Bochic “Capri” Vintage Amethyst & Multi Color Sapphires Cuff - 18K & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Purple Amethyst & Multi Color Sapphires Cuff Set In 18K & Silver Natural Purple Amethyst - 5 Carats Natural Red Ruby - 12 Carats Natural Light Blu...
Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic Capri Vintage 18K Gold & Silver Multi-Gem Cocktail Ring, 1999
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Blue Sapphire, Ruby & Multi Color Rose Cut Emerald & Sapphire Cocktail Ring Set In 18K Gold & Silver Beautiful Natural Blue Sapphire from Sri Lanka - 2 car...
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
$1,657Sale Price|25% Off
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Emerald Shape Pink Topaz & Tanzanite - 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Pink Topaz & Tanzanite Cocktail Ring in 18K Gold & Silver A Bold Italian Riviera Statement Jewel An exceptional and highly expressive cocktail ring from Bo...
Ruby, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic Capri Vintage Multi-Gem Bangle, 18K Gold & Silver, Circa 1997
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Ruby, Blue Sapphire & Honey Sapphire - 18K Gold & Silver Bochic “Capri” Multi-Gem Cabochon Vintage Bangle Indulge in the effortless elegance of the B...
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Topaz, B...
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Sapphire, Blue Topaz & Emerlad Ring 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Sapphire, Blue Topaz & Ruby Ring 18K Gold & Silver Center Natural Blue Topaz — 16 Carats • Origin: Zambia • Oval • Saturated Blue luminous, glowing ...
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Topaz, Blue Top...
BOCHIC “Capri” Vintage Pink Sapphire, Emerald & Ethiopian Opal 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” VIntage Pink sapphire, Emerald, Opal Necklace Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Pink Sapphire, Ruby - 28 Carats Ethiopian White Opal - 30 Carats Natural Green Emera...
Emerald, Opal, Pink Sapphire, Ruby, Silver, 18k Gold
Bochic Capri 24ct Natural Multi Gem Bracelet in 18K Gold & Silver, 1998
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Pink Quartz, Peridot, Ruby & Multi-Gem Bracelet / Bangle Set in 18K Gold & 950 Silver Elegant Italian Chic • Signed Piece • Certificate & Appraisal Included Natu...
Ruby, Quartz, Peridot, Agate, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Sapphire & Amethyst Ring 18K Gold & Silver - 18K Gold $ S
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Sapphire, Amethyst & Ruby Ring 18K Gold & Silver Center Natural Amethyst — 12 Carats • Origin: Zambia • Oval • Saturated purple luminous, glowing depth Si...
Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire...
$1,980Sale Price|20% Off
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Amethyst & Multi Color Sapphires Cuff Set In 18K & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Purple Amethyst & Multi Color Sapphires Cuff Set In 18K & Silver Natural Purple Amethyst - 5 Carats Natural Red Ruby - 12 Carats Natural Light Blu...
Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Sapphire & Multi Tourmaline Earrings Set In 18K Gold & Si
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Blue Sapphire & Multi Pastel Tourmaline Earrings Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Oval Shape Sapphires from Sri Lanka 12 carats Natural Pastel Co...
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Natural Multi Fancy Color Gems & PearlBracelet Set In 18K
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Natural Multi Fancy Color Gems & PearlBracelet Set In 18K & Silver Natural Fancy Sapphires, Amethyst, Pink Quartz, Turquoise and Tourmaline White Pea...
Garnet, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Pink Quartz & Peridot Bangle 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Pink Quartz, Peridot & Topaz Bracelet Bangle Set 18K Gold & Silver Natural Multi Gem - 20 Carat Peridot, Pink quartz, Topaz The Bochic "Capri" Multi Ruby Gem...
Peridot, Quartz, Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Fancy Sapphires & Blue Topaz Cocktail Ring — 18K Gold & S
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Fancy Sapphires & Blue Topaz Cocktail Ring — 18K Gold & Silver Signed Masterpiece • Exceptional Gem Weight • Museum-Level Craftsmanship Experience elevated ...
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Sapphire, Yellow ...
$1,184Sale Price|20% Off
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Blue Sapphire & Multi Pastel Sapphire Earrings Set In 18K
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Blue Sapphire & Multi Pastel Sapphires & Tourmaline Earrings Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Oval Shape Sapphires from Sri Lanka 12 carats Na...
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Multi Sapphire & Citrine Ring Set 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Natural Opal & Ruby Earrings Set in 18K Gold & Silver Natural African Opals — 4.00 Carats Natural Red Rubies — 4.00 Carats We Pay for Shipping & ...
Citrine, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic Capri” Vintage Multi Natural Gem Bangle Set in 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic Capri” Vintage Multi Natural gem Bangle set in 22K Gold & Silver Bochic Multi Gem “Capri” Bangle Natural Green and Yellow Sapphire - 6 Carats Square Cuts Natural Blue Sap...
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Topaz, Silver, 18k...
$1,020Sale Price|20% Off
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Pink Quartz, Peridot & Agate Bracelet 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Pink Quartz, Peridot & Agate Bracelet / Bangle Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Multi Gem - 24 Carats Peridot, Pink quartz, Agate The Bochic "Capri...
Agate, Peridot, Quartz, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic“Capri” Vintage Opal & Blue Sapphire Cocktail Ring 18k Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care You...
Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Sapphire & Multi Gem Cocktail Ring 18k Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care You...
Peridot, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Silver, 18k Gold
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Sapphire & Multi Gem Bangle Set In 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care You...
Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, To...
$2,528Sale Price|20% Off
Bochic “Capri” South Sea Pearl & Multi Gem Necklace Set in 18K & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” South Sea Pearl, Ruby & Multi Gem Necklace Set in 18K & Silver Elegant and Baroque Italian style Natural Red Ruby Natural Multi Color Gems blue, yellow and ...
