1970's SouthSea Pearl and Diamond Ring signed Van Cleef & Arpels 18k
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
One 14mm South Sea pearl "Ballerina" ring by Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1970. The ring is adorned with 2.55 carats F-G/VS1 of diamonds.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
18K White Gold Made in Italy Pearl Cosmic Essential Cocktail Ring
By Beatrice Barzaghi Milano
Located in Milan, IT
18K White Gold Made in Italy Pearl Cosmic Essential Cocktail Ring.
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
18k White Gold Pearl and Taper Baguette Diamond Ring, 0.45ct, Size 6
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold ring set with a pearl and a taper baguette-cut diamond up to 0.45 ct - F/G - VS/SI - ring size US 6 - EU 16 (50) Detailed description: The top of the ring is 1.6 cm ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
$11,960Sale Price|20% Off
Henry Dunay 18k Gold South Sea Pearl Diamond Sabi Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Henry Dunay South Sea pearl and diamond ring with the 'Sabi' finish. Set with one South Sea cultured pearl measuring 13.25mm. One side of the mounting is pave-set with 68 round bri...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Di Modolo Milano Triadra 18k White Gold Mother of Pearl & Diamond Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Numerous Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brilliant Cut - Pave Set - Nice Brilliant White Diamonds - 2.23ctw (approx.) Material: Solid 18k White Gold - Stamped 750 Weight: 24.67 Gra...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Italian 18K Yellow Gold Ring with South Sea Pearls & Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
An elegant and sculptural 1980s ring crafted in Italy from 18K yellow gold, featuring two lustrous South Sea pearls—one white, one black—nestled in a bypass design accented with a ba...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tahitian Vintage Pearl Ring and Diamonds 18 Karat Gold Tahitian Pearl Ring
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Grey Tahitian Pearl Ring with Natural Diamonds Pre owned- as new condition 18K Gold Two Tone approx 14 grams Hight Quality - well made Tahitian Pearl Ring Two tone Yellow &a...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
18K Rose Gold Ring with White South Sea Pearl and Diamonds by Tara & Sons Pearls
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
This luxurious 18K Rose Gold ring by Tara & Sons Pearls is a true showstopper, centered with a magnificent White South Sea Pearl measuring approximately 18mm–19mm.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rutilated-Quartz Mother-of-Pearl Diamond 18k Rose Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A captivating cocktail ring featuring a 33.32 carat rose-cut ruti quartz.
Diamond, Pearl, Quartz, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
German Kabirski Rhea 18K Gold Plated Silver Ring with Raw Rubies & Pearl
By German Kabirski
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Metal: 925 Silver, Nickel-Free, Hypoallergenic, Safe for Sensitive Skin Gemstones: Pearl, Rough Ruby Plating: 18K Gold Width 12 mm Band wide 5 mm Length 22 mm Weight 6.55 g
Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Cultured Pearl and Diamond Crossover Ring, 18k Gold, Italy, 1960s
Located in Firenze, IT
Period: 1960's. Size: 7. Pearl's measurement: 10 mm. Weight: 15.48 gr. Obliquely-set with two 10.0mm cultured pearls, one of grey tint, between bombé shoulders pavé-set with brillia...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s 18K White Gold South Sea Pearl 2.82cts Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
The 18K white gold cocktail ring features a captivating 15mm aubergine color genuine South Sea pearl.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
$5,380 / item
【Crown Radiance】Light Bloom Ring
By The Pearl Vogue
Located in New York, NY
Product Information Origin Japan Material South Sea Pearl, 18K Gold, and Natural Diamonds Dimensions - Pearl Shaped: Round Size: 8-9mm Quality: AAAA Nacre: Very Thick Color: Golden...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Halo Vintage Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Weight: 8.3 grams Ring Size: US 6 Pearl Diameter: 11 mm Diamond Specifications: Shape: Round Brilliant cut Color: H-I Clarity:...
Pearl, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1912 Ring Red Garnet Seed Pearls solid 18K Gold Ø5US / 1.1gr
Located in SE
Antique Ring with two natural Seed Pearls and one rose cut Garnet of Pyrope variety set in solid 18K Gold band with hand - engraved decor on the shoulders.
Garnet, Pearl, 18k Gold
Japanese Pearl Ring 1960s
Located in Milano, MI
This 1960s ring is set in 18ct gold with a 9mm Japanese cultured pearl and round cut diamonds. Highlights - 1960s - 18ct yellow gold - Round cut diamonds Measurements - Width 1.8cm...
Pearl, 18k Gold
13.7 MM South Sea Pearl 2 Diamond Ring 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 7.7 Grams Pearl Diameter: 13.7 mm Pearl Count: 1 south sea pearl Diamond Count: 2 brilliant cut Diamond Color: G-H Di...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
A Natural Pearl Diamond And 18K Yellow Gold Ring Circa 1910
Located in Firenze, IT
Marquise pearl button ring. It features a large colored pearl button.
