$525Sale Price / item|50% Off
Silvorra Modernist Emerald and Ruby Channel-Set Statement Silver Christmas Ring
Located in New York, NY
This striking 925 sterling silver ring showcases a bold band design richly set with natural emeralds and rubies.
Emerald, Ruby, Silver
18 Karat Gold 1.54 Carat Diamond and Ruby Cluster Statement Ring
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
The 18 Karat Gold 1.54 Carat Diamond and Ruby Cluster Statement Ring stands as an epitome of timeless elegance and sophistication.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
$276Sale Price|20% Off
Emma Chapman Ruby Gold Plate Statement Flower Ring, Handmade in India
By Emma Chapman
Located in Frome, Somerset
This lovely Ruby Gold Plate Statement Flower Ring, has been handmade in our workshops.
Ruby, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
IGI Certified 10.14 Carat Natural Diamond, Ruby and Rough Diamond Statement Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This extraordinary statement ring showcases a striking combination of brilliant natural diamonds, vivid rubies, and rare rough diamonds totaling 10.14 carats.
Diamond, Ruby
IGI Certified 6.37 Carat Ruby, Emerald and Multigem Statement Ring 14K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 6.37 Carat Ruby, Emerald and Multigem Statement Ring 14K Gold Created as a one-of-a-kind jewel, this exceptional ring is the only example ever produced, and no identic...
Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold
IGI Certified 6.06 Carat Natural Diamond and Ruby Cross Motif Statement Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This luxurious statement ring showcases an elegant combination of natural diamonds and vivid ruby gemstones totaling 6.06 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
$973Sale Price|30% Off
German Kabirski Intra 925 Sterling Silver Statement Ring with Diamond & Rubies
By German Kabirski
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Intra belongs to German Kabirski’s Egoist Series, a hallmark design that hides gemstones inside the band. The exterior stays reserved—one precise 0.20 carat golden olive fancy diamon...
Diamond, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
IGI Certified 1.64 Carat Natural Diamond and Ruby Eagle Motif Statement Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 1.64 Carat Natural Diamond and Ruby Eagle Motif Statement Ring This extraordinary statement ring showcases a powerful eagle motif surrounded by natural diamonds and vi...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
IGI Certified 4.37 Carat Diamond, Ruby and Emerald Statement Ring 14K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 4.37 Carat Diamond, Ruby and Emerald Statement Ring 14K Gold Created as a one-of-a-kind jewel, this exceptional ring is the only example ever produced, and no identica...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold
Oval Ruby Diamond Halo Statement Ring 9.85 CTTW 14 Karat Yellow Gold
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Striking and elegant, this statement ring showcases a vivid 8.75 carat oval ruby set at the center of a radiant diamond halo.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Oval Ruby & Diamond Vintage Inspired Style Statement 14K White Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
An absolutely breathtaking ruby and diamond Art Deco inspired ring, featuring French cut rubies that surrounded a central oval one. The sparkle continues to its edges with round diam...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
$28,000Sale Price|20% Off
3.31 Carat Oval Ruby & Diamond Statement Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Chicago, IL
3.31 Carat Oval Ruby & Diamond Statement Ring in 18K White Gold This striking statement ring showcases two natural oval-shaped Pigeon Blood Burma rubies with a combined weight of ap...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
IGI Certified 2.79 Carat Diamond, Ruby and Garnet Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This extraordinary statement ring showcases a sophisticated combination of natural diamonds, vivid rubies, and deep red garnets totaling 2.79 carats.
Diamond, Garnet, Ruby, Gold
Asscher Cut Diamond & Ruby Art Deco Style Statement White Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Indulge in the timeless elegance of our Asscher cut diamond and ruby art deco style engagement ring. This exquisite piece features an eye-catching Asscher cut diamond at its center, ...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Corona V. Natural Ruby Raised Semi Domed Statement Ring 14 Karat
Located in New York, NY
Corona V. / C. 19 Statement Ring .40ct Natural Round Vivid Red Rubies.
