Ruby Anniversary Ring

Despite being July’s birthstone, rubies are a classic choice all year round. Recognized by its vibrant red color, ruby is often associated with wealth and prosperity since many ancient crowns and other royal accessories were decorated with rubies. However, these gemstones are also popular for wedding and engagement rings due to their connotations with love and passion.

According to both modern and traditional anniversary gift lists, ruby is the 40th wedding anniversary gem. Ruby anniversary rings therefore make popular anniversary and Valentine’s Day gifts.

Whether you like it minimal, bold, or traditional, you can find a wide selection of ruby wedding and anniversary rings for both men and women at reputable online jewelers James Allen and Blue Nile.

What is an Anniversary Ring?

Anniversary rings are exchanged between couples to commemorate a special milestone in their relationship. They come in all kinds of styles, often featuring a gemstone with diamond accents, and can be made to match the wedding and engagement ring. However, some couples opt for anniversary rings that are entirely different from their wedding ring set.

One of the reasons for this is that, unlike wedding bands, anniversary rings do not have to be worn on a specific finger.

Why is Ruby Given for the 40th Anniversary?

Firstly, ruby is regarded as one of the “Big Four” precious stones, alongside diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires. These gemstones are prized for their hardness and are renowned for their rarity, making them both valuable and practical choices for jewelry that needs to last a lifetime.

Ruby (along with its blue counterpart, sapphire) is the second hardest gem after the diamond. This means that the chances of this stone getting damaged are much less than, say, emeralds, which are much more fragile.

Secondly, the ruby’s color is symbolic of love, ranging from pure, vibrant red to magenta (a reddish-purple hue) and sometimes pink. The rare Pigeon’s Blood Ruby is the most desirable color for this gemstone, exhibiting a bright red hue with a slight purple tinge.

Thirdly, rubies are thought to possess an eternal inner flame that represents the passion in a relationship. Thus, gifting your person with a ruby ring or bracelet is a way of saying that you are still completely enamored by them even after 40 years of marriage.

Popular Ring Styles for Ruby Anniversary Rings

From vintage gem-encrusted halo rings to simple solitaires, ruby lends itself to a range of wedding, anniversary, and engagement ring styles.

You can read up about a selection of the most popular ring styles for ruby anniversary rings below, but be aware that you don’t have to limit your search to these alone.

Rings with a Ruby Center Stone and Diamond Accents

A ruby paired with diamonds is probably the most classic option for an anniversary ring. This timeless combination is also the ultimate symbol of eternal love and commitment since diamonds are the most durable of precious stones and rubies represent passion in a romantic relationship.

The most popular gemstone shape for this type of ruby ring includes round brilliant, oval, cushion, and Asscher. These rings are also typically mounted in a white gold or sterling silver setting since the warm tones of yellow gold do not complement the diamond’s sparkle as well as the white metal.

If you’re looking for a timeless gift for an anniversary or Valentine’s Day, you can’t go wrong with this kind of jewelry.

Halo Ruby Rings

This style of ring is characterized by a center stone surrounded by a “halo” of smaller accent stones, usually diamonds. It is quite popular due to its vintage appearance and association with royalty – one famous example being Princess Margaret’s engagement ring.

Extravagant and luxurious, halo ruby rings make fitting anniversary gifts after 40 years of marriage, especially when paired with yellow gold.

Ruby Eternity Rings

Eternity rings have long been popular as anniversary gifts due to their inherent symbolic meaning. The continuous row of gemstones encircling the band represents a neverending circle and, by extension, the eternal love shared between a married couple. As such, they are also commonly paired with an engagement ring as a wedding band.

Eternity rings are typically set with diamonds, but any other gem, including rubies, can easily replace these. Eternity rings, therefore, make ideal gifts for practically every milestone wedding anniversary.

Half-Eternity Ruby Rings

Unlike full eternity rings, which feature a continuous row of gems all around the band, half-eternity rings only feature a row of gems on the top half of the shank (i.e., the part that goes around the finger). The symbolism, however, remains the same.

Another difference between the two designs is that half-eternity rings can allow for larger gems to be set on the band’s upper face. At the same time, half-eternity rings can be more affordable, although the metal setting and the total carat weight of the gemstones can affect the actual cost.

Chevron Ruby Rings

Characterized by their inverted V shape, chevron or wishbone style anniversary rings can be easily paired with a wedding ring set. This is because they can be worn with the point of the V facing in any direction, at the bottom or at the top of a wedding ring stack.

This style of ring is also popular as a wedding band since the shape pairs beautifully with solitaire engagement rings.

Again, note that the ring styles mentioned above are only a small selection of the ones that are available online and at brick-and-mortar jewelry stores, so you don’t have to limit your search to these alone. Get in touch with a jewelry consultant at a local store to learn more about the other styles they have to offer or create your own! Whether you’re looking for a particular gemstone shape, cut, or color, there’s something for everyone! You can also shop for other jewelry items, like necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, if you think that’s what your spouse will prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ruby Anniversary Rings