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Antique Victorian Enamel Diamond Ruby Gold Snake Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1890 A cobalt blue enamel and 18K yellow gold ring is designed as a coiled snake. The head
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Enamel

Diamond Snake Ring
Located in Las Vegas, NV
finger, with two deep red ruby eyes. Each gem is hand set in shining 14K gold. This rings hand made
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

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

Aquamarine Ring Gold Snake Victorian Style Emerald Ruby J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Aquamarine Cocktail Ring Gold Snake Ring Victorian Style Emerald Ruby J Dauphin J DAUPHIN "Eternal
Category

2010s American Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Aquamarine, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

C1880 Intertwined Snake Studded with Paste Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire Rubies
Located in Baltimore, MD
Substantial Victorian 10K double headed snake ring with diamond and ruby paste heads and two pairs
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 10k Gold

Victorian 18 Karat Gold Rose Cut Diamond and Ruby Snake Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A gorgeous Antique Victorian Diamond Encrusted Snake Ring, with dazzling Ruby eyes. The central
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Emerald Snake Ring Ruby Victorian Style Cocktail Bronze Adjustable J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Emerald Snake Ring Ruby Victorian Style Cocktail Bronze Adjustable J Dauphin J DAUPHIN "Gypsy
Category

2010s American Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Bronze

Emerald Snake Ring Ruby Victorian Style Cocktail Bronze Adjustable J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Emerald Snake Ring Ruby Victorian Style Cocktail Bronze Adjustable J Dauphin J DAUPHIN "Gypsy
Category

2010s American Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Bronze

1960s Gold Snake Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
snake ring features a diamond-set head and vibrant ruby eyes. Exquisitely made, it coils comfortably
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Snake Ring Diamond Ruby Onyx Art Déco Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The snake ring with diamonds and ruby features 0.80 carats of round diamonds of top quality (F/G
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold

Emerald Ruby Snake Ring Silver Onesie Victorian Cocktail Style Animal J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Emerald Ruby Snake Ring Silver Adjustable Victorian Cocktail Style Animal Ring J Dauphin J DAUPHIN
Category

2010s American Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Silver

Emerald Ruby Snake Ring Double Head Victorian Style Bronze Cocktail J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ruby eyes on two Snake head Ring Victorian Style J DAUPHIN " The life is but a dream" Made in Bronze
Category

2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Bronze

White Diamond Emerald Ruby Snake Cocktail Ring Victorian Style Bronze J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
White Diamond Marquis Emerald Ruby Eyes Snake Cocktail Ring Victorian Style Bronze J Dauphin 1
Category

2010s American Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Bronze

Antique Georgian Rose Cut Diamond Ruby 14K Yellow Gold Double Snake Ring
Located in New York, NY
snake in smoothly polished yellow gold, ruby eyes and expressive smile. The bodies of the two coiled
Category

Antique 19th Century European Georgian More Rings

Materials

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

Diamonds, Rubies, Turquoise, 9 Karat Rose Gold and Silver Gold Snake Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
body, two ruby as eyes and a diamond on the head and diamonds on the tail. This ring was totally
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Men s Snake Ring from Gold Rush Era Devours All Other Snake Rings
Located in Northampton, MA
style because they are immune to the capricious whims of fashion. I have never owned a snake ring
Category

Antique 1850s American Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Wonderful Victorian Double Snake Ring
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful Victorian Double Snake Ring set in 15 Carat slightly rose gold with natural rubies set
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold

Carl F. Bucherer Gold Snake Ring
By Bucherer
Located in Litchfield, CT
verve, this chic snake ring by Bucherer features a flexible tubogas body, a diamond-set head and vibrant
Category

Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Italian Hammered 14K Gold Snake Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Gemstone: 2 Ruby Eyes Ring Size: 8, sizing available Rise Above Finger: 5mm Ring Face: 33mm x 21mm Band
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

18K White Enamel Snake Ring Expandable
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This gorgeous white enamel snake ring is expandable and it is done in 18K Yellow Gold. It is of a
Category

