There’s no place like home… there’s no place like home…
Did you know that Dorothy’s famous ruby slippers were originally silver? The director of the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz changed them to ruby because he believed the bright red shoes would be more captivating in “dazzling technicolor,” especially when contrasted with the yellow brick road. I couldn’t agree more! As you’ll soon discover, I’m quite partial to the combination of ruby and gold. There’s something simply magical about July’s birthstone ruby, which has captured the human imagination since ancient history. (The oldest known ruby jewelry dates back to 2500 B.C.!) But what are rubies, really?
Like sapphires, radiant rubies are a variety of the mineral corundum. They are renowned for their deep red color and their fire-like radiance, making them some of the most prized gems in the world. When I use ruby in my jewelry, I always seek to highlight the bold, enchanting color. There’s no holding back with this stone, and that’s how I like it! Here are a few of my favorite ruby pieces…
Ruby Rings
I love using lab-grown rubies, which are both more environmentally friendly and more accessible, making them perfect for birthday jewelry.
When it comes to my stackable rings, I recommend yellow gold, which contrasts beautifully with ruby red, or rose gold, which creates a lovely feminine look. The super-stackable Horizon Mist ring is available in both metals, as is the petite and youthful Dandelion Bloom Ring. You can even alternate between yellow and rose gold!
For a stand-alone option, the Lilypads by the Pond in yellow gold with lab-grown ruby is the ultimate way to show off that crimson color.
Necklaces, Earrings, and Bangles
Necklaces, earrings, and bracelets also make great birthday gifts. The Petite Pop necklace in ruby and rose gold is perfect for the girly girl in your life. If you want even more sparkle, opt for the Veiled Horizon Gem in rose gold with ruby. You can even layer these pieces together! For the sassy birthday girl, the Ripple Hoop earrings are available in both rose or yellow gold.
If you’re interested in pairing ruby with other gemstones, I recommend diamond and pink tourmaline. As you can see in this Sandy Breeze Gem bangle stack, the colors complement each other perfectly. Ruby also pairs nicely with amethyst, as I’ll demonstrate later in this blog.
Ruby Commissions
Heirloom redesigns make for some of the sweetest birthday gifts, and because of the ruby’s timeless popularity, there are many heirloom pieces with ruby stones. The With Me Always cuff featured twenty-one ultra-petite rubies from my client’s great-aunt’s ring. We utilized each one, scattering them across the rippled cuff like swirling planets in space.
Last but not least, this lovely Push Present commission paired two rubies with a purple amethyst for a romantic color journey.
I could go on forever about the endless possibilities of ruby jewelry, but suffice it to say this stone is an absolute classic and the perfect way to catch anyone’s eye. I hope all you July birthdays adore it as much as I do!
