White Pearl Fancy Diamond Ruby 18K Rose Gold Turtle Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Dimensions: 2.50x1.10x2.60cm Color: 18K Rose Gold Materials: "49 Fancy Diamonds 0.23 CT 4 Ruby 0.03 CT 14 White Shell 0.85 CT 18KR 4.81 GM (WBTT)"
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
White Pearl Fancy Diamond Ruby 18K Yellow Gold Turtle Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Dimensions: 2.40x2.60x2.50cm Color: 18K Yellow Gold Materials: "42 Fancy Diamonds 0.56 CT 2 Ruby 0.02 CT 7 White Shell 0.95 CT 18KY 6.46 GM (WBTT)"
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
White Pearl Fancy Diamond Ruby 18K Rose Gold Turtle Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Dimensions: 2.40x2.60x2.50cm Color: 18K Rose Gold Materials: "42 Fancy Diamonds 0.53 CT 2 Ruby 0.02 CT 7 White Shell 1.05 CT 18KY 6.12 GM (WBTT)"
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Sicis 18K White Gold Micro Mosaic Ring with Tahitian Pearl & Black Diamonds
By Sicis Jewels
Located in London, GB
Micro Mosaic artists tiny handwoven Venetian enamel rods obtained from the high temperature melting of nine base colors with diamond dust, realizing endless combinations of tones and...
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
Set in 18K Gold, Emerald, Mother of Pearl, Blue Sapphire & Diamond Cocktail Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very gorgeous and beautiful, one of a kind, Emerald, Mother of Pearl, Blue Sapphire Cocktail Dome Ring set in 18K White Gold & Diamonds.
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$1,651Sale Price|20% Off
Pink Sapphire Ring with Diamonds and Pearl in 18k Gold and Silver
By Artisan NYC
Located in New York, NY
This pretty Pink sapphire ring with Diamonds and Pearl in Gold and Silver can be matched to any of your summer floral dress for day or night party. Ring Size: 7 ( can be sized ) 18...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sil...
Pearl and Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Ring in 18kt yellow gold set with 15 pearls 4.00 cts and 2 colored stones 3.76 cts Size 56
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1863 Bombe Ring natural Gems Seed Pearls solid 18K Gold Ø US5.75 / 1.7 gr
Located in SE
A Ring of Bombe appearance with voluminous hollow crown and shoulders hand - engraved with floral ornaments and nine clustered natural Turquoise, Garnets stones and Swedish River Pea...
Pearl, Garnet, Turquoise, 18k Gold
White South Sea Pearl Pink Sapphire Diamonds Halo Detail 18K White Gold Ring
By Galt & Bro. Jewelers
Located in Tysons, VA
This striking ring features a magnificent, luminous white south sea pearl at its center.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold 3.46 carat Conch Pearl and Rose Cut Diamond Ring with GIA Report
Located in Big Bend, WI
18K white gold ring featuring a natural conch pearl and 2 halos of rose cut diamonds.
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
ART NOUVEAU Ring with pearl and old mine cut diamond up to 0.65ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k bicolor gold ring set with a pearl and old mine-cut diamond up to 0.65 ct – H/I - SI – ring size US 8 – EU 18.25 (57) Detailed description: The top of the ring is 7.4 mm wide a...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
18k Solid Gold Button Golden Pearl w/ Diamond Nugget Open Work Heavy Large Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold w/ White Gold Bezels Weight: 36.52 Grams Ring Size: 7.0 (Fitted on a finger.
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
18KT “Laurel Leaf” Pearl & Diamond Ring
Located in Vero Beach, FL
“Laurel Leaf” 18 karat yellow gold Ring with Pearl and Diamonds Cultured Pearl measures 9.25 m.m. in diameter and has a beautiful luster and no blemishes.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
$1,887Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Top Silver Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Pearl Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.5 grams. Totally is diamond 1 carat. The diamond is has H-I-J color and vs-s1. Ring size is US 5.5. We can make any size. Box is not includ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1960s Pearl and Onyx Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with a Pearl and Onyx. Circa 1960s Size 5, resizable
Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold
Gold Beaded Freshwater Pearl Open Ring
Located in Banbury, GB
SKU: FT-0001 Material 18K Gold Vermeil and Freshwater Pearl Diameter approx. 20mm Ring Width approx. 8mm Freshwater Pearl beads approx. 4mm; gold vermeil beads approx. 4mm
Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Vermeil
Elysia Statement Ring, 18K Yellow Gold with 2.64ct White Mother of Pearl
Located in Greeneville, TN
✨ Features & Highlights: 18K Yellow Gold Setting – A rich, classic metal that enhances the contrast of the featured gemstones 2.64ct White Mother of Pearl – Glowing with soft iri...
