Bleeding Heart Jewelry
2010s French Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
Antique Early 1900s American Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Vases
Art Glass
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
Pink Diamond
Vintage 1960s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Australian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Silver
2010s French Contemporary Hoop Earrings
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, Paraiba, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Bleeding Heart Jewelry For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Bleeding Heart Jewelry?
The Legacy of Ruby in Jewelry Design
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.