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Poppy Finch | Design by Amelia Manley
Both pearl and ruby engagement rings date back decades. However, the trend has seen a spike in popularity over the last few years. In fact, celebrities like Emma Stone and Ariana Grande have been rocking gorgeous pearl engagement rings. Meanwhile, rubies have been worn by kings, queens, and other royal family members for centuries.
"Rubies and pearls were very popular in the Victorian era, which is why they are often found in vintage and antique jewelry, rather than modern," says gemologist Irina Kharina. On that note, it’s also worth mentioning that antique rings require more effort and care to maintain. "Vintage rings require special attention and care compared to non-vintage rings. If something happens, it’s always harder to fix a vintage piece, especially if it has a lot of intricacies and details," adds celebrity jeweler George Khalife.
Additionally, whether you opt for an antique ring or a more modern design, there’s no denying how beautiful pearl and ruby engagement rings are. "What makes a great ruby and pearl engagement ring is its uniqueness," Kharina tells Brides. "The combination of two stones is a beautiful contrast."
While pearls are incredibly delicate, rubies are super durable. What’s more, if you tend to be a bit hard on your jewelry, you may want to opt for a pearl and ruby engagement ring with a halo and/or one with a ruby center stone. Kharina explains that "you will be less likely to damage smaller pearls compared to a larger pearl that can be accidentally knocked on a table or a door." Further, to best care for your pearl and ruby engagement ring, Kharina recommends always taking it off when swimming, exercising, baking, gardening, cleaning, and showering.
So, if you’re on the hunt for an engagement ring that’s anything but basic, consider one that combines lustrous pearls with fiery rubies. To help you find your dream pearl and ruby engagement ring, we’ve rounded up 29 of our favorites across an array of styles and price points.
Kay Jewelers Cultured Pearl and Ruby Ring
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Courtesy of Kay Jewelers
This elegant ring features a freshwater pearl flanked by sparkly diamonds and rubies. Meanwhile, the split-shank band and rose gold setting add a sleek, modern touch.
Price at time of publish: $900
Angara South Sea Pearl and Ruby Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of Angara
This ring is nothing short of stunning with its radiant pearl center stone, which is sandwiched between two round rubies. The pavé diamond band adds an extra touch of sparkle.
Price at time of publish: $1422
GT Jewellers Rose Gold Ruby and Pearl Ring
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Courtesy of Etsy
The vintage-inspired ring, which features an oval-shaped ruby at the center, is surrounded by intricate round pearls. Its rose gold setting adds an extra romantic touch.
Price at time of publish: $401
Angara Golden South Sea Pearl and Ruby Double Halo Ring
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Courtesy of Angara
If you love a good halo, this Angara ring was designed with you in mind. Its double halo setting is accented with bright rubies and glitzy diamonds, while the center pearl is absolutely jaw-dropping.
Price at time of publish: $2,097
1stdibs Yoko London South Sea Pearl, Ruby, and Diamond Ring
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Courtesy of 1st Dibs
Prepare to be wowed by this gorgeous engagement ring, which features one large pearl, 1.13 carats of rubies, and 0.8 carats of diamonds—all set in 18K white gold.
Price at time of publish: $13,117
Angara Freshwater Pearl Floral Ring With Rubies
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Courtesy of Angara
This handcrafted ring boasts a stunning floral-inspired design. It’s comprised of one freshwater pearl, as well as a mix of diamonds and rubies for a fun, colorful, and sparkly contrast.
Price at time of publish: $1,197
1stdibs Ruby and Pearl 18K Yellow Gold Floral Ring
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Courtesy of 1st Dibs
This antique engagement ring dates back to 1880. It features a classic yellow gold setting, a pearl center stone, and five rubies.
Price at time of publish: $1,000
Angara Freshwater Pearl Ring With Rubies
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Courtesy of Angara
The rubies on this beautiful engagement ring are sandwiched between rows of glimmering diamonds for even more sparkle. Plus, the freshwater pearl adds even more shine.
Price at time of publish: $1,125
1stdibs White South Sea Pearl Diamonds Rubies Ring
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Courtesy of 1st Dibs
The thick diamond band on this engagement ring is studded with rich red rubies for a fun yet sophisticated pop of color. Meanwhile, the 15mm oval-shaped pearl is sure to make your jaw drop.
Price at time of publish: $4,500
1stdibs Ruby and South Sea Pearl Gold Diamond Ring
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Courtesy of 1st Dibs
This open ring is well-suited for the bride who’s not afraid to take risks. The two-stone design features one 14.5 mm pearl and a four-leaf-clover-shaped cluster of rubies surrounded by diamonds.
Price at time of publish: $4,800
Poppy Finch Cultured Pearl, Ruby, and Diamond Ring
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Courtesy of Nordstrom
Minimalist brides will appreciate this pearl, ruby, and diamond ring from Poppy Finch. The multi-stone design is set across a dainty yellow gold band.
Price at time of publish: $390
Imperial Pearl Diamond, Ruby, and Akoya Pearl Ring
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Courtesy of Gilt
This three-stone ring features a gorgeous Akoya pearl set between two rubies surrounded by diamonds. Its traditional design is sure to remain in style for years to come.
