Ruby Jewelry
2010s Turkish Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Victorian Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s French Modern Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Turkish Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Ruby Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Fire Opal, 22k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Turkish Ruby Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1990s Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Late 20th Century Unknown Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
20th Century Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Quartz, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold Plate
1950s Italian Contemporary Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
20th Century Thai Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Israeli Ruby Jewelry
Sapphire, Ruby, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1990s American Modern Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Arts and Crafts Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, Silver, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
1930s Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Dutch Modern Ruby Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
1990s Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, White Gold
20th Century Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1920s German Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s European Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage and Antique Ruby Jewelry for Sale on 1stDibs
This deep red gem is the color of heat and passion — vintage and antique ruby jewelry is perfect for those born in the middle of summer.
Rubies are one of the few gemstones that can give diamonds a run for their money. Just consider the Van Cleef & Arpels “scarf” necklace the Duke of Windsor presented to the Duchess on her 40th birthday, in 1936 — set with diamonds and dripping with rubies, a testament to the deep-red gemstone’s power — or the slippers encrusted with 4,600 rubies that Harry Winston made to commemorate The Wizard of Oz’s golden anniversary. July babies have permission to adorn themselves with this beautiful red stone even when it’s not their birthday.
Rubies are considered precious stones — along with diamonds, sapphires and emeralds — and have a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs Scale, surpassed only by Moissanite and diamonds. They are composed of corundum, a colorless mineral that is also the basic material of sapphires. In the July birthstone, the red of the gemstone — and the various hues seen in sapphires — are produced by the presence of trace elements. In the case of a ruby, this element is chromium. Rubies range in color from vermilion to a violet red. They are also pleochroic, which means that a stone’s hue can vary depending on the direction of viewing. The most sought-after color is pigeon’s blood: pure red with a hint of blue.
Rubies that are hosted in dolomite marble are the most prized: Because the marble is low in iron, so are the rubies, resulting in a more intense color. Rubies found in basalt, which has a higher iron content, are generally darker and less intense.
When shopping for antique and vintage ruby jewelry, remember that the 4Cs of selecting the perfect diamond — color, clarity, cut and carat — also apply to rubies.
According to the Gemological Institute of America, the color of the July birthstone should be a vibrant to slightly purplish red, and the stone should be clear and inclusion-free. Accordingly, the cut should show off its color and clarity. As for the last criterion, fine rubies more than a carat in weight are rare. Often, large rubies are more expensive than diamonds of comparable weights.
Find a collection of ruby necklaces, ruby rings and other accessories on 1stDibs.