Vermeil Ruby Bracelets

For millennia, ruby has embodied passion, courage, and ardent love. Worn on the wrist, a ruby vermeil bracelet becomes a daily talisman symbolizing vitality and inner strength. This red precious stone, associated with the heart chakra, was once worn by warriors and rulers to enhance their bravery and determination.

Ruby quality is assessed according to precise gemological criteria. At Mayuri, our AAA-grade rubies display an intense, uniform red color, good transparency with few inclusions visible to the naked eye, and a brilliant luster after faceting. The most sought-after rubies show the "pigeon's blood" hue, a deep, slightly purplish red characteristic of the finest specimens.

A ruby vermeil bracelet pairs beautifully with other pieces in warm golden tones. For an elegant, cohesive style, consider:

• Stacking with other vermeil or yellow gold bracelets and bangles
• Pairing with pieces featuring warm-toned stones (citrine, garnet)
• Creating subtle contrast with white diamonds for a more luxurious effect
• Delicate layering with fine chains for a modern look

The rubies in our vermeil bracelets come primarily from Thailand, renowned for its fine-quality corundum. The most historically celebrated deposits are found in Burma (Mogok rubies), Mozambique, and Madagascar. Mayuri can source rubies from these prestigious origins upon request for bespoke solid gold creations.

Vermeil offers superior quality to standard gold plating through three distinctive characteristics. It features a base of solid 925 sterling silver (not a base metal), bears a layer of 18K gold at least 5 microns thick (versus often less than 1 micron for plating), and guarantees significantly greater durability and resistance to tarnishing. Vermeil thus represents the ideal balance between accessibility and fine jewelry quality for showcasing a natural ruby.

Ruby adapts remarkably to all jewelry styles thanks to its timeless color and exceptional hardness. It enhances delicate, minimalist creations (fine chain with solitaire ruby) as beautifully as more elaborate designs inspired by Art Deco or vintage styles. Whether set on a bangle, arranged in pavé, or presented as a center stone, ruby always brings a touch of ardent, refined elegance.

Heat treatment is a standard gemological process that enhances the color and clarity of natural rubies. Most of our rubies benefit from this treatment to reveal their intense red and optimal brilliance, making these precious stones more accessible. Untreated natural rubies are extremely rare and can cost up to ten times more. Mayuri can source unheated natural rubies upon request for exceptional creations.

With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, ruby is the second hardest gemstone after diamond. This exceptional resistance makes it an ideal choice for a regularly worn bracelet, as it perfectly withstands scratches and daily wear. Only violent direct impacts can damage it, but normal wear on a vermeil bracelet presents no risk.

While ruby is the birthstone for July, it makes a precious gift for many occasions. Its symbolism of passion and ardent love makes it an ideal present for a relationship anniversary, Valentine's Day, or to celebrate a 40th wedding anniversary (ruby anniversary). Its significance of courage and vitality also suits perfectly for encouraging someone going through a period of change or personal challenge.

The ruby-diamond pairing creates a striking contrast between ardent red and brilliant white. On a bracelet, this combination can take several elegant forms: a central ruby surrounded by small pavé diamonds, a rhythmic alternation of rubies and diamonds along the chain, or a trilogy design blending both gems. For a vermeil bracelet, this pairing remains reserved for bespoke solid gold creations at Mayuri, as vermeil does not allow for complex settings.

Ruby is a corundum composed of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) colored by traces of chromium. It is precisely the presence of chromium that gives it its characteristic red color, unlike sapphire (same mineral family) whose hues come from other elements. This particular crystalline composition, combined with its hexagonal structure, explains both its exceptional hardness and its highly prized vitreous luster in fine jewelry.

Mayuri is committed to more responsible jewelry through several concrete actions. Our vermeil bracelets incorporate over 80% recycled metals, and our gold is traced from certified ethical sources. Our partner workshops are small-scale or RJC certified (Responsible Jewellery Council). Rubies are selected from suppliers meeting strict standards, ensuring traceability and controlled extraction conditions.