Skip to main content

Alex Sepkus Sapphire Rings

Alex Sepkus "Candy" Dome Ring with Blue and Purple Sapphires in Platinum
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - antiqued platinum "Candy" dome style ring. What could
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Platinum

Alex Sepkus Blue Sapphire and Diamond 18K Gold Cocktail Ring 1.99 Carat
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold ring with stunning oval shaped
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alex Sepkus "Candy" Dome Ring with Blue Sapphires and Green Tsavorite Garnets
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Candy" dome style ring. What
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Garnet, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alex Sepkus "Little Windows" Dome Ring with Blue Sapphires in 18 Karat Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Little Windows" dome style ring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alex Sepkus Orchard Ring with Blue Sapphire and Green Tsavorite, 18 Karat Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Orchard" ring with four round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Alex Sepkus Dome Ring with Pink and Orange Sapphires in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold dome style ring with shimmering
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alex Sepkus "Candy" Dome Ring with Pink and Orange Sapphires in 18 Karat Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Candy" dome style ring. What
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alex Sepkus "Five Seed" Dome Ring with Blue Sapphire and Diamonds in 18k Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Five Seed" dome band style ring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alex Sepkus "The Big Sleep" Dome Ring with Blue Sapphire in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
you love and expect from Alex Sepkus. Two bezel set blue sapphires sparkle in 18 karat oxidized
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alex Sepkus 'Little Windows' Diamond Dome Ring 18K Yellow Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Dallas, TX
18K Sapphire and Diamond "Little Windows" Dome Ring The ring features 9 white diamonds. (0.14ct
Category

2010s American Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

ALEX ŠEPKUS Estate 18k Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
A beautiful sapphire and diamond ring by jeweler, Alex Šepkus. This stunning piece is crafted in
Category

20th Century Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold

Recent Sales

Alex Sepkus Old Pathway Sapphire and Diamond Ring
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Dallas, TX
18k Gold Alex Sepkus Asymmetrical Face Ring with 6 Sapphires weighing .32ctw and 5 Diamonds
Category

2010s American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Alex Sepkus Gold Sapphire and Diamond Dome Ring
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Dallas, TX
Alex Sepkus 18K Sapphire, and Diamond "Little Windows Dome Ring with .9 white diamonds (0.14ct), 4
Category

2010s American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Alex Sepkus Diamond and Sapphire Band
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Dallas, TX
Alex Sepkus Ring in 18kt Yellow Gold with Round Bezel set Sapphires .36cts and Round Bezel set
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Alex Sepkus Old Pathway Ring
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Dallas, TX
18ky Gold Alex Sepkus Assymetrical Face Ring with 6 sapphires weighing .32 carats and 5 diamonds
Category

2010s American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Alex Sepkus Sapphire Eastern European design diamond gold Ring
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Dallas, TX
Classic Alex Sepkus design inspired by Eastern European design. Beautiful salon sapphires with
Category

2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Alex Sepkus Sapphire Ruby Diamond Gold Eternity Band Ring
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Stamford, CT
Authentic Alex Sepkus Eternity band ring with nice full cut diamonds, Sapphires and Rubies. 4
Category

1990s Band Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alex Sepkus 1.58 Carat Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat Gold Dragon Ring
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Philadelphia, PA
signed Alex Sepkus and stamped 1.52 and 750 for 18 karat gold Ring Size: 7 & Sizable Top measures 8.3
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Alex Sepkus Tsavorite, Sapphire and Diamond "Orchard" Ring 18k Yellow Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Dallas, TX
Alex Sepkus "Orchard" Ring crafted in 18K Yellow Gold and set with three Tsavorite Garnets (green
Category

2010s American Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alex Sepkus 'Little Pool' Diamonds and Sapphires Ring 18K Yellow Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Dallas, TX
18K Yellow Gold, Diamond and Sapphire "Little Pool" Ring The ring features 2 diamonds. (0.02ctw
Category

2010s American Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alex Sepkus Carved Collection Gemstone and Yellow Gold Ring
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Litchfield, CT
highly detailed ring from renowned designer Alex Sepkus is set with sapphires, rubies, and diamonds
Category

1990s American Band Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Alex Sepkus Blue Sapphire Ruby Diamond 18 Karat Gold Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Accented by gold beading Fully signed Alex Sepkus and stamped 750 for 18 karat gold Ring Size: 8 3/4
Category

