Ruby

The red of a natural ruby is unlike the red of any other gemstone. It is a red with depth and warmth, which in certain specimens reaches an almost unreal intensity—what gemologists call “pigeon’s blood,” the most sought-after and hardest-to-find color in top-quality rubies. This is not a poetic comparison: it is a precise classification indicating a specific saturation, with a slightly purplish component that makes it unique.

It is a variety of corundum, the same family as sapphire, but the presence of chromium gives it that unmistakable color. Chromium is also responsible for a curious phenomenon: under ultraviolet light, the ruby fluoresces, glowing with an even more vivid red. A characteristic that contributes to that sensation of a living stone, almost in motion, which can be perceived when viewing it under different lighting conditions.

For centuries, it has been considered the most precious of gemstones, in ancient times even more so than the diamond itself; in Asia, Burmese rubies were reserved for nobility and kings. Myanmar remains the most prestigious source today, with Mogok rubies considered the absolute benchmark for color and quality. However, excellent stones also come from Mozambique, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

In Tabacco Jewelry, the ruby is set in 18-karat gold—preferably yellow or rose gold—which enhances its chromatic depth without dampening the warmth of its red hue. We prioritize and select natural stones with uniform color, good transparency, and clearly disclosed treatments—an important consideration for a gemstone where heat treatments are widespread and not always clearly communicated.

It is the jewel for special occasions. For a proposal, an important anniversary, or a gift meant to touch the heart without needing many words, the red of the ruby has always been associated with passion and love.