Yes! They are good not only because they are beautiful, but because they are also quite durable. They are a bold style choice and are the second most popular gem used for engagement rings.
There are many meanings for a ruby ring, some common ones are passion, love, courage, emotional balance, wealth and prosperity.
Rubies tend to be cheaper than diamonds of the same size although it also depends on rarity and the quality of the color of the gems in question. Some of the rarest rubies, the Star Ruby and the Burma Ruby, still cost less per carat than white colorless diamonds. Rubies can also be lab-grown; these rubies are more affordable than mined ones. On average a 1-carat ruby would cost around $1000, whereas a 1-carat diamond would cost upwards of $2500.
They are very popular for engagement rings. They come in second to diamonds in popularity.
In terms of appearance, this is relative and depends on individual preference. If the goal is to incorporate color into a ring, a ruby is a good choice as their quality is determined by their color. Whereas, if the goal is a traditional sparkle, although rubies will sparkle, diamonds reflect an array of colors and white light. In terms of hardness, diamonds are the hardest stone scoring a 10 on the Mohs scale, and rubies score at 9.
The size of the ruby will depend on the owner’s preference, however, typically you can find 1 to 3 carat rubies in engagement rings.