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David Webb Platinum 18K Yellow Gold White Enamel Coiled Snake Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
nonstop, and all are members of the jeweler's Animal Kingdom. This ring is designed as a snake and
Category

20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel

Tiffany Co. Late 19th Century Diamond Ruby and Gold Serpent Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
An American Late-19th Century 18 karat gold serpent ring with diamond and rubies by Tiffany & Co
Category

Antique 1890s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Diamond Ruby Enamel 18 Karat Yellow Gold Statement Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
snake features elaborate colorful enamel details with two deep red ruby eyes. Crafted in buttery gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Antique Victorian 12K Yellow Gold Wide Snake Ring - Size 8 1/4
Located in Great Neck, NY
ruby eyes. The ring is in good condition and sits low on the finger. Item #R1704 Metal: 12K Yellow
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian English 18k Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond Wide Snake Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
head with two small rubies as its eyes. The ring is in great condition and appears to have a thin band
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Victorian 2.46 Carats Emerald Diamond 18 Karat Rose Gold Snake Halo Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
highly rendered twisting snake shoulders. With engraved scales and flush set ruby eyes. Completed by
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

BVLGARI Roma Serpenti Ring In 18Kt Rose Gold With Diamonds Box Papers
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
Serpenti ring is covered in diamonds, and the eyes are adorned with pear-shaped rubies, giving off an
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modernist Cluster Rings

Materials

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

BVLGARI Roma Serpenti Ring In 18Kt Rose Gold With VVS Diamonds Box Certs
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
Serpenti ring is covered in diamonds, and the eyes are adorned with pear-shaped rubies, giving off an
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

New Italian 14KT Yellow Gold Serpent Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
An affordable way to bring a touch of luxury into your wardrobe, this stupendous snake ring boasts
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Stunning 14k Yellow Gold Diamond and Ruby Snake Ring
Located in New York, NY
ring features a unique and edgy design with a snake that wraps around the finger. "Elevate your
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Pasquale Bruni "Il Peccato" Ring
By Pasquale Bruni
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Stunning ring ! Pasquale Bruni "Il Peccato" collection ring 18 KT rose gold snake 1.76ct in
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Rings

Lydia Courteille Diamond, Sapphire Coral Skull Serpent Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
ruby set eyes. Coming out of the top of the main skull head is a secondary skull carved out of coral
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

A Diamond and Ruby Gold Snake Necklace
Located in Firenze, IT
designed head with ruby eyes, concealed mouth clasp The diamonds weighing approx 3.80 cts Weight: 74 gr
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Vintage English Ruby 9k Yellow Gold Snake Tubogas Bracelet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage English Ruby 9k Yellow Gold Snake Tubogas Bracelet. Featuring two round cut rubies with
Category

Vintage 1980s Link Bracelets

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Old Cut Diamond Snake Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have an antique diamond set snake ring from the Victorian era. The snake takes on a coiled
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Edwardian Old Cut Diamond Snake Ring
Located in London, GB
This is an antique diamond set snake ring. The snake takes on a coiled stance with the bowing
Category

Antique 19th Century Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Victorian Gold and Diamond Snake Bangle
Located in New Orleans, LA
diamond scales and brought to life with ruby eyes. Serpents became highly fashionable in jewelry design
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Bangles

Materials

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

Victorian Gold and Diamond Snake Bangle
Located in New Orleans, LA
diamond scales and brought to life with ruby eyes. Serpents became highly fashionable in jewelry design
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Bangles

Materials

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

Gold and Diamond Victorian Snake Bangle
Located in New Orleans, LA
Victoria with an engagement ring that took the form of a snake with its tail in its mouth. The design was
Category

