French Ruby
20th Century French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
Jade, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Chain Necklaces
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
Agate, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French More Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Unknown Artisan Drop Earrings
White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century French Art Deco Drop Necklaces
Jade, Onyx, Ruby, Spinel, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Clip-on Earrings
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century French Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French More Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique 1820s French Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s French Clip-on Earrings
Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Artist Clip-on Earrings
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 2000s American Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1990s French Hoop Earrings
Citrine, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French More Necklaces
White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
1990s French Band Rings
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby
2010s American Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
20th Century French Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Retro Brooches
Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Thai Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Thai Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings
Ruby, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1950s French Link Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Other Paperweights
Crystal
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Charm Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Late 20th Century Thai Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century French Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
1990s French Necklace Enhancers
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Thai Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French More Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1990s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Antique 19th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Brooches
Opal, Ruby, Garnet, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Drop Necklaces
Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s French Link Bracelets
Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
- 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.