Ruby Jewelry
Early 19th Century English Victorian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
1940s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Burmese Retro Antique Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s French Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Thai Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Jade, Ruby, Gold, Enamel
1960s Italian Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Burmese Retro Antique Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
1860s Victorian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
2010s North American Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Ruby Jewelry
Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Si...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Revival Ruby Jewelry
Amethyst, Peridot, Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 2000s Thai Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Singaporean Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Anglo-Indian Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
2010s Thai Artisan Ruby Jewelry
Amethyst, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Ruby Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Topaz, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, S...
2010s Thai Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1890s English Victorian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Thai Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s Thai Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Peridot, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Emirian Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s British Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
20th Century Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Apatite, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Classical Roman Ruby Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Anglo-Indian Ruby Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1910s British Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Ruby Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s American Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century American Victorian Ruby Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Retro Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
20th Century American Modern Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Ruby Jewelry
Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Peridot,...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s American Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Amethyst, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Spinel, Emerald, Silver, 18k Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Silver
Mid-20th Century Modern Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Chalcedony, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Contemporary Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
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.