Ruby
#E0115F
Color Values
Color Meaning
Ruby represents passion, vitality, and prosperity. It's associated with love, energy, and luxury. Ruby is a vibrant, intense red that symbolizes power and desire.
Learn more on WikipediaFrequently Asked Questions About Ruby
What two colors make ruby?
Ruby is made by mixing red with a small amount of blue and white. The result is a deep, rich red with slight purplish undertones resembling the ruby gemstone.
What's the difference between ruby and crimson?
Ruby is deeper and more jewel-toned, while crimson is brighter. Both are deep reds with purple influence.
How do you make light ruby?
Light ruby is made by mixing ruby with white, or by mixing red with tiny amounts of blue and more white.
The History of Ruby
Ruby — the red gemstone variety of corundum — has been treasured as one of the world's most precious stones for over 2,500 years. Ancient Sanskrit texts called rubies 'ratnaraj' (king of precious stones), and they were among the most valued goods along the Silk Road trade routes. The 'pigeon blood' ruby from the Mogok Valley in Burma (Myanmar) is considered the finest quality, commanding extraordinary prices per carat. Medieval European knights wore rubies believing they would protect them in battle and preserve their health. The Red Spinel stone in the British Imperial State Crown was long believed to be a ruby — illustrating how the term 'ruby' described a coveted deep red across centuries before modern gemological standards. Synthetic rubies (created by Verneuil in 1902) democratized the color while preserving the natural stone's prestige.
Cultural Significance
Ruby carries intense cultural associations with passionate love, vital life force, and protective power. In Hindu tradition, rubies are associated with the Sun, vitality, and royal authority — they were placed under the foundations of buildings to bring good fortune. In Burmese warrior culture, rubies were inserted under the skin as protective amulets before battle. In Western fine jewelry culture, rubies represent passionate romantic love — ruby engagement rings are traditional anniversary gifts for 40 years. 'The Wizard of Oz' made ruby slippers an iconic symbol of the power to return home. In Catholic tradition, rubies symbolize martyrs' blood and are among the gemstones mentioned in the Bible's description of the New Jerusalem. In modern luxury design, 'ruby red' represents the pinnacle of red — precious, saturated, and rare.
Color Psychology
Ruby is psychologically the most precious and intense of reds — its depth and saturation create the strongest positive associations within the red family. Unlike common red, which can feel aggressive, ruby feels valuable and worthy of desire. The preciousness association is key: ruby triggers wanting and appreciation simultaneously. Research in jewelry marketing confirms that ruby settings command higher perceived value and emotional investment than equivalent diamonds in certain contexts — the color carries its own desire. In branding contexts, ruby red communicates premium, passion, and exclusivity. Ruby lighting (deep red) in theatrical contexts creates an intense, dramatic atmosphere associated with desire, danger, and theatrical artifice.
Design Tips for Ruby
Ruby (#9B1B30 or #BE123C range) is a rich, dramatic red for luxury applications. Use ruby as a statement color rather than a background — a ruby accent against cream, gold, or deep navy is extraordinary. Classic ruby pairings: ruby with gold for opulent luxury; ruby with cream for vintage glamour; ruby with black for maximum drama. In web design, #9F1239 (Tailwind rose-800) provides WCAG AAA contrast on white — use it for headings and important UI elements in luxury brands. In interior design, ruby velvet upholstery or draperies create the most opulent rooms — combine with antique gold, dark wood, and candlelight. For jewelry and luxury product photography, ruby backgrounds make gold and silver jewelry appear extraordinarily valuable. Avoid ruby with purple or pink — these close color relationships create muddiness; pair with neutrals or direct complements (forest green, teal).