A story: a ruby ring for a 40th anniversary

Ruby is the traditional stone for a 40th wedding anniversary — and also a symbol of passion that endures. This story is about a husband who, after forty years, wanted to tell his wife something without words.

The beginning: forty years

He came alone, a little reserved. He said they were celebrating their ruby anniversary and that he wanted a ring to sum up their story — not lavish, but meaningful.

"After forty years we no longer need big words. I want something that says everything quietly."

Choosing the stone

We chose the ruby carefully. With ruby, color is key — the most prized is a vivid red tone with a slight blue undertone (so-called "pigeon blood"). We chose a stone of about 1 carat, natural, heat-treated (which is common and acceptable for ruby), with a beautiful, even color.

A design with a small secret

The husband wanted a classic ring — the ruby in the center, surrounded by a thin circle of tiny diamonds (halo) that optically enlarges the stone and adds sparkle.

A small secret: inside the ring we engraved their wedding date and a single word that's theirs. His wife didn't know.

The making

  • 18K yellow gold — warm, classic, beautifully emphasizes the red
  • Central ruby in a four-prong setting
  • Halo of tiny VS-quality diamonds
  • Comfort fit band for everyday comfort

Five weeks passed from design approval to collection.

The moment

He received the ring a week before the anniversary. Later he wrote us just a short message: "She cried. Thank you."

Such words are the reason we do what we do.

Ruby as an anniversary stone

Ruby isn't only for the 40th anniversary — it's excellent for any occasion calling for warmth and passion. It's also extremely hard (9 on Mohs), so suitable for everyday wear.

Thinking about a special date?

If an anniversary or special milestone is approaching, we'll help you create a piece that tells your story — with the choice of stone, symbolism and a hidden engraving.

More on stones in the guide →

Order custom →

---

Author: Kraguljevich Jewelry · Stories from the atelier