PB2 is the second-highest tier in Lotus Gemology's pigeon blood colour grade for ruby. A PB2 stone falls within the laboratory's defined pigeon blood reference window but does not reach the tighter parameters required for PB1: it may be marginally lower in saturation, a touch deeper or lighter in tone, or carry a slightly different hue position while still meeting the laboratory's pigeon blood threshold.

Position on the scale

The Lotus colour scale is published as a structured ladder rather than as a single pass-fail line. PB1, PB2, and PB3 form descending tiers within the pigeon blood category, with PB2 occupying the central band - meaningfully below PB1 in colour absolutism but clearly within the pigeon blood range as the laboratory defines it. The scale is calibrated against the laboratory's master comparators under standardised daylight-equivalent illumination.

Trade context

For the working dealer, a PB2 call denotes a top-grade pigeon blood ruby that does not quite reach the apex. PB2 stones trade at significant premiums to non-pigeon-blood material but at clear discounts to PB1 stones of equivalent size and clarity. The pricing differentials between PB1 and PB2 widen sharply at the larger sizes, where the population of PB1-eligible material is vanishingly small and any PB1 call can move price meaningfully.

How to read it

As with PB1, a PB2 designation should be read alongside the rest of the report. Heat-treatment status, origin, clarity, and the laboratory's inclusion notes all contribute. A PB2 unheated Burmese ruby with a strong inclusion narrative can outperform a PB1 heated stone in the market; the headline grade is one input among several.