Everything You Need to Know About Ruby Engagement Rings

Rubies might not be the first stone that comes to mind when thinking about an engagement ring, but ruby engagement rings have a long history of symbolizing love, courage, passion, and protection. About as distinguished as you can get, rubies were once the stones of ancient kings and queens, making a ruby engagement ring an entirely regal choice. Besides, who doesn't want to look down at their hand and feel like royalty? In terms of feeling fresh and modern, ruby engagement rings are entirely in line with the untraditional ring styles modern brides crave—from unique settings to contemporary shapes, and, of course, gemstones.

While most precious gems are much softer than diamonds, which are the most durable (hence their dominance amid the engagement ring market), rubies are a lot more resilient than other gemstones. They come in second to the diamond in terms of toughness, and they range in color from bright cherry red to dark reddish-brown and the most popular hue, blood-red with blue and purple undertones (these are known as Burmese and Pigeon's Blood rubies). These various shades of red pair incredibly well with yellow and rose gold settings, though, that hardly means you're limited to said settings. Plenty of platinum and white mountings pair just as well with this blazing gemstone.

Of course, there's the cost-benefit of choosing a ruby, too. Like any gemstone, you're likely to get a lot more bang for your buck when going for a ruby engagement ring as opposed to a diamond one, even if you mix it with diamonds in a vintage or art deco setting or go for a raw or rough-cut stone.

Sold on a ruby engagement ring? Ahead, scroll through our favorite spectacular styles for every taste and budget.