French Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s American Art Deco Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Brooches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate
20th Century French Art Deco Collectible Jewelry
Gold
Vintage 1980s French Byzantine Drop Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Jars
Glass
Vintage 1950s French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Citrine, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1960s French Byzantine Dangle Earrings
Gilt Metal, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
Vintage 1980s French Art Nouveau Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Artisan Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Brooches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Brooches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Brooches
Gold Plate
2010s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Modern Table Lamps
Brass
Early 2000s French Skirts
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Brooches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate
2010s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Brooches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Retro Bracelets
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Brooches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Brooches
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Cluster Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Brooches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1970s French Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Gold Plate
2010s French Modernist Choker Necklaces
Amazonite, Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yello...
1990s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Art Nouveau Brooches
Gold Plate
Antique 19th Century French Table Lamps
Ormolu
Vintage 1980s French Drop Earrings
Bronze, Gilt Metal
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s French Medieval Dangle Earrings
Gilt Metal, Gold Plate, Bronze, Enamel
Vintage 1970s French More Earrings
Aquamarine, Citrine, Ruby, Amethyst, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Vases
Bronze
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Retro Bracelets
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Early 19th Century Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Mid-20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Jewelry Boxes
Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Gold Plate
2010s French Chandelier Earrings
Gilt Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Vases
Ormolu
- 1
- ...
French Ruby For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a French 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.








