Vivid Red Ruby 5 Carat
1990s French Band Rings
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Garnet, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1920s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold, E...
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Post-War Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Antique 1880s English Victorian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1970s American Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
1990s English Egyptian Revival Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, E...
2010s American Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Armenian Modern Solitaire Rings
Ruby, Sapphire, Spinel, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Go...
2010s Swiss Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Band Rings
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Moonstone, Ruby, Yellow Gold
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Vivid Red Ruby 5 Carat For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Vivid Red Ruby 5 Carat?
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.