Rubies are one of the most desirable colored gemstones in the world. Their rich red color and durability make them ideal for all types of jewelry including rings, pendants, earrings, and bracelets.
While ruby quality and origin are important, the shape of the ruby also plays a major role in its beauty, brilliance, and suitability for jewelry designs.
In this guide, we explain the most popular ruby shapes, their uses, and typical sizes used in jewelry manufacturing.
1. Oval Ruby
The oval shape is one of the most popular cuts for rubies. It offers an elegant look and maximizes the gemstone's visual size.
Common Sizes
4 × 3 mm
5 × 4 mm
6 × 4 mm
7 × 5 mm
8 × 6 mm
9 × 7 mm
Uses
Engagement rings
Ruby rings
Pendant center stones
Luxury jewelry
Oval rubies are widely used in fine jewelry and calibrated gemstone collections because they provide excellent brilliance and a balanced shape.
2. Round Ruby
Round rubies are classic and versatile. They are commonly used in both center stones and small accent stones.
Common Sizes
1 mm – 2 mm (melee)
2.5 mm – 4 mm (accent stones)
5 mm – 8 mm (center stones)
Uses
Halo rings
Tennis bracelets
Earrings
Pavé jewelry
Round rubies are especially popular in melee layouts and gemstone calibration parcels.
3. Cushion Ruby
The cushion cut features rounded corners and a soft square shape, giving it a vintage and luxurious appearance.
Common Sizes
5 × 5 mm
6 × 6 mm
7 × 7 mm
8 × 8 mm
Uses
Statement rings
Vintage jewelry
High-end ruby pieces
Cushion rubies are favored for premium gemstones and collector jewelry.
4. Pear Shape Ruby
Pear-shaped rubies combine the round and marquise shapes, creating a unique teardrop appearance.
Common Sizes
5 × 3 mm
6 × 4 mm
7 × 5 mm
8 × 5 mm
Uses
Pendants
Drop earrings
Statement rings
Pear rubies are excellent for elegant jewelry designs.
5. Marquise Ruby
The marquise cut is long and narrow with pointed ends. It gives the illusion of a larger gemstone.
Common Sizes
6 × 3 mm
7 × 3.5 mm
8 × 4 mm
10 × 5 mm
Uses
Designer rings
Cluster jewelry
Bracelet layouts
This shape is ideal when designers want maximum visual spread.
6. Emerald Cut Ruby
Emerald cut rubies have step-cut facets and a rectangular shape.
Common Sizes
6 × 4 mm
7 × 5 mm
8 × 6 mm
9 × 7 mm
Uses
High-end rings
Vintage jewelry
Luxury pendants
This shape emphasizes clarity and color rather than brilliance.
Ruby Shapes Used in Calibration Gemstones
For calibrated ruby gemstones used in jewelry manufacturing, the most common shapes are:
Round
Oval
Cushion
Pear
Marquise
Princess
Emerald
These shapes are cut in standard sizes to fit jewelry settings perfectly.
Choosing the Right Ruby Shape
When selecting a ruby shape, consider:
Jewelry design – rings, pendants, or earrings
Gemstone size – larger stones suit oval and cushion cuts
Visual appearance – elongated shapes appear larger
Calibration requirements – standard sizes fit pre-made settings
✔ Oval and round shapes remain the most popular in the gemstone trade, especially for calibrated rubies used by jewelry manufacturers.
