Ruby Beads
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Ruby, Gold
1990s Italian Retro Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Multi-Strand Necklaces
Coral, Ruby, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Modern Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Clutches
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Victorian Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Coral, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s American Anglo-Indian Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Vintage 1950s American Anglo-Indian Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Thai Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Crystal, Diamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Artisan Drop Earrings
Ruby, Aventurine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
2010s Thai Art Deco Stud Earrings
Black Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, W...
2010s Thai Artisan Dangle Earrings
Onyx, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Anglo-Indian More Jewelry
Brass, Gilt Metal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate
Early 2000s Thai Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Hoop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Artisan Cocktail Rings
Onyx, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Modern Band Rings
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Ruby, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Drop Earrings
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Indian Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, Enamel
20th Century Link Bracelets
Ruby, Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Retro Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
20th Century Brooches
Amethyst, Diamond, Jade, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Dangle Earrings
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Silver, Enamel, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Artist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Hematite, Labradorite, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Rainbow Moonston...
1990s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Drop Earrings
Coral, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Wrist Watches
Diamond, Ruby, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Ruby Beads For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Ruby Beads?
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.