Nightbriar Lab-Grown Ruby Stud Earrings in Black Ruthenium

Marquise lab-grown ruby studs, each held north–south in a milgrain frame with a star at the crest and ruby marquise rays fanning out around it. Solid 925 sterling silver with a black ruthenium finish, so the metal recedes and the red carries the light. Lab-Grown Ruby Marquise Cut 9 on the Mohs Scale Black Ruthenium Finish Solid 925 Sterling Silver Post & Butterfly Backs How the Pair Is Built Star Crest A single round accent set in a five-point star sits at the top of each earring, above the frame. Marquise Center The center stone runs north–south inside a milgrain frame, ringed by a halo of small round accents. Ray Points Marquise rays fan out from the frame, and a scalloped lower edge closes on one more marquise at the point. The pair is the earring half of the Nightbriar family and repeats the ring's vocabulary at a smaller scale — the milgrain frame, the marquise rays, the star. They wear as everyday studs rather than occasion pieces. Our guides to gothic earrings and earring types cover where a stud like this sits among the alternatives. The Lab-Grown Ruby Ruby is corundum — the red variety — and corundum is a 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond. Our guide to what ruby means covers the history behind it, and garnet versus ruby is worth reading if you are deciding between the two. These stones are lab-grown, with the same chemistry, hardness and optical behavior as mined corundum, in a saturated pigeon-blood red that would be scarce and expensive in nature at matched sizes across a pair. Each center stone is marquise cut and set north–south, the most elongating orientation — the same reasoning our guide to marquise cuts sets out for rings applies here. Metal and Stones Both earrings are solid 925 sterling silver with a black ruthenium finish — a platinum-group metal that settles to a deep gunmetal rather than a flat black. The slight reflectivity is what keeps the milgrain and the star readable instead of flattening them. Smaller lab-grown ruby marquises form the rays and the point below the frame, so the red runs through the whole earring rather than sitting in one spot. The white accents — the halo of rounds around the frame, the pavé along the upper edge, and the stone in the star — are cubic zirconia. Moissanite or lab-grown diamond accents are available as a custom order. Part of our earrings collection and the rest of our black ruthenium jewelry. Ruby is the July birthstone — see our July birthstone guide and the July birthstone collection, or work out which stone is yours. Specifications Style: Stud earrings, sold as a pair Center stones: Lab-grown ruby, marquise cut, set north–south Accent stones: Lab-grown ruby marquises; cubic zirconia throughout Metal: Solid 925 sterling silver, black ruthenium finish Setting: Milgrain frame with marquise rays and a star crest Fastening: Posts with butterfly push-backs Hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale Presentation: Free luxury velvet jewelry box Care Ruby is 9 on the Mohs scale and among the most durable stones for daily wear. Clean with warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and household chemicals, which dull the ruthenium finish, and store the pair in its velvet box rather than loose. Frequently Asked Questions Is the ruby real?Yes. It is a genuine ruby — corundum — lab-grown rather than mined. Identical chemistry, hardness and color behavior. The difference is origin, not authenticity. Why lab-grown rather than natural?A saturated red at matched sizes would be rare and very costly in mined corundum. Lab-grown gives the same material and the same 9 Mohs hardness at a fraction of the price, with a known origin. Are the smaller stones also ruby?Yes — the marquise rays are lab-grown ruby as well, so the red carries through the whole piece. Is ruby a birthstone?Yes — ruby is the July birthstone. Are the white accent stones diamonds?No. They are cubic zirconia. Moissanite or lab-grown diamond accents are available as a custom order. How dark is the black ruthenium finish?Ruthenium finishes to a deep gunmetal rather than a flat jet black. The slight reflectivity is what keeps the milgrain and the marquise rays visible instead of flattening them. What is it made of?Solid 925 sterling silver throughout, with a black ruthenium finish. No brass or base metal. What kind of earring backs do they have?Posts with butterfly push-backs. The post is solid sterling silver, and the backs are included. Are they sold as a pair?Yes — the price is for the pair, and both earrings ship together in one box. Do they match the Nightbriar ring set?Yes. The earrings share the milgrain frame, marquise rays and star detail of the Nightbriar rings in the same colorway, so the pieces read as one family. Are they heavy to wear?No. They are studs rather than drops, so the weight sits against the lobe instead of pulling on it, and they can be worn all day. Are the stones ethically sourced?Yes. All Aquamarise stones are conflict-free and responsibly sourced, and every order arrives in a free luxury velvet jewelry box.