French Ruby
Vintage 1950s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s French Retro Brooches
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Quartz, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Retro Cufflinks
Ruby, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1980s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Antique 1880s French Late Victorian Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Retro Engagement Rings
Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Modernist Retro Bracelets
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Modern Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Antique 1870s French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Rock Crystal, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches
Ruby, Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Y...
Vintage 1960s Modern Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Link Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Silver, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Retro Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s French Late Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Silver
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Jewelry Boxes
Art Glass
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Band Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s French Cufflinks
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s French Modern Brooches
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1950s French Retro Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Link Bracelets
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s French Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s French Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Bangles
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 19th Century French Rococo Engagement Rings
Rock Crystal, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Boxes and Cases
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s French Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 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.