What Are Ruby Tassel Earrings
Ruby tassel earrings are jewelry pieces featuring ruby gemstones suspended from a tassel design, often set in gold or silver. They combine the classic red ruby with a dangling, layered structure that moves with wear. The ruby is a corundum gemstone with a Mohs hardness of 9, second only to diamond, and is valued for its deep red color and durability in daily jewelry use.
Tassel earrings have a long history in Middle Eastern, Indian, and Mediterranean jewelry traditions, where they symbolize movement and status. In modern fashion, ruby tassel earrings appear in both high jewelry and contemporary design, with styles ranging from minimalist gold wire tassels to elaborate multi-stone drops. The global gemstone jewelry market, which includes ruby pieces, was valued at over 30 billion dollars in recent years, with earrings representing a major segment.
Ruby Tassel Earrings Design and Materials
Gemstone and Metal Choices
Ruby tassel earrings use natural or lab-created rubies, with natural Burmese and Mozambican rubies often commanding higher prices. The metal settings commonly include 14k or 18k gold, platinum, and sterling silver, with yellow gold being the most popular choice for ruby jewelry because of its warm tone that complements the red gemstone.
Designs vary from single-stone drops to multi-strand tassels with smaller rubies or diamond accents. Some luxury brands use pavé-set rubies in the tassel strands to increase sparkle and perceived value. The weight of a pair can range from a few grams for delicate wire styles to over 20 grams for ornate, heavy gold designs.
Price Ranges and Market Position
Prices for ruby tassel earrings depend on ruby quality, metal weight, and brand. Entry-level pairs using lab-created rubies and sterling silver can start around 100 dollars, while high-end pairs with natural untreated Burmese rubies in 18k gold can exceed 5,000 dollars. The price per carat for fine ruby has risen in recent years, with top-quality stones trading at over 10,000 dollars per carat at auction.
Buying Ruby Tassel Earrings
Trusted Retailers and Brands
Major jewelry retailers and high-end brands offer ruby tassel earrings, with Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Bulgari known for their ruby jewelry lines. Online luxury platforms and certified gemstone dealers also sell ruby tassel earrings, often providing certification reports from labs such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society (AGS).
When buying ruby tassel earrings, check for a gemstone certification that confirms the ruby is natural and untreated, and review the metal purity markings. For investment-grade pieces, look for rubies with a vivid red color, good clarity, and a well-made setting that secures the stones securely. More information on ruby grading and market trends can be found on the GIA website GIA Ruby Guide.