2010s Unknown Aesthetic Movement Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel

Antique Diamond Set Gold Snake Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
sleek design, accented by a .10 carat rose-cut diamond and ruby eyes, it has a look of jewelry from the
Category

Antique 1890s American Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Snake and Pate de Verre Egg Ring
Located in Riverdale, NY
Oversized Italian cocktail ring in 18K gold with Pate de Verre glass. 3 finely detailed snakes are
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

1/10 Carat 0.10 Carat Diamond Ruby Snake Wrap Ring in 18 Kt Gold, circa 1955
Located in Austin, TX
This diamond and ruby snake ring is a fun wrap design. From the 1950s! The wrap snake ring has a
Category

Vintage 1950s English Artisan Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Diamond Gold Crossover Snake Ring
Located in London, GB
A French, antique, crossover snake ring, with two entwined snakes, with an old-cut diamond set in
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Vintage 18kt. Yellow Gold Coiled Snake Ladies Ring
Located in Braintree, GB
18kt. yellow gold coiled snake ladies ring set with ruby eyes. Made in the United Kingdom, London
Category

Vintage 1970s British Band Rings

Materials

Ruby, Yellow Gold

Black Diamond Snake Ring Statement
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black Diamond Snake Ring Statement J DAUPHIN "Unconscious" Serpens from the sea bronze ring Us
Category

2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Black Diamond, Bronze

Victorian 18ct Gold Diamond Snake Ring
Located in OVIEDO, AS
Antique Victorian Diamond Ruby Snake Ring 18ct Gold. This beautiful mid Victorian coiled snake ring
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Russian Gold Snake Ring, K. Faberge, circa 1895
By Fabergé
Located in Aspen, CO
Faberge, workmates Erik Kollin, snake ring, gold, rose-cut diamonds in the head, eyes and tail, and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

14k Yellow Gold Channel Set Diamond Coiled Snake Ring
Located in Fairfield, CT
This charming ring is a coiled snake motif, with two red faceted, bezel set ruby eyes
Category

20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Unusual Mother of Pearl Inlaid Snake Ring
Located in New York, NY
Unusual Mother of Pearl Inlaid Snake Ring clutching a faceted amythest in mouth. Mounted in 14k
Category

Vintage 1980s American More Rings

Materials

Amethyst, 14k Gold

Mid-20th Century Snake Diamond Platinum and Yellow Gold 18 Karat Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Mid-20th Century Snake Diamond with Ruby eyes on Platinum and Yellow Gold 18k Ring. Ring size: 7.
Category

Mid-20th Century Baroque Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum

14K Yellow Gold Diamond Snake Ring Holding A Pearl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This snake ring brings me much joy. This snake is covered in Diamonds and holds a 9mm White Pearl
Category

Vintage 1960s German Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

18K White Gold Diamond Tanzanite Head Snake Ring
Located in North Hollywood, CA
eyes are tiny Rubies. This is most unique as most snakes are yellow gold this one is white gold and a
Category

Vintage 1960s British Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, White Gold

BVLGARI Roma Serpenti Ring In 18Kt Rose Gold With Diamonds And Rubies
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

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

2010s American Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Emerald, Bronze

David Webb Iconic Green Enamel Snake Ring 18 Karat
By David Webb
Located in North Hollywood, CA
David Webb Iconic Green Enamel snake ring has a Diamond head and is in near excellent shape. There
Category

Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Estate 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Double Snake Ring, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Large, solid quality antique French 18K gold double snake ring. The snakes are well detailed, one
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Romantic More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Serpent Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This stunning ring featured two snakes that are wrapped around each other to create this ring. The
Category

Vintage 1960s British Modern More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Codognato Enamel Diamond Ruby Gold Skull Memento Mori Ring
By Attilio Codognato
Located in Firenze, IT
Renaissance style Memento Mori skull ring made with champleve multicolored enamels, diamonds eyes
Category

