12 Fiery Red Gemstones to Elevate Your Jewellery Designs

Red gemstones bring passion, elegance, and warmth to jewellery designs. While rubies often steal the spotlight, there’s a surprising variety of red gems to consider, each with unique shades, cuts, and setting requirements. Here are 12 red gemstones you’re most likely to encounter in jewellery.

Ruby: The King of Red Gemstones
Ruby is the most famous red gemstone, prized for its deep crimson hues with hints of pink or purple. The finest rubies display a pure, vivid red known as “pigeon’s blood,” which refers to a rich red with a slight bluish undertone rather than pink or purple. These gems are highly valued and often command premium prices.

Rubies in Jewellery Design 
With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, ruby is durable enough for all jewellery types. It is almost always faceted to enhance its brilliance and looks stunning in both classic and contemporary settings.

Pairs well with
Diamond – for a luxurious and timeless combination.
Blue Sapphire – for bold, regal colour contrast.

Garnet: The Deep Red Classic
Garnet is a widely available red gemstone, typically found in rich, wine-red shades. Pyrope and almandine are the most common varieties, while rhodolite offers a lighter, purplish-red hue.

Garnets in Jewellery Design
With a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7.5, garnet is durable for most jewellery but benefits from protective settings in rings. It can be faceted or cut as cabochons, offering versatility in designs.

Pairs well with
White topaz – for an elegant and affordable contrast.
Peridot – for a fresh, nature-inspired palette.

Spinel: The Ruby Lookalike
Often mistaken for ruby in historical jewellery, spinel comes in shades from bright cherry to deep burgundy. It offers a more affordable alternative to ruby while still providing excellent brilliance.

Spinels in Jewellery Design
With a hardness of 8, spinel is durable for everyday wear. It is usually faceted to enhance its natural sparkle and works well in both traditional and modern designs.

Pairs well with
White sapphire – for a crisp, sophisticated contrast.
Emerald – for a striking mix of red and green.

Rubellite: The Vivid Red Tourmaline
Rubellite is a striking variety of tourmaline, featuring deep raspberry-red to reddish-purple hues. It is highly sought after for its vibrant colour and natural beauty.

Rubellites in Jewellery Design
With a Mohs hardness of 7–7.5, rubellite is durable, but it often contains inclusions. These inclusions don’t necessarily weaken the stone but are common in natural specimens. It is usually faceted to enhance its brilliance.

Pairs well with
Amethyst – for a rich, jewel-toned combination.
Golden or Orange Citrine – for a warm, autumn-inspired palette.

Red Topaz: The Hidden Gem
While topaz is best known for its golden or blue hues, natural red topaz is extremely rare. Most red topaz on the market has been heat-treated to enhance its colour. These gems offer an affordable alternative to more expensive red stones.

Red Topaz in Jewellery Design
With a Mohs hardness of 8, topaz is durable but has cleavage planes that make it prone to chipping. It is almost always faceted for extra brilliance and should be set in a way that it's edges will be protected.

Pairs well with
Citrine – for a glowing, fiery effect.
Garnet – for a deep, tonal red combination.

Red Zircon: The Brilliant Sparkler
Often mistaken for synthetic cubic zirconia, natural zircon is a stunning gemstone in its own right. Red zircon features deep brick-red to cinnamon shades and has an intense sparkle.

Red Zircons in Jewellery Design
With a Mohs hardness of 6–7.5, zircon is fairly durable but highly brittle, so protective settings are crucial. It is usually faceted to enhance its fire.

Pairs well with
White diamond – for maximum brilliance.
Blue sapphire – for an eye-catching contrast.

Carnelian: The Warm Red Chalcedony
This variety of chalcedony features warm reddish-orange to deep rust tones. Its smooth, waxy finish makes it popular for cabochons and beads.

Carnelians in Jewellery Design
With a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7, carnelian is fairly durable but can scratch easily, making bezel settings the best option.

Pairs well with
Turquoise – for a striking bohemian look.
Black onyx – for a bold, contrasting design.

Bixbite: The Rare Red Beryl
Bixbite, or red beryl, is one of the rarest red gemstones, with an intense ruby-like colour. Due to its extreme rarity, it is more of a collector’s stone than a mainstream jewellery gem, and most faceted stones are under 1 carat.

Bixbites in Jewellery Design
With a Mohs hardness of 7.5–8, bixbite is durable but very brittle, making protective settings essential. It is typically faceted to highlight its rich colour.

Pairs well with
White sapphire – for a classic and elegant touch.
Diamond – to enhance its luxurious appeal.

Red Agate: The Earthy Banded Stone
A variety of banded chalcedony, red agate showcases earthy red hues, often with streaks of white or orange. Red agate is most commonly cut as cabochons, beads, or carved pieces, especially for cameos and intaglios. However, while faceting is rare, it is possible—some high-quality, translucent red agates are occasionally faceted to enhance their depth of colour and create a subtle sparkle.

Red Agates in Jewellery Design
With a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7, it is fairly durable but should be protected from scratches.

Pairs well with
Lapis lazuli – for an artistic colour combination.
Jade – for a soft yet bold contrast.

Sunstone: The Sparkling Red Gem
Sunstone features metallic copper inclusions that create a shimmering effect. Its red-orange to deep rust tones make it a unique gemstone choice.

Sunstones in Jewellery Design
With a Mohs hardness of 6–6.5, sunstone should be handled with care. It is often cut as cabochons but can also be faceted.

Pairs well with
Citrine – for a warm, glowing combination.
Fire opal – for an extra fiery touch.

Rhodonite: The Blush-Red Stone
Rhodonite ranges from pinkish-red to deep rose, often with striking black veins of manganese oxide running through it. This unique contrast gives the stone a bold yet elegant appearance, making it a favourite for statement jewellery.

Rhodonites in Jewellery Design
With a Mohs hardness of 5.5–6.5, rhodonite requires protective settings, especially for rings. It is commonly cut as cabochons or beads.

Pairs well with
Black spinel – for a striking contrast.
Grey moonstone – for a soft, romantic look.

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Andesine: The Rare Red Feldspar
Andesine is a rare feldspar gemstone with a red-orange glow and beautiful transparency. However, much of the red andesine on the market has been diffusion-treated or misidentified as labradorite.

Andesines in Jewellery Design
With a Mohs hardness of 6–6.5, andesine is moderately soft, so this gem is better suited to bezel setting. If you are prong settings, it should be done gently.

Pairs well with
Citrine – for a warm and vibrant pairing.
Garnet – for a deep and dramatic effect.

Red gemstones offer jewellers an incredible spectrum of hues, from classic ruby reds to fiery orangey reds and deep wine tones. When choosing a red gemstone, consider its cut, hardness, and setting requirements to ensure longevity and beauty in jewellery designs. Whether you prefer the rarity of bixbite or the affordability of garnet, there’s a perfect red gemstone for every creation!