In its natural state Ruby is termed as being rough. Depending on its quality gem standard Ruby can go one of two ways: highly included Ruby goes to be cut ‘En Cabochon’ or as beads, higher quality gem material goes to get faceted. Once it has been cut it is termed as being faceted: a facet is one cut. A well-cut faceted gemstone reflects light back evenly across its surface area when held face up.

Sometimes highly included Ruby exhibits a star effect known as ‘Asterism’, this effect is enhanced when a gemstone is cut and polished ‘En Cabochon’: a dome cut with a flat bottom. The ‘Asterism’ effect is caused by two or more sets of tiny parallel inclusions, known as ‘Rutile’ or ‘Silk’, running the internal length of the gem. These inclusions intersect at differing angles with each other, causing the reflected light to form a star like formation across the gem's face. Star Ruby is stunning and quite rare commanding prices comparable with faceted Ruby.

A Ruby possesses excellent hardness, achieving a hardness of 9 out of 10 on the Moh’s Scale, and brilliant sub-adamantine luster: in both the categories of hardness and luster a Ruby only comes second to diamond.