There is a broad range of ruby beads for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of
Gold,
18k Gold and
Yellow Gold, these items were constructed with great care. Our selection of items includes 288 vintage examples as well as 286 contemporary versions. Our inventory has long been popular, and it includes earlier versions that date to the 18th Century and newer variations that were made as recently as the 21st Century. Pieces in our collection of ruby beads made by
Contemporary jewelers — as well as those associated with
Retro — are very popular. Many examples in our inventory of these items are appealing no matter their origins, but
Clarissa Bronfman,
Marina J. and
Meghna Jewels produced popular versions that are worth a look. Today, if you’re looking for
bead ruby beads and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes
round cut and
mixed cut alternatives. Most of our ruby beads for sale are for
women, but there are 148 pieces available to browse for
men.
Prices for ruby beads can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $199 and can go as high as $395,000, while ruby beads, on average, fetch $4,732.
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.
