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For sure, red is an attractive color and draws attention. Red gems are used to make stunning jewelry pieces, including bracelets, red beads, necklaces, and earrings. Red gems are admired by many since the color is symbolic. The color red is associated with fire, passion, blood, and love. However, it is prudent to note that exact red colored gems are quite rare.
Red gemstones are perfect options for everyday wear. Most of these stones have a 6.5 rating Mohs, meaning they are much more resistant to scratches. They will also not break easily upon coming into contact with a hard surface such as a table or the floor. The toughness in these red gemstones makes them top quality for jewelry. The following are some of the most popular red gemstones found on Earth.
Ruby
Ruby appears to be the most popular red stone. It is a classic July birthstone with a bright and vivid saturation. Rubies are known to glow even when exposed to sunlight. Their bright saturation is because of the presence of fluorescence.
Ruby is a quality stone and a family member of corundum. The stone has chromium which is a rare feature that gives the gem its red color. Ruby goes under some heat treatment to enhance its color. If a natural ruby stone is not affordable, you can consider a treated one. They bear the same beauty and durability, but the treated one is cheaper.
Red Spinel
Probably this is one gemstone you still have not heard of. Do not despair as you are not alone. In fact, some people believe that this gem is one of the secret gems that many people are still not aware of. A natural red spinel stone is much affordable compared to a ruby. In fact, the British crown bears a fine spinel.
It is commonly known as Black Prince’s ruby. This gem is also ideal for putting on your body. It can easily be used as jewelry, such as a ring or a necklace.
Rubellite
Rubellite is an October birthstone and a tourmaline. This gemstone appears in diverse colors of the rainbow. Some quantifiable amounts of manganese can be seen in the stone’s structure, which brings about the red hues found in tourmaline. Rubellite is now that red variety of the mineral tourmaline.
Rubellites are known to contain inclusions even though they have a unique color. However, if you search for the ideal red gemstone for jewelry, then rubellite may just fit in the purpose. The stone is also affordable, which is why many people love to put it on.
Red Diamond
If you vibe with the rarest stones on Earth, then the red diamond is for you. Very few, in fact countable, red diamonds have been mined so far. However, most of the deposits will weigh less than a carat. The largest red diamond in the world, on the other hand, weighs about 5.11 carats. It is known as Moussaieff Red Diamond.
Due to their rare nature, red diamonds are priced quite highly. A half-carat gemstone could cost you six figures. However, there is an affordable option which is securing a treated red diamond. This gem will have a similar price to white diamonds but will serve you the red color you want.
Carnelian
Carnelian is possibly the widely known gem in the family of chalcedony. It is a translucent and quite tough gemstone whose red hues come from the presence of iron. The September birthstone has been used as jewelry for a long time. If you are seeking a gem to grace while sunbathing, then carnelian is your stone.
Heating the gemstone enhances the natural red in the stone. It does not require an external and powerful heating system as even heat from the sun is enough.
Garnet
Garnet is a classic gemstone that bears several symbolic associations. These stones are affordable and quite plentiful even as large deposits. The January birthstone bears impressive brownish-red hues, but other colors of the stone can occur too. Their colors largely depend on how the gemstone was formed.
Almandine garnets have a brownish-red color, while the pyropes have strong red hues. The rhodolites display purplish-red hues, which many people love. Spessartites occur in orange colors. Understand that pyrope is pricier than other garnets, but all make durable and affordable gemstones. They are also perfect when used as jewelry.
Jasper
Jaspers also occur in diverse colors. However, the stone is more opaque than carnelian. Jasper is not rare as there are several deposits already found. They are tough gemstones meaning they are perfect for use as jewelry. Their toughness means they cannot be easily scratched or chip. A red jasper on your neck could be an elegant inexpensive choice of ornament. Jasper is widely known as a February birthstone.
Topaz
Topaz is resistant to scratches, but it can chip when hit by another object. However, the November birthstone is still a top choice for jewelry since it is beautiful and stunning. Blue topaz is found in a larger quantity, meaning it is inexpensive, but the traditional red, orange and yellow colors are still popular among these red gemstone users.
The top color topaz is rare and can be sold at very high prices due to the rarity.
Red Beryl
Beryl occurs in a wide range of colors. The most common being blue for the aquamarine and green for the emerald. Beryl also comes in red even though the red beryl will only occur in one place. It is only found in the Utah mountains, which makes them rare. Red beryl has a hardness of 8 Mohs.
The stone cannot be scratched easily, but when knocked hard, it can chip or break. Even though it does not occur in significant sizes, the gemstone makes outstanding jewelry stones.
Pezzottaite
At times this stone is also referred to as raspberry beryl. However, the name is not correct as it has confused jewelers with the red beryl. Pezzottaite is a different stone altogether. The mineral is hard and cannot be scratched easily, but it has inclusions. That means the gem can break when knocked against a hard surface. Pezzottaite is light in tone, even though some rare raspberry red colors may occur.
