Natural Untreated Ruby
Vintage 1940s Clip-on Earrings
Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1940s Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1950s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Mid-18th Century North American Art Nouveau Lever-Back Earrings
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Star Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Signet Rings
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Fashion Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pink Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, 10k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s British Contemporary Band Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Stud Earrings
Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Ruby, 14k Gold
2010s American Stud Earrings
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cluster Rings
Ruby, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Stud Earrings
Mid-20th Century American Modern Signet Rings
Jade, 14k Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Armenian Modern Wedding Rings
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 18th Century Austrian Georgian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Austrian Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Go...
Vintage 1970s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Art Deco Retro Bracelets
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Band Rings
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 19th Century Georgian More Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s North American Artisan Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
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Natural Untreated Ruby For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Natural Untreated 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.