Ruby engagement rings have always carried a sense of rarity and symbolism. Unlike traditional diamond rings, rubies stand out for their deep red colour and strong historical meaning. Across different cultures, rubies have long been associated with love, passion, and vitality, which makes them a meaningful gemstone for engagement jewellery.
In recent decades, several well-known public figures have chosen ruby engagement rings, bringing renewed attention to this gemstone. Their choices highlight how rubies can create striking and memorable designs that differ from more common engagement ring styles.
This guide explains why ruby engagement rings have become popular, looks at famous celebrity examples, and helps you understand how to choose a ruby engagement ring that reflects personal style and lasting significance.
Why Are Ruby Engagement Rings Popular?
Ruby engagement rings attract attention for several reasons that go beyond appearance. Their colour, symbolism, and rarity make them a distinctive choice for couples who want something meaningful and different from traditional diamond rings.
Symbolism of Love and Passion
Rubies have long symbolised deep love and emotional intensity. Their rich red colour has historically been linked with the heart, making them a natural representation of commitment and lasting relationships.
Unique Colour and Visual Impact
The vivid red hue of rubies immediately sets them apart from colourless stones. This bold colour creates a striking centrepiece that stands out in jewellery designs. Rubies also pair beautifully with different metals and accent stones. They are often surrounded by diamonds to enhance their brilliance, creating a balanced and elegant contrast.
Rarity and Value
High-quality natural rubies are among the rarest gemstones in the world. Large rubies with strong colour and clarity are particularly difficult to find. Because of this rarity, ruby engagement rings often carry a sense of exclusivity and prestige.
Durability for Everyday Wear
Rubies are extremely durable gemstones. On the Mohs hardness scale they rank 9 out of 10, making them suitable for jewellery worn daily.
Best Celebrity Ruby Engagement Rings
Ruby engagement rings have appeared in several high-profile proposals, helping this gemstone gain attention beyond traditional diamond rings. Celebrities and royal figures often choose rubies because of their rich colour and strong symbolism of passion and devotion. These famous rings demonstrate how rubies can create striking and memorable engagement jewellery.
Sarah Ferguson’s Ruby Engagement Ring
One of the most recognised ruby engagement rings belongs to Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. Prince Andrew proposed to her in 1986 with a ring designed by the royal jeweller Garrard.
The ring features a large oval Burmese ruby surrounded by ten diamonds set in a floral cluster design on a yellow gold band. Prince Andrew reportedly chose the ruby because it matched Sarah Ferguson’s red hair, giving the ring a personal meaning. This royal engagement ring became widely admired and helped bring ruby engagement rings into the spotlight during the late 1980s.
Katy Perry’s Ruby Engagement Ring
Singer Katy Perry received a distinctive engagement ring from actor Orlando Bloom during a Valentine’s Day proposal in 2019. The ring is widely recognised for its unique floral design.
At the centre sits an oval ruby, surrounded by round diamonds arranged like flower petals. This halo pattern forms a flower shape that highlights the ruby’s deep red colour while creating a dramatic and modern appearance. The ring became widely discussed in jewellery circles because it showed how coloured gemstones can create bold and expressive engagement rings.
Jessica Simpson’s Ruby Engagement Ring
Singer and actress Jessica Simpson also received a ruby engagement ring when Eric Johnson proposed. Her ring features a large ruby centre stone framed by diamonds, creating a luxurious and eye-catching design.
The contrast between the vibrant ruby and the surrounding diamonds adds brilliance while keeping the ruby as the focal point. Simpson’s ring helped demonstrate that ruby engagement rings can look both glamorous and timeless.
Victoria Beckham’s Ruby Engagement Ring
Fashion designer Victoria Beckham owns a famous jewellery collection that includes several engagement rings gifted by David Beckham over the years. Among them is a notable ruby ring featuring an oval ruby centre stone surrounded by diamonds.
This ring reflects a sophisticated and high-fashion approach to coloured gemstone jewellery. Victoria Beckham’s ruby ring highlights how rubies can create elegant engagement designs that stand apart from traditional styles.
Eva Longoria’s Ruby Engagement Ring
Eva Longoria has also been associated with ruby jewellery. While her engagement ring from José Bastón features a ruby-like red stone, the design reflects the growing trend of coloured gemstone engagement rings.
Princess Diana’s Ruby and Diamond Ring
Before receiving the famous sapphire engagement ring from Prince Charles, Princess Diana owned a ruby and diamond ring gifted by Prince Charles early in their relationship. The ring featured a striking ruby surrounded by diamonds, reflecting the classic royal style that highlights coloured gemstones.
Find Your Perfect Ruby Engagement Ring
Choosing a ruby engagement ring involves more than selecting a beautiful gemstone. Understanding colour quality, ring design, and gemstone characteristics helps ensure the ring remains meaningful and durable for long-term wear.
Look for Strong Ruby Colour
Colour is the most important factor when evaluating rubies. The most valued rubies display a rich red tone often described as “pigeon blood red.”
When selecting a ruby engagement ring, look for:
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Deep, vibrant red colour
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Even colour distribution
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Good brightness and transparency
Choose the Right Ring Setting
Ruby engagement rings can be designed in many styles. The setting influences both the ring’s appearance and how well the gemstone is protected.
Popular settings include:
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Halo settings: diamonds surround the ruby for added sparkle
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Solitaire settings: a single ruby as the focal point
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Three-stone designs: ruby centre stone with diamond side stones
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Vintage-inspired designs: intricate detailing with coloured gemstones
Consider Ruby Cut and Shape
Rubies can be cut into many shapes depending on the original crystal and desired ring design.
Common ruby cuts include:
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Oval cut
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Cushion cut
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Round cut
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Emerald cut
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Pear cut
Balance Ruby With Accent Stones
Many ruby engagement rings combine the ruby centre stone with smaller diamonds. Diamonds help enhance the ruby’s deep colour while adding sparkle. This contrast between red and white gemstones creates a balanced and elegant design.
Conclusion
Ruby engagement rings offer a powerful alternative to traditional diamond rings. Their deep red colour, strong symbolism, and natural rarity give them a distinctive presence in engagement jewellery.
Celebrity ruby engagement rings have helped bring renewed attention to this gemstone, showing how rubies can create elegant and memorable designs. From royal jewellery collections to modern celebrity rings, rubies continue to represent passion, commitment, and individuality.
For couples looking for an engagement ring that stands out while carrying meaningful symbolism, a ruby engagement ring can be a striking and lasting choice.
FAQs
Are ruby engagement rings suitable for everyday wear?
Yes, rubies are very durable gemstones with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, making them suitable for daily wear.
Why do some celebrities choose ruby engagement rings instead of diamonds?
Many celebrities choose rubies because of their strong symbolism of love and passion and their distinctive deep red colour.
What makes a ruby valuable in an engagement ring?
The most valuable rubies have a deep red colour, good clarity, and strong brightness.
Do ruby engagement rings often include diamonds?
Yes, many ruby rings include diamond accents to enhance the ruby’s colour and add extra sparkle.
What ruby shape is most common in engagement rings?
Oval and cushion cuts are among the most popular shapes because they highlight the ruby’s colour and brilliance.