Natural Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Modern 18k Gold South Sea Pearl and Diamond Ring, 0.45ct, By Nikabell
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
Adorn your self and add a touch of charm on your look. Stunning ring come in 18k gold with lustrous South Sea Pearl of 12mm , in perfect shape and surface, fine quality, and Natural ...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Set in 18K Gold, Pink Kunzite, Mother of Pearl & Diamonds Engagement Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very gorgeous and beautiful, modern style, Kunzite & Mother of Pearl Engagement Ring set in 18K White Gold & natural Diamonds.
Diamond, Kunzite, Pearl, 18k Gold
Victorian Blue Enamel & Pearl Locket Ring of 18k Gold, Circa 1860-1870
Located in Lewisburg, PA
The ring is in very good condition, with the enamel and pearls beautifully preserved.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
18K White Gold Pearl Diamond Onyx Agate Cocktail Ring by SCALA
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
This exquisite 18-karat white gold ring embodies the perfect balance between timeless elegance and contemporary design. Expertly handcrafted, it features two exceptional cultured pea...
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Agate, 18k Gold, White Gold
1.72 Carat Diamond and Silver Grey Tahitian Pearl Diamonds 18k Gold Ring
By FERRUCCI
Located in New York, NY
A Silver gray Tahitian pearl and white diamonds ring from FERRUCCI Entirely made in 18k white gold, Size 6.75 Diamond total carat weight of 1.72 carat weight Silver Gray Tahitian P...
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Ring with baroque pearl and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.30ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold ring with baroque pearl and brilliant-cut diamond 0.30 ct - F/G - VS/SI - ring size U.S. 6 - EU. 16.5 (52) detailed description: the top of the ring is 1.7 cm wide b...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Pearl Diamond Yellow Sapphire Precious Tourmaline Incruster 18k Gold Scarab Ring
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
A fabulous interpretation of the most Ancient Egyptian symbol- The Scarab Primarily amulets, Scarabs were inscribed for use as personal seals and incorporated into jewelry. Some sca...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Mother-of-Pearl Diamond Tsavorite 18k White Gold Rose Flower Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A lovely rose ready to be worn This beautiful ring features lustrous Mother-of-Pearl formed as rose petals along with 1.11 carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds which lines the flow...
Diamond, Pearl, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
GIT Certified Golden South Sea Pearl 3.00 Ct Diamonds 18K Gold Ring
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
Stunning ring come in 18k gold with a lustrous Golden South Sea Pearl of about 15,5 / 16mm, extra fine quality, perfect shape and surface, vibrant color, and 106 pieces of Natural Di...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Set in 18K Gold, Tourmaline, Freshwater Pearl & Rose Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very gorgeous and beautiful, modern style, Tourmaline & Freshwater Pearls Engagement Ring set in 18K White Gold & natural Diamonds.
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
18k Gold daisy ring with pearl and diamonds, early 20th century.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique gold ring in the form of a flower with a pearl and diamonds in old cuts, Western Europe, early 20th century Made of 18-karat yellow gold (0.750 fineness) and platinum elemen...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 18k Gold & Platinum GIA 14.36mm Pearl w/ Diamond Floral Layers Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Material: Solid 18k White Gold with .850+ Platinum Top Weight: 14.88 Grams Ring Size: 7.0 (fitted on finger, we can custom size this ring. please contact us prior to purchase with si...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Estate 18K South Sea Pearl Baguette & Round Diamond Heavy Cocktail Ring 6.50ctw
Located in Winter Springs, FL
Specifications: • Era: Circa Early 1990s • Metal: 18K Yellow Gold • Center Stone: South Sea Pearl • Pearl Size: 14.6mm • Diamond Weight: Approximately 6.50 Carats Total Weight...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$15,760Sale Price|20% Off
Set in 18K Gold, 3.93 carats, Conch Pearls & Tapered Diamonds Cocktail Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very gorgeous and beautiful, modern style, Conch Pearls Cocktail Ring set in 18K White and Yellow Gold & natural Diamonds.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Ring with Golden Pearl and Yellow Sapphire Pavé
Located in Bergamo, BG
. -------------------- A striking 18K yellow gold ring showcasing a magnificent 15mm golden pearl at its center.
Pearl, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold 2.48 Carat Diamond and Pearl Cocktail Ring - Size 7.5
Located in New York, NY
A true statement piece, this bold cocktail ring features a luminous pearl at its center, framed by 2.48 carats of sparkling round brilliant diamonds in an ornate floral inspired desi...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Exquisite 6.75mm Akoya Pearl Ring with Natural Diamonds in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in רמת גן, IL
This elegant 18k yellow gold ring features a beautiful 6.75mm round brilliant cut Akoya pearl with a white color.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari 18K White Gold Mother of Pearl Illusion Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Matching ring to the pair of earrings from our stock. This is a ring from Bvlgari, encrusted with diamonds, mounted with grey mother of pearl makes a perfect gift for a mother, anniv...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Yellow Sapphire & Tahiti Pearl Ring Set 18K Gold & Silve
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Vintage South Sea Pearl & Fancy Sapphires Ring Set 18K Gold & Silver Natural Fancy Yellow Sapphires from Sri Lanka1 carats South Sea Gray, Black Pearl With Pink S...