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Royal Natural ruby emerald brilliant cut diamond 18K gold statement ring
Located in Delhi, DL
This Royal statement ring with natural ruby, emeralds and brilliant cut diamonds in 18K gold is a true style statement.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Heirloom 3.7cts Statement Madagascar Ruby Ring: Natural Diamonds, 14K Solid Gold
Located in Columbus, OH
Elegant 14k gold ring featuring a stunning 3.68-carat oval Madagascar ruby (10x8mm), enhanced with fissure filling for added brilliance. The vibrant ruby, known for its exceptional h...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$460Sale Price / item|50% Off
Silvorra Elegant Natural Ruby & Diamond Crisscross Statement Ring in 925 Silver
Located in New York, NY
This 925 sterling silver ring features a sleek, contemporary crisscross design adorned with a vibrant row of natural square rubies, each measuring 1.5x1.5 mm for a uniform, refined l...
Diamond, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
18 Karat White Gold 5.82 Carat Ruby Cluster Cocktail Statement Ring
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
18 Karat White Gold 5.82 Carat Ruby Cluster Cocktail Statement Ring This stately vermilion ruby oval solitaire ring is a class apart.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ruby and Diamond Statement Ring in 14K White Gold Size 6.75
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite, beautiful, fine Ruby and Diamond Ring Material 14K White Gold Diamond 0.41ctw Ruby 1.08ctw Ring Size 6.75 Weight: 4.9 grams Gender Women Condition New, never worn Ring ...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
$78,400Sale Price|20% Off
David Webb 1950s 18 Carat Ruby Gold and Diamond Statement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
David Webb 1950s 18K Gold and Diamond Statement Ring A bold and iconic piece from the 1950s, this David Webb ring exemplifies the brand’s legendary craftsmanship and distinctive des...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold
18k Gold Statement RIng Featuring An Unenhanced Mozambique Ruby, Onyx & Diamonds
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This striking custom made 18k yellow gold cocktail ring is bezel set with one center transverse mounted Mozambique ruby, having a total approximate weight of 2.00ct*. Fine rubies are...
Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold
Natural Oval Ruby Gemstone Statement Ring in 14K Solid Gold (Certified)
Located in New Delhi, DL
All our jewelry pieces are certified by a third-party laboratory such as IGI, HRD, IDGL, GIN, or SGL. This oval-shaped natural ruby ring is set in 14k solid gold with a raised prong...
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
14k Gold Snake Four Finger Ring Natural Opal and Ruby Statement Jewelry
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k Gold Snake Four Finger Ring Natural Opal and Ruby Statement Jewelry J Dauphin This 14k solid yellow gold four-finger statement ring features a masterfully sculpted serpentine fo...
Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold
Vintage Sterling Silver Costume Ruby & Rhinestone Statement Cocktail Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing the Vintage Sterling Silver Costume Ruby & Rhinestone Statement Cocktail Ring, a dazzling piece that captures the glamour of vintage jewelry.
18k white Gold Ruby & round cut Diamond Statement Ring, made in uae
By Amwaj Jewellery
Located in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi
The bold contrast between the fiery ruby and luminous diamonds creates a captivating composition, making this ring a refined statement piece—perfect for collectors and those seeking ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage Costume Ruby & Rhinestone Detailed Round Statement Cocktail Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Elevate your jewelry collection with this Vintage Costume Ruby & Rhinestone Detailed Round Statement Cocktail Ring, a stunning blend of elegance and bold design.
Handmade Natural Ruby & Diamond Halo Statement Ring, 1.52ct in 14K Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This halo statement ring showcases a vibrant 1.52 carat natural ruby, set in 14K Yellow Gold.
