Ruby engagement rings and ruby wedding rings were used long before diamonds, and in Asia, courtesans wore them because the ruby is the gemstone of love, vitality, passion and sexuality. It has also been used in rituals and medicine, to restore all that ails the heart, to stimulate circulation and to cleanse and revitalize.

A Gold Ruby Ring

You will not readily find an antique ruby ring that hails from a medieval jeweler’s chest, but it is possible to buy genuine antiques from 50 or 100 years ago since there are dealers who specialize in scouring the world for ruby engagement rings, ruby earrings, mens ruby rings and especially gold ruby rings. Most of these antique jewelry merchants will also have emerald rings, pearl rings, opal rings and vintage engagement rings with precious gemstone settings custom made for their owners and therefore different from commercial rings on the market today.

When it comes to antique ring settings you will notice that gold is by far the most common metal used with a ruby, partly because gold is the best color for bringing out the lustrous red of the stone. The vast majority of antique ruby rings are therefore set in gold.

Since rubies are a gemstone mined and crafted into rings in many Asian countries from where the stones originate, many antique ruby rings are set into a deep yellow gold that is not frequently seen commercially in the western jewelry shops. If you want a unique piece, there may be some surprising finds in ruby ring creations at a jeweler in your local China town or little India. Remember that the deeper and richer the yellow of the gold the redder your ruby will appear.

A Ruby Heart Ring for a Young Lady

Since rubies are the stones of love, it is not surprising that a ruby heart ring has long been a traditional design. A heart ring is a favorite for young ladies partly because of the shape of the stone that is more youthful and also because of the level of brilliance achieved by the heart shaped cutting process, which makes the gem have more facets, and therefore more sparkly which youthful jewelry wearers appreciate. It is also common to use lighter color ruby stones for a ruby heart ring and so they often appear pink and this is pleasing to young women and children.

A Ruby Eternity Ring

Ruby eternity rings, although the term may be relatively modern, have existed for a long time and therefore is possible to find even in antiques designs. The simplicity of an eternity ring can make for a delightful alternative to a traditional wedding ring even when paired with a larger engagement ring. Often a ruby eternity ring will have small diamonds alongside the rubies and this may accent a diamond engagement ring nicely.