Late 20th Century American Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Alex Sepkus Contemporary 1.80 Carat Diamond Multi-Sapphire 18 Karat Gold Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Matte gold surround and shank Fully signed Alex Sepkus and stamped 750 for 18 karat gold From his
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Alex Sepkus Blue Sapphire Emerald Ruby Diamond 18 Karat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Fully signed Alex Sepkus and stamped 750 for 18 karat gold Ring Size: 5 1/4 & sizable Top measures: 10
Category

Early 20th Century Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alex Sepkus Sapphire and Diamond Ring
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Dallas, TX
18k Alex Sepkus Constellation Dome ring has .18ct Diamonds and .72ct multi-color Sapphires.
Category

2010s American Modern Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold

Alex Sepkus Yellow Gold and Sapphire Candy Ring
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Dallas, TX
Sapphires and Diamonds have never looked better than In Sepkus’ “Candy” Dome ring. The Ring
Category

2010s American Dome Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Alex Sepkus Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Dallas, TX
18K, Sapphire and Diamond Ring, 8 sapph and/or tsav (Any mix of color) (app. 1.00ct.), 7 dias
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alex Sepkus Sapphire and Diamond 'Candy' Ring 18K Yellow Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Dallas, TX
18K Yellow gold 6 Sapphires .50ctw 9 Diamonds .12ctw 'Candy' Ring
Category

2010s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alex Sepkus Blue Sapphire and Diamond 18 Karat Gold Cocktail Ring 1.75 Carat
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold ring with stunning oval shaped
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Red Tourmaline Sapphire Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning Alex Sepkus Ring in 18kt Yellow Gold. Center bezel set 7.04ct Red Tourmaline, .50cts bezel
Category

2010s American Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold

Alex Sepkus Candy Band
Located in San Francisco, CA
Fun and flirty, the 18k gold ring is one of the most popular styles from famed designer Alex Sepkus
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Alex Sepkus Purple Sapphire Gold Ring
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Greenwich, CT
Cocktail ring, centering on a cushion-cut natural purple sapphire weighing approximately 7.12
Category

1990s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Unique 1.49 Carat Cornflower Blue Sapphire Platinum Alex Sepkus Ring
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Pikesville, MD
Hand made by high-end New York jewelry designer, Alex Sepkus, this platinum solitaire brushed and
Category

Early 2000s American Solitaire Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Platinum

People Also Browsed

21st Century GIA Opal Diamond Cocktail Platinum Ring
Located in Miami, FL
This stunning diamond and opal cocktail ring is crafted in solid platinum, weighing 10.3 grams and measures 24mm x 13mm high. Showcasing a prominent four-prong set cosmic GIA certif...
Category

Vintage 1970s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Platinum

Alex Sepkus "Cross" Pendant Necklace with Tsavorite Garnet and Diamonds in Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Cross" pendant necklace with one vivid green tsavorite garnet and five brilliant white diamonds. Hand-hammered 18 k...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

17 Carat Blue Sapphire Oval Cabochon Gold Full Cut Round Diamonds Cocktail Ring
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
17 Carat Blue Sapphire Oval Cab ring ( 17,5 mm x 13 mm ) set with 3,3 grams of 14 kt white gold. 12 round full cut diamonds of 0,05 ct. each = 0,6 ct total diamonds weight Ring Shan...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold

Vintage Cartier 18k Ring, Big Ellipse with Amethyst
By Cartier
Located in Berlin, BE
Indulge in the timeless beauty and opulence of the Vintage Cartier 18K Ring with Big Ellipse Amethyst. Crafted by the esteemed Cartier brand in 1993, this exquisite piece is a true t...
Category

1990s French Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Amethyst, 18k Gold

Very Fine Heart Shaped 10.5 TCW Peridot Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful, estate 10.5 TCW heart shaped peridot, diamond and 14K yellow gold ring 20th Century The heart shaped peridot of very fine quality- excellent color, cut, clarity and substa...
Category

20th Century Romantic Engagement Rings

Materials

Peridot, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Hermes Birkin Limited Edition 35 Diamond Bordeaux Porosus Crocodile Bag
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an exceptional limited edition Hermes Birkin 35 Diamond Porosus Crocodile bag featured in stunning jewel-toned Bordeaux. This rare masterpiece features 18K White Go...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Art Deco Inspired Diamond Sapphire Platinum Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Center Stone: Diamond Cut: Round Brilliant Cut Weight: 0.97 Carat Color: J Clarity: SI Accent Stone: 40 Sapphires Cut: Calibre Cut Weight: Approximately 0.5 Carats Color: Blue Accent...
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