1990s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Enamel

Black Star Sapphire Snake Ring Vintage 14k Rose Gold Sz 5 Estate Serpent Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed vintage snake ring, crafted in 14 karat rose gold (circa 1960s to 1970s). Star
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

Ruby, Sapphire, Star Sapphire, Black Star, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

On Hold for Stephen Art Deco Style Snake Ring 3/4 Ct. Pear Cut Diamond Emerald
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
elegant and charming Art Deco Style snake ring. Centered by a 3/4 Ct. Pear Cut Diamond of a
Category

2010s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Tourmaline, Ruby 14-Karat G, Diamond and Sterling Silver Serpent Ring
Located in North Miami, FL
serpent has a tourmaline tail and ruby eyes. Signed KK in 14k gold n the back of the band. Size 5 ring, 2
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

Diamond Sapphire Ruby and 18K Gold SnakeRing
Located in Nantucket, MA
18K gold coil snake ring with faceted diamonds around the band, pave`set sapphires at the neck and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Serpent Ring Signifying Eternal Love
Located in Aspen, CO
This charming 18K snake ring possesses an approximately .33 ct. bright green Colombian emerald
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

BVLGARI Roma Serpenti Cocktail Ring In 18Kt Rose Gold With Diamonds
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, White Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Victorian Turquoise Ruby Diamond Gold Snake Necklace
Located in Narberth, PA
set in the serpent's head, and its eyes are represented by delicate ruby cabochons. The surface is
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Necklace Enhancers

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise Matrix, 14k Gold

Victorian 18 Karat Gold Ruby Rose Cut Diamond Snake Bar Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a Victorian snake bar brooch crafted in 18K gold. Circa 1890. The piece features ruby and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Snake Earrings and Brooch Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Enamel 18 Karat Gold Victorian
Located in New York, NY
snakes entwined around vines and leaves. The snakes eyes are ruby cabochons. The leaves are set with 24
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Ruby, Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

Victorian Gold Snake Brooch
Located in Baltimore, MD
Victorian 18K gold swirly snake pin set with a row of emeralds along its head and ruby eyes. Snake
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique 18ct Yellow Woven Gold and Diamond Snake Bracelet Circa 1870
Located in London, GB
with open mouth and engraved and decorated with two cabochon rubies for eyes and small diamonds set
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Bangles

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

14K Gold Etruscan Revival Snake Bypass Bracelet
Located in Venice, CA
conveys personality through its ruby eyes. In between the snake’s body are three small balls that balance
Category

Antique 1880s Etruscan Revival Bangles

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold

Combined listing: Cartier Diamond Necklace, Cartier Brooche, Diamond Skull Ring
By Cartier
Located in London, England
Ring in 18 Karat Gold An extremely striking ruby and diamond skull and snake ring by Theo Fennell, set
Category

2010s Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Snake Ring
Located in New York, NY
A striking ring crafted in 18 karat yellow gold depicting two intertwined snakes. Each snake is
Category

1990s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Victorian Gold, Ruby and Diamond Twin Serpent Ring
Located in London, GB
snakes, one carved head set with an old cut diamond estimated to weigh 0.25 carats and ruby faceted eyes
Category

Antique 19th Century Late Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Yellow Gold Diamond, Pearl and Ruby Portuguese Ring
Located in New York, NY
round brilliant cut diamonds and pearl cut ruby eyes. The tail of the snake encircles the finger of the
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Victorian Blue Enamel Serpent Necklace
Located in London, GB
row of graduated half pearls, cabochon ruby eyes and a decorative coiled tail, suspending a heart
Category

Antique 1840s British Early Victorian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 15k Gold, 9k Gold

Victorian Gold and Turquoise Serpent Necklace
Located in London, GB
features glowing ruby eyes and facial details studded with glittering diamonds. The clasp of the necklace
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British High Victorian Link Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Chiseled 18k Yellow Plain Gold Snake Ring with Ruby Eyes
Located in Versailles, FR
ruby eyes. The snake's tail is cleverly designed to join its head, symbolizing eternity and everlasting
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, 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.