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0.42 Ctw Ruby Diamond Ring, 14K Yellow Gold, Ring, Small Ruby Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
Stones: - ruby, 1 stone - oval cut - 5 x 3 mm - approximately .32 carat - diamonds, 6 stones
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Lalaounis 1970 Ram Ring In Textured 18Kt Yellow Gold With Rubies And Sapphire
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Miami, FL
jewelry house of Ilias Lalaounis, back in the 1970. This rare vintage ring is part of the collection named
Category

Vintage 1970s Greek Hellenistic Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Paris 1970 Corinth Ring in 18kt Gold with 2.83ctw in Diamonds Rubies
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
house of Cartier, back in the late 1970's. This ring is the Corinth model, carefully crafted in solid
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1970 s 1.00 CTW Diamond Ruby 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Vintage Snake Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
color - flush set Shank is the grooved as wrapped body Stamped for 14 karat gold Circa: 1970's Ring Size
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

David Webb 1970 s Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Knotted Snake Vintage Band Ring
By David Webb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
minimalist features and accented by ruby eyes Flush set and weighing approximately 0.04 carat total
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold

Eric De Kolb 1970 Figurative Statement Ring 18Kt Yellow Gold with 14.45 Cts Ruby
By Eric de Kolb
Located in Miami, FL
overall condition of this ring is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
of the 1970s with this exquisite ruby and diamond ring. The focal point of this ring is a stunning
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ruby Diamond Halo Cocktail Ring, 18k Yellow White Gold, Ring, Oval Ruby
Located in McLeansville, NC
This stunning 2.34ctw ruby and diamond halo cocktail ring is the perfect combination of classic
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Paris 1970 Corinth Ring in 18kt Gold with 2.11 Ctw in Diamonds Rubies
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
house of Cartier, back in the late 1970's. This ring is the Corinth model, carefully crafted in solid
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

BUCCELLATI 1970 Milano Band Ring In Two Tones Of 18Kt Gold With Vivid Red Ruby
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Miami, FL
the gold. The ruby is secured in the settings. This ring was carefully inspected to guarantee the
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Baroque Revival Band Rings

Materials

Ruby, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1970s Ruby Diamond Gold Leaf Cluster Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Beautiful Leaf 1970's ring with rubies and diamonds. There are about 3.00tcw of Rubies and .15tcw
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Ruby, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Estate ruby diamond and gold cluster ring circa 1970. DETAILS: GEMSTONES: twenty-two round
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ruby Diamond Gold Bombé Ring
Located in Miami, FL
bombé plaque, this fabulous ring is resplendent in cts of invisible-set genuine round-faceted rubies
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cabochon Ruby Diamond Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Ring set in 18kt Yellow Gold set with Cabochon ruby surrounded by prong set - full cut
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ruby Diamond Band Ring, 9K Yellow Gold, Ring, Stackable
Located in McLeansville, NC
A vintage British 9 karat yellow gold ruby and diamond band ring. This stackable ring features
Category

Vintage 1970s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

David Webb Emerald Ruby Gold Ring
By David Webb
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
intertwined between smooth flowing lines of 18k yellow gold. Signed Webb. Ring size 7 and may be resized.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern More Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

David Webb Emerald Ruby Gold Ring
By David Webb
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
intertwined between smooth flowing lines of 18k yellow gold. Signed Webb. Ring size 7 and may be resized.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Band Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

Oval Ruby Diamond Cocktail Ring, 14KT Yellow Gold, Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
A vintage 14 karat yellow gold oval ruby and diamond cocktail ring. This July birthstone ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Oval Ruby Diamond Cocktail Ring, 14KT Yellow Gold, Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
A vintage 14 karat yellow gold oval ruby and diamond cocktail ring. This July birthstone ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Natural Ruby Diamond Engagement Ring, 14KT Yellow Gold, Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
A vintage 14 karat yellow gold natural ruby and diamond engagement ring. This minimalist ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ruby Diamond 18 Karat Gold Ring
Located in Dallas, TX
Modern and Fabulous! Size 8 1/4.
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Enamel Ruby Diamond Gold Antelope Dome Ring
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold and enamel and diamond and ruby ring. The ring is designed as an antelope
Category

Vintage 1970s American Dome Rings

Materials

Black Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Maz emerald ruby diamond 14k yellow gold ring
By Maz
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
yellow gold and signed Maz, this ring embodies the sophisticated playfulness of mid-century design—an
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Natural Ruby, Diamond and White Gold Ring
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat asymmetrical white gold ring set with 13 navette cut diamonds and an irregular cushion
Category

Vintage 1970s German Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

1970s Enamel Rubies Gold Venetian Harlequin Mask Ring
Located in New York, NY
A peculiar Venetian Mask ring, representing Arlequin, in 18kt yellow gold, rubies and blue and
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Nardi 18K Gold Ruby Ring Rialto Bridge Yellow Gold ~1.12ctw Rubies Size 5.5
By Nardi
Located in Fairfield, CT
Nardi 18K Gold Ruby Ring Rialto Bridge Yellow Gold ~1.12ctw Rubies Size 5.5 Made in 18k gold, this
Category

Vintage 1970s Romantic Band Rings

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rubies, Diamonds, Rose Gold Snake Shape Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
covered by the seller (customs duties included). Beautiful snake shape ring in 9 karat rose gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

Ruby, Diamonds, 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
mounted with a central ruby surrounded by a structure in white gold mounted with diamonds. This ring was
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Diamonds, Rubies, 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
covered by the seller (customs duties included). Beautiful ring in 18 karat yellow gold structure mounted
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ruby, Diamonds, 14 Karat White Gold Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
, ITEMS AT AUCTIONS AND ONGOING PROMOTIONS. Gorgeous ring in 14 kt white gold structure mounted with a
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold

