Blood Emerald
2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Ruby, Platinum
2010s American Modern Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Unknown Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s American Tennis Bracelets
Ruby, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian More Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Thai Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Engagement Rings
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1940s Swedish Art Deco Signet Rings
Other, 18k Gold
2010s British Modern Cluster Rings
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Victorian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Victorian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s American Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Burmese Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Antique Mid-19th Century British Neoclassical Signet Rings
Jasper, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Burmese Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Late 20th Century European Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Brooches
Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire, Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Tennis Bracelets
White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Drop Necklaces
22k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Gothic Revival Religious Items
Brass, Bronze
1990s Contemporary Brooches
22k Gold
Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, Silver
American Chandelier Earrings
Blood Emerald For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Blood Emerald?
The Legacy of Ruby in Jewelry Design
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.