1970s VERDURA Ruby Diamond & Yellow Gold Band Ring
View Similar Items
1970s VERDURA Ruby Diamond & Yellow Gold Band Ring
About the Item
Verdura
Fulco di Verdura (1898–1978) is not exactly a household name, except for those who know a thing or two about highly original, often eccentric handcrafted jewelry and, even more so, for those fortunate enough to own some. In that exclusive group, Verdura is regarded as the most gifted and coveted designer of his time.
Verdura was born in Sicily in 1898, the scion of a noble family related to the Lampedusas. (His cousin, Giuseppe di Lampedusa, wrote the great Italian saga The Leopard). His life was charmed from birth. Raised in his family’s villa, he grew up during a time when Sicily, and Palermo in particular, were meccas for well-born and highly cultured European travelers.
A bona fide duke with no clear ambitions but creative leanings aplenty (he could draw and paint), the young Verdura was part of the wandering social circuit — the so-called beau monde — that went from capital to capital, resort to resort.
Verdura, though small in stature, had that indefinable quality called charm. As a result, he was the life of every party he attended. When he finally started designing jewelry under Coco Chanel in the late 1920s, many of his friends became his clients (or received the pieces as gifts). Elsa Maxwell took him under her ample wing when she was hired to do public relations for the Lido in Venice and introduced him to the local and visiting cognoscenti. Chanel, whom he met in Venice, hired him to work in the textiles division of her fashion house. But it was his flair for jewelry that soon caught Coco’s eye. Eventually, he rose to become her personal designer of fine jewelry.
In 2002’s Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler (Thames & Hudson), Vanity Fair’s Amy Fine Collins describes the sensation of wearing pieces by Verdura, who drew inspiration from nature for his signature gem-studded seashell brooches and honeybee earrings. “They were ingeniously calculated to flatter the wearer,” writes Collins. “Earrings undulated to complement the convolutions of an earlobe, rings seductively followed the phalanges of a finger, and necklaces gracefully traced the anatomy of the throat.”
In 1934, Verdura left Chanel and together with two friends, aspiring actress Princess Natalia Pavlovna Paley and Baron Nicholas de Gunzburg, moved to the U.S. After several stops, he found a job through Diana Vreeland in Hollywood with Paul Flato, then the “jeweler to the stars.” Soon he was signing his work and helping Flato cultivate the crème de la creme of the silver screen — those both on it and behind it.
Verdura left Los Angeles for New York and opened his own salon, first on Fifth Avenue in 1939, just as World War II was beginning in Europe. His backers were Vincent Astor and Cole Porter, for whom he made bejeweled boxes and cigarette cases — gifts from Porter’s wife, Linda — to commemorate the opening nights of several musicals. Verdura began to expand both his repertoire — he became much more daring and flamboyant — and his clientele. The Duchess of Windsor, Daisy Fellowes, Greta Garbo and others routinely gave him commissions. In 1941, Verdura collaborated on a collection of six pieces with Salvador Dalí to accompany a Dalí exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. Verdura retired in 1972 and left the care of the company to his partner, Joseph Alfano. He later moved to London, where he died in 1978 at the age of 79.
Among the most prized pieces on display in a 2014 Verdura jewelry exhibition in New York were Greta Garbo’s curb-link bracelet watch, which Verdura designed for her in 1939; Coco Chanel’s pair of Maltese Cross cuff bracelets (she wore one on each wrist); and Diana Vreeland’s duo of Byzantine brooches.
Find a range of authentic Verdura jewelry today on 1stDibs.
