In the world of fine jewelry, where sparkle often steals the spotlight, Roberto Coin dares to place his most powerful symbol where no one can see it: hidden inside.
Tucked discreetly into the underside of every piece, a tiny ruby glows in secret. It doesn’t dazzle with diamonds or demand attention like gold. Instead, it whispers of ancient legends, silent wishes, and a personal connection between the creator and the wearer.
This quiet act of symbolism is no accident. It’s the hallmark of Roberto Coin, a designer who believes that true luxury lies not only in what’s seen but in what’s felt. From luxury Italian jewelry masterpieces to everyday elegance, each creation carries a signature ruby, not for the world, but for you.
In this blog, we’ll uncover the story behind the Roberto Coin ruby, the inspiration rooted in myth, history, and love. We’ll explore how this tradition was born, what it means today, and why this jewelry with a hidden gem continues to enchant collectors around the world.
Whether you’re discovering the brand for the first time or considering buying Roberto Coin ruby jewelry online, this is the tale that transforms beauty into legend.
The Man Behind the Ruby: Who Is Roberto Coin?
Before he ever crafted a necklace or set a gemstone, Roberto Coin was creating experiences as a successful hotelier in Italy. But in his heart, he carried a vision far beyond hospitality. At the age of 40, he left that world behind and turned to the art that had always fascinated him: fine jewelry.
In 1996, Roberto Coin launched his namesake brand in Vicenza, Italy, a city renowned as the “City of Gold.” This wasn’t just a new jewelry house; it was the birth of a philosophy. For Coin, jewelry wasn’t about opulence alone. It was about emotion, energy, and meaning, a silent dialogue between the creator and the one who wears it.
His early collections, most notably Appassionata, stood out for their intricate craftsmanship and elegant design. But what truly set them apart was the tiny, hidden ruby placed inside each piece, deliberately touching the skin, never visible to the eye. It was a quiet symbol, a signature that would come to define his legacy.
The Origin of the Hidden Ruby
Every great artist leaves a signature. Roberto Coin chose not ink or engraving, but a ruby, discreetly set inside each piece of jewelry he creates. Not meant to be seen, but to be felt.
The inspiration behind this poetic tradition is as timeless as the gemstone itself. Roberto Coin was captivated by ancient Egyptian and Burmese legends, which spoke of the ruby as a source of health, protection, and everlasting love.
Warriors in Burma once inserted rubies beneath their skin to make themselves invincible in battle. Egyptian queens wore them close to their hearts to invite fertility and passion. These myths didn’t just tell stories; they carried sacred energy, and Roberto believed in honoring that power.
So, when he launched his brand in 1996, he made a bold creative decision: to embed a hidden ruby inside every jewel, where it touches the skin. The ruby would remain invisible to the eye but intimate to the wearer, a silent blessing, a personal gift from designer to muse. This wasn’t about making a statement for the world. It was about creating a bond between the jewel and its wearer, one that whispered of confidence, grace, and inner beauty.
Today, this ruby signature story remains the most defining hallmark of the brand. In a world that celebrates what shines on the outside, Roberto Coin chose to honor what glows from within.
How the Ruby Is Set
Every piece of Roberto Coin jewelry carries more than just beauty; it carries a secret. Hidden on the inside of a ring, beneath the clasp of a necklace, or nestled subtly within an earring’s design, you’ll find a single, brilliant ruby. Not visible to the eye when worn, but always placed in direct contact with the skin.
From the brand’s inception, Roberto Coin envisioned this hidden gem as a symbolic gesture, an intimate connection between the jewel and its wearer. According to ancient legends, rubies were believed to bring peace, prosperity, and protection to those who wore them. By placing one against the skin, Coin sought to gift each customer not just a piece of jewelry, but a personal talisman.
To ensure consistency, the brand uses lab-created rubies that are ethically sourced, environmentally conscious, and perfectly flawless. This aligns with Roberto Coin’s values of sustainable luxury without compromising on brilliance or purity.
The placement of each ruby is a meticulous process. It isn’t simply “added” to a design; it is woven into the soul of the piece. From everyday luxury like the Princess Flower collection to statement pieces in the Roman Barocco or Navarra lines, the ruby is always present.
Collections That Carry the Ruby Legacy
From the gothic arches of Venetian palaces to the romantic charm of Verona’s gardens, Roberto Coin’s collections are more than ornaments; they’re miniature narratives, each carrying the symbolic ruby like a whispered secret.
Le Venetian Princess collection draws on the rich lacework and architectural grandeur of Venice. With delicate floral motifs framed in gold, these pieces evoke the elegance of royal femininity. Hidden within, always touching the skin, is a ruby, meant to bestow happiness, prosperity, and protection, following an ancient Egyptian belief.
Love in Verona is a tribute to the city of Romeo and Juliet, where every curve of gold is shaped by timeless passion. These designs feature symmetrical patterns inspired by the four-petal flower, Verona’s emblem of eternal love. The ruby is discreetly set inside, a personal message from designer to wearer, never needing to be seen to be felt.
Le Princess Flower line, meanwhile, blends nature and nobility. Inspired by the floral patterns embroidered on Renaissance gowns, it captures romantic artistry in radiant gold and diamond accents. Each flower holds more than elegance; it holds a story, marked by Roberto Coin’s signature ruby hidden on the inner side of every piece.
Whether it’s a bracelet, ring, or necklace, the ruby remains constant, a silent promise that every piece, while beautiful on the outside, holds something far more meaningful within.
