French Ruby
20th Century Unknown Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century French Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby
Antique 1860s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Band Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Band Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s French Retro Brooches
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Dome Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Brooches
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1910s French Belle Époque Band Rings
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique 1850s French Victorian More Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Vintage 1930s French Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby
1990s French Modern More Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s French Modern More Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Edwardian Dangle Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Unknown More Rings
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Lever-Back Earrings
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1940s British Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s French Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond
20th Century Unknown Retro Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Band Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century French More Earrings
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterl...
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Bangles
Diamond, Ruby, Onyx, Platinum
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Engagement Rings
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Gold-filled, Silver, Bronze
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Brooches
Diamond, Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Cufflinks
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1990s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Modernist Brooches
Chrysophrase, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
Vintage 1960s Modernist Brooches
Chrysophrase, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
Vintage 1950s French Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1950s Wedding Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Platinum
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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.