2 3/4 Carat Cushion Bluish Violet Sapphire GIA
Located in San Francisco, CA
This Cushion shape 2.74-carat Natural Bluish Violet color sapphire GIA certified has been hand
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Loose Gemstones
Sapphire
2 3/4 Carat Cushion Bluish Violet Sapphire GIA
Located in San Francisco, CA
This Cushion shape 2.74-carat Natural Bluish Violet color sapphire GIA certified has been hand
Sapphire
2 1/4 Carat Cushion Blue Sapphire GIA Unheated
Located in San Francisco, CA
This Cushion shape 2.23-carat Natural Blue color sapphire GIA certified has been hand-selected by
Blue Sapphire
14 Karat Gold Cushion Teal Sapphire Vintage Diamond Ring Center, 3/4 Carat
Located in San Francisco, CA
blue cushion shape sapphire, accented with round brilliant diamonds. Experience the difference in
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Cushion Pink Sapphire Vintage Diamond Ring Center-3/4 Carat
Located in San Francisco, CA
the difference in person! Product details: Center Gemstone Type: SAPPHIRE Center Gemstone Carat
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Gold Cushion Pink Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring Center 3/4 Carat
Located in San Francisco, CA
! Product details: Center Gemstone Type: SAPPHIRE Center Gemstone Carat Weight: 0.75 Center Gemstone
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Elongated Cushion Pink Diamond Ring Center, 4/5 Carat
Located in San Francisco, CA
pink elongated cushion shape sapphire, accented with round brilliant diamonds. Experience the
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Vintage 4.19 Carat Madagascan Sapphire 18k White Gold Solitaire Ring Circa 1990
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
and verifies that the gemstone shows indications of heat treatment. This 4 carat cushion cut sapphire
Sapphire, White Gold
Platinum 0.40 Carat Round Diamond Twisted Love 4 Prong Bespoke Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in high grade Platinum 950 to British Standard, with a total of 0.40 Carat White
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
Platinum Engagement 0.68 Carat Round Diamond Bespoke Twisted Love 4 Prong Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in high grade Platinum 950 to British Standard, with a total of 0.68 Carat White
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
0.50 Carat Round Diamond Bespoke Twisted Love 4 Prong Platinum Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in high grade Platinum 950 to British Standard, with a total of 0.50 Carat White
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
0.94 Carat Platinum Engagement Round Diamond Bespoke Fancy Vine 4 Prong Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in high grade Platinum 950 to British Standard, with a total of 0.94 Carat White
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
Platinum Engagement 0.82 Carat Round Diamond Bespoke Fancy Twist 4 Prong Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in high grade Platinum 950 to British Standard, with a total of 0.82 Carat White
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
0.83 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in 18 Karat White Gold, with a total of 0.83 Carat White Diamond. Set in an open gallery
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
1.20 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement RIng
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in 18 Karat White Gold, with a total of 1.20 Carat White Diamond. Set in an open gallery
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
0.95 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in 18 Karat White Gold, with a total of 0.95 Carat White Diamond. Set in an open gallery
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
1.68 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in 18 Karat White Gold, with a total of 1.68 Carat White Diamonds. Set in an open
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
1.45 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in 18 Karat White Gold, with a total of 1.45 Carat White Diamonds. Set in an open
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
2.18 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in 18 Karat White Gold, with a total of 2.18 Carat White Diamonds. Set in an open
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
0.70 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in 18 Karat White Gold, with a total of 0.70 Carat White Diamond. Set in an open gallery
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
0.50 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in 18 Karat White Gold, with a total of 0.51 Carat White Diamond. Set in an open gallery
Diamond, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
0.40 Carat Round Diamond Twisted Love 18 Karat Rose Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in 18 Karat Rose Gold, with a total of 0.40 Carat White Diamonds. Set in an open gallery
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
0.95 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat Rose Gold 4 Prong Love Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in 18 Karat Rose Gold, with a total of 0.95 Carat White Diamond. Set in an open gallery
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
1.20 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat Rose Gold 4 Prong Engagement Love Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
ring. Handmade in 18 Karat Rose Gold, with a total of 1.20 Carat White Diamond. Set in an open gallery
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
4 Carat Cushion GIA Unheated Untreated Sapphire and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Aliso Viejo, CA
its design and wear ability. The center stone is a 2 carat cushion blue sapphire that has a gorgeous
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Silver
18k White Gold 4 Ct Royal Blue Cushion Cut Sapphire 4 Carats and 2 Baguette Sap.
