Sourcing materials is an important element in our process. We take great care to source recycled metals and responsibly sourced diamonds and gemstones. I sometimes even go straight to the source and dig for gems myself! If you had a chance to read about my trip to Montana digging for sapphires, then you might recall this stunning raw ruby I found. 

Is the pink beauty a Sapphire or a Ruby?

Both, actually. Sapphire and Ruby are both made of the mineral corundum. Corundum acquires color when other minerals are present as it forms. Chromium gives it a red color, manganese orange, iron yellow, titanium blue and vanadium purple. When there is enough chromium present to create a deep pink or red sapphire, it is known as a ruby.

For every little pebble of sapphire I found, only one in 20 was large enough to cut into a faceted stone. Since I last shared, my uncle Keith, who cuts many of the sapphires we stock in-studio, has faceted this incredible 2.20 ct. pink ruby.  

When you facet a stone you lose 40-60% of the gem. It’s like revealing the heart of the stone, cutting away the included and cloudy edges so you’re left with the highest quality stone. My ruby began as a 2.20 ct. raw gemstone and was faceted into a 0.94 ct. cushion cut ruby. 

The intense clarity and color saturation found naturally in this gem make it extremely rare. Most rubies on the market are heat treated to reach this clarity and color. Corundum, ie sapphire and ruby, are the hardest gemstone other diamond, making them ideal for every day wear. This makes sapphires an ideal gem for an engagement ring or custom anniversary piece of jewelry.

See some of our other gemstones here. If you're in Tulsa, please come by the studio Wednesday to Saturday or make a custom design appointment to view our handpicked gem collection.