20th Century Unknown Victorian Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Snake and Pitchfork Pendant
Located in London, GB
with the eyes and opening at the mouth proving the high level of detail on show here. Snake jewellery
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Tubogas Snake 18 Karat Yellow Collar Necklace by Brevettato
Located in London, GB
yellow gold features a snake head with repoussé detail and ruby set eyes, on a flexible tubogas body
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Retro Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Gem Set Enamelled Snake Earrings
Located in London, GB
rubies, diamonds and an emerald for her engagement ring; a particularly unusual style. As time wore on
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian Snake Necklace Bracelet Enamel Diamonds Heart, 1840
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
designed as an intertwined serpent with gold, and blue enamel, an old mine Diamond-set head with ruby eyes
Category

Antique 1840s Early Victorian Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Enamel

Antique Victorian 18 Karat Gold Turquoise Head Snake Necklace
Located in New York, NY
diamond and ruby eyes. Like the ancient ouroboros which depicts a snake biting its tail, it symbolizes
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Lydia Courteille Diamond Garnet Rhodium 18k Gold Snake Bangle
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Swift’s hand covered in snake rings. A double finger ruby ring by LYDIA COURTEILLE is on her ring finger
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Egyptian Revival Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Black Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Gold

Antique Victorian Gold and Emerald Snake Bracelet Circa 1890
Located in London, GB
a wonderful intense green kite-shaped emerald and the eyes with faceted rubies. The head has scroll
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Bangles

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Emerald, Diamond and Gold Snake Necklace by Hancocks, circa 1870
By Hancocks
Located in London, GB
finely engraved with a delicate foliate pattern and set with ruby eyes and a line of emeralds from its
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian More Necklaces

Materials

Yellow Gold

Victorian 18K Yellow Gold, Blue Enamel and 3.0 Carat Diamond Snake Wrap Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
chose to present Queen Victoria with an engagement ring in the shape of a snake in 1939. The first
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

Antique Gold Snake Ring with Ruby Eyes
Located in Baltimore, MD
Flexible coiled and textured 9k snake ring with cabochon ruby eyes fits comfortably and snugly on
Category

20th Century British Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Ruby, 10k Gold

Two Finger Pave`-Set Diamond Sterling Silver Snake Ring with Ruby Eyes
Located in Nantucket, MA
An ususual two-finger snake ring comprised of solitaire diamonds with ruby eyes set in oxidized
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sterling Silver

Cabachon Turquoise Ruby Gold Snake Ring
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
A cabochon cut turquoise snake ring with ruby eyes in 18k yellow gold.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Emerald Snake Ring Victorian Style Ruby Eyes
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
J DAUPHIN “Gypsy Wisdom” Emerald Snake Ring — 14k Gold Plated Silver with Ruby Eyes Designer: J
Category

2010s Indian Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, Emerald, Silver, Gold Plate, 14k Gold

Sapphire Snake Ring Victorian Style Emerald Ruby Eyes
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
**J DAUPHIN “Eternal Renewal” Snake Ring – White Sapphire, Emerald & Ruby Eyes Victorian Ouroboros
Category

2010s Indian Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, 14k Gold, Brass, Gold Plate

18 Karat Gold Snake Ring with Ruby
Located in Nantucket, MA
pear-shaped ruby as the third eye and small faceted blue sapphires for the eyes. Ring size 6.75 with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Ruby Sapphire Gold Snake Ring
Located in Nantucket, MA
Nicely hand-tooled,18K gold coil snake ring offering texture and interest to this ring. Features
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Ruby, 18k Gold

Ruby and Diamond Snake Ring
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
A 18kt yellow gold snake ring wrapping around the finger ring. A pear shaped ruby on its head the
Category

Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ruby and Diamond Snake Ring
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
A 18kt yellow gold snake ring wrapping around the finger ring. A pear shaped ruby on its head the
Category

Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Lydia Courteille Ruby Snake Ring
Located in London, GB
, bunnies and sea horses. Grab a piece of her magical world with this ruby snake ring. It also features
Category

2010s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, Tourmaline, White Gold

Snake Ring with No-Heat Burma Ruby Certified
Located in Northampton, MA
A rare and wonderful Art Nouveau-era snake ring hand-crafted in 14K gold and set with a superb
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings

