Purplish Red Ruby
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Antique 19th Century French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Modern Brooches
Garnet, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, 15k Gold
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Purplish Red Ruby For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Purplish Red 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.
- What is ruby red glass?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Ruby red glass is a type of glass with a vibrant red color that comes from gold chloride. Ancient glassmakers once used the technique, which was then lost for centuries. In 1676, Andreas Cassius rediscovered the process, but it wasn’t until the end of the 19th century that glassworks began manufacturing ruby red glass in large quantities. Shop a selection of ruby red glassware on 1stDibs.
- When was ruby red glass made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Deep red ruby glass was made in the ancient world, but the process of making the color was lost for centuries before it was rediscovered in the 17th century. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of ruby glass from some of the world’s top sellers.
- Who made ruby red glassware?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Johann Kunckel von Löwenstern first made ruby red glassware sometime around 1679. However, he kept his technique a secret, so the glass didn't become mass-produced until the end of the 19th century when the Ehrenfeld Glassworks in Ehrenfeld, Germany, managed to uncover Kunckel von Löwenstern’s formula. On 1stDibs, shop a range of ruby red glassware.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021How much a red ruby ring is worth will depend on certain quality factors. High-quality ruby rings can range in price from anywhere between $12 to $1,600. The value of a ruby will increase owing to color. Find a collection of red ruby rings on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A red Burmese ruby is worth $10,000 USD per carat. These types of rubies tend to be among the most expensive rubies in the world. In a record-setting sale, a Burmese ruby was sold for $1 million per carat.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To tell real ruby red glass, look at the cuts used throughout the design. Most ruby red glass has sharp, dramatic cuts. Because it is easy to confuse with pressed glass, consider having the object evaluated by an experienced and licensed appraiser. Shop a selection of expertly vetted ruby red glass on 1stDibs.