By Valérie Danenberg
Located in PARIS, FR
Carat Royal Blue Cushion Cut Sapphire 2 Royal Blue Baguette Cut Sapphires: 1.51 Carats
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
4, 03 Carat Natural Purple Sri Lankan Sapphire
By D and A Style
Located in Singapore, SG
so many features: - it's quite big in size - more than 4 carats - it has very beautiful and saturated
Sapphire, Star Sapphire, Purple Sapphire
4 Carat Sapphire 14 Karat White Gold Diamond Ring
Located in Jackson Heights, NY
This classic and astonishing beauty features cushion Mix cut hued blue sapphire that is 9.6 long
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
4 Carat Natural Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring Set in 18K Gold, Cocktail Ring
Located in Orlando, Florida
4 Carat Natural Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring Set in 18K Gold, Cocktail Ring A stunning ring
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
4 Carat Natural Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring Set in 18K Gold, Cocktail Ring
Located in Orlando, Florida
4 Carat Natural Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring Set in 18K Gold, Cocktail Ring A stunning
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
3.50ct Round Diamond & Cushion Cut Sapphire 7 Stone Band in 18KT Gold
Located in New York, NY
• Number of Cushion Sapphires: 3 • Carat Weight 1.88ctw • This 7 stone band is made with 4 alternating
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Neha Dani Purple Sapphire with Green Demantoid Garnets Yellow Gold Kephi Ring
By Neha Dani
Located in New York, NY
The Kephi Ring by Neha Dani resonates joy in a 4 Carat Natural Cushion Purple Sapphire, which is
Garnet, Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cushion Cut 4 Carat Sapphire Ring with Diamond Halo 0.80 Carats Total 18k Gold
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Fine Sapphire = 4 Carat Diamonds = 0.80 Carats ( Color: F, Clarity: VS ) Metal: 18K Gold Ring Size
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Sold
W 0.16 in L 0.2 in
14K Yellow Gold 4/5 Carat Cushion Cut Blue Sapphire Solitaire Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Immerse yourself in the enchanting allure of our 14K Yellow Gold 4/5 Cttw Natural Cushion Cut Blue
Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
4 Carat Vintage Inspired with Step Cut Blue Sapphire Ring Certified
Located in New York, NY
Center Blue Sapphire: Carat Weight: 3.15 Carats Color: Blue Sapphire - Diffused J’adore Sapphire
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Deep Blue Sapphire, Certified Gem, 4, 27 Ct., Loose Gemstone
Located in Kirschweiler, DE
We are delighted to be able to offer for sale, this 4,27 ct. blue Sapphire from our exclusive
Blue Sapphire
Blue Montana Sapphire with Diamond Halo 14K Yellow Gold Engagement Ring AD2219-4
Located in Osprey, FL
♥ A solid 14K gold ring set with a beautiful Montana Sapphire in the center and encircled by a
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K White Gold Sapphire Flush Set Band Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
. Stones: - sapphires, 4 stones - cushion cut - 3.5 mm - approximately 1.76 total carats Ring Size
Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Cushion Mixed-Cut Sapphire 4, 32ct no heat and Diamond Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Centering a cushion mixed-cut sapphire, weighing 4,32 carats, within a round and baguette-cut
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Natural 4 Carat Sapphire Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
This elegant platinum ring is centered with a lovely cushion cut Ceylon sapphire that weighs 4.00ct
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
New 4 Carat Green Amethyst & Diamond Cut Sapphire Sterling Ring
Located in Eagan, MN
The ring is a size 6.25. This stone is from Africa. It is a beautiful cushion cut stone and is 4
Amethyst, Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
New African 4 Carat Blue Green Sapphire Sterling Ring Size 6.25
Located in Eagan, MN
quality stone. The stone is as cushion cut stone and is 4 cts. It is a beautiful design The main
Green Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
Emilio Jewelry Gia Certified Vivid Pink Marquise Diamond
By Emilio!
