Edwardian navette pearls ring in 18k gold, Belle Epoque pearl diamond ring
Located in PARIS, FR
Edwardian navette pearls ring in 18 karat gold. Belle Époque ring adorned with three pearls within a halo of 26 rose-cut diamonds. The shoulders of the ring are enameled in black and...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
18k Pearl, Diamond, Sapphire and Moonstone Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
Introducing our 18k Pearl, Diamond, Sapphire and Moonstone Cocktail Ring.
Diamond, Moonstone, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Whit...
$2,372Sale Price|20% Off
18K Yellow Gold Turquoise Pearls Dome Cocktail Ring
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an 18K yellow gold Pearls and Turquoises dome cocktail ring.
Pearl, Turquoise, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$957Sale Price|20% Off
Classic Mother-of-Pearl Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Bloomington, MN
Classic Mother-of-Pearl Ring in 18k Yellow Gold This ring is crafted in 18k yellow gold and features rectangular mother-of-pearl inlay panels set around the band.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$9,784Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Vintage Golden Pearl 18k Yellow Gold Statement Ring
By Mikimoto
Located in Chicago, IL
Exuding elegance and craftsmanship, this exceptional Mikimoto vintage statement ring is a testament to timeless jewelry design. The ring is masterfully crafted in rich 18k yellow gol...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Pearl and Diamond Ballerina Ring, 18k
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A Van Cleef & Arpels Pearl and Diamond Ballerina Cocktail Ring made in 18k Yellow Gold.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
18K Yellow and White Gold Pearl and Diamond Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 18K yellow and white gold Pearl: 1 round= 9.0mm Diamonds: 6 Round Cut= 0.12cttw Color: I Clarity: SI2 Size: 4.5 (complimentary sizing available)D Dimension...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$6,200Sale Price|20% Off
Handmade 18K White Gold Emerald, Pearl & Black Onyx Ring
Located in jaipur, IN
This stunning, designer-made ring is crafted from 18-carat gold and features an emerald, black onyx & pearl gemstone.
Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage Modernist 18K White Gold 8.35mm Pearl Solitaire Ring
Located in Miami, FL
A beautifully crafted vintage Modernist ring in solid 18K white gold, set with a luminous 8.35mm cultured pearl.
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
$525Sale Price|20% Off
Classic Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Nice Luster Pearl Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Material: 18k Yellow Gold Weight: 3.52 Grams Ring Size: 6.5 ( fitted on finger, please contact us prior to purchase with sizing inquiries) Ring Width: 17.40mm (0.68") (top of the rin...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 18k Yellow Gold Sapphire and Seed Pearl Ring
Located in New York, NY
This charming antique Victorian ring is crafted in rich 18k yellow gold and showcases three vibrant blue sapphires totaling approximately 0.71 carats.
Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold Pave & Baroque Pearl Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This exquisite 18k gold ring features a captivating design with a large central pearl.
18k Gold
18K WG Mikimoto 7.5 MM Pearl Ring
By Mikimoto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant Mikimoto ring in 18k white gold. Set with pearl, 7.5 mm. Size/length: 5.
18k Gold, White Gold
Tasaki 18K Yellow Gold Pearl Cluster Floral Cocktail Ring
By TASAKI
Located in New York, NY
This striking ring by TASAKI showcases a cluster of lustrous white pearls, gracefully intertwined with polished 18k yellow gold.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mother of Pearl, Agate, & Diamond Butterfly Ring 18K
Located in Jupiter, FL
A gorgeous mother of pearl and agate 18K rose gold butterfly ring. This piece is simple and just beautiful!
Agate, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Steven Battelle Baroque Pearl Silver/18K Gold Ring
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
A very large and lustrous 30mm + fresh water white baroque pearl is held in a tall and irregular 18K bezel surrounded by hammered texture bezel accent in this organic design. The ha...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage White Pearl Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful ring featuring a big white pearl in 18k yellow gold.
Pearl, Yellow Gold
Yoko London South Sea Pearl Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
By Yoko London
Located in London, GB
Pieces in the Novus collection are recognised by their smooth minimal lines which showcase the natural radiance of the pearls against striking gold silhouettes. Beauty in the simplis...
South Sea Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Yoko London South Sea Pearl Ring in 18k White Gold
By Yoko London
Located in London, GB
Pieces in the Yoko London Novus collection are recognised by their contemporary styles which showcase the natural radiance of the pearls they feature. Beauty in the simplistic, this ...
