Pigeon Blood
2010s Chinese Retro Cocktail Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Modern Solitaire Rings
2010s Chinese Art Deco Charm Bracelets
Ruby
2010s Mozambican Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Solitaire Rings
2010s Burmese Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Asian Cluster Rings
Ruby
2010s Solitaire Rings
2010s Mozambican Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Engagement Rings
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Drop Earrings
2010s Thai Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chinese Retro Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Loose Gemstones
Other
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
Late 20th Century Contemporary Engagement Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Czech More Jewelry
Garnet
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Chinese Retro Solitaire Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Burmese Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Burmese Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Late 20th Century Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Solitaire Rings
2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Ruby, Platinum
Late 20th Century Modern Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby, Silver
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Ruby, Platinum
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Burmese Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Burmese Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Pendant Necklaces
2010s Chinese Art Deco Band Rings
Ruby
2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Ruby, Platinum
2010s Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Bridal Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Solitaire Rings
Ruby, Platinum
2010s Burmese Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary North American Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Ruby
2010s Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Loose Gemstones
Rhodolite
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Pigeon Blood For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Pigeon Blood?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The best way to tell if a ruby is a pigeon’s blood ruby is to take the gemstone to a licensed jewelry appraiser. Although you can attempt to identify the stone from its coloration, an expert can give you a more definitive answer. You'll find a wide variety of expertly vetted ruby gemstone jewelry on 1stDibs.