Rough Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Ruby, Sterling Silver
2010s Mozambican Cocktail Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, Ruby, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Chalcedony, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Edwardian Beaded Bracelets
Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Beaded Bracelets
Cultured Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Natural Specimens
Precious Stone
21st Century and Contemporary Singaporean Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Singaporean Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire
20th Century American Modern Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Chrysoberyl, Ruby, Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Band Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, White Gold, Platinum
2010s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
1990s Unknown Retro Multi-Strand Necklaces
Chalcedony, Diamond, Hematite, Malachite, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold...
2010s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, W...
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Artist Frames
Carnelian, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire
Vintage 1950s Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Figurative Sculptures
Agate
2010s American Contemporary Band Rings
Ruby, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s Unknown Modernist Cluster Rings
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Brooches
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Indian Artisan Bangles
Ruby, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Hong Kong Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Fashion Rings
Peridot, Ruby, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Frames
Carnelian, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire
2010s Indian Artisan Frames
Emerald, Garnet, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Stud Earrings
Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, ...
2010s Indian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
Black Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Artist Stud Earrings
Ruby, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Nepalese Sculptures
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Quartz, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapph...
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Rough Ruby For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Rough 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.