Coral
Did you know that red corals are exquisite gemstones? Corals are still in demand even though most of the harvesting areas are not operational because of sustainability. Ensure that any time you come across a coral that it is sustainably harvested or secondhand. Bear in mind that the unsustainably harvested gem is illegal in some countries.
Look for the deep red colors in corals, as these are the most valued gems. They also make phenomenal cabochon material. However, the gem is soft, meaning it can be easily scratched. It is not ideal for everyday use.
Zircon
Zircon is a synthetic gem that should not be taken for cubic zirconia. Zircon is a fabulous red gemstone that can make magnificent jewelry. The gem also occurs in various colors apart from red. The bright red zircons are, however, a result of heat treatment with low temperature. This exercise removes all the brown hues and lightens up the gem.
Zircon is relatively hard but is susceptible to chipping. Take good care of the stone, and you could remain with a sparkly jewelry piece for a long time.
Rhodochrosite
It is a rare red gemstone that is facetable. Rhodochrosite only occurs in very few areas. Mainly, the gem will be used in colossal size to create fascinating opaque pink cabochons. Even though rare, the few red gems available are pretty formidable. Understand that crystalline rhodochrosite is very delicate as jewelry.
It can easily break, and et scratched. Acids can also tamper with this mineral. Birefringence is high in this gem that some will have a hazy fuzzy appearance.
Fire-Opal
The gem was named after its body color. Fire opal usually is red or yellow, which is why it was named “fire.” This gemstone could either be transparent or translucent. Fire opal is mainly found in Mexico; hence the name Mexican opal generally refers to this stone. Their natural color is quite appealing, but dyed specimens have been discovered to make them more suitable for jewelry.
Sunstone and Oregon Sunstone
Sunstone and Oregon sunstone is a family member of feldspar and has glittery inclusions. These inclusions are responsible for a remarkable schiller effect. Their red color is rejuvenating, primarily when used as jewelry. The gem got its name from the sparkling bits seen in the gemstone.
However, it is prudent to understand that these are two gem species but with a slight difference. The inclusions seen on the sunstone gem are from the goethite or hematite minerals. Inclusions in the Oregon sunstone are copper. Oregon is also widely known as the state gemstone of Oregon. Both materials are ideal for fascinating jewelry.
Friedelite
Friedelite is a soft stone and very rare. It will mainly be found among mineral collections rather than jewelry. Being soft means, the stone can be scratched easily or even break. You are advised to handle it with care if you are wearing it as a jewelry stone. Facetable crystals of this precious gemstone are not readily available, but translucent cabochons of friedelite can produce alluring and outstanding ornamental pieces.
Friedelite can be suitable for jewelry, but you need to be careful since it is quite brittle.
Eudialyte
Eudialyte can quickly become the favorite red gemstone if you are a risk-taker and live a dangerous life. The gem is not easily occurring in a facetable form. However, the gem has bright colors when appearing as huge rocks.
It is advisable not to put on more than five carats as the mineral is radioactive. Large sizes of the gem could expose you to massive doses of radiation that you want to avoid. The stone should also be stored carefully at a place where it cannot be tampered with. The radiation of the eudialyte could easily distort the color of your other gemstone collection.
Also, know that some dangerous radon gas could store up in the container you have stored the gem, so you are advised on proper storage.
Cinnabar
Cinnabar almost resembles a rock candy, but this is one gemstone you don’t want to reach your mouth. This mineral should also not come into contact with your skin. The gem contains mercury sulfide. It is the main content in the gem, making it very toxic. The red gemstone is also very soft that it can be easily scratched.
Even a fingernail could do some significant damage to the gemstone. You are advised to keep this gem out of reach of children. Also, make sure your pet cannot access it as it is very toxic.
Rhodonite
Rhodonite is a soft stone that gives lapidaries a tough time. The gemstone is not easy to work on as it can fracture and cleave quite easily. Since it is very soft, the crystalline form of this gem is not advisable for jewelry. If you are not careful, the earring or necklace could have scratches on the first day of the purchase.
Rhodonite will occur as pink more often as massive deposits. The facetable material is not easily discovered. The substantial pink stones can make beautiful jewelry pieces as they cannot easily break while in massive deposits form. The stone is also among the collector’s choices.
Cuprite
Very few areas produce cuprite in massive forms that are good to facet. However, those rare red stones are precious and magnificent. Beware as the dust from this gem is very toxic. The mineral in the gem is copper oxide. Skin contact with the finished material is not dangerous. Understand that cuprite’s color will fade when exposed to sunlight. If you decide to purchase the gem as jewelry, preserve it for evening wear only.
Proustite
The gem has fascinating red hues that look amazing. This has made the red gemstone a favorite stone for jewelers and collectors. However, the stone is very soft and brittle. With a rating of 2.5 Mohs, it means the stone can be easily scratched. Again, when exposed to direct light, the gem will fade and turn black.