South Sea Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
$7,824Sale Price|20% Off
Caviar Pearl Diamond Yellow 18K Gold Ring For Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring Yellow Gold 18K Weight 21,16 grams Size 8 US Diamond 28-0,11 ct Pearls d 5,0-5,5 38-49,4 ct With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKINA is a Geneva b...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Elegant 18K Yellow Gold Twin Pearl & Diamond Bypass Ring
Located in Miami, FL
An elegant 18K yellow gold bypass ring featuring two luminous cultured pearls measuring 8.6mm and 8.25mm.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
South Sea Pearl Ring set in 18K Gold Settings
Located in Bangkok, TH
South Sea Pearl Ring set in 18K Gold Settings Width: 1.3 cm Length: 1.3 cm Ring Size: 53 Total Weight: 11.31 grams "We first opened doors in 1980 when it was then situated in the...
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
French Mid Century emerald pearl 18K yellow gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Crafted in warm 18k yellow gold and hallmarked with purity and makers marks, the ring has a substantial and polished presence on the hand.
Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIT Certified South Sea Pearl Diamonds 18K Gold Ring
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
Designed with particular care on details, this ring evoke a charm and sophistication. Stunning ring come in 18k gold with a lustrous South Sea Pearl of 13mm, fine quality , in perfec...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Yvel 18K Gold Baroque Pearl Ring, Contemporary Design, Size 6.5
By Yvel
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Yvel 18K Gold Baroque Sea Pearls Ring Yvel's signature, handmade 18k yellow gold, polished-finish is combined with a beautiful four baroque pearls and one gold in the shape of a fift...
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Pearl and Colored Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
This vintage 18k yellow gold ring features a soft, luminous pearl accented by 0.21 total carats of colored diamonds, creating a subtle yet eye-catching contrast.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIT Certified South Sea Pearl Diamonds 18K Gold Ring
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
Elevate your timeless of beauty and add a touch of sophistication and charm on yourself. Magnificent ring come in 18k gold with lustrous South Sea Pearl of 14mm, fine quality, specta...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
18K White Gold Pearl & Fancy Yellow Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
This captivating cocktail ring presents a striking, modern silhouette centered upon a magnificent 12.50mm white South Sea cultured pearl. The luminous, high-luster pearl is framed by...
Yellow Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1961 Vintage 18k White Gold Cultured Pearl Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive pearl cocktail ring has been crafted in 18k white gold.
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
GIT Certified South Sea Pearl Diamonds 18k Gold Ring
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
Magnificent ring come in 18k gold with a lustrous South Sea Pearl of 11mm, extra fine quality, in perfect shape and surface, spectacular pure white color, and 134 pieces of Natural D...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
18K Pave Diamond Pearl Cocktail Ring 6cttw Sz 5.25
Located in Winter Springs, FL
A vintage ring done in 18K yellow gold and set with a approximately 6cttw in F-G color Vs1-2 clarity diamonds and topped with a 13.2mm cream colored South Sea pearl.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
GIT Certified South Sea Pearl Diamonds 18K Gold Ring
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
Magnificent ring come in 18k gold with a luxurious South Sea Pearl of 15,5mm, extra fine quality, perfect shape and surface, spectacular pure white color, and 66 pieces of Natural Di...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1910 Art Nouveau Pearl Ring - 18k Gold / Platinum
Located in Nicosia, Cyprus
A magnificent witness to the French Art Nouveau era (circa 1910). This antique ring is crafted in 18k yellow gold and platinum, showcasing the organic, flowing lines characteristic o...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 18K Gold Rose Cut Diamond Ring – Art Deco Pearl Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
They are voluminous and have often symmetrical forms. A large white pearl is in the centre of the ring. Little rose cut diamonds are set around it, they sparkle bright in their whi...
Pearl, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
18K Gold Ring with Pearl and Old-Cut Diamonds
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
This delicate 18K gold ring features a pearl beautifully set at the center, framed by two clusters of old-cut diamonds on each side.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
$12,848Sale Price|20% Off
Classical Modern Pearl Garnet 18k Gold Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring Gold 18 K Garnet 162- RND-4,27 ct Pearl d14,0-14,5 1-21,8 ct Size 7,2 USA Weight 12,44 grams With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKINA is a Geneva-b...
Pearl, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold
Assael 18K White Gold 0.25ct Diamond Pearl Ring AS01-071526
By Assael
Located in Southampton, PA
This Assael ring is crafted in 18K white gold and centers on a lustrous 8mm cultured pearl flanked by clusters of round diamonds totaling approximately 0.25 carats along the shoulders.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Tiffany & Co. 18K Gold Mabe Pearl Ring, Circa 1970s
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
A sculptural Mabe pearl ring by Tiffany & Co., crafted in solid 18K yellow gold and dating to the late 1960s–1970s.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Pearl and Diamond Ring of 18k Gold, Circa 1900
Located in Lewisburg, PA
An antique French ring (circa 1900), featuring two luminous pearls accented by an elegant ribbon of rose cut diamonds, crafted in platinum topped 18k gold.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
GIT Certified South Sea Pearl Diamonds 18K Gold Ring
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
The combination of these colors , creates a stunning contrast that is both elegant and eye-catching . Magnificent ring come in 18k gold with a luxurious South Sea Pearl , extra fine ...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Pearl and Diamond Ring, 1970s Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18 karat yellow gold contrarie ring with white and black Tahitian pearls, and Amsterdam and baguette cut diamonds / Made in Italy 1970s Ring size US 6.5
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Two Tone Vintage Bypass Diamond and Pearl Ring
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Bypass Pave Diamond & South Sea White Pearl Gold Ring. Vintage Bypass Diamond and South Sea Button White Pearl Ring is set in gold mounting.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Pearl and Lapis Cluster Ring
Located in New York, NY
This elegant vintage ring is crafted in 18K yellow gold and features a charming cluster design of luminous white pearls and rich royal-blue lapis lazuli cabochons.
