Although it’s easy to buy a cheap ruby eternity ring online, perhaps one that matches a ruby engagement ring (with alternating rubies and diamonds), many pieces (which are manufactured or mass-produced for commercial distribution) utilize ruby gems that have come from Burma (Myanmar). Although ruby jewellery descriptions may state that the stones used in crafting these rings come from Thailand, it has become evident that they are often smuggled from Burma and sold through Thai dealers, ending up on the market as Thai stones when in fact they’re Burmese rubies. Why is this a problem? Aren’t Burmese rubies the best in the world?

Ethics and Ruby Gems

While Burmese rubies have long been considered the top gemstones in the sapphire family, with the pigeon blood ruby being one of the best in terms of color and quality, it is inadvisable to purchase ruby gemstones that originate in Burma (Myanmar) because mining and trade is strictly controlled by a dictatorial regime, and the profits of gemstones, especially rubies, serve to support a corrupt military administration, not to aid the Burmese people.

It has also been discovered that, while the Burmese gems previously set the world ruby standard, the current corrupt regime permits the sale of inferior gems (often filled, heat treated or otherwise enhanced) as genuine “natural” rubies.

The two reasons why avoiding Burmese rubies is important are:

1. they are not ethically sourced which means that when you buy ruby gemstone rings with stones from Burma you contribute to maintaining a dictator in power.
2. you may not receive the quality gemstones you’re actually paying for.

Many conscientious jewelry buyers are opting to purchase their wedding bands and engagement rings through jewelers who only work with ethically sourced gems, diamonds and gold. Many of these ruby jewellery creators are small designers and independent artisans who offer their creations exclusively online. Some of the most innovative artisans are using Canadian diamonds, recycled gold, and RubyFair rubies (for more information on this unique ethical mining company based in Tanzania see the Ruby Gems post.)

In the UK, there are several designers who create custom and ready to wear ruby jewelry lines, including unique ruby rings that stand out, not only for their ethically sourced gems and metals, but for being distinctive in terms of design.

Fifi Bijoux Ethical Sapphire and Ruby Rings

Fifi Bijoux is one company that crafts diamond, sapphire and ruby eternity ring creations, as well as other ethically sourced gemstone jewelry pieces, using only ethical silver, 9ct and 18ct gold. Since most ruby eternity ring styles are made to be wedding bands or anniversary rings, the two most popular designs are set in ethical 18k gold mountings.

The sapphires, diamonds or ruby gems can be chosen separately to create custom pieces. For example a half eternity band with 5 or 7 stones or a full band with 40 or more small gems. The prices of the ruby eternity ring bands vary according to the number of gems and the metal chosen.

Ingle & Rode Diamond Ruby Eternity Rings

Ingle & Rode is another ethical jeweler that creates unusual ethically sourced ruby eternity ring designs.

The basic samples of ring styles are shown in the diamond versions, however, almost any gemstone can be chosen including the ethical rubies mined by RubyFair.

Although many of the designs are custom made (or what is known as bespoke in the UK), clients can order copies or variations of the bespoke commissioned eternity bands such as the classically designed court bands that utilize fair trade 18k gold and conflict free diamonds or Ruby Fair rubies / sapphires.

Prices start around £1,000 but can be less if smaller or fewer gems are required. Platinum mountings are also available and the price will be set according to the market value of the metal.

All jewellery crafted by Ingle & Rode is produced in a “socially and environmentally responsible way”.

Gemstone / Blood Free Diamond Eternity Wedding Bands by April Doubleday

April Doubleday is another UK designer who offers unique ruby eternity ring creations using only ethical gemstones. The basic styles are all shown using ethical Canadian diamonds (blood/conflict free), however a mix of gems, including ethical rubies, can be selected as the gems in the designs.

The prices of the eternity wedding bands start around £950 – £1,000 based on Canadian diamonds as the gemstones, but the exact cost of a band will be determined according to the stones you select. Orders can be processed online through April Doubleday’s delightful website.

Buying ruby jewellery, be it a necklace, pendant, ruby diamond ring or an eternity band to match a wedding set, need not harm the environment or add to human misery when you shop through small independent jewelers who make ethical stone and metal choices on your behalf.

For more information on where to shop for matching ethical ruby bracelet designs, loose ruby gems, ruby necklace creations and even pendants and ruby stud earrings, please browse related posts that offer more suggestions on where to shop in good conscious.

Mens Ruby Rings for Power, Virility and Love

Rubies from Vietnam are slightly purple, those from Thailand are reddish-brown and those from Myanmar (Burma) and Ceylon are blood red. And if you think about it, the color of power is red – red for blood spilled in wars, red for fierce temperaments, red for strength and domination, red for virility. And this masculine quest for vitality and sexuality has existed since man himself, and red, being the color associated with the heart, has also been the most used color for romantic love between a man and a woman.

Ruby red is therefore a symbol of two of the most potent elements man seeks – power and love. Since it is also an extremely hard stone, ruby rings have often represented unbreakable strength, from the maharajas of India and the emperors of China to medieval knights and byzantine tyrants. No, the ruby is not a girly ring. It is one of the most ancient mens ring gemstones on record.

Ruby Rings for Men of Distinction

From statesmen to military men, rubies have been the preferred gemstone for mens rings and therefore the masculine styles available are vast: gold, white gold and sterling silver ruby rings, ruby birthstone ring, and ruby diamond ring settings. There is also a trend for a vintage ruby wedding ring, be it an antique ring or a ruby set into polished silver, platinum or titanium.

Yes they are bold. They are reminiscent of what roman statesmen wore and what decorated the hands of emperors and warriors of the east. They make a statement. They are not subtle. They are symbols about your strength, your masculinity, your virility and your individuality.

If you are a man in the public eye you may invest wisely in a mans ruby ring.

Here are some options and styles to consider:

• Emerald-cut – one of the most popular masculine gemstone cuts
• Antique ruby ring – in roman or medieval settings
• Gold ruby ring – in deep Asian yellow gold
• White gold ruby ring – with accented diamonds
• Eternity ring – with thin flat rubies around a simple gold, silver, titanium or platinum band
• Wedding ring – a traditional gold band with a ruby chip or an eternity ring with thin ruby inlays
• Titanium ring – a strong aerospace grade titanium alloy ring with any size ruby as accent