French Ruby
Late 20th Century French Artist Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s French Brooches
Lapis Lazuli, Ruby
Vintage 1950s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Band Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s French Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s French Retro More Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Band Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
Ruby, White Diamond, Yellow Gold
1990s French Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold
Vintage 1950s French Retro Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century French Modern Clip-on Earrings
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French More Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Cluster Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Necklace Enhancers
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Late 20th Century French Band Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Retro Link Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century French Lever-Back Earrings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Necklace Enhancers
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s French Tennis Bracelets
Ruby, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s Unknown Artist Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century French Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Link Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Modernist Clamper Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century French Band Rings
Ruby, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Band Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Ruby, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Brooches
Diamond, Moonstone, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Fashion Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Fashion Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s French Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Barware
Metal
Vintage 1980s French Modern More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s French Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Wrist Watches
White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1920s French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1950s French Retro Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1990s French Dome Rings
Chrysophrase, Ruby, Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Silver
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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.