Price at time of publish: $990
1stdibs Harry Winston 1970s Diamond Ruby Tahitian Black Pearl Ring
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Courtesy of 1st Dibs
For a truly unique piece, splurge on this Harry Winston engagement ring. The rare Tahitian black pearl is accentuated by five carats of rubies and one carat of diamonds.
Price at time of publish: $24,000
Poppy Finch 14K Gold Pearl Ruby and Pink Sapphire Cluster Ring
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Courtesy of Neiman Marcus
Although it’s small in size, this Poppy Finch ring is bold, bright, and colorful. It features a cluster of rubies and pink sapphires, which perfectly complement the freshwater pearl center.
Price at time of publish: $375
MARCELLORICCIOLONDON Ruby Diamond Pearl Gold Ring
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Courtesy of Etsy
This between-the-finger engagement ring is anything but ordinary—in the best way possible. On one end, you’ll find a pear-shaped ruby surrounded by diamonds, while the other end features a perfectly round pearl. You can even engrave it for an extra-special touch.
Price at time of publish: $1,598
1stdibs Modernist Golden South Sea Pearl Ruby and Diamond Ring
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Courtesy of 1st Dibs
Nontraditional brides will love this ring, which features a golden pearl center stone set in blackened 18K gold. One row of the band is lined with rubies, while the other is dotted with diamonds.
Price at time of publish: $3,927
Love Ring Designs Pearl and Ruby Engagement Ring
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Courtesy of Etsy
Design enthusiasts will appreciate the intricate details of this striking engagement ring. The shiny pearl center stone is flanked by two triangular-shaped ruby clusters.
Price at time of publish: $389
1stdibs Marquise Diamond Pearl and Ruby Ring
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Courtesy of 1st Dibs
We can’t help but stare at this marquise-shaped ring, which dates back to 1910. An intricate ruby and diamond-patterned design surround the pearl center stone.
Price at time of publish: $8,353
1stdibs Belle Epoque Pearl, Ruby, and Diamond Ring
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Courtesy of 1st Dibs
For a truly unique piece, consider this chunky, vintage-inspired ring. The cushion-cut diamond is sandwiched between one white pearl and one grey pearl. Smaller rose-cut diamonds add even more sparkle, as do two pear-shaped rubies.
Price at time of publish: $19,490
1stdibs Pink Pearl Pink Sapphire Ruby Diamond Rose Gold Ring
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Courtesy of 1st Dibs
Featuring a 13mm pink pearl at the center, this pretty pink ring will take your breath away. It’s accented by a halo of white diamonds plus rubies and pink sapphires aplenty.
Price at time of publish: $6,800
Yoko London Belgravia South Sea Pearl, Diamond, and Ruby Ring
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Courtesy of Farfetch
We can’t help but gawk over this uber-modern between-the-finger ring, which features a large pearl on one end and a diamond-encrusted ruby on the other.
Price at time of publish: $11,840
1stdibs Retro Gold Ruby, Diamond, and Pearl Ring
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Courtesy of 1st Dibs
This retro ring—which dates back to the 50s—is edgy, bold, and sure to make a statement. The 12.5mm pearl is set around six diamonds and 17 rubies.
Price at time of publish: $3,500
1stdibs Vintage Round Pearl Ruby Diamond Ring
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Courtesy of 1st Dibs
Featuring 25 diamonds, 23 rubies, and one 15mm button-shaped pearl, this regal-inspired round-shaped ring exudes elegance.
Price at time of publish: $11,740
Meet the Expert
- Irina Kharina is a gemologist and a luxury jewelry concierge based in Toronto. She currently runs Tsarina Gems, where she guides bespoke jewelry purchases using ethically sourced gems.
- George Khalife, also known as George the Jeweler, comes from generations of jewelers. His A-list clients include Gigi Hadid, Khloe Kardashian, Jenna Dewan, and Sarah Hyland.
What to Look for When Shopping for a Pearl and Ruby Engagement Ring
Color
According to Kharina, "The main qualities to look out for in a ruby and pearl engagement ring is the colour of the gemstones."
Khalife tells Brides that rubies range in shades from deep reds to pinkish-purples. However, he explains that the more vivid the color is, the more valuable the stone is. "Bright [red] rubies are the most desirable," he explains. However, these stones are also the most costly.
Meanwhile, pearls are available in a variety of colors. If your engagement ring features multiple pearls, you’ll want to make sure they're "fairly similar in color and have a nice shine to them," Kharina adds.
Texture and Smoothness
According to Khalife, the texture is incredibly important when shopping specifically for pearl jewelry. "You can tell if it’s real by how smooth the surface is," he says. "If it’s perfectly smooth, it’s probably not real."
Setting
Since pearls are so delicate, you’ll want to make sure your setting is secure. This is especially important when shopping for a vintage pearl and ruby engagement ring. "With time, prongs that hold gemstones together can wear away," according to Kharina. As a result, this can "make the ring more vulnerable to damage and increase the risk of stones falling out."
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