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
7.4 Mm White Akoya Pearl and Diamond Band Ring 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 3.4 Grams Pearl Diameter: 7.4 mm Pearl Count: 1 white akoya pearl Diamond Count: 26 round brilliant cut Diamond Color:...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Cultured Pearl and 0.62 Carat Diamond, 18k Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive vintage pearl ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with platinum settings.
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold Ring with Pavé Diamonds and 15mm Central Pearl
Located in Bergamo, BG
A striking 18K white gold ring featuring a luminous 15mm central pearl, surrounded by an elegant pavé setting of natural white diamonds totaling 1.41 carats.
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Glamorous Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Ring in 18K Rose Gold
Located in London, England
This Exquisite Ring is made up of a Beautiful Tahitian Pearl nested on an 18K Rose gold band embedded with glittering diamonds in a grain setting.
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold
$2,640Sale Price|20% Off
Set in 18K Gold, Tourmaline, Multi Sapphires, Freshwater Pearls & Diamonds Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very gorgeous and beautiful, modern style, Tourmaline, Multi Sapphires & Freshwater Pearls Bridal Ring set in 18K White Gold & natural Diamonds.
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
Set in 18K Gold, Zambian Emerald, Mother of Pearl & Diamonds Cocktail Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very gorgeous and beautiful, modern style, Emerald & Mother of Pearl Cocktail Ring set in 18K Yellow Gold & natural Diamonds.
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold
Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18k White Gold, Size 5.75
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold ring set with a Tahitian pearl and black and white brilliant cut diamonds - ring size US 5.75 - EU 16.25 (51) detailed description: the top of the ring is 1.0 cm wid...
Diamond, Black Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Victorian Seed Pearl Heart Ring 18k Yellow Gold Band Vintage Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian era seed pearl heart ring (circa 1880s to 1900s) crafted in 18k yellow gold. 18 small seed pearls measure approx. 1mm to 1.5mm.
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ring with pearls and old mine cut diamonds up to 0.46ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k bicolour ring set with pearl and old mine cut diamond total 0.46ct - H/I - SI - ring size U.S. 7.25 - EU. 17.5 (55) detailed description: the top of the ring is 1.8 cm wide by ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
$7,680Sale Price|20% Off
15.5mm White South Sea Pearl Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
The ring's design appears to be thoughtfully balanced, with the pearl as the centerpiece.
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Golden South Sea Pearl Diamond Double Halo Ring in 18k White Gold
Located in Wan Chai District, HK
Don't hesitate to contact us to start the customization process and make this ring your own. Specifications of the earrings in the pictures: Cultured Golden South Sea Pearl: 14.82mm...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
12mm and 9mm Pearl Diamond Tiger Ring in 18K Rose Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
This stunning ring is an exquisite blend of elegance and sophistication, designed to make a bold statement. It features two beautiful freshwater pearls: an 11mm pearl and a 9mm pearl...
Diamond, Pearl, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold 12.75mm Large Pearl 1.15ctw Diamond Flower Cocktail Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Material: 18K Solid Yellow Gold Weight: 13.11 Grams Ring Size: 6.5 (Fitted on a finger.
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k White Gold Bypass Ring with Pearl Center & Diamond Accents - Size 4
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This is a luxurious bypass cocktail ring with a large white pearl at the center and a sea of thirty diamonds beneath totaling ~1.2ctw. Stone Info: 1x 10.8mm White Pearl 30x 0.04ct 2...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$7,129Sale Price|20% Off
18K White Gold Blue Grey South Sea Pearl Diamond Floral Ring
Located in Houston, TX
This ring is made in 18K white gold and features a center 14.25 millimeter South Sea Pearl.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Akoya Pearl and Diamond Open-Work Ring in 18k White Gold
Located in Zurich, CH
A masterclass in mid-century elegance, this vintage statement ring centres a magnificent, high-luster Akoya pearl.
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Squared Pearl Ring with 3.13 Carats of Pave Diamonds
Located in Bergamo, BG
This stunning 18K white gold ring features a luminous central pearl, gracefully set on a squared base adorned with a meticulous pavé of natural white diamonds.
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Yellow Gold Mother of Pearl Diamond North Star Cocktail Halo Ring 18k Celestial
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 3/4 Note: Please contact us for a resizing quote Metal Content: 18k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Mother of Pearl Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .03ct Cut: Round Bri...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold South Sea Pearl and Diamond Ring, Circa 1970s, 1.50ct
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This substantial 18K yellow gold ring showcases a stunning 13 mm golden South Sea pearl with a captivating luster.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Cultured Pearl & Diamond Victorian Cluster Bypass Ring 18k Antique
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 8 Sizing Fee: Up 1/2 a size for $100 or Down 1/2 a size for $100 Era: Victorian Date: 1860s - 1870s Metal Content: 18k Yellow Gold & 18k White Gold Stone Information Culture...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White 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.”
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.