Vintage 14k White Gold 0.78tcw Ruby Eternity Band
Located in New York, NY
This vintage ruby eternity band offers a timeless expression of color and elegance.
20th Century Band Rings
Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 14k White Gold 0.78tcw Ruby Eternity Band
Located in New York, NY
This vintage ruby eternity band offers a timeless expression of color and elegance.
Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique Burmese Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Condition: Used (Very Good) Weight: 3.0 grams Size: N (54) Band Width: 1.5mm Face Dimensions: 12mm x 11mm Ruby Dimensions: 6mm x 4mm (approx. 0.60ct) Total Diamond Weight: Approx. 1....
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$900Sale Price|25% Off
Oval Ruby Vintage Style Three Stones Ring in Solid 9K Yellow Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
The elegant vintage-inspired setting highlights the ruby's rich color, while the intricate detailing on the band adds timeless charm and sophistication.
Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 0.66 Carat Ruby and 0.40 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Trilogy Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 0.66 carat ruby and 0.40 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold, white gold set, three stone/trilogy ring; an addition to our vintage jewellery and estate ...
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Emerald-Cut Ruby and Diamond Halo Filigree Ring
Located in New York, NY
Emerald-Cut Ruby and Diamond Halo Filigree Ring Description: This vintage-inspired statement ring is crafted in solid 18k white gold and features a prominent emerald-cut ruby at its...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Style 3.86Ct Emerald Cut Red Ruby & Diamond Band Ring in 14K Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This elegant band ring showcases 3.86 carats of vibrant emerald-cut rubies set diagonally across the band, accented by round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 0.24 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage South Sea Pearl Cocktail Ring with Ruby & Diamond Halo in 18 Karat Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Ring Size: 5.75 Elevate your elegance with this breathtaking vintage South Sea pearl cocktail ring, a true statement of timeless luxury.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Christian Dior Vintage Crystals Red Ruby Emerald Sapphire Marquise Silver Ring
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior 1970s Vintage Ruby Emerald Sapphire Red Green Blue Navy Marquise Circle Crystals Charm Elegant Modernist Ring US 7, Silver Tone Very excellent condition, very new.
Silver Plate
VR Jewels Vintage Inspired Natural Ruby and Diamond Halo Ring in 14K Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This elegant ring showcases an emerald cut natural ruby weighing 0.86 carats, framed by a halo of round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling about 0.2 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA 4.70 Carat Antique Vintage Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring in 18 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
A Breathtaking Vintage 18K White Gold (tested) Elongated Oval Ruby ring.
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
Vintage Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond Toi-Et-Moi Crossover Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in London, England
A beautiful vintage ruby, sapphire and diamond toi-et-moi crossover ring set in 18k yellow gold.
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring in Yellow and White Gold
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
Step into the elegance of yesteryear with this captivating vintage ring. Expertly crafted from yellow and white 18K gold (750‰), this piece features a striking synthetic ruby of appr...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Style 14 Karat White Gold 2.59 Ct Ruby & Diamond Oval Eternity Band Ring
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your fine jewelry collection with this captivating 14k white gold ring, showcasing a vibrant 2.59 carats of natural ruby, expertly complemented by 0.21 carats of dazzling rou...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
$503Sale Price / item|44% Off
Split Shank oval ruby engagement silver, gold ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Split Shank oval ruby engagement silver, gold ring. Vintage Style Oval ruby Ring.
Ruby, Gold Plate, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Natural Vintage Circa 1970's 2.50 CTTW Ruby Ring in "Rope" Motif 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Natural Vintage Ruby Ring in "Rope" Motif 14K Yellow Gold.
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Ruby and Old Mine Cut Diamond Wide Band Ring in 14 Karat White Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This charming vintage ring displays a striking balance of color and sparkle, with two vivid red rubies set side by side at its center.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Star Ring
Located in London, GB
Colour: G, Clarity: SI Rose Cut Diamond Dimensions: 25 (1mm) Ruby Dimensions: 21 (1mm) Tested As: 18ct Gold & Platinum Period: Circa. 1930 Box: The Vintage Jeweller Ring Box
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
White Gold Round Ruby & Diamond Leaf Filigree Ring
Located in New York, NY
White Gold Round Ruby & Diamond Leaf Filigree Ring Description: This vintage-style ring is crafted in solid 18k white gold and centers on a 1.33-carat round brilliant-cut ruby with ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-Century 3.10 CTW Burma Ruby Diamond Platinum Vintage Three Stone Ring AGL
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a round cut ruby weighing 2.50 carats - transparent medium red in color Natural Burmese in origin and set with split talon prongs in pierced basket Flanked by cathedral sho...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 0.50ct Ruby and Diamond Cluster, hallmarked 1964
Located in London, GB
This charming ruby and diamond halo ring dates to 1964. A 0.50 carat, oval cut ruby sits centrally, whilst a total of 0.16 carat in eight cut diamonds surrounds it.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Deco Diamond Ruby and Emerald Dress Ring
Located in London, GB
Colour: G, Clarity: SI Total Remaining Diamond Weight: Approx. 0.25ct Ruby Dimensions: 18 (1.5mm) Emerald Dimensions: 48 (2mm - 1mm) Tested As: Platinum Box: The Vintage Jeweller Rin...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 14K White Gold Ruby and Diamond Three-Stone Ring with AGL Certificate
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A classic vintage ruby and diamond ring crafted in 14K white gold, centered with an oval ruby weighing approximately 3.32 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco Synthetic Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have an synthetic ruby and diamond cluster ring crafted at a time when the Art Deco style was at the height of design.
