Ruby Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Ruby Jewelry
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Artisan Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Sterling Silver, Silver, Yellow Gold, 24k Gold, Gold
20th Century Ruby Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Retro Ruby Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Burmese Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Star Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Swiss Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Onyx, Jade, Garnet, White Diamond, D...
Late 20th Century Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, 14k Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Turkish Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Emerald, Sterling Silver, Silver, Enamel
2010s Turkish Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Silver
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Ruby Jewelry
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1970s French Modernist Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Sapphire, Aquamarine, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, Gold, Yellow Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Revival Ruby Jewelry
Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s British Victorian Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Ruby Jewelry
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ga...
2010s American Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
1970s French Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s European Retro Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby
2010s Italian Ruby Jewelry
Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel
Early 1900s European Art Deco Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century Greek Etruscan Revival Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Ruby Jewelry
White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Citrine, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Revival Ruby Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1970s Italian Modernist Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Ruby Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Victorian Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold
1880s French Victorian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Topaz, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Ruby Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1940s Italian Retro Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow 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.