Located in New York, NY
From Emilio Jewelry, a well known and respected wholesaler/dealer located on New York’s iconic Fifth Avenue, Featuring one of the rarest shapes, combined with the rarest color satur...
Pink Diamond
$3,820
W 0.31 in D 0.2 in L 0.36 in
Certified 3.34 Carat Ceylon Sri Lanka Cushion Natural Blue Sapphire
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Behold the timeless elegance of a 3.34 carat Ceylon Sri Lanka Natural Blue Sapphire, expertly cut into a mesmerizing cushion shape measuring 7.67 by 8.96 by 4.83 millimeters. Sourced...
Blue Sapphire
4.61 Carat Lagoon Blue Tourmaline Cushion Diamond Platinum Earrings - Merkaba
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills presents a refined pair of Lagoon Blue Tourmaline and diamond earrings, handcrafted in platinum for collectors and connoisseurs of rare color. These ele...
Indicolite, Tourmaline, Multi-gemstone, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
1.35 Carat Natural Loose Blue Sapphire Oval Shape Gemstone
Located in Peshawar, PK
Loose Blue Sapphire Weight: 1.35 Carats Dimension: 6.7 x 5.5 x 3.8 Mm Origin: Sri Lanka Treatment: Non Certificate: On Customer Demand Shape : Oval Sapphire, a gemstone of legendar...
Blue Sapphire
14k gold ring with pink sapphire. Marquise sapphire ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14 k solid gold ring with natuaral sapphire, side diamond and sapphires. September birthstone ring. Metal: 14k solid gold Total weight 3 g. depends from size Gemstones (all are tes...
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold
$280Sale Price|29% Off
AJD Exotic Real Pink Sapphire & Real White Zircon Sterling Silver Ring
By Aria Jewelry Design
Located in Raleigh, NC
Fascinating pinky glowing tear drop natural shaped Sapphire - 1.87 carats - 8.3 mm x 6 mm - enhanced with tiny brilliant sparkling little white natural Zircons set in this wonderful ...
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Zircon, Sterling Silver
Unheated 13.12 Carat Ceylon Blue Sapphire, Loose Gemstone, Certified Cushion
By Emeralds Maravellous
Located in US
Unheated 13.12 Carat Ceylon Blue Sapphire, Loose Gemstone, Certified Certified 13.12 Carats Blue Sapphire from Sri Lanka (Ceylon) Gemstone: Natural Sapphire Carat Weight: 13.12 Cara...
Blue Sapphire
Emilio Jewelry GIA Certified 12.00 Carat Light Pure Pink Diamond Ring
By Emilio!
Located in New York, NY
From the Museum Vault at Emilio Jewelry New York, Main stone: Gia certified natural 12.00 carat Light Pink diamond with no overtone. Emilio jewelry specializes in creating masterpie...
Pink Diamond
Timeless Solitaire Ring with 0.83 Ct Pink Sapphire in 18K Yellow Gold For Women
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Showcasing a 0.83 carat pear-cut pink sapphire, this dainty solitaire ring is crafted in luminous 18K yellow gold. The vibrant pink gemstone radiates charm and femininity, making it ...
Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Certified 3.24 Carat Faceted Blue Sapphire Oval Shape Gemstone
Located in Peshawar, PK
Loose Blue Sapphire Weight: 3.24 Carats Dimension: 9.8 x 7.9 x 4.5 Mm Origin: Sri Lanka Treatment: Heated Certificate: Available Sapphire, a gemstone of legendary beauty and end...
Blue Sapphire
2.8 Ct Blue Sapphire & Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Three stone blue sapphire and diamond ring in 18K gold which perfectly goes with your personality. Three stone rings come with deeper meaning, traditionally symbolizing friendship an...
