Discover BIRON® Gems
Lab-Grown Ruby : Red, Rare & Precious
The Ruby
Photo Credit: Salvador Ascencio Tapia
Instantly recognisable across cultures for its distinctly red and saturated colour, the ruby is universally cherished but rare enough to make it one of the most precious stones in the world.
But as you know, rubies are difficult to source.
Natural, mined rubies often have inclusions, lack great clarity, and rarely will you find one that has the most desirable deep shade of red with hints of purple. What’s more, jewellers have to be wary of synthetic rubies that are made of glass, or rubies that have been heat-treated to achieve a certain colour.
However, the lab-grown market is also just as difficult to navigate, with resellers and manufacturers flooding the market with stones that vary in grade, quality and price.
So if you want reliable access to rubies and to lead the market with luxury, sustainable jewellery, you’re going to want to learn about how BIRON®’s lab-grown stones can transform your business.
The BIRON® Difference
Photo Credit: Inter-pacific
Upon first glance of a BIRON® lab-grown ruby, you will notice its vitreous lustre and incredible colouring.
But behind that stone is a laboratory that uses the same natural aluminium oxide levels to replicate that “perfect” ruby colouring with deep red hues and purple undertones. Unlike natural rubies, BIRON®’s lab-grown rubies are grown in a controlled environment which allows the stones to form with significantly higher clarity than natural stones.
Your current customers will love that they can now access such high-quality, sustainable rubies.
And you can also attract new customers who increasingly value ethically sourced and sustainable gems.
Backed by 35-years of experience in gemstones sourcing, we are trusted by clients all over the world for both our gemstone and business integrity — inspecting each and every stone before delivery so that you can stay true to your art and fulfil your orders.
Make Your Jewels Stand Out
Photo Credit: Inter-pacific
One of the most revered stones of all time, there are countless examples of exquisite ruby jewellery. Amongst such, Elizabeth Taylor’s ruby ring by Van Cleef & Arpels is one of the world’s finest examples, and one of the most expensive.
With incredible clarity and colour, this 8.24-carat Burmese ruby is one of the world’s best, natural stones.
Need some more inspiration?
Ruby is one of the July birthstones, the 40th wedding anniversary stone and a gem that never goes out of fashion.
Ruby also goes well with emerald and blue sapphire. Just look at these incredible examples of BIRON® lab-grown rubies set in 18K gold.
Partnering with BIRON®, you can source the perfect coloured, and totally clear, ruby you desire for your designs that your new discerning, eco-conscious customer craves.
So, get in touch with our specialists today to learn more about how we can work together to transform your business.
The More Popular Lab-Grown Ruby Cuts
Testimonials
I was in awe!
The cut, colour, clarity and brilliance … are no different than the pricier ones at the fine jewellery boutiques at ifc mall.
More About Lab Created Ruby
What is a ruby?
A ruby is made up of a type of mineral known as corundum and is considered the most valuable for its deep red hue. The colouration is caused by the trace element chromium, making it second in popularity in coloured gemstones. Rubies are available in all shapes and sizes, but round and oval rubies are most prevalent for their particular vibrance and use in rings and earrings. Oval rubies reduce waste and expose its deep red shade.
A characteristic of a good ruby lies in its size, colour and clarity.
Rubies, meaning the king of gems in Sanskrit, are the birthstone for summertime in the month of July. They are also associated with love and fifteenth and fortieth anniversaries. This gemstone is typically mined in Myanmar, Madagascar, Thailand, and Kenya. The world’s greatest gemstones were found in Mogok, Myanmar’s valley of rubies.
This gemstone is rare and considered to be one of the most popular gemstones for its lustre and hard durability. It can be polished and shaped in such a way that brings out hue, tone, and saturation for the best colour. Pigeon blood colour is the most sought after colour in rubies.
A rough ruby from Myanmar. Photo credit: SALVADOR ASCENCIO TAIPA
What are lab-grown rubies?