Ruby Diamond Ring Guard, 14K Yellow Gold, Ring, Wedding Band
Located in McLeansville, NC
A vintage 14 karat yellow gold ruby and diamond ring guard. This stackable wrap ring features four
Category

Vintage 1970s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold, Platinum, Ruby Sapphire Elephant Art Ring
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
the fine ruby eyes, the ring is finished and fine in every aspect.
Category

Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings

Materials

Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Cartier Ruby Diamond Gold Band Ring
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold And Diamond Ruby Band Ring by Cartier. With 1 diamond approx. .10ctw VVS1
Category

Vintage 1970s French Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Ruby, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
, ITEMS AT AUCTIONS ,ONGOING PROMOTIONS AND ITEMS ON SALES. Beautiful ring in 9 kt rose gold and silver
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Large Star Ruby and Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
A showy cocktail ring in branched 18kt yellow gold, highlighted with diamonds, holding a large
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Retro 1970 Turtle Convertible Turtle Ring Brooch 18Kt Gold with Diamonds Ruby
Located in Miami, FL
condition of this ring is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. All
Category

Vintage 1950s American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat Yellow Gold and Ruby Textured Snake Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
A 14 karat yellow gold and ruby textured snake ring. This ring features a coiled snake motif with a
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Chaumet Ruby Yellow Gold Designer Ring
By Chaumet
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A beautiful tiered succession of golden round rows, hand crafted with one (1) fine ruby center. A
Category

Vintage 1970s French Fashion Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Ruby Diamond Gold Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
An Indian inspired 18 karat gold, ruby and diamond ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. The ring has a
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

18 Carat Gold, Ruby and Diamond Leo Ring
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat gold ring representing a lions head with textured fur all around the shank with ruby
Category

Vintage 1970s French Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage Diamond Ruby 18k Yellow Gold Snake Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage Diamond Ruby 18k Yellow Gold Snake Ring. Featuring three single cut diamonds with a
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

A stylish gold, enamel, ruby diamond bombe style ring.
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, enamel, ruby and diamond ring. The bombe style ring is finished in a blue
Category

Vintage 1970s Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

0.42ctw Natural Ruby Wedding Band Ring, 14KT Yellow Gold
Located in McLeansville, NC
A vintage 14 karat yellow gold natural ruby wedding band ring. This stackable thin band features
Category

Vintage 1970s Band Rings

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ruby, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Fly Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Particular fly shape ring in 9 karat rose gold and silver structure mounted with a diamond as head
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Ruby, Diamond, Silver, Rose Gold, 9k Gold

Ruby, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Flower Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
, ITEMS AT AUCTIONS AND ONGOING PROMOTIONS. Fashion ring in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure mounted
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Ruby, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Flower Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
, ITEMS AT AUCTIONS ,ONGOING PROMOTIONS AND ITEMS ON SALES. Fashion flower ring in 9 kt rose gold and
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Ruby, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Flower Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
, ITEMS AT AUCTIONS ,ONGOING PROMOTIONS AND ITEMS ON SALES. Fashion flower ring in 9 kt rose gold and
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Blue Sapphires, Rubies, Diamonds, White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
, ITEMS AT AUCTIONS AND ONGOING PROMOTIONS. Gorgeous cocktail ring in 14k rose and white gold structure
Category

Vintage 1970s Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold

Carved Ruby Diamond Gold Swan Feathers Ring
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
A carved rubies and diamond white gold ring, beautifully designed in the form of swan feathers. The
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

18ct Gold Sapphire and Ruby Set Band Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
The round sapphire and rubies collet set to the broad band, with ropetwist borders, ring size 6
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Band Rings

Materials

Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

Pearl, Rubies, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
, ITEMS AT AUCTIONS AND ONGOING PROMOTIONS. Beautiful retrò ring in 9 karat rose gold and silver
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Tsavorites, Rubies, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
, ITEMS AT AUCTIONS AND ONGOING PROMOTIONS. Fashion butterfly ring in 9 kt rose gold and silver
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Tsavorite, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

0.80ctw Ruby Diamond Cluster Bypass Ring, 14K Yellow Gold, Ring Size 6.25
Located in McLeansville, NC
A vintage 14 karat yellow gold ruby and diamond cluster bypass ring. This July birthstone ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat White Gold Ruby Band Ring
Located in Coral Gables, FL
18 Karat White Gold Band Featuring 6 Prong-Set Round Rubies, Totaling Approximately 0.60 Carats
Category

Vintage 1970s Band Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Tiffany Co. Ruby Diamond Gold Flower Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond & Ruby Ring by Tiffany & Co. With 22 Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds VS1
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Cabochon Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ripple Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage Cabochon Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ripple Ring. Featuring one oval cabochon cut ruby of
Category

Vintage 1970s American Solitaire Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Ruby Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage Ruby Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cluster Ring. Featuring one oval mixed cut ruby
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold

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Gold Ruby Ring 1970 For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact gold ruby ring 1970 you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of gold, 18k gold and yellow gold, this item was constructed with great care. You can easily find a 1136 antique edition and 2 modern creations to choose from as well. If you’re looking for a gold ruby ring 1970 from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 20th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic gold ruby ring 1970 over the years, but those made by Van Cleef Arpels, David Webb and Bulgari are often thought to be among the most beautiful. See these pages for a round cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also mixed cut cut and oval cut cut versions available here, too. If you’re browsing our inventory for a gold ruby ring 1970, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and men.

How Much is a Gold Ruby Ring 1970?

Prices for a gold ruby ring 1970 can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $100 and can go as high as $660,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $3,462.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

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.

Finding the Right Rings for You

Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.

No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.

Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.

Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry

The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.

Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.