Skip to main content

2 Carat Natural Ruby

to
49
104
23
18
78
18
105
40
15
50
29
2
24
83
1
1
3
2
2
58
50
1
44
21
9
6
6
to
57
1
1
1
1
32
20
8
7
4
4
2
1
1
109
78
2
Sort By
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Tahiti Pearls Tanzanite Earrings Set In 18K Gold Silv
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Sea Tahiti Pearls Natural Tanzanite 2 Carat Natural Red Rubies The earrings from the "Capri
Category

1990s Thai Baroque Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Pearl, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Silver

Classic Pear-Cut Blue Sapphire with Round-Cut Diamond 14k White Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
& Grace Ring. The 14K White Gold jewelry boasts with Oval-cut 2 pcs 0.86 carat Ruby and Natural Round-cut
Category

20th Century Chinese Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Flowers Brooch, 22k Yellow Gold, 2 Carat Natural Ruby Estate Ruby Brooch
Located in Ramat Gan, IL
Vintage Flowers Brooch- 22K Yellow gold, 2CT Natural Ruby, Vintage Brooch, Estate Brooch, Vintage
Category

20th Century European Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Ruby, Yellow Gold

Vintage Flowers Brooch, 22k Yellow Gold, 2 Carat Natural Ruby Estate Ruby Brooch
Located in Ramat Gan, IL
Vintage Flowers Brooch- 22K Yellow gold, 2CT Natural Ruby, Vintage Brooch, Estate Brooch, Vintage
Category

20th Century European Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Ruby, Yellow Gold

2, 5 Carats Ruby Squar Cut Natural Ruby Certified
Located in Auckland, NZ
Nice natural ruby for multiple stone combination cocktail ring. Rich red pigeon blood color 2,5
Category

2010s Pakistani Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby

Modern 2 Carat Natural Cushion Cut Ruby Diamond Minimalist Style Engagement Ring
Located in Orlando, Florida
Modern 2 Carat Natural Cushion Cut Ruby Diamond Minimalist Style Engagement Ring A stunning ring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold

8x6mm Natural Ruby Emerald Cut with 1/2 Carat Emerald Cut Side Diamond
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Emerald cut three stone ruby and diamond ring. 1.50 Ct. Tw. Ruby center stone, surrounded by 0.50
Category

2010s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Lovely 2 carats 82 points Ruby Natural Diamond Dangle Earrings
Located in רמת גן, IL
cut rubies, totaling 1.90 carats, form the centerpiece, surrounded by eight round rubies 0.37 carats
Category

2010s Singaporean Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

White Gold 2.3 Carat Diamond and 5.5 Carat Ruby Tennis Bracelet
Located in Cape May, NJ
/H Clarity: Si1/2 Secondary Stone: Natural Ruby Carat Weight: 5.5 CT Total Carat: 7.8 CTW
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Tennis Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold

.63 Carat Diamond Ruby Halo Handmade Platinum Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
: Vs1/2 Accent Stone: Natural Ruby Carat: .20 CTW Color: Red Accent Stone: Diamond Cut: Old
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

8 Carat Oval Australian Opal, Diamond, Emerald Ruby, Sapphire Ring Estate
Located in New York, NY
approximately 2 carats of natural emeralds, Rubies and Sapphires Very clean Stone no inclusion , full of luster
Category

2010s Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold 2.50 Carat Ruby and Diamond Dangle Earrings
Located in Cape May, NJ
Era: Vintage Composition: 18K Yellow Gold Primary Stone: 2 Oval Cut Natural Rubies Carat Weight
Category

20th Century Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

TIFFANY CO. Ruby Yellow Gold Leaf Brooch Earrings Set
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
yellow gold and prong-set with an estimated 2 carats of natural faceted rubies. Simply stunning.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bochic “Capri” South Sea Pearl, Ruby Multi Gem Necklace Set in 18K Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Italian style Natural Red Ruby - 2 Carats Natural Multi Color Gems blue, yellow and green - 4 Carats
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Choker Necklaces

Materials

South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver

2 Carat Natural Ruby and 1.52 Carat Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Bracelet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Price:$6000 Total Weight: 11.9 Grams Stone Type:1.52 CT G SI1 Diamonds & 2 CT Ruby Condition: New Stock
Category

2010s Unknown Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Modern Gold American Flag Pin 2 Carat Natural Ruby, Diamond Sapphire USA Gem
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modern 18k White Gold American Flag Pin. Approximately 2 Total Carat Weight. Natural Rubies (19
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

Bochic “Orient” Multi Sapphire, Aquamarine Ruby Earrings Set 18K Gold&Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
and Pink Sapphires - 2 carat Natural Rubies - 5 carat Natural Aquamarines - 7 carat The earrings
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Southeast Asian Baroque Drop Earrings

Materials

Aquamarine, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Go...

Bochic “Orient” Ruby, Opal Multi Color Sapphire Brooch Set 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Pendant Natural Multi color Sapphire from Sri Lanka 2 carat Natural Rubies 4 carat Natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Brooches

Materials

Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gre...

