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Victorian Gold Snake Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
and ruby eyes, this ring has the look of jewelry from the ancients. Stylish, mystical, and easy to
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

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

1.35ct Ruby and Yellow Sapphires Pave Snake Diamonds 18k Yellow Gold Ring
By FERRUCCI
Located in New York, NY
Ruby Pave' Snake 18k Yellow Gold Ring, with Yellow Sapphires, hand picked, totalling approximately
Category

2010s American Modern Band Rings

Materials

Yellow Sapphire, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Emerald Ruby and Diamond Art Deco Style Snake Ring in 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
Inspired by the mythical serpent, this captivating ring features emeralds as piercing eyes and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Antique Snake Ring of 18k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
A captivating antique snake ring from the late Victorian era (circa 1880–1900), featuring a
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

15K Snake Ring in Circular format
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This snake ring in circular format is simple yet delightful. This ring is 15K yellow gold and has
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold

15K Snake Ring in Circular format
15K Snake Ring in Circular format
$1,248 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Snake Serpent Ring 0.45ct Natural Ruby solid 18K Gold Ø US 8.5 /5.7gr
Located in SE
Antique Serpent Ring in solid 18K Orange Gold. Coiled body, head decorated with natural Ruby stone
Category

Vintage 1910s European Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

18kt White Gold Snake Ring with 1.28ct Black and 2.83ct White Diamonds
Located in Antwerp, BE
ca. 1.28ct Ruby: 2 Rubies for the eyes of the snake Material: 18kt white gold Ring Size: 57 EU / 8
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Artisan More Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Black Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Yellow Gold Cabochon Sapphire Snake Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Sapphire cabochon: 6 ct Size: 8 Weight: 21.67 g. The ring depicts a realistically modeled snake
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1945 Yellow Gold Snake Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage, 18 karat yellow gold snake ring; part of our diverse vintage jewelry
Category

Vintage 1940s English Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Enameled Diamond Snake Ring 18 Karat Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Enamelled Old Mine Cut Diamonds Snake Ring. The ring features red ruby cabochon eyes as
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Victorian Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Lovers Knot Unisex Snake Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
each head Accented by bead set ruby and diamond eyes Transparent medium red and eye clean and bright in
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Enamel Snake Ring 18k Yellow Gold Large Coiled Serpent Cocktail Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
). Two rubies are set into the eyes and total an estimated 0.02 carats. For centuries the snake
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Enamel Diamond Snake Serpent Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
, showcasing a bold pattern of white enamel accented with brilliant diamonds and ruby eyes that bring the piece
Category

20th Century American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel

JEAN-PIERRE BELIN Serpenti Diamond Ruby Emerald 18k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous vintage Jean-Pierre Belin Serpenti ring features a snake design crafted in 18k yellow
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Early 1900 s 9K Yellow Gold Snake Ring, Cabochon Star Sapphire
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This is an early 1900 snake ring. Although it is only 9K Yellow gold the head is set with a Star
Category

Vintage 1910s English Aesthetic Movement Cocktail Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Star Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold

1.01 Carat Trillion Diamond GIA Emerald Platinum Snake Serpent Statement Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
. 1.66tcw. Hand crafted in Platinum with Diamond encrusted Head and Body with Ruby eyes. GIA report
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Antique Art Nouveau Snake Eternity Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold Moonstone Cabochon
Located in Munich, Bavaria
the friendly snake is adorned with an oval moonstone cabochon and two facetted rubies as eyes..
Category

Antique 1890s European Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Moonstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

9K White Gold Natural Aquamarine Sapphire Womens Band Snake Ring Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
" inches) deep Sapphires making the eyes. This stunning ring is made entirely of solid 9K White Gold and is
Category

2010s British Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Sapphire, 10k Gold, White Gold

Solid 9K White Gold Natural Amethyst Precious Diamond Snake Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
This snake ring is made from Solid 375 9ct 9K Gold with Natural Amethyst and Diamond. Choose from
Category

2010s British Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 9k Gold, White Gold

750 18kt solid white gold Paolo Piovan Gioielli Diamond Boa Ring
By Paolo Piovan Gioielli
Located in Antwerp, BE
recently made and dramatic styles: an icy diamond Cobra ring with ruby eyes that is poised to strike from
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Zorab Creation Elegance Meets Serpent Embraced in 22.38 Carat Rubellite Ring
By Zorab Creation
Located in San Diego, CA
Sauvage Collection- One of a kind The Serpent's Embrace: Our Snake Ring is more than just a piece
Category

2010s Aesthetic Movement Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Black Diamond, Rubelite, Ruby, Black Spinel, 18k Gold, Pa...