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Akoya Pearl Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Textured Cocktail Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A unique cocktail ring featuring 13 extremely fine Japanese Akoya pearls.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
South Sea Pearl and Diamond 18K White Gold Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A striking South Sea Pearl and Diamond Ring, featuring an impressive 18.0ct White South Sea Pearl set in 18k White Gold, adorned with 1.9ct of Round White Diamonds.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Cartier Black Pearl 18k White Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
Brand Cartier Serial No. N****** Date 2001 ____________________________________________...
Black Pearl, White Gold
Steven Battelle 12.0 Carats Keshi Pearl 18K Gold Ring
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
A lustrous, irregular, 9 x 15 mm white keshi pearl is held in rich matte-finish 18K gold. Four spiral wire ornamented prongs embrace the pearl with a similar motif on the shank.
Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage pearl diamond 18k white gold pave cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage pearl and diamond pavé cocktail ring is a striking statement of elegance and craftsmanship.
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Modern Pearl Diamond White 18K Gold Ring For Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring White Gold 18K Matching Earrings Available Weight 6,43 grams Size 7 US Diam. 34-0,42 ct Diam. 2 -Bril.Cut-0.11 ct G/SI1A PEARL d10,5-11,0 1-9,16 ct With a heritage of anc...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Modern Pearl Diamond White 18K Gold Ring For Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring White Gold 18K Matching Earrings Available Weight 6,43 grams Size 7 US Diam. 34-0,42 ct Diam. 2 -Bril.Cut-0.11 ct G/SI1A PEARL d10,5-11,0 1-9,16 ct With a heritage of anc...
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
18k Yellow Gold Bicolor Gold & White South Sea Pearl Ring
Located in New York, NY
This ring showcases a striking South Sea pearl displaying natural bicolor gold and white coloration.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1876 Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Natural 5.45mm Pearl Ring
Located in Lexington, KY
This beautiful ring comes from the 1880 Victorian period and is made in 18k yellow gold and featuring a 5.45mm natural pearl.
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Steven Battelle 0.8 Carat Ruby Pearl 18K Gold Ring
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
A combination of a white button pearl inset with a 4 mm faceted ruby and handmade wirework and granulation atop a split 18K gold shank is truly a one-of-a kind design showing the col...
Ruby, Pearl, 18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Baroque Pearl and Round Diamond Accent Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 18K yellow gold Baroque Pearl: 14.15mm x 13.25mm Diamonds: 5 round cut= 0.18cttw Color: Light Brown Clarity: SI2-I1 Size: 7.0 (complimentary sizing availab...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold 1.25ct Diamond and Pearl Ring MF15-062426
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
A refined halo ring in 18K yellow gold, centering a luminous cultured pearl measuring approximately 13mm in diameter, encircled by a scalloped frame of round brilliant diamonds total...
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
David Webb 18K Gold, Platinum, Pearl, and Diamond Cocktail Ring
By David Webb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed gold, platinum, pearl, and diamond cocktail ring. By David Webb.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
18K White Gold Sakura Floral Akoya Pearl Sapphire Ring
By MOISEIKIN
Located in Hong Kong, HK
The Shimmering sapphires reflect light on the lustrous Akoya pearls, mimicking enormous brilliance and freshening their scintillation, harmoniously uniting gemstones with pearls. 1...
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Cultured Pearl Pink Sapphire Cocktail Ring Estate
Located in Hallandale Beach, FL
Stunning estate cocktail ring crafted in 18K white gold, featuring a round cultured pearl centerpiece accented with natural pink sapphires totaling 0.5 carats.
Cultured Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold Sapphire Diamond Mother of Pearl Ring Band
Located in Hallandale Beach, FL
Material: 18K Yellow Gold Center Stone: Oval Blue Sapphire Accent Stones: Diamonds (total carat weight if known) Additional Material: Mother of Pearl Ring Size: 7.25 (custom sizi...
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s 18k White Gold Cultured Pearl & Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive pearl and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k white gold.
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White 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.”
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
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.