Corundum Ruby
1990s Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Ruby, Spinel, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Baroque Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Cocktail Rings
Tsavorite, Other, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Sapphire, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Dangle Earrings
Pink Sapphire, Kyanite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Padparadscha Sapphire , 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Padparadscha Sapphire , White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Engagement Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Turquoise, Gold
2010s Sri Lankan Contemporary More Jewelry
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sap...
20th Century Unknown Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Brooches
Ruby, 14k Gold
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown More Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Three-Stone Rings
Ruby
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Loose Gemstones
Ruby
20th Century Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Modern Loose Gemstones
Ruby
2010s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
2010s American Beaded Necklaces
Ruby, Sterling Silver
1990s European Contemporary Stud Earrings
Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Beaded Necklaces
Ruby, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian More Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Beaded Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Arts and Crafts Brooches
Zircon, Rhodium, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 2000s Asian Loose Gemstones
Blue Sapphire
2010s African Loose Gemstones
Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s Asian Artist Bangles
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Bangles
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Artist Bangles
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Bangles
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Link Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Signet Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s Retro Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
2010s American Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
- 1
Corundum Ruby For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Corundum 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.