Pearl, Yellow Gold
1912 Alliance Ring natural 0.32ctw Ruby Pearl solid 18K Gold Ø US 7 / 1.9 gr
Located in SE
Antique Alliance Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold decorated with four claw set natural Rubies of old Diamond cut and a half -pearl in the middle.
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Funky No Heat Sapphire Crowned On 13.4 mm South Sea pearl 18K Designer Ring
By Malpani Jewels
Located in Hung Hom, HK
The ring is manufactured in 18K gold. The details of the white diamond are mentioned below: Colro F Clarity: VS The ring can be resized and can be shipped through FED EX internati...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Mother Of Pearl Heart Cut 18k Yellow Gold Dome Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Heart Cut Mother Of Pearl 18k Yellow Gold Dome Ring. A stunning vintage Van Cleef & Arpels ring with a fine mother of pearl gem displaying beautiful ...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Werner Brothers Seed Pearl Solitaire Ring
Located in Denver, CO
A natural white seed pearl measuring approximately 2.9mm is held in a six prong buttercup setting (to resemble a flower) in this late Victorian-early Edwardian gem attributed to the ...
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
15 MM South Sea Pearl Wrapped In Tsavorite Snake Designer Ring 18K Head Turner
By Malpani Jewels
Located in Hung Hom, HK
The ring is also set with 0.03 carats of vivid red ruby and set in 18K Gold.
South Sea Pearl, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
Cultured Pearl Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
This classic design ring features an 11.5mm cultured pearl flanked by six round brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated total weight of .30 carat set in 18 karat yellow gold. Ring S...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,940Sale Price|20% Off
Alexander Beverly Hills 3.87ct Multi-Color Diamond & Pearl Floral Ring 18k
By Alexander Beverly Hills
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Exquisite and unique multi diamond and pearl floral ring. Center South Sea pearl surrounded 257 yellow, brown, and champagne color diamonds, 3.87 carats. 18-karat yellow gold, 12.41...
Pearl, Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Brown Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Eostre White South Sea Pearl, Tsavorite and Diamond Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Melbourne, AU
It is a very bold design with pearls and Tsavorite sitting at two ends of a scale. The surface of the ring is full of Diamonds and Tsavorite pave except for the claws. It is a big an...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
Natural Giant South Sea Pearl Ring with Diamond in 18K White Gold
Located in Kowloon, HK
Discover the beauty of our handmade South Sea pearl ring, elegantly set in 18K white gold and adorned with dazzling diamond accents.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
Tahitian Pearl South Sea Pearl Diamond Pink Sapphire Cocktail Ring
By Brenda Smith
Located in Woodstock, GA
Tahitian Pearl South Sea Pearl Diamond Pink Sapphire Cocktail Ring, In Stock. This cocktail ring was hand-created with 18-karat white gold. It features an 8.5-millimeter cultured Ta...
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18...
Victorian Natural Pearl and Old Cut Diamond Cluster Ring 18k Yellow Gold
Located in London, GB
Antique Victorian to Art Deco Pearl and Diamond Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold A stunning antique ring dating from the Victorian to Art Deco period (circa 1870–1920), featuring a beautif...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
South Sea Pearl with Diamond and Yellow Sapphire Ring set in 18K Gold Settings
Located in Bangkok, TH
South Sea Pearl with Diamond 1.58 carats and Yellow Sapphire 0.77 carat Ring set in 18K Gold Settings Width: 2.0 cm Length: 2.0 cm Ring Size: 54 Total Weight: 13.07 grams "We fir...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage Floral White Pearl Pinky Ring in 18k Yellow Gold Bezel Setting
Located in Miami, FL
Gorgeous art nouveau style vintage pinky ring featuring an 18k yellow gold band with an ornately carved design and a 15.3mm white freshwater pearl center stone.