Sterling Silver Pave Set Diamond Double Coiled Serpent Ring
Located in Fairfield, CT
Sterling silver ring. This stunning ring is a slithering and coiled snake motif with a pave set
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver

14k White Gold Diamond Set Quadruple Coiled Serpent Ring
Located in Fairfield, CT
14k white gold ring. This gorgeous ring is a coiled snake motif with a crosshatched patterned body
Category

20th Century Unknown Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

David Webb Enamel Ruby Diamond Snake Earrings
By David Webb
Located in North Hollywood, CA
ear with Diamonds surrounding the Ruby and two Ruby eyes. These earrings are clips but if you prefer
Category

1990s Artisan Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel

Black Enamel Snake Bracelet 18K Ruby Head
Located in North Hollywood, CA
a size 7. It weighs 51.8 grams of gold, very substantial. This bracelet has a Ruby head, Ruby eyes
Category

Vintage 1960s American Artisan Cuff Bracelets

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel

Vintage Sapphire Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Snake Triple Coil Flexible Bracelet
Located in London, GB
A vintage sapphire and ruby 18 karat yellow gold snake triple coiled flexible bracelet, Circa 1890
Category

Antique 1890s French Victorian Retro Bracelets

Materials

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

18K Gold Diamond And Emerald Snake Serpent Wrap Ring
Located in Norwood, NJ
18K yellow gold, emerald and diamond statement ring in the form of a serpent/snake with ruby eyes
Category

20th Century Italian Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Gold

Mid 19th Century Snake Bracelet circa 1860
Located in North Hollywood, CA
gorgeous snake head decorated with Pearls and Ruby eyes and a heart locket hangs from its mouth. This is
Category

Antique 1850s English Artisan Link Bracelets

Materials

Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold

Antique Serpent Heart Necklace with fancy cut Garnet Diamond Eyes, c. 1870
Located in Aspen, CO
) proposed to his cousin Queen Victoria with a ring in the form of a snake, he soon became Prince Consort and
Category

Antique 1870s Drop Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Garnet, Beryl and Gold Snake Necklace, Circa 1840
Located in London, GB
An early Victorian garnet, beryl, ruby and gold snake necklace, with cabochon-cut ruby eyes, with
Category

Antique 1840s Early Victorian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Beryl, Garnet, Ruby, Gold

Vintage French 1950s Snake Earrings 18k Gold Platinum Blue Enamel Gemstones
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
, framed by diamonds. The snakes’ eyes are set with vivid rubies, adding a refined accent of color. The
Category

Vintage 1950s French Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Citrine, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

French 19th Century Sapphire Cabochon 18 Karat Yellow Gold Snake Bracelet
Located in Poitiers, FR
the eyes of ruby. Slip on by rolling it. Total weight of the sapphire : 2.30 carats approximately
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Cuff Bracelets

Materials

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

Antique Natural Saltwater Pearl, Ruby and 0.68Ct Diamond, Platinum Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
head, flanked with two rubies representing the eyes. The body of the snake is further embellished with
Category

Antique 1880s Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Platinum

Amethyst, Rubies, Pearls, White Stones, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Necklace.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
studded with diamonds and rubies; as eyes, two white stones. For all the lenght, pearls. Two heads are
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Retro Link Necklaces

Materials

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

Victorian Green Enamelled Serpent Bangle
Located in London, GB
A Victorian green enamelled serpent bangle, with diamond-set head, nose and brows and cabochon ruby
Category

Antique 1850s Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Enamel

Victorian Diamond Serpent Brooch
Located in London, GB
diamonds set in silver to a yellow gold mount and brooch fitting, two cabochon-cut ruby eyes rubover-set to
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

A Victorian gold and turquoise serpent necklace
Located in London, GB
form the remarkably lifelike body of the serpent. The head of the serpent features glowing ruby eyes
Category

Antique 1840s British Early Victorian Link Necklaces

Materials

Turquoise, Gold

18 Karat 1960s Enamel Snake Ring with Ruby Eyes
Located in Bellmore, NY
eyes, coils around your finger in this exotic 18 karat yellow gold snake ring. Circa 1960s and
Category

Mid-20th Century More Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

2.88 Carat Diamond and Ruby Eyes Snake Ring in Oxidized Sterling Silver
Located in New York, NY
7.75 Size 2.88 ct Champagne Diamond and 0.04 ct Ruby Eyes Snake Ring set in Oxidized Sterling
Category

2010s Indian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Brown Diamond, Ruby, Sterling Silver

An Antique Victorian 18 Karat Gold double headed Snake Ring, Ruby Diamond Eyes
Located in London, GB
A beautifully made and well proportioned Snake Ring, the smiling Snakes with small bright Ruby and
Category

Antique 1870s British Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Enamel 18 Karat Snake, Carnelian Black Onyx Head with Ruby Eyes, Contemporary
Located in Aliso Viejo, CA
Enamel, 18 karat snake ring with distinguished white enamel contrasting colors upon this beautiful
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Carnelian, Onyx, 18k Gold