Ruby, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, Gold
Art Deco Style Diamond and Ruby Tablet Ring
Located in London, GB
Condition: Used (Excellent) Weight: 5.2 grams Ring Size: M Face Dimensions: 26mm x 11.5mm Centre Ruby Carat Weight: Approx. 1.04 Carats Further Diamonds: Approx. 0.65 Carats, Colour:...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
14K Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Vintage Style Fleur De Lis Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
Inspired by royal symbolism, this Ruby and Diamond Vintage-Style Fleur De Lis Ring exudes timeless grace.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Band Ring with Channel-Set Rubies - '80s
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A refined vintage ring crafted in 18K yellow gold, weighing 4.8 grams, and featuring a seamless channel setting of square-cut rubies.
Yellow Gold
Kobrin Bros. Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Navette Ring
Located in London, GB
Colour: G, Clarity: VS Total Remaining Diamond Weight: Approx. 0.30ct Total Ruby Weight: Approx. 0.60ct Marked: 10% IRID PLAT Maker's Mark: KOBRIN BROS Box: The Vintage Jeweller Ring...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Victorian Natural Pearl Diamond and Ruby Crescent Ring
Located in London, GB
This is an 18ct rose gold diamond, pearl and ruby ring. The ring consists of two crescent moons, one of which is set with diamonds and the other with rubies.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Rose Gold
Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Box: The Vintage Jeweller Gift Box
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$4,760Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Inspired 14k Yellow Gold Marquise Ruby & Baguette Diamond Wedding Ring
By Gregory Mikaelian & Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 14k Yellow gold Marquise Ruby and Baguette Cut Diamond Wedding Ring .
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Diamond and Synthetic Ruby Asymmetric Cocktail Ring in Gold & Platinum
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The result is a harmonious fusion of vintage and contemporary design, a cocktail ring that celebrates the interplay of shapes and colors.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
18K White Gold Ruby Diamond Baguette Halo Cocktail Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A striking vintage ruby and diamond cocktail ring crafted in 18 karat white gold.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$5,806Sale Price|30% Off
1994 Cartier 18K Yellow Gold Ruby, Emerald & Sapphire Ring Vintage Size 7.75
By Cartier
Located in Conroe, TX
A striking vintage Cartier ring crafted in rich 18K yellow gold, showcasing a vibrant geometric arrangement of a square-cut ruby framed by pear-cut emeralds and sapphire accents.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 0.40ct Ruby and Diamond Cluster, Hallmarked 1968
Located in London, GB
This charming vintage cluster ring is hallmarked 1968. At its centre sits a vivid 0.40 carat oval cut ruby, claw set into platinum.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Platinum Oval Ruby and Tapered Baguette Ballerina Cluster Ring
Located in New York, NY
Platinum Oval Ruby and Tapered Baguette Ballerina Cluster Ring Description: This vintage-style ballerina cocktail ring is crafted in solid platinum and features a central 1.72-carat...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Edwardian Ruby and Old Cut Diamond Navette Ring
Located in London, GB
Condition: Used (Very Good) Weight: 3.3 grams Ring Size: N Face Dimensions: 27mm x 9mm Total Ruby Carat Weight: Approx. 0.35 Carats Total Diamond Carat Weight: Approx. 0.40 Carats D...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
$943Sale Price / item|44% Off
Lily calla 14k gold ring with ruby and diamonds
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Flower gold ring.Genuine ruby ring. Red ruby ring. Ruby vintage ring.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
Structured retro tank 1940's ruby and diamond ring
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Symmetrical in design yet asymmetrical in form, it is a bold and highly distinctive piece — a true showstopper. The ring is set with nine sugarloaf-cut rubies, complemented by 26 br...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Buccellati Diamond Sapphire Ruby 18K Gold Floral Eternity Ring
By Buccellati
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Buccellati Italian 18K Yellow and White Gold Floral Sapphire and Ruby Statement Ring This captivating vintage Buccellati ring embodies Italian elegance and craftsmanship, sh...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1950s Silver Synthetic Ruby Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing our exquisite 1950s Silver Synthetic Ruby Ring – a timeless piece that captures the essence of vintage glamour.
