French Ruby
Vintage 1960s French Retro Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Bohemian Barware
Cut Glass
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold
Vintage 1910s French Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Boxes and Cases
Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century French Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
French Link Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique 1870s French Link Bracelets
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1940s French Cufflinks
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1950s French Link Bracelets
Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century French Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Band Rings
Ruby, Platinum
Mid-20th Century French Link Bracelets
Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Tennis Bracelets
Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1960s French More Bracelets
Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s French Three-Stone Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century French Artist Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Mid-20th Century French More Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1940s French Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Bangles
White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco Chandelier Earrings
Ruby, White Diamond, Platinum, Silver
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century French Link Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique 1890s French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Silver
Vintage 1970s French Modern Dome Rings
Diamond, Ruby
Antique Late 19th Century French Dangle Earrings
Natural Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Late 20th Century Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s French Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French More Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
Mid-20th Century French Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Modern Link Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow 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.