Vintage Ruby Jewellery

We offer a range of antique and vintage ruby jewellery, including ruby rings, bracelets, pendants and more. Browse our vintage ruby jewellery collection below.

We offer a range of antique and vintage ruby jewellery, including ruby rings, bracelets, pendants and more. Browse our vintage ruby jewellery collection below

Vintage Ruby Engagement Rings Vintage Engagement Rings Vintage Gemstone Engagement Rings

Gatsby Jewellery

Vintage Ruby Jewellery

At Gatsby Jewellery, rubies are one of the four gemstones classed as “precious”, alongside sapphires, emeralds and diamonds. This is why vintage ruby jewellery is so popular. Rubies are found exclusively in their famous red colour, but they may appear pink, orange, brown and even purple depending on tone and saturation.

Rubies have been used in jewellery since Ancient Egyptian times and have been a favourite amongst collectors ever since. Vintage ruby jewellery, particularly from the Victorian and Art Deco periods, is seen to represent passion, protection and wealth.

For more information on vintage ruby jewellery, take a look at the FAQs below or check out our guide to ruby jewellery.

FAQs

What are some of the features of vintage ruby jewellery?

Rubies were a favourite of Queen Victoria, which led to the gemstones soaring in popularity amongst the upper classes in the Victorian era. During the Art Deco period, rubies were often the gemstone of choice for intricate cocktail rings and striking choker bangles.

Of course, rubies can be found in a wide variety of cuts, settings and shapes, ensuring that there is something within Gatsby’s antique ruby jewellery collection for everyone.

What month is ruby the birthstone of?

Ruby is the birthstone of July, making ruby vintage jewelry the perfect gift for loved ones born within this month. For more information on the significance of ruby as July’s birthstone, take a look at our guide to July and rubies here.

How durable are rubies?

Rubies have a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale, meaning they are highly durable. This makes vintage ruby jewellery a great choice.

Is ruby worth more than diamond?

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to the value of any gemstone type and the value of rubies will vary depending on their cut, clarity and hue. The finest vintage ruby jewellery will empty the deepest pockets.

How are rubies formed?

Rubies belong to the corundum mineral group and are formed when traces of chromic oxide are present within a corundum crystal, chromium being the element that gives rubies their distinctive red hue. The depth of the red within any ruby is dependent on the level of chromium present – a rich, deep red is the least common (and most coveted) ruby hue.

All red corundum mineral crystals are classed as rubies, while all other colours of corundum crystals are classed as sapphire. You can explore the many other beautiful naturally-occurring colours of corundum within Gatsby Jewellery’s sapphire range which includes a variety of stunning vintage sapphire engagement rings.

How much is real ruby worth?

Rubies can be valued between as little as £1 per carat to well in excess of £100,000 per carat, depending on the stone’s colour, clarity, cut and carat weight.

Which ruby is most valuable?

The most expensive ruby in the world is currently thought to be the Sunrise Ruby, which sold for $30.42 million at its most recent sale in 2015. The stone was originally mined in Myanmar and is considered among the world’s rarest gemstones.