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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.