21 Carat Gold
2010s Indonesian Modern Modern Bracelets
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yell...
2010s Italian Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modern Drop Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Dangle Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s Cocktail Rings
Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Modern Cocktail Rings
Tanzanite, White Diamond, Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modern Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century American Modern Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Moonstone, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Morganite, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Modern Link Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Paraiba, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Link Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Drop Earrings
Diamond, Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Indian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Three-Stone Rings
Paraiba, Tourmaline, Diamond, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Band Rings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Balinese Retro Drop Earrings
Pearl, Tourmaline, South Sea Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 2000s Retro Bracelets
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Link Bracelets
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique 1890s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Citrine, 14k Gold, Vermeil, Mixed Metal
1990s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Modern Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Stud Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Indian Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 19th Century Brooches
Aquamarine, Ruby, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Bangles
Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 22k Gold, Silver
Antique 1890s Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 18th Century Pendant Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Aesthetic Movement Pendant Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Yellow Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, Sapphir...
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21 Carat Gold For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 21 Carat Gold?
Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship
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 Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design
Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.
From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!
There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.
Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.
In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).
When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And 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.
Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, 21 karat gold is real gold and is made of 21 parts gold and four parts other metals. 21 karat gold is usually mixed with copper, zinc, silver, palladium and nickel to increase durability. You’ll find a wide variety of 21 karat gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Is 21k gold real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, 21K gold is real gold, but it is not pure, solid gold. Instead, the metal is 87.5 percent genuine gold. The remaining 12.5 percent of the jewelry or other object is one or more other metals. Find a variety of expertly vetted gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Does 21k gold tarnish?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 202221K gold does not rust or tarnish. This highly-desirable metal resists oxygen, meaning that it does not easily rust or tarnish. This is part of the reason that gold is such a popular metal for jewelry. Shop a collection of 21k jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021Twenty-two karat gold denotes that more than 91 percent of the metal is gold. Other metals are present to render the texture of the gold more durable. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage gold jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The term “20 carat gold” does not have a meaning. “Carat” is a unit of measurement used to describe the size of gemstones. “Karat” is the unit used to describe gold precious metal. Gold stamped as 20 karat or 20K is 83.3 percent pure gold and 16.7 percent metal alloy. You'll find a wide variety of gemstone jewelry on 1stDibs.