18k Gold Squared Ruby & Diamond Teardrop Shaped Cluster Pendant Necklace + Chain
Located in เกาะสมุย, TH
This wonderful piece is a neo- vintage and has never been worn. This beautiful piece is crafted in Thailand using 18K yellow gold. The piece is adorned with numerous squared pinkish-...
Category

20th Century Thai Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

14K Gold Cocktail Ring, Art Deco Style 13 Ct. Emerald and Moissanite Stone
Located in ISTANBUL, TR
Art Deco Style 13 Ct. Emerald and Diamond Stone 14K Gold Cocktail Ring This ring was made with quality materials and excellent handwork. I guarantee the quality assurance of my hand...
Category

2010s Turkish Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold

Art Deco Style 4.5 Ct. Aquamarine and Green Sapphire 14K Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in ISTANBUL, TR
Art Deco Style 4.5 Ct. Aquamarine and Green Sapphire 14K Gold Cocktail Ring This ring was made with quality materials and excellent handwork. I guarantee the quality assurance of my...
Category

2010s Turkish Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Green Sapphire, 14k Gold

Handcrafted Polish-Finished Textured Cocktail Green Amethyst Ring
By I. Reiss
Located in Great Neck, NY
14 Karat Yellow Gold Hand-Crafted Polish and Texture-Finished Cocktail Ring, Centered with a 8.75ct Semi-Precious Green Amethyst Color Stone and Accented with 0.03 Carats of Bezel Se...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger 3.92 Carat Step-Cut Engagement Ring
By Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger GIA Certified 3.92 Carat E Color Diamond Ring. A stunning ring made by Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. The center diamond is a square emerald-cut, E color, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Handmade Art Deco Platinum Ring 4.11 Ct Old Mine Cut Diamond – I/VS2 GIA
Located in New York, NY
This elegant handmade Art Deco ring features a stunning 4.11-carat Old Mine cut diamond, ( Dating pre-1900’s) graded I color and VS2 clarity (GIA certified). The platinum setting, cr...
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Edwardian GIA 3.92ctw Platinum Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian GIA Shy 4.0ctw OLD EUROPEAN Diamond Engagement Antique Platinum Ring Edwardian Rings represent some of the finest examples of diamond, platinum jewelry in existence. Edwar...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Dalben Lightning Ridge Opal Rose Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18 kt rose gold matte finishing ring with a 3,31 carat bezel-set oval deep blue lovely Lightning Ridge Australian Opal . The stone has deep blue green...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold

Natural Australian 10.97ct Black Opal and Diamonds Cocktail Ring 18K Yellow Gold
By Opal Minded
Located in Sydney, AU
The gem at the centre of the "Contrarian" opal ring is an exquisitely unusual black opal (10.97ct) from Lightning Ridge in Australia. It showcases a rare natural marriage of two colo...
Category

2010s Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Alex Sepkus Sapphire Rings", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Alex Sepkus Sapphire Rings For Sale on 1stDibs

Find an expansive variety of alex sepkus sapphire rings available on 1stDibs. All of the items for sale were constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold. Find a collection of 8 vintage versions or 23 modern creations for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Our inventory has long been popular, and it includes earlier versions that date to the 20th Century and newer variations that were made as recently as the 21st Century. The designs in our inventory of alex sepkus sapphire rings bearing Contemporary or Modern hallmarks are very popular. Versions of these items have been a part of the life’s work for many jewelers, but those produced by Alex Sepkus are consistently popular. A selection of round cut and oval cut can be found today on these pages. There aren’t many items for men in our collection of alex sepkus sapphire rings, as most of the options available are for women.

How Much are Alex Sepkus Sapphire Rings?

On average, alex sepkus sapphire rings at 1stDibs sell for $4,035, while they’re typically $1,450 on the low end and $12,990 for the highest priced versions of this item.

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 Sapphire in Jewelry Design

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 ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.)  

Find an exquisite collection of vintage and antique sapphire jewelry on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Rings for You

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 ringsvintage 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.