Shades of Passion: The Ultimate Guide to Ruby Jewellery
Ruby jewellery has excited and delighted civilisations for millennia with its rich crimson hue, cultural and spiritual significance, and impressive durability, which is third only to moissanite and diamond. These lustrous gemstones have been worn ornamentally since before the written word, having been discovered in Burmese mines as early as 2,500 BCE and appearing across cultures and countries as a treasured form of jewellery ever since.
Although we may no longer wear it for its rumoured protective or healing powers as in cultures of old, ruby jewellery is still a much-loved and oft-worn adornment today. As the birthstone for July, the ruby holds a special place for anyone celebrating a summer birthday, and it remains one of the most sought-after coloured gemstones in the world. Its seductive red hues mirror the shades of our most intense emotions – love and anger, passion and wrath – so it is no wonder that ruby jewellery is an object of great desire and romance within both traditional and contemporary culture, making the perfect gift for significant other and marking the impressive fortieth wedding anniversary milestone.
Join Michael Spiers as we delve into the history of ruby jewellery, from its ancient origins to its significance across cultures, as well as its modern-day importance as a gift and a beautiful personal adornment.
A Brief History of Rubies and Ruby Jewellery
From the snow-capped mountains of Afghanistan and the cavernous gemstone mines of Myanmar, along the winding path of the Silk Road to medieval European courts, rubies have remained a coveted and admired piece of ornamentation since they were first unearthed. The story of ruby jewellery stretches back to the very beginnings of recorded civilisation, where the fruitful Mogok valley in modern-day Myanmar first bore these glittering red rocks, and spans continents and cultures to the modern day.
The King of Precious Stones: Rubies in Ancient Eastern Civilisations
Rubies held immense cultural and spiritual significance for the ancient Burmese people who first unearthed them, and were celebrated by kings and warriors alike for their otherworldly beauty. Associated with life force and vitality and believed to grant immunity from swords and spears, they were worn in battle as a form of armour against impalement, and even implanted directly under the skin in vulnerable areas such as the shoulders, chest, and upper arms. Beyond the battlefield, rubies symbolised majesty, wealth, and power due to their preciousness and rarity, and were used to adorn the ceremonial weapons, royal regalia, and religious artifacts of Burmese monarchs and emperors.
As these gemstones slowly travelled further west, they became an important part of Indian and ancient Hindu cultures also. They were dubbed ratnaraj, meaning “the king of precious stones”, and symbolised the sun, divine protection, and life essence; according to legend, offering a ruby as a sacrifice to the gods would ensure the devotee would be reincarnated as an emperor. Ruby jewellery was rumoured to have talismanic powers to protect wearers from evil, even allowing people to live in harmony with their enemies.
Courting Divine Favour: Rubies in Medieval Europe
As trade routes opened and travel between East and West became more commonplace, so too did rubies in the royal courts of Europe. Its rich, blood-red colour meant that it was closely linked to the passion and sacrifice of Christ, and became heavily associated with divine favour; monarchs often adorned their crowns, reliquary crosses, and ecclesiastical jewels with rubies to visually display their right to rule and to invoke heavenly protection.
Supernatural properties were also frequently ascribed to ruby jewellery, with medieval lapidaries (early gemology texts) claiming that a ruby could act as a portent of doom or betrayal by turning black, only returning to its former red shade when the danger had passed. Like the ancient Burmese warriors, medieval Europeans believed rubies were imbued with protective properties, and knights often had the gemstones set into armour and shields. They even believed that the gemstones emitted light from a mysterious, ever-burning fire buried deep within their hearts, a fascinating pre-scientific interpretation of the stone’s natural fluorescence.
Styling Your Ruby Jewellery
The ruby’s greatest strength as a jewellery stone is its versatility. The deep, saturated red pairs beautifully with almost any metal, and the choice you make will shape the character of the finished piece. Yellow gold lends a ruby a warm, classical richness that flatters its fiery tones; white gold and platinum create a crisp, contemporary contrast that allows the red to take centre stage; rose gold offers a soft and romantic pairing that bridges the gap between classic and modern.
Rubies also sit exceptionally well alongside diamonds, which is why diamond and ruby earrings and cluster rings remain perennial favourites. The clear, pale brilliance of a diamond amplifies the richness of the ruby’s colour, and a halo of small diamonds around a central ruby is a classic setting that never dates.