Pearl, Yellow Gold
$479Sale Price|20% Off
Midnight Mother Of Pearl Clover Natural Diamond Ring 18K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
18K yellow gold midnight mother of pearl clover design diamond ring is an exquisite piece of jewelry that seamlessly blends elegance with a touch of whimsy.
18k Gold
16.55 mm South Sea Pearl And 12 Carat Burma Sapphire "Head Turner'' 18K Ring
By Malpani Jewels
Located in Hung Hom, HK
This long cultivation process makes South Sea pearls rarer — and more expensive. This beautiful 18K ring has a 16.50 mm premium size with natural flaws pearl and is accented by 12 c...
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
White Cultured Pearl, Ruby and Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Pasadena, CA
A white cultured pearl, natural square ruby and round diamond cocktail ring set in 18K white gold.
18k Gold
Antique Art Deco 18K Rose Gold Pearl and Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 18K Rose Gold Pearl and Rose Cut Diamond Ring. This beautiful ring is crafted in 18k rose gold.
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold
Mother of Pearl and Natural Diamond Floral Ring in 18K Rose Gold Statement Ring
Located in Diera, AE
Radiating artistic elegance, this 18K rose gold statement ring features luminous mother of pearl and 0.46 carats of natural diamonds in a dramatic floral starburst design.
Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
$1,376Sale Price / item|20% Off
South Sea Round White Pearl And Round Diamond Engagement Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
This beautiful white pearl diamonds ring is simply gorgeous. Product Specifications: 10.88mm High quality natural south sea white pearl 22 Round brilliant cut high quality diamond...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
14 MM South Sea Pearl Brilliant and Baguette Diamond Halo Ring 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 10.4 Grams Pearl Diameter: ~14 mm Pearl Count: 1 south sea pearl Diamond Count: 13 brilliant cut, 11 baguette Diamond ...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Io Si By Stefan Hafner 18K Rose Gold Diamond Pink Sapphire Pearl Cocktail Ring
By io Si
Located in Winter Springs, FL
A ring with quite the presence, this piece by IoSi/Stefan Hafner is crafted in 18K rose gold, and centered by a 10.85mm pearl surrounded by approximately .90ctw in round cut G-H colo...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Sicis Jewels 18K White Gold Micro Mosaic Cocktail Ring with Pearl and Diamonds
By Sicis Jewels
Located in London, GB
Micro Mosaic artists tiny handwoven Venetian enamel rods obtained from the high temperature melting of nine base colors with diamond dust, realizing endless combinations of tones and...
White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
18k Rose Gold Crossover Ring with Natural Rose-Cut Diamond Saltwater Pearls
Located in Heemstede, NL
Experience the timeless elegance of this 18K Pink Gold Crossover Ring with Natural Rose-Cut Diamond and Saltwater Pearls from the early 1900s.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Rose Gold
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Black Pearl & Ruby Ring Set In 18K Yellow Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Ruby & Black Pearl Ring Set In 18K Yellow Gold & Silver Natural Cabochon Ruby - 7.50 Carat Natural Round Brilliant Fancy color Sapphire 2.00 Carat Black ...
Black Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green ...
$10,760Sale Price|20% Off
Large South Sea Pearl Diamond Ring, 15.5mm Pearl, 3.95ct Baguette Round Diamonds
Located in Great Neck, NY
This extraordinary 15.5 mm South Sea pearl ring embodies that legacy with timeless sophistication and red-carpet presence.
Diamond, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold,...
Art Nouveau Toi et Moi Pearl and Rose-Cut Diamond Ring in 18K Gold & Platinum
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
Specifications • Metal: 18K yellow gold, platinum top • Stones: Natural pearls; rose-cut diamonds • Total weight: 3.7 g • Ring size: FR 58 (US approx. 8.25) • Resizing: Possible upon...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Rare Emerald & Pearl Diamond ring 18KT
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Pearls and emeralds go together very well and this ring is the proof, amazing green emerald accompanies by natural freshwater pearls in 18KT gold with diamonds, diamonds are 1ct tota...
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold
South Sea Pearl Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The colorless round cut diamonds are set in a lavish 18K white gold filigree ring with a milgrain design.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Natural Pearl 0.12 Carat Ruby 0.59 Carat Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive antique ruby ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting.
