Ruby Lane, a marketplace for antiques and collectibles, will announce the beta launch of a new marketplace on Tuesday. "Ruby Plaza" offers a wider selection of items by allowing new items, reproductions, and handcrafted items, as opposed to Ruby Lane, which has strict requirements, such as its rule that vintage collectibles be "true collectibles, at least 20 years old, of high quality, authentic, and not reproductions."

Ruby Plaza removes such restrictions. With a tagline of, "Making you and your home beautiful," its categories include home decor, jewelry, fashion and fashion accessories. Items include furniture and accessories, lighting, bedding and window coverings.

The handcrafted category - a nod, perhaps, to the popularity of sites such as Etsy and Artfire - includes bath and beauty products, candles, handcrafted dolls, needlecraft, woodworking, toys and supplies.

Dealers can set up three types of shops on Ruby Plaza: a Portico ($39/month); Galleria ($59/month); and an Emporium ($79/month). The first 500 shops to join Ruby Plaza receive Flagship status with special perks and will pay $49 a month after a special $9/month introductory period.

Sellers who have an existing Ruby Lane shop also receive perks, including a waiver of set-up fees and a monthly fee discount of $10. Fees are outlined on this page.

A current Ruby Lane shop-owner told AuctionBytes she is hoping that Ruby Lane will become a "higher- end" site, and said she plans to pare her Ruby Lane shop of marginal items and use it to present the best she has to offer. "We see Ruby Plaza as giving us a place to sell items that don't belong on Ruby Lane because of age or condition. Also the pricing structure will allow us to park items like dinnerware pieces that might take a while to sell since with the flat fee they can sit. Our customers seem to like Ruby Lane because it delivers what is promised. I am sure that the hope is that Ruby Plaza will benefit from the good name that Ruby Lane has built."

Palmer Pekarek, Ruby Lane's Director of Communications and New Business Development, said Ruby Lane and Ruby Plaza fall into very different markets. "Ruby Plaza will showcase items like a handcrafted quilt, new quality jewelry items like a Rolex watch that is only two years old, and perhaps a new Ralph Lauren comforter set. Ruby Lane will continue to be the leading marketplace for antiques, vintage collectibles and jewelry, and fine art."

New shops will be able to open on Ruby Plaza beginning at noon on Tuesday, April 20, 2010.