Silver
Gold Oval Ruby and Swirling Baguette Diamond Ballerina Ring
Located in New York, NY
Gold Oval Ruby and Swirling Baguette Diamond Ballerina Ring Description: This vintage cocktail ring is crafted in solid 14k yellow gold and centers on an oval-cut ruby with a vibran...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Tiffany & Co Deep Red Ruby Diamond Platinum & 18k Gold Three Stone Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Birmingham, GB
Vintage Tiffany & Co Deep Red Ruby And Diamond Platinum And 18k Gold Three Stone Ring This classic three stone ring features a deep red 4mm round cut ruby with top colour.
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$10,800Sale Price|20% Off
Suzy Levian 14K Yellow Gold Pear-Cut Ruby and White Diamond Vintage Look Ring
By Suzy Levian
Located in Great Neck, NY
This spectacular ring from the Suzy Levian collection features 14k gold. An array of white diamonds (.50cttw) accent the perfect red color of the ruby gemstone center stone (1.00ct) ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Cartier Diamond Ruby Daphne 18k Yellow Gold Three Stone Domed Ring EU52
By Cartier
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Cartier Diamond & Ruby 18k Yellow Gold Three Stone Daphne Ring.
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ruby & Diamond Halo Set Vintage Inspired Style Three Stone Two Tone Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Ring Information Style: Vintage Inspired Style Total weight: 3.14 g.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Textured Cocktail Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A bold and sculptural mid-century cocktail ring handcrafted in rich 18K yellow gold, featuring a vibrant oval-cut ruby weighing approximately 1.84 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Ruby and Emerald Two-Stone Toi et Moi Carved Gold Statement Ring
Located in London, GB
A striking Toi et Moi / Vintage Dual-Gemstone Carved Signet Ring set in ornate yellow gold.
18k Gold
Belle époque 1910 Ruby Diamond Ring yellow Gold Platinum
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
Indulge in the Vintage elegance of these exquisite Belle Epoque Ring in yellow Gold and Platinum featuring an oval old European cut Diamond weighing ca. 1.02 ct withing a border of c...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage Herbert Rosenthal, Ruby and Diamond Bee Ring, 18K Yellow and White Gold
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Chicago, IL
A whimsical and beautifully crafted vintage bee ring by Herbert Rosenthal, showcasing the designer’s distinctive approach to nature-inspired jewelry.
Art Deco Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Halo Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Halo Engagement Ring A striking blend of elegance and bold design, this vintage ring showcases a dazzling old Rose Cut diamond at its heart, radiating...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Edwardian Marquise Shape Portrait Cut Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in London, GB
Colour: G, Clarity: SI Ruby Dimensions: 22 (1mm) Total Remaining Diamond Weight: Approx. 0.06ct Marked: 18ct Gold & Platinum Period: Circa. 1900 Box: The Vintage Jeweller Ring Box
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
French Art Deco Three-Stone Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in London, GB
Colour: F, Clarity: SI Ruby Dimensions: 32 (1mm) Marked: French Platinum Mark Box: The Vintage Jeweller Ring Box
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
VERSACE Vintage Iconic Gold Snake Ruby Marquise Oval Cocktail Chunky Ring US 8
By Gianni Versace Couture
Located in Wokingham, England
VERSACE Vintage Vivid Snake Red Ruby Enamel Marquise Oval Crystal Cocktail Chunky Ring US 8 Gold Statement Ring, US 8, Gold Plated Very good condition.
Gold Plate
8.40 ctw Mozambique Ruby & Diamond Halo 18K Yellow Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
A bold and captivating piece, this vintage style halo ring features a stunning 7.65 carat oval-cut Mozambique ruby, admired for its rich red hue and exceptional presence.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond & Ruby Enamel Art Deco Style White Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
This stunning Art Deco-style ring features a vibrant bezel-set ruby at its center, exuding timeless elegance and sophistication.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Vintage 14k Yellow Gold 7.0 Gram Natural Opal Ruby Statement Ring Size 6.5
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage 14k Yellow Gold 7.0 Gram Natural Opal Ruby Statement Ring Size 6.5 Size 6.5 Center Opal 5mm by 7mm, sides 4.5 mm round sides 11mm wide & 21 mm long on top 14K yellow gol...
Opal, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Vintage Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This 9ct gold band has a ruby, emerald and sapphire as the the main detail and diamonds either side. Central diamond 10pts, sapphire 13pts, ruby 10pts. The diamond either side total ...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
Vintage 18ct Gold Ruby & Diamond Half Eternity Channel Set Band
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Ruby & Diamond Band 18ct Gold Hallmarked Circa 1980s A contemporary 18ct yellow gold half‑eternity ring set with alternating round brilliant‑cut diamonds and round‑cut r...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage FOUGERAY Ruby and Diamond Ring with GIA
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 6 Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 9.3 grams Ruby Details: Natural Ruby, Heated, Red, 2.00ct, with GIA Report#5234141063 Diamon...
Yellow Gold
Art Deco Platinum Dome Ring, 0.70ct Ruby & 1.56ct Diamond, 1920s
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
An exquisite Art Deco-era dome ring crafted in platinum, centering an oval-cut ruby weighing approximately 0.70 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
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.
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.
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Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.