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
Pearl and Diamond Ring, 0.99 Carat
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18K White gold ring featuring one center pearl, 14.2mm, flanked with 6 pear shape diamonds, 0.59 carats, and 14 round diamonds weighing 0.40 carats.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Cartier Diamond and Mother of Pearl Pasha Ring in 18k White Gold
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cartier diamond and mother of pearl Pasha ring in 18k white gold. This ring features 44 round brilliant cut diamonds with F-G color and VS clarity set in a lattice pattern over moth...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This gleaming ring is set in 18K white gold. Ring Size 6.5 (Sizable)
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
12mm South Sea Pearl & 1.38 Carat Diamond Halo Trio 18K Two Tone Gold Dome Ring
By Trio
Located in Miami, FL
A bold 18K two-tone white and yellow gold dome cocktail ring featuring a 12mm lustrous white south sea pearl set within a round brilliant diamond pavé halo of 18 stones totaling 1.38...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Eostre Baroque South Sea Pearl, Red Spinel and Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Melbourne, AU
A big statement cocktail ring with Baroque South Sea Pearl, Red Spinel and Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Spinel, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco 18K White Gold 1.5ctw Old Cut Diamond and Pearl Openwork Panel Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An Art Deco diamond, pearl, and white gold ring, comprising one large old European cut diamond, sixteen smaller old European cut diamonds, and six rose cut diamonds, set in 18 karat ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Eostre White Colour South Sea Pearl, Ruby and Diamond Ring in 18k White Gold
Located in Melbourne, AU
A 16.7 mm round white colour south sea pearl, ruby and diamonds ring in 18k white gold.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An astounding lustrous blemish free 17.5mm-18.0mm South Sea pearl sitting high in an 18K white gold setting.
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
18kt yellow Gold Ring with Diamonds & Pearl
Located in Aventura, FL
SPECIFICATIONS: Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Stones: Pearl & Natural Diamonds Ring Size: 7 1/2 (sizable) Ring Width: 0.45 inches (11.4 mm) Total weight: 7.9 grams / 5.1 dwt Stamped: T...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Toi et Moi Ring in 18K Gold with Emerald Pearl and Old Cut Diamonds
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
This antique Toi et Moi ring is crafted in 18K yellow gold and features a natural emerald paired with a fine cultured pearl, symbolizing the balance of two stones in harmony.
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Pearl and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a charming antique cluster ring originally dating back to the Edwardian period. At the centre of the face we find a sizeable natural white button pearl. This principal s...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
The pearl has been synonymous with ladylike elegance since the Tudor period — learn what to look for when shopping for vintage and antique pearl jewelry as well as how to tell the origin of a pearl with our handy primer.
Every woman at some point in her life desires a simple strand of pearls. They are elegant, timeless, versatile — just ask Coco Chanel or Jacqueline Kennedy — and valuable. In 1917, Pierre Cartier famously traded a double-strand of natural pearls for a Fifth Avenue mansion, the Cartier brand’s flagship store ever since. And if you were born in the beginning of summer, pearl is the June birthstone.
It is possible to tell where a pearl originated from its appearance. Akoyas are usually round and white — the classic pearl, if you will. South Sea pearls are normally larger and vary in color; orangey yellow ones are not uncommon. Tahitian pearls are mostly black but can also be gray or brown, and between the Akoya and the South Sea varieties in size. Freshwater pearls, or Orientals, run the gamut in terms of color and size, but in shape, they tend to resemble Rice Krispies. Another important distinction is a round pearl versus a baroque pearl. A round pearl is self-explanatory, but there are two types of baroque pearls: symmetrical and asymmetrical. In general, the symmetrical variation commands a higher valuation. Within a strand of pearls, uniformity is prized — the more the individual pearls resemble one another, the more valuable the strand.
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the earliest recorded mention of a pearl was in 2206 BC by a Chinese historian. Centuries later, Christopher Columbus made it a point to visit pearl fisheries during his 15th-century exploration of the Caribbean. Since the late-19th century, the Japanese have been at the forefront of cultivating pearls, when jeweler Kokichi Mikimoto successfully cultured the world’s first pearl in 1893.
On 1stDibs, find vintage and antique pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and other accessories.
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.
Ancient Egyptians referred to the vibrant stone as the “gem of the sun.”
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Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.