Diamonds may be forever, but in the world of jewellery, the ruby shines almost as brightly. Ranging from pale pink to deep burgundy, rubies have been prized for centuries as one of the most desirable of the planet’s precious gems. If you’re planning to invest in a premium piece of jewellery and are torn between a ruby or diamond, this article is for you.
In it, we’re going to look at why diamonds and rubies are so popular as gemstone choices for rings, and answer questions such as ‘are rubies more expensive than diamonds’ and the key differences between the two gems. We’ll look at combining the two into a ring that has real meaning, and how to look after your ruby or diamond ring. Each gem tells a story, and each precious stone has its own special meaning. Let’s take a closer look at diamonds vs rubies, and why both deserve a place in your jewellery collection.
Why are diamonds and rubies some of the most popular gemstone choices for rings?
Diamonds and rubies have been central to ring design for centuries, particularly in rings with special meaning, such as engagement and wedding rings. They blend symbolism, durability, cultural history, and sheer visual impact, creating jewellery that is emotionally significant to the wearer, gorgeous to look at, and tough enough to withstand everyday life.
Rubies have always been coveted, and diamonds are the quintessential gemstone everyone wants in a special piece of jewellery, whether a glittering pair of studs, an eternity ring with real sentimental meaning, or a delicate pendant. Add the timeless appeal of a diamond with the boldness and colour of rubies, and you have a winning combination. It’s not a matter of diamonds vs rubies – they both have equal appeal and work best when harmonised into a single piece of exquisite jewellery.
• Their symbolism – Diamonds symbolise purity and commitment, an eternal connection and unyielding love. Rubies represent love, passion and vitality, with the deep red colour linked to romance for centuries. They’re also a symbol of affluence and wealth, which is why rubies feature highly in royal gem collections.
• Their appearance and aesthetic appeal – There is nothing quite like a flawless (or at least almost-flawless) diamond sparkling in natural light. The finest diamonds reflect the light in a way unlike any other gem. While they may be lacking in colour (unless you are lucky enough to own a coloured diamond), they more than make up for it in character, lustre, and sheer visual beauty. Rubies offer a bold contrast, with blood-red colouring and a depth and mesmerising clarity that draws you in. Together, they create a visually stunning display, which is why they are so often paired in high-quality engagement rings.
• Durability – Diamonds are at the top of the Mohs scale for hardness, meaning that they are impervious to scratching by almost any other substance. Rubies are also very high up on the Mohs scale, which means diamonds and rubies can withstand daily wear far more effectively than most other coloured gemstones.
What are the differences between diamond rings and ruby rings?
Apart from the obvious, there is really very little difference between a ruby and a diamond ring. The only real variation is the cost of rubies vs. diamonds, which will directly affect the ring’s overall price.
However, it’s not simply a matter of diamonds being automatically more expensive than rubies. The quality will have a major influence on the price, and premium rubies can surpass a similar diamond (in terms of weight and size) by a huge margin.
As of December 2025, the average price of a diamond/carat ranged from $1,000 for low-quality stones up to $20,000 for high-grade stones, depending on the four Cs (cut, colour, clarity, and carat). Rubies range from $600 for low-grade gems to $50,000 for the rarest, highest-quality stones, primarily those that originate from Myanmar, based on colour and quality. So are rubies more expensive than diamonds? In some instances, especially at the upper end of the market, absolutely.
How are diamond rings made vs ruby rings?
Again, the majority of processes for making ruby or diamond rings are interchangeable. However, there are a few technical differences, primarily in the way the two gems are cut and polished. Diamonds require specialist diamond-tipped cutting tools because of their hardness. Rubies need to be treated a little more gently because they can crack along internal inclusions. Rubies also need to be cut and faceted to bring out the depth of colour and achieve the best result.
The way diamonds vs rubies are set also differs, with harder diamonds able to withstand greater pressure during setting, making them ideal for luxury tension settings. Rubies are more prone to chipping or fracturing, so the settings are more traditional, using bezel or prong settings rather than pressure or tension settings.
The pros and cons of diamond rings
• Pro – The incredible lustre of diamonds gives them their irresistible sparkle and glittering beauty
• Pro – Diamonds are the hardest substance on earth, making them tough enough for everyday wear without fear of damage
• Pro – Diamond engagement rings are a symbol of eternal love and devotion, making them the natural choice for brides-to-be
• Pro – A guaranteed investment, with high-quality diamonds appreciating in value
• Con – Concerns over ‘conflict diamonds’ and the human rights issues around mining and unfair practices
• Con – The cost of diamonds is high, with some concern over market manipulation to keep prices higher than necessary
• Con – The environmental impact of diamond mining causes pollution, water contamination, and high carbon emissions.
Pros and cons of ruby rings
• Pro – Show-stoppingly beautiful, with an intense red colour that’s symbolic of love, romance, and passion
• Pro – High-quality rubies are rarer than diamonds, making them extremely desirable
• Pro – As they rank just below diamonds on the Mohs scale, they’re tough enough to wear every day without worrying about scratching, making them perfect for engagement rings
• Con – There are questions concerning the quality of some rubies on the market. Their origin can affect the value, making sourcing premium-quality rubies more challenging.
• Con – Some rubies may have been ‘heat treated’ to enhance their colour, giving a false representation of their true clarity, colour and quality
• Con – Rubies can have inclusions that can be weak spots within the gem, causing it to fracture or crack during cutting, or that may affect the overall appearance of the gem.
