How do I care for antique ruby jewellery?

Clean these pieces gently using warm soapy water and a soft brush, avoiding harsh ultrasonic cleaners. Store them individually in soft pouches to prevent diamonds from scratching softer metals or gems. Inspect the claw settings periodically to ensure the rubies and diamonds remain secure. Professional checks by a jeweller help maintain the integrity of older gold and platinum mountings.

Are all rubies in these pieces natural?

The listings include a mix of natural unheated stones, treated stones, and synthetic or paste alternatives. Detailed descriptions and gemmological reports often specify the origin and treatment status of significant rubies. Period pieces from the twentieth century frequently incorporated synthetic stones alongside natural diamonds. Examining the piece description clarifies whether the ruby is mined, synthetic, or glass paste.

How can I tell which period a ruby ring is from?

Dating relies on stylistic markers such as the geometric lines of Art Deco pieces or the heavy floral clusters of the mid-century. Metal choices also offer clues, with yellow gold dominating Victorian items and platinum defining Edwardian and 1950s mounts. Diamond cuts provide further evidence, as old cut stones typically indicate nineteenth or early twentieth-century manufacture. Gemmological certification sometimes supplies an estimated era alongside stone specifications.