Ruby, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Rachel Koen Ruby Diamond Cluster Statement Ring 18K White Gold 2.68Cttw
Located in New York, NY
This sleekly styled modern band ring flashes with rows of bright, seamlessly-set square-cut rubies bordered by seamlessly-set vibrant diamonds. A blazingly beautiful and impressive e...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Art Deco Platinum Gia Burma Ruby & Diamond Oval Platter Statement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Ruby (center)- Oval Cut - Milgrain Bezel Set - Vivid Red Color - Burma- 1.45ct (approx. based on the certification) ** See Certification Details Bel...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Ruby Star Coiled Snake Ring Statement Piece 14k Gold Plated Sterling Silver
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ruby Snake Star Coiled Statement Ring 14k Gold Plated Sterling Silver Designer J DAUPHIN This coiled serpent ring is handcrafted in a thick 1 micron 14k gold plating over sterling ...
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
IGI Certified 3.78 Carat Diamond, Emerald and Ruby Snake Motif Statement Ring 8K
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 3.78 Carat Diamond, Emerald and Ruby Snake Motif Statement Ring 8K Gold This extraordinary statement ring showcases an elegant snake motif adorned with natural diamond...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby
2.37 Carat Diamond and Ruby Flower Statement Fashion Ring in Victorian Style
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
2.37 Carat Diamond and Ruby Flower Statement Fashion Ring in Victorian Style This Victorian era art-deco style floral enchanting pink-red ruby and diamond ring is eternal.
Diamond, Ruby, Silver
IGI Certified 3.61 Carat Diamond, Emerald and Ruby Snake Motif Statement Ring 8K
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 3.61 Carat Diamond, Emerald and Ruby Snake Motif Statement Ring 8K Gold Created as a one-of-a-kind jewel, this exceptional ring is the only example ever produced, and ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby
IGI Certified 4.00 Carat Natural Emerald, Ruby and Diamond Statement Ring 8K Gol
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 4.00 Carat Natural Emerald, Ruby and Diamond Statement Ring 8K Gold This extraordinary statement ring showcases the luxurious harmony of natural emeralds, vivid rubies...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby
Vintage Statement 1.23 Carat Diamond and Ruby Platinum Red Carpet Cocktail Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Diamond and Ruby Double Octagon Platinum Statement Cocktail Ring.
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
18K Gold Statement Ring with Natural Opal Ruby and Diamond, featuring Pear
Located in Jupiter, FL
Introducing our exquisite Natural Opal, Ruby, and Diamond Statement Ring, a testament to unparalleled beauty and craftsmanship.
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold
Pink Red Ruby Cabochon Cluster Diamond Pave Rose Gold Statement Cocktail Ring
By Galt & Bro. Jewelers
Located in Tysons, VA
The pavé-set stones form a harmonious pattern, showcasing the jeweler's attention to detail and commitment to elegance. A true statement piece, this ring embodies sophistication and ...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Multi Sapphire Ruby Diamond 18 Karat Gold Tutti Frutti Statement Ring
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
This exquisite ring is crafted from 18-karat gold. It is set with 6.01 carats multi sapphire, 1.14 carats ruby & 5.86 carats of glittering diamonds. The ring is a size 7 and may be...
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Sapphire, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold
$7,524Sale Price / item|20% Off
Natural Sapphire Emerald Ruby Diamond Statement Ring in Solid 18K White Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Diera, Dubai
Featuring a striking combination of natural sapphire, emerald, and ruby gemstones totaling 4.56 carats, this statement ring captures the beauty of fine colored gemstone jewelry with ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
IGI Certified 11.67 Carat Ruby, Citrine and Black Diamond Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This extraordinary statement ring showcases a dramatic combination of vivid natural rubies, golden citrines, and striking black diamonds totaling 11.67 carats.
Citrine, Black Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Diamond Pave & Ruby Eyes Cat Kitten 18K White Gold Statement Animal Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
This captivating piece is crafted in 18k white gold, featuring a playful cat design adorned with diamonds. The primary stones, weighing 1.14 carats, exhibit a brilliant white color, ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Statement 3.00 Carat Pear Opal Marquise Diamond and Ruby Platinum Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Finely detailed and Elegant Mid Century Modern Platinum Statement Cocktail Ring. Centering a Luminous 3.00 Carat Pear-cut Opal, surrounded by 0.95tcw of Glittering Marquise Diamonds ...