David Webb Ruby Enamel Gold Snake Ring
By David Webb
Located in Lambertville, NJ
David Webb 18K yellow gold and black enamel wrap snake ring set with ruby eyes. Ring size 6, top
Category

Late 20th Century North American Fashion Rings

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

Vintage Ruby Diamond 18 Karat Gold Snake Wrap Ring
Located in Crownsville, MD
Beautiful vintage midcentury 1960s snake wrap ring in 18K yellow gold with marquis ruby eyes and
Category

Vintage 1960s English Modernist Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

1920s Rosecut Ruby Diamond Gold Snake Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
small rubies in the eyes. *ring size 6
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Fashion Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 14k Gold

Coiled Snake Champagne Diamond and Ruby Sterling Silver Ring
By SAMIRA 13
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Coiled snake wrap ring with ruby eyes and four carats of pave champagne diamonds set in black
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Brown Diamond, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver

Rosa Van Parys Coral snake with white black Diamonds, Rubies yellow Gold ring
Located in Westlake Village, CA
Coral snake shaped statement ring in 18 Karat yellow, white and black Gold with stripes of 0.92
Category

2010s American Contemporary More Rings

Materials

Emerald, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Snake White Diamonds and Rubies Fashion Ring 18kt Rose Gold
Located in Valenza, IT
. Its sophisticated and elegant snake design is enhanced by 0.22ct of red rubies that intendify the
Category

2010s Italian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian Ruby and Diamond 18K Gold Snake Ring circa 1880
Located in Goettingen, DE
Antique Victorian Ruby and Diamond 18K Gold Snake Ring circa 1880 A decorative snake ring from
Category

Antique 1880s German Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Picchiotti GRS Report 4.01 Carat Burma Ruby and Diamond Snake Ring
By Picchiotti
Located in Valenza, IT
A sculptural snake head ring with rubies set on black-rhodium plated white gold conveyed though
Category

2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

White and Yellow Gold, Ruby and Rose Cut Diamond Snake Ring
Located in Bologna, IT
decorated with rose cut diamonds; two rubies are the snake eyes and another one ornates the centre of its
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Ruby Pearl Snake Ring 18 Carat Gold, circa 1880
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
A lovely antique Victorian serpent ring C. 1880, featuring two coiled snakes crowned with natural
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Exceptional Antique Diamond Snake Ring
Located in Toronto, ON
back of the band. It is set with a .61 diamond and has fine ruby eyes. The ring measures size 6 and is
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

"Cobra Dance: 18kt Gold Ring with Amethyst, Diamonds Rubies"
Located in Lugano, CH
rhodium gives the snakes an even more realistic appearance, with green Tsavorite eyes that sparkle
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Ruby, Tsavorite, Gold

Drina III Rubies Diamonds Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
The Drina III abstractly interprets two heads of a snake, handset with rubies and diamonds in
Category

2010s American Fashion Rings

Materials

Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold

One of A Kind 18 Karat Natural Amethyst Diamond Climbing Snake Ring
Located in West Hollywood, CA
18k Yellow Gold Amethyst Climbing Snake Ring features Perez Bitan's signature curved snake with
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Amethyst, Ruby, 18k Gold

18 Karat Gold, Sterling Silver and Green Amethyst Snake Double Finger Ring
By Azza Fahmy
Located in London, GB
Finger Ring. 18 Karat Gold and Sterling Silver Double Finger adorned with a Victorian-influenced Snake
Category

2010s Egyptian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver...

Rosa Van Parys Anaconda Snake 6.72 Carat Blue Sapphire 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Westlake Village, CA
shaped ring in 18 Karat rose and black Gold with a gradient of blue Sapphires on body and Ruby eyes. None
Category

2010s American Contemporary More Rings

Materials

Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

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Snake Rings With Ruby Eyes For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, there are many options to choose from in our inventory of snake rings with ruby eyes. All of the items for sale were constructed with extraordinary care, often using gold, 18k gold and yellow gold. Our selection of items includes 263 vintage examples as well as 146 contemporary versions. Our inventory is broad and distinctive, with accessories on offer that were made as long ago as the 18th Century to those produced as recently as the 21st Century. There are many different pieces in our collection of snake rings with ruby eyes to choose from, but Victorian and contemporary snake rings with ruby eyes are of considerable interest. There have been many well-made iterations of these items over the years, but those made by J DAUPHIN, David Webb and Ilias Lalaounis are often thought to be among the most beautiful. Browse our collection of 282 ruby versions today to add the perfect touch to your look. Today, if you’re looking for round cut snake rings with ruby eyes and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes brilliant cut and rose cut alternatives. When shopping our range of snake rings with ruby eyes, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for men today than there are for women.

How Much are Snake Rings With Ruby Eyes?

Prices for snake rings with ruby eyes start at $220 and top out at $66,000 with these rings, on average, selling for $2,625.

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.