- Vintage Verdura 18k Gold Jade Diamond RingBy VerduraLocated in Beverly Hills, CAStunning and rare vintage ring created by Verdura in 1966. Tasteful combination of yellow gold, platinum, yellow and white diamonds and jade turned i...Category
Vintage 1960s American Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
- Vintage Cartier Ring Band 18k Gold Estate Jewelry FrenchBy CartierLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA classic Cartier vintage ring band made of 18k gold, diamond and lapis lazuli. The band has a dome looking shape. It is divided in two contrast...Category
Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Chaumet Anneau Ring Diamond Gold BandBy ChaumetLocated in Beverly Hills, CAAn 18k gold band ring with diamonds by Chaumet, from the Anneau collection. The ring of a donut shape is puffed in the center and runs gradually thinner toward the back. The diamonds...Category
1990s French Band Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage GRAFF Ruby Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Ring 2.06 cts AGL ReportBy GraffLocated in Beverly Hills, CAChic and timeless cocktail ring created by GRAFF in the 1980's. Features an approximately 2.06 carat round faceted ruby accented with rubies and diamonds set in 18k yellow gold. The ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Cocktail Rings
MaterialsRuby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Jubilee Cut Diamond Ruby Gold Retro RingLocated in Beverly Hills, CAStunning Retro ring created in Europe in the 1940's featuring an exceptional rare cut diamond with the characteristics of both, rose and brilliant cuts, called the JUBILEE cut...Category
Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
- Mimi So Gold Band RingBy Mimi SoLocated in Beverly Hills, CAAn abstract shape 18k gold Mimi So band ring. The ring has amazingly smooth lines that is reminiscent of a Ying Yang symbol. The symbol itself is placed in the back of the front part. The gold has a silky feel because of the beautiful shimmering polish. This Mimi So gold ring is classy and chic. Despite its seemingly simple appearance, the band makes a strong statement and can be worn as a solo ring or a part of your ring stock. About Mimi So brand Mimi So is a modern jewelry designer based in New York City. Mimi’s parents...Category
Early 2000s Band Rings
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage Ruby and Diamond Band Ring in 14k Yellow GoldLocated in Honolulu, HIItem Specifications: Metal: 14K Yellow Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 6.5 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 3.1 Grams Ring Height: 7.6 mm Gemstone Specificati...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Ruby Diamond Band Ring 18K Gold VintageBy Estate JewelryLocated in East Brunswick, NJThis vintage ring is made in solid 18K Yellow Gold. It has inscription inside of the shank dated 2.14.82. The center natural Earth mined Ruby measures 7x5mm ...Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Band Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Alex Jona Burmese Ruby Yellow Gold Band RingBy Alex JonaLocated in Torino, ITAlex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold ring featuring two drop cut rubies weighing in total 1.11 carats. Ring Size: 12EU/6US. Dimensions: H 0.80in...Category
2010s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
MaterialsRuby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Alex Jona Ruby White Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Band RingBy Alex JonaLocated in Torino, ITAlex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold ring, set with 0.62 carat of white brilliant cut diamonds, F color, VVS1 clarity and 1.40 carats of square cu...Category
2010s Italian Band Rings
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Red Ruby Orange Yellow Sapphire Diamond Eternity Band 18 Karat Yellow Gold RingBy Galt & Bro. JewelersLocated in Oakton, VAMulti Color Sunset Fire Eternity Patterns Ring Red Ruby Orange Yellow Sapphire Diamond Eternity Band 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Aesthetic Movement Cocktail Rings
MaterialsRuby, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18...
- 1970s Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail RingLocated in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon TyneA fine and impressive vintage 0.40 carat natural ruby and 0.60 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold, 18 karat white gold set dress ring; part of our vintage jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine vintage ruby cocktail ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting. The impressive marquise shaped mount displays nine round cut rubies to the center of the stepped design. The feature rubies are surrounded by twenty modern brilliant round cut diamonds claw / prong set in 18k white gold. The pierced decorated boat style frame displays an outer 18k yellow gold border following the marquise shaped design. The slightly tapering plain ring shoulders blend seamlessly with the plain 18k yellow gold hallmarked ring shank. The interior of the shank is clearly hallmarked with the 18k mark 750, the London Assay Office hallmark (leopard's head), the gold guarantee mark (crown) and date letter (D). This vintage ruby cocktail ring is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card. Images do not always reflect the true color and brilliance of gemstones and diamonds. The video however provides a truer representation of the actual color and showcases each stone. Condition This vintage marquise ring...Category
Vintage 1970s English Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold