If you were to ask a group of jewelers which gemstone they think pairs best with a summer look, many would not hesitate before saying the beautiful, classic red ruby. After all, the birthstone for July is the ruby.
Ruby pieces have long been associated with the red hot heat of summer and when it comes to capturing the glint of the sun, there is nothing like a high-carat ruby gemstone to catch the eye and set off a sparkling chain reaction!
Of course, as is the case with any gemstone jewelry, the impact that you make with it comes from knowing exactly how to style it to best suit your personal aesthetic. There is some merit in keeping up with the latest jewelry trends and styling tips, so we have collected some of the best.
Here is a list of handy tips for how to style your ruby jewelry pieces this summer.
Ruby Rings
One of the most popular pieces of jewelry to feature a round ruby is a beautiful ring. The flash of red on a finger can be really striking, especially when it is placed on sterling silver band that makes the July birthstone really pop and shine.
It isn’t just silver that is suitable for a ruby ring, as metals like white gold, chromium, and yellow gold are all perfect for the deep red coloring of the traditional precious stone. Even trendy rose gold with ruby is a stunning combination.
One of the most important rings in anybody’s life is their engagement ring and it is rather special to have a ring that is both an engagement ring and a piece of striking birthstone jewelry. Why stick to the traditional trend of proposing with a diamond ring? If your fiancé is born in July or they are simply more interesting and unconventional to want a simple solitaire diamond, then think outside the box and choose a ruby ring to pop the question instead!
Outside of engagement rings, ruby rings with a floral design are ideal for summer. They also work well for any occasion. A simple ring with a ruby centerpiece is a nice casual choice while a cocktail-style ring is elegant and beautiful for a date or a more formal occasion.
Our Recommendation:
Ruby Earrings
If you are looking for a way to steal the attention and focus this summer, then a pair of ruby earrings is definitely the way to go! Even a pair of simple stud earrings are elevated when they feature a pair of rubies, because when people wear rubies even the smallest carat can have a huge impact in the way that the color contrasts with both your hair and your skin complexion.
Some people prefer stud earrings, but others will want to be slightly more extravagant with hoop earrings or drop earrings. The shape of the rubies is important to get right with things like drop earrings because you don’t want them to be overbearing so they end up looking too much like costume jewelry.
Art deco is an era of jewelry design that results in some gorgeous statement pieces because the iconic shapes of the movement look their very best when crafted from deep, dark ruby. It provides the elegance and glamour that Art deco is most known for.
The great thing about rubies, as well, is that they are striking enough to still make an impact even if they are not the main focus of the piece of jewelry. Our earring recommendation perfectly displayed this, with a stunning snake design that features small rubies as the eyes of slithering snakes!
Our Recommendation:
The main style tip for wearing ruby earrings is to think carefully about your makeup. Makeup should be light, particularly the blusher because you don’t want your cheeks to clash with the rubies in your ears. A neutral blush will enable the natural glow of the rubies to provide the rosiness you want.
Ruby Necklaces
Ruby necklaces and ruby pendants are always beautiful, but there are a few rules that we recommend following in styling them for summer. I
If you want to make the most of your ruby pendant necklace, then we think that the way to go is to avoid wearing a red dress to go along with it. Red can be a very overbearing color when there is too much of it all in one outfit, and when you have a stunning ruby necklace to play with, you don’t need a red dress too. Choosing a contrasting color like black will help to enhance the color of the ruby stone. Other colors that we love to pair with ruby pendants include blue, white, gold, and yellow.
When it comes to size, unlike earrings where you can get away with smaller carats, we do recommend doing as large as your budget allows for a statement necklace. This is especially the case if you are planning on wearing it with a low neckline outfit that shows off a lot of chest and shoulder. If your summer outfit is going to be a bit more ‘busy’, then stick to a more minimalistic ruby pendant instead.
If you’ve chosen a statement ruby necklace, don’t dim its impact by wearing other statement jewelry. Keep earrings, rings, and bracelets simple.
Our Recommendation:
Ruby Bracelets
Ruby bracelets can have the same kind of effect on an outfit as ruby rings, in the sense that a flash of stunning red around your wrists or fingers can add a whole new dimension to the overall impact of your summer look.
The great thing about rubies in particular is that they are still able to make an impact no matter what size you buy, and for bracelets, you can choose anything from slim bangles to chunky charm bracelets. Just like with stud earrings, a small amount of ruby red can go a long, long way!
A casual ruby bangle paired with a flowing maxi dress creates an immediately summery vibe. This gemstone in particular is very successful in being able to bridge the gap between bohemian style and sophisticated chic. Compared to other stones like sapphires and emeralds, there is just something about rubies that makes them appropriate for both daytime casual and nighttime formal occasions, and in the summer it is always very likely that you will be required to transform from one to the other in the space of a day!
Wearing ruby and gold jewelry has you completely covered on this front, so you never have to worry about looking or feeling out of place no matter where the summer day/night takes you.