Red…it’s the color for passion, romance, wealth, and prosperity. It’s bold and it’s beautiful…and it’s the color of July’s coveted birthstone, the ravishing ruby. Rubies have long signified power, wealth, and, of course, love. Here’s what this sweet little poem from Tiffany & Co. had to say about the July birthstone:
The glowing ruby shall adorn,
Those who in July are born;
Then they’ll be exempt and free
From love’s doubts and anxiety. [i]
Sounds like a pretty nice stone to have, right?! In fact, rubies are one of my favorite gemstones, and have been coveted by others for centuries. This precious gem has been the symbol of beauty and wisdom in Middle Eastern culture dating all the way back to around 600 AD. Actually, rubies are mentioned several times in the Bible, and have been called one of “the most precious of the twelve stones created by God”[ii].
We all know what we really like best about the ruby- its prettiness! However, not only is the color of the ruby something that is highly prized, but the ruby’s hardness is also one of its important features, meaning that this precious gem is resilient and strong. In fact, it is one of the hardest gemstones, second to the diamond. For this reason, it is often used in tools such as lasers.
Caring for your Ruby Jewelry: Warm, soapy water is safe to use for cleaning a dirty ruby. You should ask a jeweler or gemologist about your ruby before having it cleaned in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner, as some rubies may have filled fractures or other treatments that may cause the stone to become damaged if cleaned using high-heat.[iii]
We carry many bold and beautiful rubies in our showroom, and some can be found on our eBay store. Feast your eyes on some of our favorite finds below…
This gorgeous piece is a vintage art nouveau-style pendant in 14 karat yellow gold, featuring a lovely young woman with a diamond studded choker and rubies in the branches surrounding her portrait. This is a truly eye-catching piece you’ll love to wear, or give to someone else as a gift! Find it on our eBay store here.
No one does it quite like Tiffany & Co., and this glimmering gold vintage dress clip adorned with blushing pink rubies and crystal clear diamonds is an excellent example of their meticulous craftsmanship. Popular in the 1940s, this style was typically worn by women on their dress collars. An ideal piece for collectors and jewelry enthusiasts alike! Get it here!
How would you like a necklace that’s practically all ruby, like this one? These dazzling rubies separated by sterling silver beads have a nice deep pink hue in their lush scarlet color, and can be worn with anything at all! A nice gift for someone special- or for yourself! Find it here!
An ideal ring for the retro-lover in your life, this beauty is made of rose gold and adorned with pinkish-red rubies and a single sparkling diamond. This work of art, with its delicate flair, is perfect for a night out on the town or a hot date. You can find it here.
This retro rose gold watch accented with rubies and diamonds was very popular in the 1940s and 50s, and it is still gorgeous! Made by Bulova, a brand that continues to thrive and make collectible watches today, this piece is delicate and feminine, as well as very eye-catching in its warm color. An ideal birthday gift for anyone! See it here.
You can find most of these dazzling pieces and many more on our eBay store, and in our East Brunswick, NJ showroom. Prices for all items displayed are available by calling us at 888-565-1120. Just reference this blog post when calling, and remember- we’re always buying, so you can bring in an old piece and trade it for something new! Happy birthday, July birthdays!
[i] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthstones
The National Estate Jewelers Blog 