Materials

Ruby, 14k Gold

Ruby Diamond Two-Head Snake Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
Special Design of animal ring for this year. Two-Head Snake Ring was made in 18K Rose Gold that fit
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Thai Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Art deco snake ring with diamonds and ruby yellowgold
Located in Berlin, BE
gold setting for the gemstones, this exquisite ring showcases the sinuous form of a snake adorned with
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 9k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

"Gypsy Wisdom" Open Snake Ring in Bronze with White Sapphire Eyes Fashion Ring
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Gypsy Wisdom" open snake ring in bronze with white sapphire eyes fashion ring The serpent, or
Category

2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Bronze

Russian Ruby Diamond Set Gold Snake Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
circular-cut ruby eyes. Marked 585 and Soviet Mark, maker’s mark PKH Finger ring size 7 1/2
Category

20th Century Russian Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Gold Snake Ring with Sapphires and Ruby Third Eye
Located in Nantucket, MA
around. Diamond eyes and ruby third eye and a pearl in its mouth. Ring size is approximately 7.5 with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Aquamarine Marquis Black Diamond Eyes Snake Ring Bronze Cocktail J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Aquamarine Marquis Black Diamond Eyes Snake Ring Bronze Cocktail Ring Designer: J Dauphin
Category

2010s American Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Aquamarine, Black Diamond, Bronze

Victorian Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Twin Snake Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
A Victorian twin snake ring, the ring comprising two entwined yellow gold serpents, the heads set
Category

Antique 1870s British Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold

Gilded Silver White Enamel Snake Ring Ruby Head
Located in North Hollywood, CA
caught my eye. This lovely snake ring has a Ruby of 1 carat, two (2) Ruby eyes of 0.10 ct each. This
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, Silver, Enamel

Two-Headed Snake Ruby Eye Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
This fashion snake ring was set with the natural Burmese Ruby in the eyes total 0.12 carat and all
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Renaissance Revival Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Coiled Mr. Snake Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold with Diamond Eyes and Snack
By Eytan Brandes
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
was 9k and had ruby eyes. Our updated version is 18 karat gold and features diamond eyes plus a
Category

2010s American Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

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

This 18K Snake Ring Cobalt Blue Enamel Rubies Diamonds
Located in North Hollywood, CA
0.36 carats and there are two Ruby eyes. In addition this 18K snake ring has 37 single cut Diamonds
Category

Antique 1880s Austrian Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel

Aquamarine Ruby Snake Ring Victorian Style Bronze J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Aquamarine Ruby Snake Ring Victorian Style Bronze J Dauphin J DAUPHIN "Gypsy Wisdom" Made in
Category

2010s American Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Ruby, Bronze

Emerald Ruby Snake Ring Victorian Style Cocktail Ring Bronze J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Emerald Ruby Snake Ring Victorian Style Cocktail Ring Bronze J Dauphin 2 pcs Emerald 2 pcs Ruby
Category

2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Bronze

Rubies, Pearls, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Snake Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
mounted with diamonds and rubies for all the body; as eyes, two pearls. This ring was totally hanmdade by
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Coiled "Mr. Snake II" Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold with Diamond Eyes and Snack
By Eytan Brandes
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
ring was 9k and had ruby eyes. Eytan's updated version is 18 karat gold and features diamond eyes
Category

2010s American Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian Snake Ring 18K Yellow Gold Sapphire Ruby Diamonds, 1905
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
A stunning Edwardian ring of 18 Karat Gold with Sapphire, four Diamonds and Ruby, depicting a small
Category

Early 20th Century More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Snake Ring Sterling Silver Emerald Ruby Cocktail Style J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Snake Ring Sterling Silver Emerald Ruby Cocktail Style J Dauphin J DAUPHIN "Gypsy Wisdom" Made in
Category

2010s American Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Silver

Ruby Diamond Emerald Snake Ring in 14 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
snake is set with diamonds and ruby. The snake eyes are set with emerald. Truly a a special piece. US
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

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