French Ruby
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century French Renaissance Revival Drop Necklaces
Base Metal
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Abstract Sculptures
Vintage 1960s French Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s French Multi-Strand Necklaces
Vintage 1980s French Modern Hoop Earrings
Gold Plate
French Desk Accessories
20th Century French Victorian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
1960s French Maxi Dresses
1990s French Brooches
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1960s French Revival Brooches
Agate, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Antique 1860s French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Rock Crystal, Ruby, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
Mid-20th Century French Retro Retro Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique 1850s French Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Tiger s Eye, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s French Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century French Romantic Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Star Sapphire, White Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby
French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby
French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
French Brooches
Ruby, Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire
French Retro Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
French Desk Accessories
Agate, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Antique 1890s French Necklace Enhancers
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century French Brooches
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Modern Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
Chalcedony, Onyx, Ruby, Gold
French Band Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s French Boxes and Cases
Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique 1870s French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s French Baroque Band Rings
Brown Diamond, Ruby, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s French Chain Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1910s French Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
1990s French Charm Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Chain Bracelets
Emerald, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French More Bracelets
Topaz, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Retro Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Bangles
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, Vermeil, Silver
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Vanity Items
Ruby, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1930s French Retro Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Retro Brooches
Ruby, Tsavorite, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Ruby
Vintage 1980s French Modern Clip-on Earrings
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s French Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
Vintage 1980s French Modern Dome Rings
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s French More Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Ruby, Platinum
Antique 1880s French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s French Retro Brooches
Citrine, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
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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.