Rough Ruby
2010s American Contemporary Band Rings
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Mixed Metal
Vintage 1970s Unknown Modernist Cluster Rings
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Contemporary Link Bracelets
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Gold Plate, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Anglo-Indian Drop Earrings
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Garnet, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Anglo-Indian Anklets
Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Baroque Anklets
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Early 2000s Stud Earrings
Gold
2010s Clip-on Earrings
Chrysoberyl, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Anglo-Indian Drop Earrings
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Anglo-Indian Drop Earrings
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Anglo-Indian Drop Earrings
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby
2010s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Late 18th Century Indian Bangles
Diamond, Ruby, 22k Gold, Gold, Enamel
20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swiss Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Swiss Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Retro Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Hoop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1910s Late Victorian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Swiss Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Cuff Bracelets
Black Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Link Bracelets
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Bangles
Agate, Ruby, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Swiss Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Indonesian Bangles
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
Mid-20th Century Indonesian More Rings
Ruby, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Hong Kong Drop Earrings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Jade, White Diamond, Diamond, Rose Gold, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, ...
2010s Indian Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Ruby, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 10k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Wh...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Ruby, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Silver
2010s Artisan More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire
Early 20th Century Indian Bangles
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby
2010s Indian Artisan Frames
Carnelian, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire
2010s Indian Artist Frames
Carnelian, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire
Vintage 1950s Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Russian Contemporary Figurines and Sculptures
Amazonite, Amethyst, Quartz, Ruby, Jasper, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Indian Artisan Frames
Carnelian, Emerald, Garnet, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire
2010s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Ruby, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Whit...
2010s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
Jade, Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline,...
2010s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Ruby, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gol...
2010s Swiss Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, Tsavorite, ...
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Collectible Jewelry
Tin
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Drop Necklaces
Ruby, Sterling Silver
2010s Drop Necklaces
Ruby, Sterling Silver
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Rough Ruby For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Rough Ruby?
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.