry you will want to wear your red gemstone with.
Earrings and necklaces are great options for more delicate gemstones. While bracelets and rings are better suited for tougher gemstones as they are more heavy-duty accessories. Thus, more likely to damage your gemstone.
And, of course, there is the metal you want to pair with your red gemstone.
A lot of vintage jewelry will use gold as its richness and warmth complements the fierceness of a red gemstone. While those more modern jewelry may use silver or white gold for a fresher look. However, which metal you use all comes down to your personal preferences.
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Now that your knowledge increases about red gemstones, let’s take a look at some of the most popular ones out there!
Ruby
Kicking off our list is the most iconic red gemstone of them all - the ruby!
Rubies have been a symbol of wealth for centuries. They are some of the most desired gemstones in the world, let alone desirable red gemstones!
They are deeply saturated gemstones that are dark and rich with vivid shades of red. This saturation is only intensified by sunlight. But over time, rubies do lose their color if constantly worn in direct sunlight and heat.
Despite this, rubies are also one of the best gemstones to wear day to day as they are incredibly tough.
They rate a 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, meaning that they are incredibly difficult to chip or break. This makes them ideal gemstones to wear on more heavy-duty jewelry like bracelets.
However, rubies are not always cheap to replace. They average at around $1,000 per 1 carat and this estimate can double if the ruby is pure and untreated.
So - if you truly value your ruby, it might be safer to keep them for jewelry like necklaces and earrings despite how tough they are.
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Another interesting fact about rubies is that they are fluorescent, which means they glow under UV light.
They are also the birthstone for those born in July, a popular month for Cancer and Leo star signs. Both star signs are passionate and highly emotional personalities that suit this gemstone perfectly.
So - rubies are definitely popular for all of the above reasons. In addition, their color and vibrancy make them a beautiful gemstone that will certainly catch everyone’s eyes.
Fire Opal
Fire opals are definitely an unusual gemstone but it’s uniqueness also gives it an air of mystery and magic. It has a dazzling effect that makes it absolutely mesmerizing. Making it appear like a shimmering inferno trapped in a single stone.
What makes fire opals so special is that their gem quality is hydrated silicon dioxide and water alone accounts for nearly a fifth of the gemstone’s weight!
Despite this, fire opals usually measure between 6 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale. This means that they are not the most durable of gemstones.
Despite that, they are certainly stunning. They can range in color from light yellows to orange and deep red. This makes them one of the most colorful red gemstones available.
No fire opal is purely one shade of red, making them a wonderful piece to just stare at and admire.
Fire opals are not uncommon and are easily found in places like Mexico and Australia. For this reason, some fire opals can cost as little as $10, while others can cost thousands.
This all depends on the color and quality. But no matter what - fire opals are definitely a chic gemstone for you to try out.
Red Spinel
Red spinel is one of the clearest red gemstones available as it is high in transparency and shine. They generally offer lighter tones of red rather than deep shades of crimson or burgundy. But, they are just as stunning and as beautiful as any other gemstone.
They are also very sturdy with a hardness rating of 8 on the Mohs scale. Making it an affordable alternative to the durable ruby. For this reason, you could be better off wearing red spinel on jewelry pieces like bracelets or rings.
What is also great about red spinel is that it very rarely undergoes treatment. This is why most red spinel stones you find will be pure and high-quality. This does rank up the prices as this red gemstone usually costs between $800 to $5,000.
Despite this, red spinel is still a very popular choice when it comes to red gemstones. As one of the three August birthstones, it is also very high in demand and easily attainable.
So, if you are after a sturdy yet bright red gemstone, red spinel is the one for you.
Red Jasper
For those who love a solid, red color for their gemstones, then red jasper is our highest recommendation to you.
Jasper is a variant of the classic quartz. It’s far more opaque and often features intricate patterns on its surface.
This allows red jasper to feature both blocks of solid color and veins of shimmering sparkle that resembles a classic quartz gemstone. Because of their brightness, they are great for block jewelry and for more boho styled attire.
Red jasper is measured at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness so it is not the most durable of gemstones However, it rarely undergoes treatment and gemologists usually just cut this gemstone into smooth shapes.
They are also incredibly affordable, costing $2 to $5 per carat. This makes them easily replaceable and great for heavy-duty jewelry like bracelets.
We personally love the vibrancy of this gemstone and its ability to serve both confident blocks of color plus more dazzling little features. It’s affordable and it’s beautiful - so what’s not to love?
Red Tiger’s Eye
This gemstone is another type of quartz but is far more down to earth than red jasper.
Red tiger’s eye still boasts vibrant shades of red but it jumps between light and dark patterns. While still lively, it gives off a more serious and darker air of magic.
Some parts are so dark they almost appear black while other lines are nearly light enough to be considered orange - and this striped masterpiece harkens back to its name after the majestic tiger.
Just like tigers themselves, this gemstone demands respect and evokes awe with just one glance. It maintains a smooth luster and is sometimes iridescent despite its darker side.
