Ruby Pearl Necklace
These ruby pearl necklaces range from Victorian gold serpents to mid-century clasps, offering enduring appeal for collectors of fine jewellery.
Ruby Pearl Necklace
When you search for a ruby pearl necklace, you encounter fine jewellery spanning the Victorian, Edwardian, and mid-century periods. These pieces combine lustrous pearls with deep red rubies, often accented by diamonds and mounted in gold or silver.
The most common versions met on this page are pendants and necklaces featuring seed pearls alongside natural rubies. Designs stretch from delicate Edwardian snake motifs to structured 1960s gold strands with decorative gem-set clasps.
How they were made
Maker techniques rely on traditional mounting in 9ct, 15ct, and 18ct yellow gold or silver settings. Goldsmiths incorporate seed pearls and natural pearls alongside rose-cut diamonds and rubies using secure prong and bezel settings.
Specialised decorative elements include plique-à-jour enamel work and intricate gold wirework forming snake and bow shapes. Clasps double as decorative centrepieces, integrating multiple gemstone varieties into functional fastenings.
Ruby Pearl Necklace Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for ruby pearl necklace among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature gold carats ranging from 9ct to 18ct, alongside silver, rubies, seed pearls, and diamonds.
What varies in quality
Quality differentiates by the purity of the gold mount, ranging from standard 9ct up to 18ct and tested 15ct gold. The fineness of the metalwork directly influences the durability and overall refinement of the piece.
Gemstone selection dictates the upper tier of the range, particularly the use of natural pearls paired with vibrant rubies and rose-cut diamonds. Intricate artistic techniques like plique-à-jour enamel elevate specific pieces above standard production.
The Ruby Pearl Necklace Glossary
- Seed pearl
- A very small, naturally formed pearl, often drilled and strung together in clusters or used to outline delicate gold motifs.
- Rose-cut diamond
- An antique diamond cut featuring a flat base and a domed crown with triangular facets, common in Victorian and Edwardian jewellery.
- Plique-à-jour
- An enamelling technique where enamel is applied in cells without a backing, allowing light to shine through transparently like stained glass.
- Necklet
- A shorter style of necklace designed to sit close to the collarbone, frequently fastened with a decorative gem-set clasp.
Ruby Pearl Necklace: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these necklaces span?
These pieces date from the nineteenth century through the Edwardian era and into the mid-century decades. Victorian and Edwardian examples sit alongside 1950s and 1960s designs.
Each era brings distinct mounting styles and gemstone arrangements, moving from serpent motifs to structured pearl strands with gem-set clasps.
Are the pearls natural?
Listings feature a mix of natural pearls, seed pearls, and cultured pearls depending on the specific period and piece. Edwardian and Victorian items frequently incorporate natural seed pearls.
Examining the individual listing details clarifies whether the pearls are natural or cultured according to the dealer description.
What metals are used in the settings?
Mounts are constructed from yellow gold in various carats including 9ct, 15ct, and 18ct, alongside silver and platinum elements. Some pieces are tested to verify their specific gold content.
Silver is frequently paired with gold or enamel work, particularly in earlier Art Nouveau pendants from around nineteen hundred.
How do I care for a ruby and pearl necklace?
Pearls require gentle handling because organic material is sensitive to chemicals, perfumes, and cosmetics. Wipe them with a soft cloth after wearing to preserve their lustre.
Rubies and diamonds are harder stones, but the delicate gold settings and seed pearl strands benefit from professional periodic checks by a jeweller.