July Birthstone Baubles

Here are 10 pieces of jewelry that show off the ruby, a gemstone that represents passion, protection and prosperity.

Brecken Branstrator brecken.branstrator@nationaljeweler.com

Ruby’s signature red hue, like that these earrings from Kimberly McDonald, evokes such emotions as passion, love and anger.

Think about the color red. What words and feelings do you associate with it? Some of our strongest, most intense emotions, right? Passion. Love. Anger. And, perhaps, even a warning of some sort.

Throughout history rubies have held a very high status, with their value connected to these feelings as well as the blood running through our bodies, invigorating our lives with the power they are thought to hold. The gemstones also represent passion, protection and prosperity.

Rubies can command the highest per-carat price of any colored stone, according to the Gemological Institute of America.

In fact, when the 25.59-carat Sunrise Ruby sold for $30.3 million at Sotheby’s Geneva in May 2015, it became the most expensive colored gemstone ever sold at auction.

Rubies are among the top gems of the fine jewelry world, and as the July birthstone are perfectly suited for a romantic birthday gift or, for the person who doesn’t want to wait on someone else, a pretty awesome self-purchase.

Here are 10 pieces of jewelry that demonstrate the beauty and versatility of rubies.

These EF Collection Floating Multi Bezel ear cuffs feature 10 bezel-set rubies each varying in size and set in 14-karat yellow gold ($875 each; sold separately)
EFCollection.com

Meredith Marks’ “Asher” earrings feature rubies made in sterling silver ($1,085).
MeredithMarks.com

This is Ruta Reifen’s 14-karat gold cuff with rubies and pink sapphires ($1,400)
RutaReifen.com

From Little H’s Pearl Geode collection, these earrings feature more than 5 carats of rubies lined in freshwater soufflé pearls and set in 14-karat yellow gold ($1,500).
littlehjewelry.com

These sculptural “Ruby Earrings II” from Baiyang Qiu of BQ Jewelry feature 0.7 carats of ruby set in 18-karat yellow gold ($2,500).
BaiyangJewelry.com

Sydney Evan’s “Large Lips” necklace features pave rubies set in 14-karat rose gold ($3,125).
SydneyEvan.com

The “Skinny Pebbles” ring from Rona Fisher featuring a cushion-cut ruby and rose-cut diamonds is made with 18-karat gold and palladium ($3,250).
RonaFisher.com

This is Jacquie Aiche’s “Ruby Icepick Cluster” necklace, featuring an oval ruby accented with pave diamonds and set in 14-karat rose gold ($4,375).
JacquieAiche.com

Graziela Gems’ ruby “Affinity” ring with white diamonds and 18-karat white gold ($5,950)
GrazielaGems.com

A pair of one-of-a-kind Kimberly McDonald for Gemfields ruby studs featuring the designer’s signature irregular diamond bezels set in 18-karat white gold with black rhodium ($34,550)
KimberlyMcDonald.com

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Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.