Antique 18K Yellow Gold 0.50ct Diamond and Natural Pearl Ring 27378
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
This antique ring is ideal for anyone who appreciates uncommon elegance.
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Mikimoto 18K White Gold Silver Akoya Pearl And Diamond Ring
By Mikimoto
Located in Henderson, NV
Mikimoto 18K white gold ring featuring a perfectly round gray Akoya cultured pearl as the centerpiece.
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold Retro Freshwater Pearl & Diamond Cocktail Ring, USA
Located in Palm Desert, CA
18 Karat Yellow Gold Flat Freshwater White Pearl Diamond Ring. The ring features a center pearl set in an open bezel with leaf-like open designs and six round diamonds added for deta...
Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
18k Yellow Gold 13mm Pearl Cocktail Ring, Size 3.25, Circa 1980s
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This is a nice, simple, but eye catching ring made of 18k yellow gold and a 13mm round pearl
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chanel Vintage Pearl Diamond 18k White Gold Cocktail Ring Sz 6
By Chanel
Located in Feasterville, PA
A Chanel Pearl Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring, featuring a lustrous pearl framed by 1.72 carats of round diamonds, set in 18k white gold.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
11.1 Mm South Sea Pearl and Diamond Ring 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 10.8 Grams Pearl Type: South Sea Pearl Pearl Diameter: 11.1 mm Pearl Count: 1 South Sea Pearl Diamond Count: 18 roun...
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold 2.80ct Diamond and Pearl French Ring MF08-050626
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
A chic, contemporary design makes this French luxury ring a veritable work of art. The curved 18K White Gold setting comes to life thanks to inset Diamonds with a total weight of 2.8...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold Pearl Ring Size 6 #22898
Located in Washington Depot, CT
18K Yellow Gold Pearl Ring - Refined and luxurious, this 18K yellow gold pearl ring features a luminous cultured pearl set in a rich gold band, offering a timeless design that exude...
18k Gold
Mikimoto Ring. Vintage 18k Gold Mikimoto Pearl Coral Double Post bypass ring
By Mikimoto
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Genuine MIKIMOTO ring 18k Yellow Gold coral and Pearl MIKIMOTO Double Post Bypass ring Extremely rare.
Coral, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Emma Chapman 18k Yellow Gold and Silver Ruby Pearl Flower Ring
By Emma Chapman
Located in Frome, Somerset
This is a unique one-of-a-kind ruby and pearl ring. The centre of the ring is embedded with a ruby, set in an 18k yellow gold flower.
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
18K White Gold 1.50ct Diamond and Conch Pearl Ring MF11-050126
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
Diamonds with a total weight of 1.50 carats allow this scintillating ring to effortlessly emanate light. Set in 18K White Gold, the stunning setting perfectly showcases a blush pink ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
White Cultured Pearl Cluster Diamond and Ruby Ring 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 18.3 Grams Pearl Diameter: ~5.3 mm - ~6.5 mm Pearl Count: 19 white cultured pearls Ruby Count: 4 round rubies Ruby...
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIT Certified Golden South Sea Pearl Diamonds 18K Gold Ring
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
Stunning ring come in 18k gold with a luxurious Golden South Sea Pearl of 14mm, extra fine quality, spectacular vibrant color, perfect cut, and 142 pieces of Natural Diamonds , in ro...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Cartier 18K Yellow Gold 1.10ct Diamond and Pearl Ring CA07-040926
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
An opulent design ensures that this Cartier ring will never go out of style. A Pearl center stone provides plenty of old fashioned elegance, while inset Diamonds with a total weight ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
'Solandra' Tahitian pearl ring with diamonds in 18k yellow gold
By Ben Bunda
Located in SYDNEY, AU
A BUNDA Solandra Pearl ring, in 18ct yellow gold, set with diamonds. Signed BUNDA. Characteristics of Blue Tahitian Cultured Pearl: 16.2mm. Characteristics of Round Brilliant Cut D...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Gold Cocktail Ring with South Sea Pearl and Diamonds
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
Ring come in 18K gold with a natural cultivate Untreated South Sea Pearl of 16 mm , excellent quality, a very luxurious quality, and 64 pieces of natural diamonds in round brilliant ...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
18K White Gold 0.25ct Diamond and Conch Pearl Ring MF26-050126
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
A vibrant 8.88 carat Conch Pearl center stone adds a soft pop of color to this exquisite luxury ring.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
$28,080Sale Price|20% Off
10mm Natural Saltwater Pearl Ring. Old mine Diamond Halo Ring 18K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Primary Stone: Pearl Primary Stone Weight: Approx. 21-Chows Secondary Stone: Diamonds Secondary Stone Weight: Approx. 1.40-Carats Secondary Stone Cut: Old Mine Cut Jewelry Type: Co...
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Picchiotti 18K Flower Ring South Sea Pearl White Gold Size 8
By Picchiotti
Located in Fairfield, CT
Picchiotti 18K Flower Ring South Sea Pearl White Gold Size 8 This Picchiotti ring is designed as a stylized flower in 18k white gold, centered with an ~15mm luminous South Sea pearl.
