14k Yellow Gold Simple Burnished High Bezel Set Ruby Ring
Located in Fairfield, CT
with a round faceted ruby, approximately 0.23 CTS, set into a high bezel and finished with ridged
Late 20th Century Fashion Rings
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14k Yellow Gold Simple Burnished High Bezel Set Ruby Ring
Located in Fairfield, CT
with a round faceted ruby, approximately 0.23 CTS, set into a high bezel and finished with ridged
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,000Sale Price|20% Off
Ruby & Bezel Set Diamond Ring in Platinum
Located in Bloomington, MN
Ruby & Bezel Set Diamond Ring in Platinum Introducing this beautiful ring crafted in 950pt
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Cellini 6.27ct Baguette & Calibre Ruby Ring with Bezel Set Diamond
Located in New York, NY
single G color round brilliant bezel set diamond, expertly set in 18 karat yellow gold. Ruby total carat
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
David Webb 18KYG/Platinum Cushion Ruby Bezel Set Diamond Ring
By David Webb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
ring is a beautiful bezel set ~8.50 carat cushion Burma No Heat ruby; accompanied with an AGL
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
0.75 Carat Round Ruby Bezel Set Diamond Ring Platinum in Stock
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Platinum 0.75ct Round Ruby Bezel Set Diamond Ring This stunning Ruby Diamond Platinum Ring is in
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Cushion Cut Natural Ruby Ring (Approx. 0.9-Carats) & Diamond Bezel-Set, Platinum
Located in New York, NY
ruby, securely bezel-set at its center. Encircling the vibrant ruby, a delicate array of pavé-set
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Bezel Set Oval Shape Ruby Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18K White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Oval Cut Ruby Cocktail ring in 18K Gold which perfectly goes with your personality and also helps
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
$1,296Sale Price / item|20% Off
Modern Natural 1.38Ct Emerald Cut Ruby Bezel Set Solitaire Ring 14K Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
while maintaining a refined, minimalist profile. and securely set in a sleek bezel setting. The ring
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,600Sale Price / item|20% Off
Modern 1.38Ct Natural Emerald Cut Ruby Bezel Set Solitaire Ring 18K Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
while maintaining a refined, minimalist profile. and securely set in a sleek bezel setting. The ring
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Annellino Italian Fine Jewellery Ruby Bezel Set 18kt Yellow Gold Signet Ring
By Annellino Fine Jewellery
Located in London, GB
and bezel setting of the 0.50ct Natural Ruby stone is what set us apart as a workshop. Our fifth
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
VR Jewels 1.52Ct Octagon Cut Ruby Bezel Set Signet Ring in 14k Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
this Vintage-Style Bezel Set Octagon-Cut Ruby Signet Ring features a captivating 1.52 ct ruby
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.10ctw Round Ruby Bezel Set 14k Yellow Gold Eternity Band
Located in Houston, TX
This beautiful eternity band features 1.10 carat total weight in round rubies bezel set in 14 karat
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Rose Gold Oval Cut Natural Ruby and Bezel Set Diamond Ribbed Stackable Ring
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
18K rose gold Ruby and Diamond ring. Set with natural gemstones and glistening 18k solid gold
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
RUCHI Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Bezel-Set Eternity Band
By Ruchi New York
Located in New York, NY
18K Yellow Gold Ruby: 4.04ct total weight Diamond: 0.29ct total weight All diamonds are G-H/ SI
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
Diamond & Ruby Alternating Eternity Band, Bezel & Prong-Set, Platinum
Located in New York, NY
cut diamonds, creating a striking rhythm of color and sparkle. The rubies are bezel set with fine
Platinum
Antique 10k Triple Band Ruby Sapphire Diamond ring. Gypsy Diamond bezel set into
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
: Minimalist Very unique Mens or Womens ring/band. Triple gem with Rubies Sapphires and Diamonds set into
Dalben Oval Rose Cut Slice Ruby Yellow Gold Ring
By Laura Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a Kind 18k yellow gold matte finishing ring with a 1,78 carat bezel-set oval
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1987 Lockwood High School Class Graduation ring. 10k Gold with LC ruby diamond
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
: Gold Style: Art Deco Beautiful Oval Cut Ruby ring bezel set with tiny diamonds 1987 Lockwood High
10k Gold
