Ruby and Sapphire are two of the most famous gemstones in the world — and, surprisingly, they are the same mineral. Here is what actually separates them.

Same Mineral, Different Colour

Both Ruby and Sapphire are varieties of corundum, with a hardness of 9. When corundum is red, it is called a Ruby; every other colour — blue, yellow, pink, green — is a Sapphire. So a Ruby is really a "red sapphire" by another name.

Ruby vs Sapphire: Key Differences

  • Colour: Ruby is red (from chromium); Sapphire is most famous in blue (from iron and titanium).
  • Astrology: Ruby (Yaqoot) is the stone of the Sun, while Blue Sapphire (Neelam) is the stone of Saturn and Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj) the stone of Jupiter.
  • Price: fine Burmese ruby is among the most expensive of all gems; sapphire spans a very wide price range depending on colour and origin.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose by the colour and meaning you connect with — or, for astrological reasons, by your birth chart (consult a qualified astrologer). Whichever you pick, every stone at GemStore.pk is 100% natural, certified and lab-verifiable.