Diamond, Pearl, Pink Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$6,977Sale Price|20% Off
Modern Mother of Pearls Yellow 18K Gold Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring Yellow Gold 18K With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKINA is a Geneva-based jewelry brand that creates modern jewelry masterpieces suitable for everyda...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Guinevere Mother of Pearl Ring, 18K Yellow Gold with Mother Of Pearl
Located in Greeneville, TN
Exquisitely crafted in glowing 18K yellow gold, this regal design features a radiant 5.96ct natural Mother of Pearl, known for its soft iridescence and calming beauty.
Pearl, Yellow Gold
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
Pearl Diamond ring 18KT gold modern pearl ring ivory freshwater pearl ring large
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Stunning freshwater pearl ring in 18KT yellow gold, so modern and bold! Will come with a certificate of authenticity and gift box. ABOUT US We are a family-owned business. Our stud...
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
18K White Gold 9.5mm Lustrous South Sea Pearl & 0.14ct Diamond Swirl Ring
Located in เกาะสมุย, TH
A beautifully balanced composition of luster and light, this 18k white gold ring centers on a 9.5mm South Sea pearl—noted for its exceptional glow, smooth surface, and refined spheri...
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Pearl and Diamond Band Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
Pearl size, each, estimated: 2mm – 3mm Total diamond weight, estimated: 0.1ctw Gross weight: 4g Ring size: UK – K US – 5.25 EU – 50 mm Hallmarks: ‘18’ (18 karat gold), shield f...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18K Gold, Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Ring by Suzanne Färnert
Located in Stockholm, SE
This vintage ring is crafted in 18 karat white gold and set with a grey Tahitian pearl, framed by brilliant-cut diamonds of approximately 0.60 ct in total. The pearl has a soft metal...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique diamond natural pearl 18k yellow gold silver cluster ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This exquisite antique cluster ring is a luminous example of turn-of-the-century craftsmanship, combining the soft elegance of a natural pearl with the romantic brilliance of antique...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Contemporary Freshwater Pearl and Diamond Bypass Style Cocktail Ring 18K Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Metal: 18 Karat Yellow Gold Gemstones: Round brilliant cut diamonds and freshwater pearl Diamond Shape & Cut: Round brilliant cut Diamond Color: F–G Diamond Clarity: VS Diamond Total...
Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIT Certified Golden South Sea Pearl Diamonds 18K Gold Ring
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
Magnificent ring come in 18k gold with an high quality of Golden South Sea Pearl of 15mm , , and Natural Diamonds in baguettes and round brilliant cut of 1,50 F/VS.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Tahitian Pearl Glamour Swirl Ring with Diamond Accents
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
Beaming 18k yellow gold spirals around a single Tahitian pearl for this ring.
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14mm Tahitian Pearl & 1.09 Carats diamond Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in KOWLOON, HK
The ring is crafted in 18K white gold, a durable and elegant metal that perfectly complements the pearl's deep color and enhances the overall sparkle of the diamonds.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s 18k Yellow Gold Pearl Diamond Cocktail Ring, 5.68g
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage ring is a graceful expression of classic elegance, centered around a luminous pearl that offers a soft, refined glow.
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Rose Gold Conch Pearl, Ruby & Pink Sapphire Floral Ring
Located in New York, NY
Elegant 18K rose gold floral ring featuring a luminous conch pearl weighing 1.74 carats, accented by pink sapphires totaling 1.30 Carat Total Weight and rubies totaling 0.20 Carat T...
Diamond, Pearl, Pink Sapphire, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$4,062Sale Price / item|20% Off
South Sea & Golden Pearl Diamond Fashion Ring 0.50 Carats 18K Gold
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18 karat yellow gold fashion ring featuring one Golden Pearl measuring 12 mm and one South Sea Pearl measuring 9 mm and a round brilliant weighing 0.50 carats. Color G-H Clarity SI
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Pearl and Diamond Shamrock Ring of 18k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
A charming antique ring from 1890–1900, designed as a shamrock composed of lustrous pearls, with sparkling diamonds accenting the stem, all mounted in solid 18k gold.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Steven Battelle Black Mabe Pearl 18K Gold Sterling Silver Ring
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
Beautiful contrast between the blue-black of the pearl and the gold surrounding! This ring is sized 6.5.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
French Victorian secret opening locket ring with pearls in 18k gold
Located in PARIS, FR
Victorian secret locket ring in 18 karat gold. This charming oval ring contains a secret compartment protected by beveled glass, in which a photograph, dried flower, or other sentime...
Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 18k solid gold engagement ring - Natural diamond & pearl - Edwardian
Located in Antwerp, BE
The white pearl is placed cosy next to it. From these two beauties, the ring band elegantly turns into the shape of the ring itself.
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yoko London Freshwater Pearl and Diamond Ring in 18k White Gold
By Yoko London
Located in London, GB
Set in 18K white gold to accentuate the diamond and pearl combination, this timeless ring would make a lovely addition to any jewellery box
Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, White G...