You are advised to store the gem in a dark place and only remove it occasionally. Even though it is soft, it makes it to the list of precious gems that should be in your collection.
Crocoite
Crocoite contains hexavalent chromium and lead, which means it is a toxic gemstone. Handling the finished stone or the crystals should not be hazardous to your health but avoid its mineral dust. The dust can be toxic when inhaled and could bring about complications to your health.
Also, make sure you keep these gems out of reach of pets and children. The red stone could exhibit some bright hues even though the transparent deposits are not easily occurring. Crocoite should make outstanding jewelry pieces.
Realgar
Realgar is another toxic gemstone. The stone has arsenic and was even a significant source of this poison at some time. Only very few lapidaries can handle this stone due to the toxic nature. However, some faceters have managed to cut the gemstone with so much caution and produce fantastic pieces of ornament. Most collectors will want to keep this unusual gemstone as a specimen for collection.
The stone proves difficult as it is also very soft. Realgar has a hardness rating of 2 Mohs which is another factor why it is hard to work on. In as much the gem makes appealing jewelry, it is very hard to come across them.
Agate
It is a rare gemstone with unique colors. The stone occurs in several colors, but the red agate is more popular. Many red agates can have other colors such as black, white, gray, or blue. Faceters dye the single-colored agate to resemble carnelian. Agate also falls among the family members of chalcedony quartz.
Red agate is famous and widely known by many since it is pretty affordable, versatile, and durable. This precious gemstone occurs in diverse patterns and colors, including yellow, blue, orange, and light to dark red. Even though most of these gems will be dyed to have a bright red color, this does not change their value. Dyeing is also hard to notice, so everyone assumes the agate is dyed when buying.
Andesine-Labradorite
It can be termed as a new gem discovered that has a bright red color. The gemstone occurs bearing some other colors such as green, orange or yellow. Andesine-labradorite also contains a metallic schiller, just like labradorite or sunstone. This unique gem can exhibit different colors from different viewing angles.
Initially, this stone was traded without the traders disclosing whether it was treated. That led to an uproar as people wanted to know where it originated from. Initially, the stone was sold as ‘andesine’ which was coined from Andes Mountains, where many thought it was discovered. After it was introduced to the market, experts found out that it was labradorite that was color-enhanced.
People discovered that the gem was nothing like ‘andesine.’ After the truth was found, the red gemstone was given the name ‘andesine-labradorite’ so that the sellers cannot misguide buyers.
Apatite
It is a popular and fascinating red gemstone. Apatite is widely considered and adored by many because of the vivid colors it appears in. The gem can occur in green, electric blue, and vibrant red. The red variety of apatite is rare to find and also not the most popular color.
However, if you are lucky to come across this stone, it has a red color that can only be compared to a fine ruby. Did you know that this gem is made of material that makes up our teeth? Apatite is composed of calcium phosphate, which is also found in our bones. The gem has a rating of 5 Mohs which means it is not very soft. It can be used to make exceptional jewelry.
Red Fluorite
Fluorspars or fluorites are very bright gems that they even brought about the word fluorescent. Fluorites are known to occur in diverse colors. However, red fluorites are not as common. That is because these stones are not as hard and can be scratched easily. The red stones are, therefore, not suitable for jewelry. It explains why the gem is widely known. Collectors, however, love collecting it and keeping it for viewing.
Red Oligoclase
Red Oligoclase is confused with sunstone, which should not be the case. This gem is also referred to as India sunstone. It is sourced from Sri Lanka and India hence the name India sunstone. Mostly appearing as white, oligoclase also occurs as red gemstones. The sunstone from Oregon is translucent, while oligoclase is opaque. The gem is relatively hard and can be faceted to produce stunning jewelry. The transparent material is very rare. This gemstone has also occurred in North Carolina where the pale green to colorless facetable deposits are discovered.
Red Tiger’s Eye
Just like citrine and chalcedony, this red gemstone is a member of quartz. This gem occurs in different colors, from brown-red to golden-red. However, the semi-precious gemstone goes through some heat treatment to enhance its physical properties. The gem has a chatoyancy that faceters and collectors love.
Tiger’s eye occurs in East Asia and South Africa mainly. The stone got its name from the unique colors and appearance that resembles a tiger’s eye. The red gemstone is ideal for use as jewelry.
Sardonyx
Sardonyx can also be regarded as an agate. The stone is simply a banded chalcedony and consists of stripes of onyx and sard. The red bands are seen on the gemstone result from the sard, while the white stripes result from the onyx. Sardonyx is an August birthstone and still among the most popular and modern August gemstones in Britain.
One of the significant sources for this gemstone is Ratnapura in Sri Lanka. The gem is used in intaglios and cameos. Have in mind that at one time sardonyx was precious than silver, sapphire, and even gold.
