Ruby Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Ruby Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gr...
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Nouveau Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Artist Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1990s Ruby Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Ruby Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Ruby, South Sea Pearl, Si...
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ruby Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18...
21st Century and Contemporary American Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s American Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s American Modern Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Ruby Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s American Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Indian Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1960s Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1980s Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Moonstone, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
2010s American Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Baroque Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Unknown Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
1960s Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Malagasy Ruby Jewelry
Ruby
Late 20th Century Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage and Antique Ruby Jewelry for Sale 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.