Ruby Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1980s French Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s French Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
1990s European Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
1990s European Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, White Gold
1990s European Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Early 20th Century Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Unknown Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold,...
Late 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Hong Kong Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Aquamarine, White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Star Ruby, Platinum
1910s British Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
1930s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Thai Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Jade, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
1940s Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Star Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 15k Gold
2010s American Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 18k Gold
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s American Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Platinum
2010s American Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s American Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century American Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Platinum
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
20th Century American Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, Platinum
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Ruby Jewelry
Ruby, Sapphire, Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, 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.