White Akoya Pearl Diamond Shaped Diamond Ring 18k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Metal: 18k White Gold Total Weight: 12.3 Grams Pearl Diameter: 8.8 mm Pearl Type: White Akoya Pearl Diamond Count: ~70 brilliant cut Diamond Color: G-H Di...
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Engagement Ring with Opal, Pearls, Diamonds
By The Wind Opal
Located in Suwanee, GA
Exquisite 18K Yellow Gold Engagement Ring with Australian Solid Opal, Pearls, Diamonds.
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mikimoto 18K White Gold Tahitian Pearl Accented Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Mikimoto
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Mikimoto Gender: Ladies Metal Type: 18K White Gold Ring Size: 6.5 Weight: 5.00 grams One ladies 18K white gold diamond and pearl accented cocktail ring with a half-rou...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mattioli Navettes Ring in 18K Rose Gold & Mother of Pearl
By Mattioli
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Ring in 18k rose gold and natural mother of pearl Production Time 4 weeks NAVETTES COLLECTION From the name of the most refined gem cut, the navette shape is the heart of a delicat...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Natural 12.15cts Pearl, 3.90cts Emerald & 0.36cts Diamond Ring in 18k Gold
Located in jaipur, IN
Specifications: Dimensions: Ring Size-7.25 US, Top 24 MM Gross Weight: 10.330 gms Gold Weight: 7.048 gms Gold Purity: 18K White Gold DIAMOND Weight: 0.36 cts EMERALD Weight: 3.90 ct...
Emerald, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Mimi So Cultured Freshwater Pearl Solitaire Ring - Yellow Gold 18k
By Mimi So
Located in Greensboro, NC
Retail Price: $2300 Size: 5 1/2 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $25 or Down 2 sizes for $25 Note: The resizing process will change the band's pattern. Brand: Mimi So Metal Content: 18k...
Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,277Sale Price|20% Off
18K Yellow Gold Ring Cultured Pearl and 0.32 Carat Diamond
Located in Vannes, FR
This exquisite ring is a celebration of natural elegance and refined craftsmanship.
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
White Pearl and Diamond Flower Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 5.75 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 3.7 Grams Ring Height: 14 mm Pearl Specifications...
Pearl, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Daisy Cluster Mother of Pearl Ring .10ct Natural Diamonds 18k gold*
Located in New York, NY
7 Daisy Mother Of pearl Ring. .10 carat natural round diamond H color Vs-2 clarity 18 karat white gold 5.7 grams Depth of ring 9 mm Width: 16mm Size 6.5 we may resize please i...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Baroque Pearl Diamond Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Baroque Pearl Diamond Ring. This striking square-top ring features a pave-set diamond surface, with the spotlight on a captivating Baroque pearl...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$1,504Sale Price|20% Off
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Appetite, Topaz & Pearl Cocktail Ring 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Appetite, Topaz & Pearl Cocktail Ring Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Blue Appetite, Pear Shape - 2 Carats Natural White Topaz, Emerald Shape - ...
Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
Georgian 18k Gold Pearl, Diamond & Enamel Triple Row Ring, Circa 1830
Located in Altrincham, GB
Each of the stones rest in gold settings, leading to the buttery yellow gold band that features lovely blue enamel details at the shoulders. Its modelled 18k gold throughout, and fea...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
$6,400Sale Price|20% Off
18K YG Baroque Pearl Diamond Ruby Sapphire Emerald Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
The dimensional design evokes mid-century Italian glamour, combining bold scale with refined craftsmanship and lively color contrast. Ring Size: US 4.5 (Resizable) Approximate Weig...
Diamond, Emerald, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold South Sea Pearl & Diamond Ring Size 7 #24324
Located in Washington Depot, CT
18K White Gold South Sea Pearl and Diamond Ring Size 7 JAGi Certified- This striking 18K white gold ring features a luminous cultured South Sea pearl (17 mm) in a sculptural design ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
5.75ct Diamond and Pearl Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Tustin, CA
Indulge in timeless elegance with our 5.75ct Diamond and Pearl Ring, exquisitely crafted in 18k Yellow Gold.
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Jaclyn Davidson 18K Yellow Gold Enamel with Woman Holding a Pearl Ring
By Jaclyn Davidson
Located in New York, NY
Weight: 14.7 Grams Stone: Enamel, Pearl (6.5 mm) Face of Ring: 26.8 x 10.7 x 8.66 mm Ring Size: 8 Hallmark: Jaclyn 20-50, 18K Item #: BR-1404-091624-02
Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique Cultured Pearl Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive Edwardian ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting.
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold
Tahitian white & Black Pearl Toi et Moi Crossover Ring – 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Santa Monica, CA
A bold toi et moi crossover ring in 18K yellow gold, featuring two beautiful Tahitian pearls–one white and one black for a stunning contrast.
Pearl, Black Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Emerald, Pearl and Diamond Flower Ring
Located in Boston, MA
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Emerald, Pearl and Diamond Flower Ring - The ring us set with one genuine emerald weighing about .16ct with very fine green color.
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 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.
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Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.