Ruby Jewelry
2010s Italian Retro Ruby Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
2010s Indian Victorian Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Silver
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s British Ruby Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, Gold, 9k Go...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s British Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Ruby Jewelry
Fire Opal, Ruby, Opal, Silver, Gold Plate, 22k Gold
1980s Modern Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Turkish Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Emerald, Gold, Enamel, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Ruby Jewelry
Topaz, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Silver, 22k Gold
1960s Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Indian Artist Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1990s Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
1990s Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Mid-20th Century European Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century English Victorian Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Ruby Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Italian Artisan Ruby Jewelry
Rock Crystal, Ruby, Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Pla...
2010s Thai Arts and Crafts Ruby Jewelry
Onyx, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Classical Greek Ruby Jewelry
Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, ...
Early 20th Century English Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Ruby Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire,...
2010s Unknown Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
1940s Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Vermeil, Silver, Sterling Silver
1970s American Modernist Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1950s American Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
2010s Malagasy Modern Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Mandarin Garnet, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century English Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Jade, Turquoise, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Peridot, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Ste...
19th Century Victorian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Tsavorite, Sapphire, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yell...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Ruby Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Top...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Ruby Jewelry
Sapphire, Ruby, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1930s European Art Nouveau Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s Thai Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1960s Indian Artisan Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k 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.