Red represents beauty and vigor, from roses to flames and classic red lipstick. Red is intimidating, and like me, people think they can’t pull it off. But I’m here to tell you that everyone has their shade, especially when it comes to red gemstones - we just need to find out what yours is so you can feel confident! 

Depending on the shade you choose and how you accessorize it, red has one of the most versatile meanings of all the colors.

On the one hand, red gemstones symbolize strength, courage, action, fire, determination and dominance. But on the other hand, it is the color of passion, love and warmth.

Whichever route you take, this fascinating fact applies: by merely looking at it, the color red can raise your blood pressure and respiration level.

If you’re trying to reduce your caffeine intake, maybe accessorizing with red gemstones is the natural energy boost you need!

Red is truly one of the most versatile colors, especially when it comes to conveying mood.

If you want to make your red gemstones pop, pairing them with white or other soft, pale neutrals will create a striking contrast. Red and dark green also don’t have to be reserved for Christmas. Different, daring combinations that work surprisingly well with red are blue, orange and mustard yellow. 

If you want a less bold and more soft, romantic look, juxtaposing red gemstones with light pink, camel or gray will do the trick. Or, if you want to look irresistibly sultry and seductive, opt for black or any jewel tone to go with these stones. 

Ruby is the quintessential gemstone when it comes to red jewelry. Nicknamed the “King of Gems,” ruby's only competition is diamonds. Ruby stones merit a place in any gem collection and a spot in your jewelry box. 

This red gemstone is also nearly as tough as a diamond, with a hardness of 9, meaning great news! If ruby jewelry is calling your name, you can wear it daily without worrying about damage. These stones should only need an occasional cleaning with mild soap and warm water, a soft brush, and a soft towel for drying.

Garnet encompasses almost every color of the rainbow, but its most well-known variant is a maroon, wine-red gemstone.

Rhodolite garnet, one of the gem’s differently-colored subtypes, is an underrated beauty with undertones of grape purple. It’s like one of those actors who’s been in many great films, but no one knows who they are.

Whichever variant you choose, you’ll want to show it off. It’s a red gemstone that can withstand daily wear, ranking at 7-7.5.

Garnet jewelry and gemstones need a normal wash with warm, mild soap water. Then scrub with a gentle brush and dry with a towel.

Unlike the previous three examples, red coral is a byproduct of living organisms. To be precise, the part of coral used for jewelry is not the living coral animal itself. Coral jewelry is the skeleton of a deceased coral, made up of calcium carbonate secretions the organism made when it was alive. 

Because coral is a biogenic material rather than a mineral gemstone, it ranks much lower on the Mohs Hardness Scale. At a hardness of only 3, you want to avoid handling loose coral or wearing coral jewelry daily - save it for special occasions instead. When it requires cleaning, you can use the typical method of warm water and mild soap, but scrub it gently with a soft towel instead of a brush.

This red gemstone has been a victim of countless cases of mistaken identity. Though many people throughout history have been disappointed to find themselves with spinel instead of rubies or garnet, I would like to take a moment to appreciate spinel for who she is.  

While still considered a precious, luxurious stone, spinel jewelry is more affordable than rubies or red diamonds. Meanwhile, it still has the same rich, red glow that can range from burgundy wine to a lighter, pinkish scarlet. 

With a hardness level of 8, this red gemstone can withstand daily wear and be maintained using normal care methods. A soft cloth and warm, mild soap water will do the trick. 

Tiger’s eye, also known as cat’s eye, is a unique stone, ideal for those with an individual or earthy style. It’s a type of quartz - although you would never know just by looking at it! 

This specific kind of quartz has a special optical property called chatoyancy. Chatoyancy is that feline eye-like shimmer that appears to move across the surface of tiger’s eye, caused by fibers of a mineral called amphibole interwoven within the quartz. The red variety forms by heat treating natural tiger’s eye, as the stone only naturally occurs in a yellow-brown. 

This red gemstone ranks at a 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. While untreated tiger’s eye only requires normal care, the heat-treated red type must avoid rapid temperature changes, harsh chemicals, and ultrasonic or steam cleaners.

Colors that look lovely with red are jewel tones, neutrals, blue, orange, light pink, green and mustard yellow.

A red gemstone that is not ruby is most likely garnet, rhodolite, rhodonite or spinel. 

The rarest red gemstone, bixbite or red beryl, is only in Utah’s Wah Wah Mountains. It is a member of the same gem family as emerald.

Burmese rubies are the most expensive red stones because they have the best color quality.

There is no difference between rhodolite and garnet; rhodolite is one of the many subtypes of garnet.

The coral animal is a marine invertebrate, and the “coral” referred to in jewelry is the deceased animal’s skeletonized calcium carbonate secretions.

Kyra Hensley contributed to this article.