When choosing the right ruby jewellery for you, it is important to consider your skin tone and which colours flatter it the most. Cooler undertones will be suited to rubies with a blue or purple tint paired with sterling silver, white gold, or platinum, whilst warmer undertones are complemented beautifully by ruby jewellery with a slight orange or pink hue set in yellow gold.
Ruby Engagement Rings
Romantic and precious, impossibly lustrous, and almost as durable as a diamond, a ruby is a wonderful choice of stone for an engagement ring. Its rich crimson shade has long been associated with passion and romance, and it serves as an eye-catching alternative to the classic diamond for the bride who favours something a little more unique. Pairing ruby jewellery with diamonds is a particularly elegant way to marry tradition with individuality, allowing the colourless brilliance of the diamonds to frame and intensify the ruby's fire.
The choice of metal allows you to tailor the ring to your beloved’s personal taste. Our 18ct Yellow & White Gold Ruby & Diamond Trilogy Ring 1.95ct combines the warmth of the yellow gold band and central claw with the crisp contrast of twin white gold claws for a design that feels both classic and contemporary, framing the focal, oval-cut ruby with two brilliant-cut diamonds.
For those who prefer a cooler, more understated palette, the Platinum Ruby & Diamond Trilogy Ring 1.00ct sets the ruby against the pale and enduring sheen of platinum, allowing the stone’s colour to take centre stage. Like its yellow gold sibling, it features two brilliant-cut diamonds bordering either side of the central ruby, adding an extra touch of sparkle and intrigue.
Ruby Anniversary Gifts
The ruby is the traditional gemstone of the fortieth wedding anniversary, and few gifts capture four decades of shared life quite so beautifully. As a stone associated with passion, devotion, and enduring strength, ruby jewellery offers a heartfelt way to celebrate a marriage that has stood the test of time, whether you are marking the milestone itself or looking for a romantic gesture along the way.
An eternity ring is perhaps the most fitting choice, its unbroken line of stones a constant reminder of continuity and lasting love. Our 18ct Yellow Gold Ruby & Diamond Half Eternity Ring alternates 0.35cts of rubies with 0.25cts of diamonds for a design that is as meaningful as it is beautiful, set into a delicate French-cut claw design.
For a gift with real presence, the 18ct White Gold Round-Brilliant Ruby & Diamond Tennis Bracelet offers a slim, dazzling line of alternating round brilliant-cut rubies and brilliant-cut diamonds that catches the light with every movement, making it a truly memorable way to honour the occasion. Every detail reflects exceptional craftsmanship, from the hidden ruby and diamond box clasp to the additional hinged safety clasp, ensuring both security and seamless beauty.
July Birthstone Ruby Gifts
For anyone born in July, the ruby is their birthstone, which makes ruby jewellery an especially thoughtful gift for a summer birthday, graduation, or any milestone that falls within the month. A birthstone piece carries a personal significance that few other gifts can match, tying the gift directly to the person who receives it.
A ruby necklace is a versatile and elegant choice, worn easily from day to evening and treasured for years to come. Our 18ct White Gold Ruby & Diamond Polo Necklace sets 0.59cts of rich rubies against 0.59cts of sparkling diamonds for a piece that is tastefully refined, pairing beautifully with a low, dramatic neckline as a gorgeous focal point. The ruby jewellery piece is gracefully suspended from a delicate 18" trace chain, secured with a discreet hidden bail at the back.
For a gift with a modern edge that honours the spirit of ruby, a fine timepiece in a crimson hue makes a striking statement: the TAG Heuer Pink Aquaracer Professional 200 Calibre 9 Automatic 30mm Diamond Index pairs a warm, ruby-red dial with 0.107cts of diamond on eleven indices, offering all the celebratory colour of July in a contemporary, everyday design.
Discover Ruby Jewellery at Michael Spiers
Few gemstones carry the depth of history, meaning, and sheer visual drama of ruby jewellery. From the ancient mines of Mogok to the royal crowns of European monarchs, this fiery red stone has been treasured across cultures for millennia as a symbol of passion, protection, and enduring love. Its rich crimson hue and remarkable durability make it as practical as it is beautiful, well-suited to everyday wear and to being passed down through generations as a cherished heirloom.
Explore our collection of ruby jewellery to find a piece worthy of your occasion. From engagement rings and eternity rings to necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, our carefully curated range brings together exceptional stones and expert craftsmanship. Browse the full collection online, or visit us in store at one of our showrooms in Truro, Plymouth, Exeter, or Taunton, where our experienced team will be delighted to help you find the perfect piece.