Ruby stones, also known as manik or manikya, hold a rather unique allure and astrological significance in all of gemmology. Rubies are an integral part of the Navratnas in Vedic astrology, and are often regarded as the ‘King of Gemstones’. As members of the corundum mineral family – the same as sapphire, rubies are the designated birthstones for the month of July and the cancer zodiac. Within the vast spectrum of red and pink hues that rubies occur in – the “Pigeon’s Blood” red stands out. The term “Pigeon’s Blood” - denoting a superior quality with a deep, rich red reminiscent of pigeon blood, stands as a testament to the exceptional color intensity and purity found in certain high-quality rubies – especially those found in Burma (now, Myanmar). Beyond the Burmese ruby, sources like Mozambique and Madagascar contribute to the rich tapestry of these July birthstones.
Symbolising rarity and commanding heightened market value, Pigeon's Blood red rubies are essentially considered to be the epitome of ruby colour. This guide unravels the intricacies of what exactly constitutes a “Pigeon’s Blood” colour. Keep reading to understand everything you need to know about the pigeon’s blood red ruby stone.
Pigeon’s Blood Red: Etymology
The term “Pigeon’s Blood” likely originated from the visual resemblance of the manik stone’s color to the vibrant red colour seen in the blood of a pigeon. This connection has persisted over time, creating a legacy that adds to the allure of Pigeon's Blood Red Rubies.
Historically, the term "Pigeon's Blood" can be traced back to the 19th century within the gemstone trade, where European traders and gem merchants first employed it to articulate the profound, unadulterated red colour of superior-quality natural ruby stones. This descriptor, believed to have originated in Burma (now Myanmar), resonates with cultural reverence across various societies.
In Burmese terminology, the term "Pigeon's Blood" is encapsulated in the term "ko-twe," signifying the finest and most vivid natural ruby stone. This nuanced descriptor goes beyond mere color, encompassing attributes such as transparency, clarity, and the overall quality of the ruby gemstone.
The Estrela de Fura Ruby is the largest and most expensive Pigeon’s Blood Ruby ever sold at auction (55 carats for $34.8 million)
What Is the Pigeon’s Blood Red Color?
The Pigeon's Blood red refers to a specific and vivid red shade of a ruby stone, often considered the epitome of all ruby stone colors. The distinctive Pigeon's Blood color is characterized by a particular note of hue, saturation, and tone within the colour. The perfect hue is a pure, intense and vivid red colour with a slight hint of purple. In comparison to other ruby hues, Pigeon's Blood stands out for its unparalleled richness and depth.
Reputed gemological laboratories such as GIA, GRS, and Gübelin, employ rigorous criteria in defining the elusive term "Pigeon's Blood Red." Notably, these esteemed institutions often present slightly varying interpretations despite their dedication to standardization.
Historically, GIA has emphasized hue, tone, and saturation, describing the Pigeon's Blood red as a colour range from red to slightly purplish or pinkish red. Meanwhile, GRS, renowned for its expertise in vivid red assessments, and Gübelin, employing the distinctive term "Pigeon Blood Red," significantly contribute to the standardized recognition of this exceptional color. It is noteworthy that the collective efforts of these gemological authorities result in well-defined characterizations, ensuring a consistent understanding of the mesmerizing Pigeon's Blood red hue within the realm of precious gemstones.
Understanding Pigeon’s Blood Red
As we explore Pigeon's Blood red rubies, our focus turns to the intricate and precise details of their ideal color characteristics. As such, we dive into the 3 main aspects of what constitutes a pigeon’s blood red colour – its hue, tone, and saturation.
- Hue: Hue refers to the primary shade of a colour – such as red, blue, green, etc. The hallmark of Pigeon's Blood red rubies lies in their hue, which manifests as an intense and vivid, pure red color with a subtle infusion of purple. This specific balance of colors creates a mesmerizing and artful display, setting these rubies apart from other varieties. The presence of purple undertones is a key distinguishing factor, marking Pigeon's Blood Red as the pinnacle in the spectrum of red colour gemstones including garnets. This slight purple undertone adds depth and complexity to the red, evoking a sense of passion and intensity that captivates the observer.
- Saturation: Saturation, in general, refers to the intensity or the vividness of the hue. Intense color saturation that is uniformly distributed within the stone, is a crucial element that contributes to the captivating allure of Pigeon’s Blood rubies. The deep and rich red coloration enhances the overall appearance of the gemstone, creating an unparalleled visual impact. This high level of saturation not only intensifies the red hue but also distinguishes Pigeon's Blood red rubies as exceptionally rare and valuable. In essence, the Pigeon's Blood designation is reserved for rubies that achieve the pinnacle of colour saturation - ensuring a visual feast of an intense and rich, vivid red color across every facet.
- Tone: Tone refers to the lightness or darkness of the hue in a gemstone. The preferred tone for the Pigeon's Blood classification of a ruby, falls within the range of medium to medium-dark. This specific tonal range strikes a perfect balance, adding depth to the ruby stone without compromising its vibrancy. The right tone is essential for creating a gemstone with a perceived depth and beauty that enhances its overall visual appeal. Additionally, the preferred tone should be accompanied by a relatively high level of clarity and transparency with minimal inclusions in the gemstone - allowing light to penetrate it to showcase its inner brilliance.
