Estate Ruby Engagement Ring
Vintage 1980s Italian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
20th Century Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s Modern Engagement Rings
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Vintage 1960s Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Star Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Engagement Rings
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Italian Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Engagement Rings
18k Gold, Enamel
Early 2000s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Antique 1880s Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings
Ruby, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Engagement Rings
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Ruby, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Aquamarine, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings
Ruby, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Art Deco Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Edwardian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Engagement Rings
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century American Georgian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Italian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1990s Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Late 20th Century Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s Engagement Rings
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
20th Century Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Engagement Rings
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Estate Ruby Engagement Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Estate Ruby Engagement Ring?
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.
Finding the Right Rings for You
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Yes, rubies are good for engagement rings. The stone's rarity, beauty, and durability make it a prized gem. These red gemstones represent romance, wealth, and success -- perfect for celebrating an engagement.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022What a ruby engagement ring means is largely a matter of personal interpretation. Some people believe rubies represent love, passion and desire, but historically, the gemstone meant nobility and courage. The gem is also the birthstone for July. Find a selection of ruby gemstone rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024The difference between vintage, antique and estate engagement rings comes down to age and history. Rings that are over 100 years old are antiques, while those produced 20 to 99 years ago are vintage. Estate engagement rings are any rings that have had a previous owner. They can include antique, vintage and even contemporary rings produced during the last 20 years. Shop a large selection of engagement rings on 1stDibs.
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Nothing Says Summer Heat Like This Ruby-Red Cartier Stunner
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Zircon Rings: Our Guide to a Uniquely Colorful Natural Gemstone
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Colorful Gemstones Are a Brilliant Choice for Engagement Rings
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Our Guide to Fancy-Colored Diamond Engagement Rings
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Talking Diamonds with the Jeweler Behind J. Lo’s Engagement Ring
Alon Ruschin, of Vivid Diamonds & Jewelry, channels his passion for gems into helping clients find just the right ring.