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Spectra Fine Jewelry 130.26 Carat Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Tennis Necklace
By Spectra Fine Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
Presenting a sophisticated statement piece: the Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Tennis Necklace crafted from exquisite natural sapphires and diamonds, set in lustrous 18k white gold. Featuri...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
17 Carat Collector's Cambodian Blue Zircon
Located in Hua Hin, TH
Collectors Item: 17.03 carat Natural Blue Zircon from Ratanakiri, Cambodia. Blue zircons this high quality we have decided to give the title of 'Azure Blue' due to it being imbued wi...
Zircon, Blue Zircon
A Pair of Rare Late Georgian Diamond Earrings
Located in London, GB
A pair of late Georgian open-work diamond drop earrings, set with three graduating old brilliant-cut diamonds, the principal pear shaped diamonds weighing approximately 3.5 carats th...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
4.15 Carat Grey Blue Ceylon Spinel Three Stone Platinum Ring – Merkaba Jewelry
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An ultra exclusive three stone masterpiece, this 4.15 carat grey blue Ceylon Spinel ring is crafted in platinum and designed for collectors who value rarity, precision, and refined c...
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Spinel, Platinum
$5,018
W 0.25 in D 0.14 in L 0.32 in
Natural Blue Sapphire Gemstone 1.56 carats with GIA Report / JupiterGem
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Discover the timeless elegance of Natural Blue Sapphire, expertly cut into a classic cushion shape. This exquisite gemstone, known for its rich blue hue, is perfect for those who app...
Blue Sapphire
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.
On 1stDibs, shop the bright blue gems that star in sapphire rings, sapphire necklaces and other vintage and antique sapphire jewelry.
Sapphires — the stone of choice for Napoleon, Princess Diana and Elizabeth Taylor — have been a favorite of aristocrats and the well-to-do since the time of the Ancient Greeks.
Picture a sapphire. If the stone you conjure is a deep cornflower blue, you’re seeing only part of the picture. Although blue Kashmirs are considered the most valuable, sapphires come in every color except red. No matter the hue, this very special gem is rich in history and beloved by royals (FYI, Princess Diana and Kate Middleton share an 11-carat sapphire engagement ring), so September babies are in very noble company.
America’s version of royalty — old money and celebrities — have also shown a predilection for the blue stones. In 1940, John D. Rockefeller Jr. had Cartier mount a 62-carat sapphire he had bought from an Indian maharajah in a brooch for his first wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller; in 2001, the piece sold for a then-record of $3,031,000 at Christie’s New York.
The grand dame of jewelry, Elizabeth Taylor had a passion for the gems that her lovers were happy to indulge. Second husband Michael Wilding gave her an engagement ring set with a cabochon sapphire, while Richard Burton famously presented her with a BVLGARI sautoir set with diamonds and sapphires, including at its center a cabochon Burmese weighing 52.72 carats. One of the star lots in the sale of Taylor’s jewels at the Christie’s New York in 2011, it sold for $5,906,500.
You don’t have to have blue blood or a bulging bank account, however, to get an eyeful of this much-coveted gem. A number of outstanding examples reside in public collections.
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History owns the 423-carat Logan sapphire, a gift from the Guggenheim family, and the Hall sapphire and diamond necklace, designed by Harry Winston and featuring 36 fine, well-matched cushion-cut Sri Lankan sapphires weighing a combined 195 carats. Also in the collection is the Bismarck sapphire necklace, designed by Cartier and sporting a central sapphire weighing 98.6 carats, which Mona Von Bismarck donated to the museum.
Sapphires are composed of corundum. Their color derives from trace elements, such as iron, titanium, chromium, copper or magnesium. When the trace element produces a ruby hue, the stone is called, what else, a ruby. (which is, as mentioned above, why sapphires cannot be red by definition).
The allure of large gemstones endures throughout the periods characterized as vintage, and sapphire features frequently in vintage engagement rings. (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.)
Find an exquisite collection of vintage and antique sapphire jewelry on 1stDibs.
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.
Ancient Egyptians referred to the vibrant stone as the “gem of the sun.”
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Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.