How to decide between a diamond or ruby ring
The choice between diamond vs ruby rings will come down to a variety of factors.
• Price – It’s always awkward to bring money into a decision made with your heart rather than your head, but we do have to consider the cost of each type of ring. A flawless diamond is going to set you back thousands of pounds, but then so will a super-rare ‘Pigeon Blood’ ruby from Myanmar, which could easily be worth three times the amount of a comparable-size diamond. The cost of rubies and diamonds is always changing, but they very rarely go down in value!
• Sentimental value – There are times when a ruby tips the balance based on its sentimental value. For example, if the ring you’re choosing is to celebrate a 40th wedding anniversary or you’re looking for a ring for someone born in July, then the ruby is the right choice. Someone born in April will appreciate a ring set with diamonds (their birthstone), while the symbol of eternal love and devotion makes diamonds the engagement ring gemstone of choice.
• Durability – Both diamonds and rubies are tough enough to withstand continual wear and are impervious to moisture. Rubies can be affected by extreme heat, and are more prone to chipping as they are slightly more brittle than diamonds.
• Exclusivity – The rarity value is often a deciding factor. Top-quality rubies are rarer than diamonds, which makes them highly desirable for luxury rings.
• Social trends – While diamonds tend to be timeless, coloured gems can go through ‘fashion cycles’ when they fall in and out of favour. Rubies are currently undergoing a revival in fortunes, and with designers creating spectacular bespoke rings using these bold, vibrant stones, it looks like the diamonds vs rubies debate will continue for some time to come!
Combination rings
If you’re finding it impossible to choose between a ruby or diamond ring, why not go for the best of both worlds and go for a combination ring? Diamonds and rubies have been sharing the same ring shanks for centuries. The lustre of a diamond complements the depth and warmth of a ruby, adding the sparkle you need to create a true statement ring.
The glorious red tone of premium-quality rubies adds character to the blue-white sparkle of a diamond. Traditional marquise-cut rubies surrounded by smaller diamonds are a distinctive ‘vintage’ style engagement ring, or go for something more contemporary, with round stones asymmetrically set on a multi-banded white-gold ring for an on-trend boho look.
FAQs
Still not sure which one to go for? Are you torn between a ruby or diamond engagement ring? Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about the diamond vs. ruby debate.
Are diamond rings more expensive than ruby rings?
Not always. Rubies, especially those from Myanmar, are incredibly rare and highly prized. If a ruby can be proven to be from this part of the world, it can increase its value substantially. A top-quality diamond ring may cost around $20,000, whereas a ‘Pigeon Blood’ ruby ring can be worth as much as $50-60,000.
Are diamond rings harder-wearing than ruby rings?
Diamonds sit at the very top of the Mohs hardness scale, making them the hardest natural substance known to man. Rubies sit just below diamonds on the scale, so while they are hard-wearing and incredibly tough, they are more susceptible to chipping or cracking, especially if there are inclusions in the stone.
Should I buy a diamond engagement ring over a ruby engagement ring?
This is a question that only you can answer! If you’re looking at rings of a similar price, the choice will come down to the design, symbolism, and personal preference. It might be worth checking their birthday, too, as someone born in July may really appreciate having their birthstone added to such a special ring. Diamonds are the go-to choice for engagement rings, but rubies offer something a little different, making them more personal.
Care and maintenance tips for rubies vs diamonds
Both rubies and diamonds are easy to look after, thanks to their hardness. However, like all precious jewellery, it’s best to have your diamond or ruby engagement ring professionally deep-cleaned.
For everyday cleaning, first check your ring carefully to make sure there are no loose stones. If there are, avoid home-cleaning and hand it over to a jewellery expert who can repair the ring before cleaning it.
If the ring is in good condition, simply soaking it in a bowl of warm water with mild detergent is enough to loosen everyday dirt and grime. A very gentle clean with a soft toothbrush can remove any trapped dirt. Then rinse in clean water, allow to dry, and buff with a soft microfibre cloth.
If you’re not wearing the ring, keep it in a soft pouch or custom-made box in a cool, dark place. Avoid wearing a diamond or ruby ring if you’re swimming, bathing, or taking part in contact sports to avoid damaging or losing the ring.
Insuring your ring with TH March
A rare ruby, a sparkling, flawless diamond – they may mean the world to you, but they also have a high monetary value. The cost of premium-quality gemstone rings, such as ruby and diamond engagement rings, makes them a significant investment, so it’s vital to protect them financially. Ask yourself, could you afford to replace a rare Pigeon Blood ruby ring if it were lost, stolen or damaged? The cost of rubies vs. diamonds makes them both worth insuring.
However, your usual home contents insurance may not cover an expensive individual ring, regardless of whether you’ve chosen rubies or diamonds. The value may be such that they need to be insured using specialist ring insurance.
And that’s where TH March come in. For over 130 years, we’ve been providing our clients with the best in bespoke insurance cover for valuable jewellery. We ensure your precious ring is protected, giving you total peace of mind. Our unique position within the jewellery world means that we’re up to date with the cost of rubies and diamonds, and can create a policy that fits both your budget and reflects the current market values of these very special gems.
You can find out more by browsing our Ring Insurance page, or by contacting one of our team who will be happy to work with you to create the right ring insurance policy for you. Call us today.