Bochic “Orient” Ruby Multi Color Sapphire Brooch Set 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
- 2 carat Natural Rubies - 2 carat Natural Topaz - 1 carat The Brooch is from the "Orient
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire,...

Art Deco Style Trilogy Diamond Natural Rubies 2 Carat Gold Ring
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
rubies and diamonds. The effect is truly eye catching and beautifully sophisticated! Glittering with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold

2 Ct Natural Round Ruby Bug Brooch /Pin 18 Karat Yellow Gold 5.1 Gm, Estate
Located in New York, NY
Approximate weight of Ruby is 2 Carats to a gently curving Bug shape fitted to reverse with a secure brooch
Category

Early 2000s Brooches

Materials

Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Natural Ruby Stud Earrings 14k White Gold 2.50 TCW Certified
Located in Brooklyn, NY
2 Natural Rubies: 2.5 Carats Measurement: 8.08 x 5.99 x 3.75 / 8.07 x 5.98 x 3.76 mm Material: 14k
Category

2010s American Stud Earrings

Materials

Ruby, White Gold

Estate 1.30 Carat Ruby Diamond Earrings Halo Studs Pigeon Blood Red Yellow Gold
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
: Very Good Era: Mid Century Year: 1960s Metal: 14K Yellow Gold Gemstone: (2) Natural Ruby Carat Weight
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bochic “Orient” Vintage Jade, Ruby Blue Sapphire Pendant Set 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Sapphire - 2 carat Natural Red Ruby - 4 carat Vintage jade South Sea Pearl Labradorite The Brooch is
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Drop Necklaces

Materials

Jade, Labradorite, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver

Retro Gold Diamond Emerald Ruby Sapphire Flower Necklace
Located in Cape May, NJ
diamonds and 2 carats of natural rubies, emeralds, and blue sapphires. Era: Retro 1970's Composition
Category

Vintage 1970s Retro Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ballerina Interchangeable Diamond Ruby Sapphire Emerald Earring Set GIA Cert.
By Be Jolie
Located in New York, NY
Blue Sapphires- Round Brilliant Cut 2.66 Carat Total Weight 2 Natural Rubies- Round Brilliant Cut
Category

2010s American Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Bochic “Capri” Emerald, Ruby Sapphire Earrings Set in 22k Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
” collection Natural Green Carved Emeralds from Zambia - 2 carats Natural shapes Natural Red Carved Rubies
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Drop Earrings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 22k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver

Ballerina Interchangeable Diamond Ruby Sapphire Earring Set, GIA Cert. D/ VVS1
Located in New York, NY
- Round 2.34 Carat Total Weight 2 Natural Rubies- Round 2.39 Carat Total weight Gold - White Gold
Category

2010s American Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

18K White Gold 17mm Mabe Pearl, 0.35ct Diamond Ruby Fine Brooch
Located in เกาะสมุย, TH
, milky white, 17 mm diameter Diamonds: Natural, brilliant cut, 11 pieces, VS1-2, G-H, 0.35 carats Ruby
Category

20th Century Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Bochic “Orient” Amethyst, Peridot, Ruby Topaz Earrings Set 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
- 3 carat Natural Blue Topaz - 4 carat Natural Ruby - 2 carat Natural Peridot - 2 carat The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Amethyst, Peridot, Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver

Bochic “Orient” Ruby Topaz Carved Amethyst Earrings Set In 18K Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
- 2 carats - Pear Shapes Natural Ruby -2 carats - Oval shape Natural Carved Amethyst - 6 carats
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Drop Earrings

Materials

Amethyst, Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver

Bochic “Orient” Amethyst, Peridot, Ruby Topaz Earrings Set 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
- 3 carat Natural Blue Topaz - 4 carat Natural Ruby - 2 carat Natural Peridot - 2 carat The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Amethyst, Peridot, Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver

Bochic “Orient” Carved Ruby, Emerald Pearl Earrings Set 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Carved Ruby, Emerald & Pearl Earrings Set 18K Gold & Silver Natural Rubies - 2
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Drop Earrings

Materials

Sapphire, Ruby, Pearl, Opal, Emerald, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold

Bochic “Orient” Carved Ruby, Emerald Pearl Earrings Set 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Carved Ruby, Emerald & Pearl Earrings Set 18K Gold & Silver Natural Rubies - 2
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Drop Earrings

Materials

Emerald, Opal, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver

Bochic “Orient” Emerald, Ruby Diamond Ring Set In 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Emerald, Ruby & Diamond Ring Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Rubies - 2 carats
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Revival Cocktail Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver

Bochic “Orient Antic” Curated Antique Ring From Burma 18k Solid Gold Ruby
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Museum South East Asian Antique Agate Gem Old Burmese Pyu Pagan Gold Ring Natural Ruby - 2 carats This
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Burmese Retro Dome Rings