Red tiger’s eye is a stunning piece of gemstone that is also definitely one of the most desirable pieces on our list.
Although not incredibly durable, a single red tiger’s eye can often sell for thousands of dollars with prices reaching well over $5,000.
This does mean those on a stricter budget might not be able to get their hands on this gemstone, but those who do are sure to love it for eternity.
Garnet
Another deep, dark gemstone is garnet.
Garnet offers a shade of red that treads the line between deep purple, black, and red. It’s many colors depend on its composition and it can even range from opaque to transparent.
This means that you really are spoiled for choice when it comes to this gemstone as you can choose how vivid you want the color to be.
Garnet is also incredibly popular, partly because it is also the birthstone for those born in January.
This makes it an important gemstone to both Capricorn and Aquarius star signs, which suits both personalities well as garnet is definitely a sophisticated red gemstone that screams intelligence and exceptionality.
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Its hardness is not very strong as it measures between 6.0 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, which makes it a safer option for earrings or necklaces.
However, garnet can also range dramatically in price depending on each stone’s individual clarity and size. Most garnet pieces sell at prices between $500 to $7000 per carat.
Despite its value, garnet is a popular stone found on many pieces of jewelry and rivals ruby as the most popular red gemstone.
Pezzottaite
This gemstone is a more recent find after it was discovered back in 2002. It was actually mistaken for other red gemstones but pezzottaite quickly gained its own name and is now one of the rarest gemstones available.
It’s rarity means that just a few small pezzottaite gemstones can sell for thousands of dollars and they are rarely on sale. Despite this, everyone wants to get their hands on one because they are just stunning.
Pezzottaite leans more towards the pink end of the red scale and can be found in shades of deep raspberry. It’s also pretty tough with a rating of 8 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a fine choice for a gemstone ring plus it is dazzling and very clear.
As much as we love pezzottaite, we just wish that it was easier to get a hold of but for those lucky few who manage to feature pezzottaite in their collection, treasure it while you can.
Red Diamonds
If you want to talk about rare red gemstones, then we have to mention red diamonds.
Diamonds is the most widely worn and popular gemstone out there, and it is also available in multiple different colors.
While certain shades like yellow or pink are more well known, red diamonds do in fact exist.
They are incredibly rich in color, appearing red due to a deformity in their lattice which distorts their color when light passes through, and are just as dazzling as regular diamonds.
The only issue is that there are only between 20-30 pure red diamonds in the whole world, and most of them weigh less than half a carat.
These diamonds are tiny and so rare that purchasing one will cost you several hundred thousand dollars.
If you are even able to be in the same room as a pure red diamond then we seriously envy you. They are stunning to look at and their rarity only makes them more desirable.
Buying a red diamond is no longer just about price - it’s about prestige. Only the most affluent, sophisticated people are able to wear their own red diamond.
Red Agate
Agates are a curious type of gemstone that, in our opinion, balances between red jasper and red tiger’s eye. It features the intricate patterns of the red tiger’s eye but the lighter, more optimistic tones of red jasper.
Agates can be found in many different colors including blue, yellow, and orange, and also feature heavily secondary patterns with hues of white and black.
It’s an interesting go between for red jasper and red tiger’s eye, plus it can also be dyed in order to imitate carnelian.
However, we love red agate for its true self as it proves to be a sophisticated yet fascinating gemstone that juggles both fun and beauty incredibly well.
While it is not the most durable gemstone, it can vary in price so drastically (ranging between just $1 to $3000) which can make it easy to replace so you can wear it in whatever way you like.
Carnelian
Carnelian is a variety of chalcedony that, due to its very high iron content, appears in color as a bright warm red or amber stone.
It is possible to find variants that lean towards brown more than amber but some gemologists will use head treatment to improve the red color of this gemstone.
Carnelian is a stunning stone that attracts good luck and prosperity. Another great aspect of this gemstone is that it is also incredibly affordable and is available at prices as low as $1 per carat, making it very easy to replace.
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It’s also rather tough with a rating of 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, meaning that you can flaunt this gemstone on any piece of jewelry located anywhere on your body.
Carnelian is a more affordable option to other gemstones like red jasper or the above red agate, making it an ideal choice for everyone. It’s beautiful and at such a low price, we will be amazed if you can resist it.
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Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of options out there when it comes to finding the right red gemstone for you.
Your options range from diamonds to garnet, from jasper to carnelian - really, the list is never ending and we have only included a fraction of the gemstones on offer.
When it is time to purchase your red gemstone, we recommend that you use a certified jeweler that can confirm the origin of the stone.
While online shopping is far more convenient, it does leave you vulnerable to being lied to and buying from unsavory sources.
Certificates of authenticity are also a great way to ensure that you are buying a legitimate red gemstone and you should always check the reputation of the jeweler before you seal the deal.
But once you have your red gemstone and you know that it is the real thing, you can wear it and love it for years to come.