Rubies Reinvented: From royal gem to daily dose of colour

July 22, 2021

By Katerina Perez

9 min read

Historically, rubies have always been seen as the royal gemstone – a symbol of power and prominence adorning the Tsars of Russia, the Maharajahs of India, and the royal families of Europe. And while rare Burmese ‘pigeon’s blood’ rubies still hold this almost mystical significance in high jewellery, there’s a fresh wave of everyday designs that are placing rubies on the necks and fingers of those royal at heart. Here are a selection of designs to celebrate this most regal and auspicious of gems.

Once you start looking, it is amazing how ubiquitous the simple word ‘ruby’ becomes in poetry, history, myth, and legend. There’s just something about richly saturated shades of red that seems to inspire creatives and included in that group are jewellery designers, past and present. Rubies have for hundreds of years been the pinnacle of luxury, perhaps even more so than diamonds. The most vivid Burmese rubies are truly rare and covetable, with high jewellery brands now turning to new sources in Mozambique, for example, as their source of royal red gems.

Philippe Guilhem Vaya N°1 ring in bronze and gold, set with an oval-shaped ruby

If I had rubies, riches, and crowns, I’d buy the whole world and change things around, Bob Dylan. 

Van Cleef & Arpels Folie des Prés Collection ruby and diamond earrings in rose gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Folie des Prés Collection ruby and diamond necklace in rose gold

More recently though, we are seeing a diversification of ruby jewels and finding this scarlet corundum in more wearable, everyday designs that don’t require an equally red carpet to feel at home. Perhaps it is the desire among all women (and men, of course) to feel like royalty in their own lives, even if it’s just for a moment. Take a look at the gallery of pieces I have selected below from across the spectrum of high jewels, designer jewels and pieces that could comfortably be worn every day. What unifies them is the intensity of the red hue, whether it’s a brighter red with hints of pink or a deep burgundy shade that pairs well with rose or yellow gold. I’m sure within this selection you will discover at least one piece that will help you live out your regal fantasies. 

Harakh

Harakh

Chaumet

Chaumet

Vanleles

Vanleles

Ronald Abram

Ronald Abram

Buccellati

Buccellati

Harry Winston

Harry Winston

Gubelin

Gubelin

Bayco

Bayco

David Morris

David Morris

Bugari

Bugari

Jacquie Aiche

Jacquie Aiche

Garrard

Garrard

Lark & Berry

Lark & Berry

Cartier

Cartier

Bia Tambelli

Bia Tambelli

Chaumet

Chaumet

Pragnell

Pragnell

Bvlgari

Bvlgari

Misahara

Misahara

Melissa Kaye

Melissa Kaye

Picchiotti

Picchiotti

Ruchi

Ruchi

Stenzhorn

Stenzhorn

Miseno

Miseno

Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels

Pomellato

Pomellato

Moussaieff

Moussaieff

Robinson Pelham

Robinson Pelham

Chaumet

Chaumet

Boghossian

Boghossian

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