The gem mines of Mogok Myanmar. Photo Credit: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Synthetic rubies are grown under a controlled environment in a laboratory that mimics the same chemical composition as that of their natural counterpart. Artificial rubies are real and unmined, so are eco-friendly and humane. They can have little to no inclusions and often present as completely clean to the naked eye. They can also differ in colour and saturation.
Natural rubies are found in the earth and mined. They are formed without control over conditions and contain different impurities that express different final results in colour, clarity and shape.
What are the benefits of created rubies?
Synthetic rubies created in a lab can capture the transparency and brilliance of the gemstone to its fullest. The greater the transparency and brilliance, the greater the value of the gemstone. The hard durability that is known of a ruby is maintained through lab-grown processes that ensure ideal carat weight can be obtained alongside the colour, clarity and cut.
Lab-created rubies can achieve that valuable colour between vibrant red to purplish-red and can be faceted with mixed cuts to draw out the light. Rubies over one carat are very rare and can be made on-demand in a laboratory without the eco-footprint and humanely.
With the same chemical composition and other properties of a mined ruby, lab-grown rubies are real gemstones that can be made in larger quantities with a lower price tag per carat.
Wholesalers and suppliers can meet demand, as they can be made in bulk with an unlimited capacity to supply to retailers, designers, and jewellery brands.
A Czochralski-grown synthetic ruby crystal. Photo Credit: GIA
How are artificial rubies made?
The flux growth method. Photo credit: ALEXANDRITE.NET
There are at least three processes for making artificial rubies in a laboratory. Two of these processes are as follow.
The Czochalski method, commonly known as the pulling method, involves high temperature dissolving a chemical solution (the resulting matter is called “flux”). A seed is immersed in the flux, crystals will form on the seed and the seed is gradually pulled out forming an elongated shape.
A more time consuming and expensive process is the flux melt method. Crystal growth is formed via a chemical solution that dissolves the components of the desired substance and synthetic crystals will form in 10 to 12 months. The solution itself is called flux.
FAQs on Lab Made Ruby
Are lab-grown rubies real?
Yes. Synthetic rubies that are grown in a laboratory are made up of the same chemical composition as their natural counterpart, which includes a natural trace element called chromium that gives the gemstone its deep red shade. Lab-grown rubies are real and unmined and have the same optics and physical form as a natural ruby.
Are lab-created rubies valuable?
Yes. Lab-grown rubies are valued for their hard durability and tone with a strong depth of colour. Even saturation and distribution of colour can be more often achieved and synthetic rubies can be made in larger carat weights that are rare to find through mining.
Rubies made through man-made processes can be 100% consistent with naturally-mined rubies. These lab-made gemstones hold a high-quality finish at a fraction of the price and have strong roots in eco-sustainability and humanitarianism.
Are lab rubies as durable as mined rubies?
Yes. Rubies grown in a laboratory hold the same durability as that of their natural counterpart. Their chemical composition and other properties are identical.
Do manufactured rubies contain inclusions?
Synthetic rubies are grown in a laboratory that provides a controlled environment to create pure stones with little to no inclusions. Inclusions can still occur, just fewer than natural rubies.
What are the differences between lab, natural and simulated rubies
Lab-grown rubies are real gemstones that hold identical chemical composition, optical and physical characteristics as natural rubies. They are real but unmined, can have little to no inclusions and are shaped from lab-grown uncut stones.
Natural rubies grow in the earth naturally and are mined. They are found in the rough and have inclusions or visual variations due to the gemstone’s unpredictable growth process and mineral composition. Natural rubies are often treated for cracks that are habitually filled with molten glass before being put on the market. They are also often heat-treated for colour enhancement. Unique, untreated natural rare gemstones are available for sale on our platform.
Simulated rubies, also known as imitation, are not the same as lab-grown rubies, due to their difference in composition. They are physically and chemically different, constituted of man-made material, e.g. nano glass, but look like natural or lab-grown rubies. Imitation gemstones are significantly cheaper than synthetic or natural gemstones.
Contact Us
How can we help you?
Whether you wish to create your first ethical and sustainable jewellery brand or enrich your current collections, we are here to help.
