Vibrant, enchanting, and rich with meaning, ruby necklaces are a jewelry box essential. Whether you're looking for a ruby heart necklace for your special someone or a statement piece for a special occasion, you can’t go wrong with this crimson gem. With countless designs to choose from, there's sure to be a ruby and diamond necklace perfect for you and your style.
The Allure of Ruby Necklaces
Sometimes referred to as the "king of gems," it’s no secret that ruby necklaces are fit for royalty. Whenever someone is searching for a bold and eye-catching piece of jewelry, the fiery red gemstone is often the first to catch their eye. Durable, timeless, and visually striking, rubies are coveted around the world for their crimson allure.
What Do Ruby Necklaces Symbolize?
When it comes to symbolism, every culture has its own unique beliefs about rubies. Experts have traced these various beliefs in mystical properties attributed to gold ruby necklaces for centuries.
In India, the glittering red gem was said to bring good fortune to the owner. In Burma, where the majority of natural rubies are found, the stone was thought to grant invulnerability and protection in battle. In medieval Europe, rubies were believed to symbolize power and also cure various medical ailments. The list goes on!
Ruby and diamond necklaces are also often associated with passion and eternal love. The deep red hue is long thought to ignite romance and foster passionate connections, making a ruby heart necklace a popular choice for expressing one's true feelings to a loved one.
What Are Rubies?
Rubies, a variety of the mineral corundum, are one of the most sought-after precious gemstones in the world. Natural formation takes place when aluminum oxide and chromium are heated and pressurized in mineral-rich waters by the earth's crust.
What Makes a Gold Ruby Necklace Valuable?
Though clarity, carat weight, and country of origin all affect the final price tag, color is the most significant factor in defining a ruby’s value. The most desirable rubies for jewelry range from slightly purplish red to pure red, with the Pigeon Blood type being the most valuable of all. Gems with noticeably orange or purple overtones are typically less valued.
Does Heat Treatment Affect the Value of a Ruby?
Heat treatments, a common practice among gemologists and jewelry experts, are used to remove undesirable undertones and improve a stone's clarity and color for that stunning birthstone ruby necklace. Though this process can affect the value of a design, it's not always in a negative way.
Unlike other enhancements designed to fill fractures or diffusions, heat-based treatments are simply designed to enhance the aesthetics of a ruby, making it more usable for jewelry in the process. While a completely natural counterpart will always be more valuable, a heart ruby necklace with a heated stone can still fetch quite a price tag.
Insider tip: Trustworthy jewelry companies will disclose whether the stones in their ruby jewelry were heat-treated. If you're unsure, ask your jeweler for more information.
What to Look For in a Gold Ruby Necklace
When it comes time to shop for a white gold diamond and ruby necklace of your very own, we know it can be tempting to go with the very first design you see. But before you buy, slow down, take your time, and make sure it's the right piece for you by considering each of these important design elements:
Ruby Stone Quality
Similar to diamonds, the quality of a ruby is judged on four main factors: color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. Before they are placed in a diamond and ruby necklace design, every single stone is professionally rated on each category. Even the slightest difference in inclusion or hue can affect the final price of a design, making quality one of the most important factors in finding a piece within your budget.
Understand the Ruby Grading System
Rubies are graded on an easy-to-understand scale, from:
- Natural AAA: describes only 1% of natural rubies, making this a rare and expensive grade
- Natural AA: accounts for 10% of natural rubies, considered high-quality and best for jewelry designs
- Natural A: includes around 20% of natural rubies, less preferred than AA, but still usable in fine jewelry
- Natural B: the rating for over 50% of natural rubies, passable for less-expensive pieces
Ruby Color and Undertones
Rubies may be best known for their pure, intensely red hue, but did you know that the majority have a secondary undertone color? If the undertone dominates the red, it can significantly influence the overall appearance of a stone and impact its value. Commonly found undertones in high-end birthstone ruby necklaces include:
- Pink
- Purple
- Orange
- Brown
Type of Metal Setting
Ruby gems are a brilliant red that looks phenomenal in every kind of metal setting. Different metal colors bring out unique qualities in rubies, so it's important to look at a wide variety of designs when choosing your ruby and diamond necklace, including:
Yellow Gold Ruby Necklaces
The warm glow of yellow gold pairs beautifully with the rich reds of a ruby. Yellow gold ruby necklaces offer a unique vibrancy, creating a luxurious and timeless look suitable for both everyday wear and special occasions.
White Gold Ruby Necklaces
With a cool, almost silvery tone, white gold provides a striking contrast to the vibrant red hues of ruby gemstones. White gold ruby necklaces are a popular choice for those seeking a modern and sleek style.
Rose Gold Ruby Necklaces
Lean into the romantic aesthetic of ruby jewelry by opting for a rose gold setting. The warm, pinkish hue of rose gold offers a vintage look that is enhanced by the red of the stone. Rose gold is a popular choice for wedding jewelry and sentimental presents like your favorite birthstone ruby necklace.
Ruby Necklace Designs with Complementary Stones
When you browse ruby jewelry, you'll see that more often than not, designers will have paired the ruby with complementary stones to enhance the natural brilliance of the red gemstone, each with their own aesthetic outcome. Diamonds, for instance, add a non-distracting sparkle, while emeralds, being opposite of the color wheel, offer a vibrant contrast. Pearls, amethysts, opal, and sapphire are also popular choices to pair with rubies.
Birthstone Ruby Jewelry Makes the Perfect Gift for July Birthdays
Who wouldn't want to unwrap a birthday present and find a stunning July birthstone ruby necklace waiting for them? Rich in meaning and available in a wide variety of styles, ruby jewelry can be used to commemorate milestones, express care, or make a grand romantic gesture.
Whether you're searching for a traditional 40th anniversary gift or a sentimental birthstone piece for someone with a July birthday, no one can deny that ruby necklaces will completely captivate the recipient. Find a meaningful design for you or your loved one today.