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
$2,256Sale Price|20% Off
Bochic Capri” Vintage Sapphire & Multi Natural Gem Bangle Set 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care You...
Amethyst, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Sapphire & Multi Gem Bangle Set In 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care You...
Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, To...
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Pink Quartz, Peridot & Agate Bracelet Set In 18K Gold &
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Pink Quartz, Peridot & Agate Bracelet / Bangle Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Multi Gem - 19 Carat Peridot, Pink quartz, Turquoise, Amethyst, Yellow Sapphi...
Amethyst, Aquamarine, South Sea Pearl, Peridot, Quartz, Yellow Sapphire,...
Bochic Capri” Vintage Sapphire & Multi Natural Gem Bangle Set 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care You...
Amethyst, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Blue Sapphire & White Topaz Drop Necklace Set In 18K Gol
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Presented With Care Your necklace arrives in a luxurious Bochic Champagne Satin Necklace Case and includes: • Certificate of Authenticity upon request • Professional Insurance ...
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
$1,584Sale Price|20% Off
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Ruby, Sapphires & Pearl Earrings - 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Ruby, Rose Sapphires & Pearl Earrings Set In 18K Gold & Silver South Sea Baroque Pearls, Gray / Silver Color with Pink Tones Multi Color Natural Ro...
Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gr...
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Natural Multi Ruby & Emerald Butterfly Brooch 18K Gold &
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Natural Multi Ruby & Emerlads Butterfly Brooch Set In 18K Gold & Silver Can be worn as a brooch and a pendant Natural Red Ruby - 25 carat Multi color N...
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Dragon Bangle Set 18k Gold & Silver Ruby & Sapphires
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Bangle set 18K Gold & Silver Ruby & Sapphires Natural Multi Color Sapphire from Sri Lanka - 3 carats Sapphire colors, Red, Orange and Pink Red Natural Ruby...
Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Silver, 18k Gold
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Ruby & White Topaz Cocktail Ring - 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Ruby & White Topaz Cocktail Ring - 18K Gold & Silver Multi natural gem Ring One of a kind Beautiful Natural Red center Cabochon - 19 carats Surrounded by b...
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, Silver, 18k Gold
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Ruby, Emerald & Sapphire Brooch Set - 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Red Ruby, Emerald & Sapphire Brooch Set In 18KGold & Silver From the “Orient” collection Natural Red Ruby Center - 58 carats Oval shape Natural E...
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Silver, 18k Gold
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Natural Ruby, Sapphire & Multi Gem Ring 18K Gold & Silve
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Ruby, Sapphire & Multi Gem Cocktail Ring Set in 18K Gold & Silver A bold expression of color and craftsmanship, this exceptional Bochic “Capri” cockta...
Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot, Ruby, Topaz, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Sapphire, Opal & Ruby Brooch Set In 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care Your...
Garnet, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Green Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Multi Color Sapphire Sapphire & Ruby Brooch Set In 18K
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care Your...
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sap...
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Multi Color Fancy Sapphire & Ruby Brooch Set In 18K Gold
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care Your...
Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
$2,700Sale Price|25% Off
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Ruby & Multi Gem Flower Necklace Set In 18K Gold & Silve
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Ruby & Multi Gem Flower Necklace Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Red Ruby - 6 carat Multi color Natural Sapphires, Garnets, Topaz 13 carat White ...
Garnet, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic Silver & White Gold Plating Bangle with Red Ruby and Blue Sapphire
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic Silver & White Gold Plating Bangle With Red Ruby and Blue Sapphire Natural Blue sapphire Sri Lankan Oval shape 4 carats Natural Red Ruby Pear shape 3.5 carat Silve...
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Silver, White Gold, 18k Gold
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Multi Color Sapphire & Ruby Brooch Set In 18K Gold & Sil
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care Your...
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sap...
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Amethyst, Ruby & Rose Cut Sapphire Earrings Set In
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Ruby, Amethyst & Rose Cut Sapphire Earrings Set In 18K Gold & Silver From the “Capri” collection Natural Ruby Pink Red 6 carats Natural White Sap...
Amethyst, Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
“Capri” Vintage Sapphire & Rose Cut Diamond & Sapphire, Ring -18k Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Blue Sapphire, Ruby & Multi Color Rose Cut Diamond & Sapphire Cocktail Ring Set In 18K Gold & Silver Multi natural gem Ring Beautiful Natural Blue Sapphire ...
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Dia...
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Fancy Color Sapphire Brooch Set - 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care Your...
Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Bangle Set 18K Gold & Silver with Vintage Carved Jade
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care You...
Jade, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Opal & Blue Sapphire Turtle Brooch 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care Your...
Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Fancy Color Sapphire Brooch Set in 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care Your...
Emerald, Sapphire, Silver, 18k Gold
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Bangle Set 18K Gold & Silver with Vintage Carved Jade
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care You...
Jade, Blue Sapphire, Silver, 18k Gold
Bochic “Jungle” Vintage Ruby & Opal and South Sea Pearl Bangle 18K Gold & Silver
Located in New York, NY
Bochic Vintage Ruby, Opal and South sea Pearl Bangle - 18K Gold And Silver Natural Blue Opal Natural shape 3 carats Baroque south sea pearl White color, silver and pink tone Na...
Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Fire Opal, Opal, South Sea Pearl, Silver, 18k Gold
Bochic Multi Color Natural Sapphire and Mix Gem Candy “Beetle” Brooch or Pendent
Located in New York, NY
Despite its impressive gemstone weight and craftsmanship, it remains offered at a remarkable value—a testament to Bochic’s commitment to accessible luxury. Presented With Care Your...
Amethyst, Citrine, Rubelite, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphir...
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry 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.