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Platinum
1.5 Carat Sapphire & Ruby with Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Crossover Statement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
1.5 Carat Sapphire & Ruby with Diamond 18K in Yellow Gold Crossover Statement Ring in size 6 Details: Item Type: Gemstone and Diamond Ring Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Size: 6.5 Weight: 8...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold 6.60ctw Sapphire Diamond & Ruby Lady Bug Statement Cocktail Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This wonderful whimsical ring creates a puffed lady bug look with very nice blue full cut round sapphires and diamonds - super quality. Enjoy! --Stone(s):-- (38) Natural Genuine Dia...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, White Gold
8.53 Carat Cushion Cut Ruby Diamond Halo Ring Statement Fine Jewelry 14KT Gold
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional statement ring showcasing a vibrant 8.53 carat cushion-cut ruby, celebrated for its rich red hue and captivating presence.
Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$2,987Sale Price|20% Off
Statement Diamond Ruby White Rose 14k Gold Ring for Her for Him
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring White Rose Gold 14 K (Same Ring with Emerald stone Available) Diamond 26-RND57-0,42-3/6А Diamond 4-RND57-0,03-3/6А Ruby 1-1,02 ct Weight 7,93 grams Size 20.5 With a heritage...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
5.46 CTW Baguette Cut Ruby Statement Eternity Band Ring 18K White Gold
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
5.46 CTW Baguette Cut Ruby Statement Eternity Band Ring 18K White Gold This elegant vibrant red ruby band is a class apart.
Ruby, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Ruby & Pave Diamond Art Deco Inspired Style Statement 14K White Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
A gorgeous emerald cut ruby is presented in classic Art Deco style. The gemstone radiates from within a sparkling halo of bright round brilliant cut diamonds punctuated east and west...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
1.5 Carat Sapphire & Ruby with Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Crossover Statement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
1.5 Carat Sapphire & Ruby with Diamond 18K in Yellow Gold Crossover Statement Ring in size 6 Details: Item Type: Gemstone and Diamond Ring Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Size: 6.5 Weight: 8...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Platinum GIA 11.18ctw Burma No Heat Star Ruby w/ Diamond Statement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Star Ruby - Round Double Cabochon Cut - Prong Set - Purplish-Red Color - No Heat - Burma - 10.55ct (exact stamped) ** See Certification Details Belo...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
IGI Certified 1.02 Carat Natural Ruby and Diamond Statement Ring in 14K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 1.02 Carat Ruby Diamond Ring 14K Gold
This ring centers a 0.95 carat natural ruby, a gemstone prized for its deep red saturation and association with passion and vit...
Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold
IGI Certified 1.15 Carat Natural Ruby and Diamond Statement Ring in 14K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 1.15 Carat Ruby Diamond Ring 14K Gold
This ring is built around a 1.00 carat natural ruby, complemented by diamond accents for a total gemstone weight of 1.15 carats...
Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold
$1,216Sale Price / item|20% Off
Statement Ruby Diamond Halo Cocktail Ring Gift in 14k Solid Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Statement Ruby Diamond Halo Cocktail Ring in 18K Gold featuring natural ruby of 0.45 carats and diamonds of 0.5 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
IGI Certified 0.23 Carat Natural Ruby and Diamond Statement Ring in 18K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 0.23 Carat Ruby Diamond Ring 18K Gold
This ring is built around a 0.15 carat natural ruby red, complemented by diamond accents for a total gemstone weight of 0.23 ca...
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
IGI Certified 0.31 Carat Natural Ruby and Diamond Statement Ring in 18K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 0.31 Carat Ruby Diamond Ring 18K Gold
This ring is built around a 0.16 carat natural ruby red, complemented by diamond accents for a total gemstone weight of 0.31 ca...
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
IGI Certified 1.28 Carat Natural Ruby and Diamond Statement Ring in 14K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 1.28 Carat Diamond Ruby Ring 14K Gold
This ring is built around a 1.23 carat natural ruby red, complemented by diamond accents for a total gemstone weight of 1.28 ca...
Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold
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.