Ruby Red Gemstones on a Budget

Garnet is the traditional January birthstone. It exists in many colors, including various shades of red. Natural garnet is inexpensive and lab-created gemstones are even more affordable. A few red varieties of garnet are almandine and pyrope, a type that's usually found as small specimens, so typically set close together in clusters. Follow the link to explore garnet jewelry and you'll discover a wide variety of styles and prices.

Carnelian is a form of chalcedony, a type of quartz made up of tiny crystals. You'll find carnelian in shades of red and orange-red, and many stones with brownish undertones. The gemstone isn't as transparent as ruby or garnet, but its affordability means you'll find endless lovely pieces made by talented jewelry designers.

Translucent variations of rhodochrosite are found in shades of strawberry-pink to watermelon-red. It's a softer stone than ruby, so not as durable, but looks stunning cut as a cabochon and used by itself in a setting or combined with other colored gemstones. Darker stones command higher prices, but most rhodochrosite jewelry is inexpensive.

Synthetic ruby is created in a laboratory, but it has the same chemical make-up as its natural counterpart -- at a much lower price. Mix it with cubic zirconia instead of diamonds and the result is jewelry that will suit nearly any budget.

Swarovski crystals are not gemstones, they are quality cut pieces of lead glass and available in deep colors that are beautiful in their own right. Swarovski crystals are mounted into prongs and other settings and are widely used in beaded pieces. Prices vary, but the crystals are affordable -- you should be able to find something to suit any budget.