Vivid Red Ruby Unheated
2010s American Modern Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Unknown Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary More Jewelry
Ruby
2010s American Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
Early 2000s Asian Engagement Rings
Ruby, Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Engagement Rings
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Singaporean Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s American Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Singaporean Art Deco Stud Earrings
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Singaporean Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century Link Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
2010s Mozambican Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Cocktail Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Ruby
2010s Japanese Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Ruby
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Ruby
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Engagement Rings
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Modern Wedding Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vivid Red Ruby Unheated For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Vivid Red Ruby Unheated?
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.