African Ruby
Late 20th Century Thai Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s Italian Retro Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
2010s North African Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Ruby, Vermeil, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Arts and Crafts Loose Gemstones
Ruby, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Arts and Crafts Loose Gemstones
Ruby, Other
Late 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Anklets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Anklets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Anklets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold, Silver
2010s African Arts and Crafts Loose Gemstones
Ruby
Vintage 1960s African Retro Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s African Chain Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Retro Clip-on Earrings
Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Singaporean Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Anglo-Indian Anklets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Revival Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Anglo-Indian Drop Earrings
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Clip-on Earrings
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Brooches
Opal, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Drop Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Anglo-Indian Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Anglo-Indian Drop Earrings
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
20th Century Hong Kong Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapp...
Late 20th Century Thai Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapp...
Vintage 1980s African Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Chain Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Rock Crystal, Ruby, Blue Sapph...
2010s American Bangles
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Neoclassical Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Clip-on Earrings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Contemporary Drop Earrings
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Solitaire Rings
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 22k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 22k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 22k Gold
2010s African Artisan Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s African Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary African Stud Earrings
Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s African Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Moonstone, Ruby, Sterling Silver
2010s African Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Diamond, Platinum, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s African Stud Earrings
Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s African Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Sapphire, Sterling Silver, Platinum, Silver
Vintage 1970s African Retro Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Cat’s Eye, Silv...
Vintage 1960s French Revival Brooches
Agate, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1990s Indian Early Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Ruby, White Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
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African Ruby For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an African Ruby?
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.
- Are African rubies valuable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Comparable in quality to the Burmese rubies, African rubies are considered quite valuable. They can cost up to $1,400 per carat depending on the quality.