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Bochic “Orient Antic” Curated Antique Ring From Burma 18k Solid Gold Ruby
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Museum South East Asian Antique Agate Gem Old Burmese Pyu Pagan Gold Ring Natural Ruby - 2 carats This
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Burmese Retro Dome Rings

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Bochic “Orient” Retro Opal, Ruby Sapphire Earrings Set In 18K Gold Sapphire
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Natural White Opal, Cabochon Pear shape - 17 carat Natural Fancy Color Sapphires 6 carat Natural Rubies
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver

Bochic “Orient” Ruby, Topaz White Pearls Earrings Set 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Ruby, Topaz & White Pearls Earrings Set 18K Gold & Silver Natural Ruby - 2 carat
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver

Bochic “Orient” Ruby Emerald Multi Gem Cocktail ring In 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Ruby & Emerald Multi Gem Cocktail ring In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Red Ruby - 2
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Cocktail Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver

Bochic “Capri” South Sea Pearl, Ruby Multi Gem Necklace Set in 18K Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Italian style Natural Red Ruby - 2 Carats Natural Multi Color Gems blue, yellow and green - 4 Carats
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Choker Necklaces

Materials

South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver

Bochic “Orient” Ruby Multi Sapphire Serpent Earrings Set In 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
- 2 carat Natural Multi color Sapphires - 2.50 carat Natural Mandarin Garnet - 2.00 carat Natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Anglo-Indian Drop Earrings

Materials

Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Mandarin Garnet,...

Bochic “Orient” Ruby Multi Sapphire Serpent Earrings Set In 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
- 2 carat Natural Multi color Sapphires - 2.50 carat Natural Mandarin Garnet - 2.00 carat Natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Anglo-Indian Drop Earrings

Materials

Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Mandarin Garnet,...

Bochic “Orient” Ruby Multi Sapphire Serpent Earrings Set In 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
- 2 carat Natural Multi color Sapphires - 2.50 carat Natural Mandarin Garnet - 2.00 carat Natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Anglo-Indian Drop Earrings

Materials

Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Mandarin Garnet,...

Bochic “Orient” Sapphire, Opal Ruby Cocktail Ring Set In 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
, Cabochon shape - 12 Carats Multi color sapphires from Sri Lanka - 2 Carats Natural Red Ruby - 0.60 Carats
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Cocktail Rings

Materials

Yellow Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yell...

Bochic “Orient” Sapphire, Opal Ruby Cocktail Ring Set In 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
, Cabochon shape - 12 Carats Multi color sapphires from Sri Lanka - 2 Carats Natural Red Ruby - 0.60 Carats
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Cocktail Rings

Materials

Yellow Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yell...

Bochic “Orient” Multi Gem South Sea Pearl Earrings Set In 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
- 2 Carats Natural Red Ruby - 3.50 Carats Natural Blue Sapphire - 8 Carats South Sea Tahiti Pearls
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Drop Earrings

Materials

South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plat...

Bochic “Orient” Fancy Sapphire South Sea Pearl Earrings Set 18K Gold&Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Fancy Sapphire & South Sea Pearl Earrings Set 18K Gold & Silver Natural Rubies
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Clip-on Earrings

Materials

South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Topa...

Bochic “Orient” Blue Opal Multi Fancy Sapphire Ring Set In 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Rubies - 2 carats Natural Fancy Color Sapphires - 6 carats Blue Opal - 2 carats This Ring is from the
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gre...

Bochic “Capri” Vintage Tahiti Pearls Tanzanite Earrings Set In 18K Gold Silv
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Sea Tahiti Pearls Natural Tanzanite 2 Carat Natural Red Rubies The earrings from the "Capri
Category

1990s Thai Baroque Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Pearl, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Silver

2 Carat Burma No Heat Natural Ruby Sugarloaf
Located in Hong Kong, HK
2 Carat Burma No Heat Natural Ruby Sugarloaf: A gorgeous gem, it is a 2 carat unheated Burmese
Category

2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Ruby

Gold Ankh Pendant with Natural Rubies and Diamonds
Located in Los Angeles, CA
. Hangs 31 inches (Adjustable) Details: Ankh Pendant 2" long, 0.25" wide 7.5 carat Natural Ruby
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Egyptian Revival Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

  • 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "2 Carat Natural Ruby", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

2 Carat Natural Ruby For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the 2 carat natural ruby you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, 14k Gold and White Gold — can elevate any look. You can easily find a 318 antique edition and 836 modern creations to choose from as well. You’re likely to find the perfect 2 carat natural ruby among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 18th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. For this particular piece, .5 Carat and 1 Carat are consistently popular carat weights. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic 2 carat natural ruby over the years, but those made by Iris Fine Jewelry, D and A Style and David Morris are often thought to be among the most beautiful. Today, if you’re looking for an oval cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes round cut and mixed cut alternatives. Finding a 2 carat natural ruby for sale for women should be easy, but there are 385 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a 2 Carat Natural Ruby?

The price for a 2 carat natural ruby starts at $140 and tops out at $1,100,000 with these rings, on average, selling for $3,500.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

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.