Large rubies are very rare. Good colour rubies are one of the most expensive gems. Large rubies are rare and therefore more expensive than comparable size diamonds. Rubies are hard but brittle, so care must be taken when setting and cutting.

 

Imitation rubies have been on the market since the beginning of the 1900s.  They have the same chemical composition but are man-made or manufactured, their most common name being “reco-rubies” meaning reconstituted rubies. The easiest way to detect a genuine from a synthetic gem, is from the natural inclusions found in a natural ruby when the crystal grows. Many people see inclusions in stones and think that this de-values the stone.  On the contrary, this would be a sure way to tell that they are genuine as opposed to synthetic. Synthetic gems appear "too good to be true" !!.