Perhaps the most recognized pop culture "rubies" are the shoes worn by Dorothy in the movie "The Wizard of Oz". It is speculated that at least 7 pair were originally made for the filming of the movie. One of the pair is on display at the National Museum of American History in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.
These famous ruby shoes, in fact, were not decorated in rubies at all. The shoes used for Dorothy's slippers were dyed red; then burgundy sequined organza overlays were attached to each shoe's upper and heel. The film's early 3-strip Technicolor process required the sequins to be darker than most red sequins found today; bright red sequins would have appeared orange on screen. The Art Deco-inspired bows comprised three large rectangular red glass jewels with dark-red bugle beads, outlined in orange-red glass rhinestones in silver settings. The stones and beads were sewn to a piece of red strap leather, then to the organza-covered shoe.
On May 20, 2000, one of the pairs sold at Christie's East Auction House for $666,000 to a group of partners who own memorabilia shops in Hollywood, CA.
During the fall Fashion Week in New York City 2008, Swarovski company held a charity contest with nineteen designers, including Gwen Stefani, Diane von Furstenberg, Moschino, among others, to redesign the ruby slippers from the classic 1939 film.
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