Factors Influencing the Pigeon’s Blood Red
In a general sense, the actual and the perceived colour of a pigeon’s blood red ruby is determined 2 critical factors:
- Trace Element Composition: Chromium is the key trace element responsible for producing the striking red colour in ruby gemstones. The strength of ruby’s red depends on how much chromium is present within its composition — the more chromium, the stronger the red color. It is estimated that the chromium concentration in natural rubies can range from 0.1% to 3% of the stone’s weight. Geological factors, such as the presence of chromium in the host rock and the mineralization process, also play a significant role in determining the manik stone’s red color.
- Lighting Conditions: The color of Pigeon's Blood red rubies may appear differently under different lighting conditions. Examining the gem under both natural and artificial light is essential for a comprehensive understanding of its true color.
Grading Pigeon’s Blood Red
It is important to note that the grading of Pigeon's Blood Red rubies can vary among different gemological laboratories, each employing distinct criteria and terminology. Some labs, such as GemResearch Swisslab AG (GRS), explicitly use the term "Pigeon's Blood" in their grading reports, whereas other leading gem lab certifiers may have their own criteria for evaluating the color of rubies without necessarily employing the term "Pigeon's Blood". Therefore, understanding the specific grading methodologies of the world's leading gem lab certifiers is crucial for accurately assessing the colour of these exceptional gemstones.
GemResearch Swisslab AG (GRS), a pioneering gemstone certification lab, has formally established a scale dedicated to Pigeon's Blood Rubies. Specifically, GRS assigns a Type 1 Pigeon’s Blood grading to rubies with medium-strong to strongly saturated vivid red hues (high intensity and low tone) and exhibiting medium to strong fluorescence when exposed to UV light. Type 2 Pigeon’s Blood is assigned to rubies for displaying the correct vivid red color but producing less than medium-strong fluorescence. Further, these grades are not assigned to rubies that are lead-glass-filled, or beryllium heated, or with quality issues such as colour zoning or windowing. Synthetic rubies are also not assigned this grading. In their reports, they mention the term Pigeon’s Blood for rubies classified as such.
Contrastingly, the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) opts not to specifically employ the term "Pigeon's Blood" within their reports. Instead, their focus gravitates towards a thorough examination of the characteristics of colour including hue, saturation, and tone — categorizing ruby stones or manik stones based on this comprehensive grading system.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) takes a nuanced historical perspective on the term "Pigeon's Blood", associating it with the red to slightly purplish or pinkish-red hues of ruby stones illuminated by a soft, glowing red fluorescence. If a ruby adheres to the strict grading of what classifies as a Pigeon’s Blood red colour – the report will mention the same in comments. Their grading system adheres to a more objective approach, meticulously evaluating ruby gemstones based on the fundamental attributes of hue, tone, and saturation.
A GIA report on a 3.53-carat Pigeon’s Blood Ruby
Further, the Gübelin Gem Lab, known to be among the world’s most prestigious gemmology institutions and certifiers, proudly incorporates the term "Pigeon Blood Red" in its reports. This phrase is reserved for manik stones or ruby stones of the highest quality, traditionally linked to gems from the Mogok Gemstone Tract in Burma (Myanmar). It serves as a hallmark denoting not only exceptional color but also the overall quality of the rubies meticulously scrutinized by their discerning experts.
A Gübelin report on a 1.42-carat Pigeon’s Blood Ruby
Finally, the International Gemological Institute (IGI) embraces the term "Pigeon's Blood" in their reports, employing it as a descriptor for the captivating color of high-quality ruby gemstones. In doing so, IGI adds its unique perspective to the rich tapestry of terms used across reputable gemmological labs.
Buying Tips
As you embark on your journey into the world of Pigeon's Blood rubies, it's crucial to first master the art of recognizing their authentic color. Once acquainted, delve into the intricate world of pricing, understanding the factors that contribute to the allure and value of these exquisite gemstones.
- Recognising Pigeon’s Blood Red: Buyers should be aware of the guidelines for identifying genuine Pigeon's Blood red rubies. Recognizing the ideal hue, saturation, and tone, along with consulting reputable gemological reports, can help ensure authenticity and ruby quality. Be aware of stones that have been treated to enhance their color, as treatments generally alter the stone's value and durability.
- Understanding Pricing: Natural rubies with a Pigeon’s Blood colour classification are among the rarest gemstones in all of gemmology, and consistently command top prices due to their international demand and general level of scarcity. The pricing is meticulously determined by assessing key factors, including origin, color intensity, clarity, cut, and carat weight. While it is difficult to put a pricing range on a Pigeon’s Blood red ruby, one can expect to shell out anywhere between tens of thousands to a few hundred thousand dollars per carat for such a stone. The scarcity of fine-quality rubies above 2 carats may also contribute to the exponential increase in Pigeon Blood ruby price per carat.
In conclusion, the Pigeon's Blood red colour stands as a testament to nature's artistry and the enduring fascination with rare and beautiful gemstones. The vivid red color of these gemstones invokes the imagery of life’s vital force – blood. With historical significance and astrological importance—symbolising passion, love, and vitality, wearing ruby stones is believed to infuse strength and courage into the wearer's life. Beyond this, considering their ideal color characteristics and the factors influencing their formation, these rubies, also known as manikya in the corundum family, akin to sapphires, persist in captivating the imagination of gemstone enthusiasts worldwide. Whether adorning historical regalia or contemporary jewelry like bracelets, rings, and necklaces - the allure of Pigeon's Blood rubies remains undiminished, transcending time and trends.