1970 Lincoln University Missouri Alumni Class Graduation ring. 10k Gold
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
: Art deco Beautiful round Cut Ruby ring bezel set 1970 Lincoln University Missouri Class ring. You
10k Gold
Ruby Zoisite Rectangular Bezel Set Sterling Silver Statement Ring
Located in Tucson, AZ
A beautiful natural ruby zoisite cabochon was bezel set in sterling silver to make this one of a
Ruby, Sterling Silver
18k Gold 0.70ct Bezel Set Ruby with 0.36ct Round cut Diamond Wide Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
18k White Gold 0.70ct Bezel Set Ruby with 0.36ct Round cut Diamond Wide Band Ring Metal: 18K White
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Princess Cut Gemstone Solitaire Rings, Bezel Set Dainty Gemstone Ring, 18k Gold
Located in New York, NY
solid gold. Bezel set center stones, these rings are handmade from start to finish. The bezel setting is
Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Unavailable
Platinum Ruby and Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
Platinum vintage style three stone bezel set ruby and diamond ring with milgrain detail, featuring
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Unavailable
Platinum Three-Stone Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
Platinum vintage style three stone bezel set ruby and diamond ring with milgrain detail, featuring
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Unavailable
Platinum Three-Stone Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
Platinum vintage style three stone bezel set ruby and diamond ring with milgrain detail, featuring
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Bezel-Set Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold/White Gold Ring
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
18k yellow and white gold ring, set with three emerald cut rubies and four round brilliant diamonds
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Cabochon Ruby and Diamond Bezel Set Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
: H Clarity: I1 Dimensions: ring top measures 9.85mm wide Ring Size: 6.5 (please allow two extra
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Tiffany & Co. 2.20ct Star Ruby Solitaire 18 Karat Gold Bezel Set Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage Tiffany & Co. Star Ruby Solitaire 18 Karat Gold Bezel Set Ring. Featuring one cabochon
Ruby, Star Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage Tiffany & Co. 2.20ct Star Ruby Solitaire 18 Karat Gold Bezel Set Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage Tiffany & Co. Star Ruby Solitaire 18 Karat Gold Bezel Set Ring. Featuring one cabochon
Ruby, Star Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Roman Malakov 2.06 Carats Round Cut Burmese Ruby Bezel-Set Men's Fashion Ring
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
A stylish men's fashion ring, featuring a 2.06 carats round cut pigeon's blood Burmese ruby, bezel
Ruby, Rose Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold
18 Karat White Gold Pave Ruby and Bezel Set Diamond Concave Cigar Band
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Clarity: SI1 Dimensions: ring top measures 18.91mm wide Ring Size: 6.5 (complimentary sizing available
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chaumet Emerald Ruby Gold Ring
By Chaumet
Located in Southampton, PA
18K yellow gold band is accentuated with only two gemstones- a bezel-set emerald and ruby. Ring Size
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Lion Ruby Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
are simulated by two bezel-set rubies weighing approximately 0.02 carats. Ring weighs 16.7 grams
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Three Stone Bezel Set Ruby Cabchon Ring
Located in Fairfield, CT
color rubies, approximately 4.01 TCW and bezel set. Marks: 14k Dimensions: 5/8" across the top x 5/16
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 14k Ruby Ring. Bezel set Triple Ruby ring. 14k yellow gold and Trio
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Color: Gold Style: Art Deco Antique ring. Beautiful find. Round Ruby bezel set into a wide band. Three
Yellow Gold
1.48 Ct. Bezel Set Star Ruby Cabochon, Yellow & White Gold Engraved Band Ring
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This original ring features a 1.48 carat star ruby cabochon set in a beautifully hand-engraved 18k
Ruby, Star Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Burma Cabochon Ruby 4 Carat 14 Karat Yellow Gold Bezel Set Size 6 Ring
By OGI Ltd
Located in New York, NY
and exceptional quality. Set in a lustrous 14-karat yellow gold bezel, this ring seamlessly combines
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bezel Set Pink Sapphire and Ruby Ring in 14 Karat Rose Gold with Milgrain
By Sunita Nahata
Located in Hong Kong, HK
your everyday look. Fancy ruby and pink sapphire ring in 14K rose gold, bezel set with milgrain
Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
GRS Certified 6.2 Carat Ruby & Diamond Bezel Set 14K Gold Gypsy Style Mens Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Ruby with H(b) treatment. The bezel set ruby is surrounded by high-quality diamonds, totaling
Ruby, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
East West Bezel Set Ruby Band Ring with Beaded Detail in 22 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
gold band ring. Featuring an oval-cut natural ruby set in an east-west orientation, this ring is a
Ruby, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14K Gold Emerald, Ruby and Diamond Bezel Set Bands
Located in Los Angeles, CA
. Circa 1960's Two of each rubies, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds round brilliant cut all weigh ~ 1
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
25 Pointer Each 3 Ct Natural Ruby Cabochon Anniversary Eternity Band/Ring 18KYG
Located in New York, NY
20 Pointer Each 3Ct Natural Ruby Cabochon Anniversary Eternity Band/Ring 18KYG Full Bezel set
Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
25 Pointer Each 3 Ct Natural Ruby Cabochon Anniversary Eternity Band/Ring 18KYG
Located in New York, NY
20 Pointer Each 3Ct Natural Ruby Cabochon Anniversary Eternity Band/Ring 18KYG Full Bezel set
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
POIRAY PARIS Gold and Ruby Ring
By Poiray
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat gold and bezel set ruby ring by French jeweler, Poiray, Rue de la Paix, Paris. The
Ruby, 18k Gold
Maini Gioielli Ruby Two Color Gold Bezel Set Filigree Floral Ring
By Maini Gioielli
Located in Dallas, TX
For the woman who loves wide rings, this elegant and royally fashionable ring designed by Italian
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Italian Designed Ruby Two Color Gold Bezel Set Ring, Hand Engraved Finish
By Maini Gioielli
Located in Dallas, TX
rather royal. The Italian designer, Maini Gioielli, bezel set seven round brilliant cut rubies with a
Ruby, 18k Gold
Bangle Bracelet 14k Yellow Gold Classic Model with Secure Bucket Clasp
Located in Heemstede, NL
Elevate your jewelry collection with this exquisite pre-loved 14-carat yellow gold bangle bracelet. This classic and timeless piece features a sleek bucket clasp for secure wear. Cla...
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Ruby and Old Cut Diamond 18 Carat Yellow Gold Five-Stone Ring, 1911
Located in London, GB
This beautiful ring features 3 round rubies accompanied by two old cut diamonds all mounted in a classic original Edwardian 18 carat yellow gold setting. English hallmarks- 1911. UK...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14k White Gold & Old Mine Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Edwardian gold and diamond engagement ring. In 14k white gold. With a ca. 0.82 ct. Old Mine cut white diamond center set and flanked by 6 small round single cut diam...
Diamond, White Gold
GIANNI VERSACE COUTURE S/S 2000 Purple Silk Blouse with Swarovski BUTTONS Y2K
By Gianni Versace Couture
Located in Switzerland, CH
Beautiful GIANNI VERSACE COUTURE SS 2000 silk blouse Finest purple silk Versace SS 2000 Jungle Collection Extremely versatile Sexy deep cleavage Swarovski crystal buttons Made in ...
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 37
New Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL Lotus Heels Final Collection 2004 Sz 37
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Yves Saint Laurent Heels Brand New * Tom Ford Lotus Runway Ad Heels * This was his last collection for Yves Saint Laurent. He was inspired by the Chinese Collection of 1977... His Fi...
Art deco platinum diamond and sapphire ring
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
Art deco platinum diamond and sapphire ring 18 old and 8/8 cut diamond total approx. 0.80 ctv G-I / VS-P, ring size 16.5 mm US size 6, weight 3 grams.
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Christian Lacroix Jeans Vintage Embroidered Heart Denim Jacket & Trousers
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Nice, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX JEANS vintage grey distressed denim jacket and trousers featuring amazing embroidered hearts. The jacket features : - Grey distressed denim featuring a large embro...
$3,430Sale Price / item|30% Off
Galaxy Confetti Diamond Cigar Band, 8.4mm in 14 Karat Yellow Gold, 1 Carat
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
This stunning Galaxy satin finished 14k yellow gold flush set cigar band dripping with diamonds is from our Confetti Collection. The cigar band shape and the creative setting of the ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Tom Ford for Gucci Black Python Skin Jeweled Dragon Bamboo Chain Shoulder Bag
By Tom Ford, Gucci
Located in Montgomery, TX
Tom Ford for Gucci Limited Edition Runway Python Dragon Brooch Shoulder Bag F/W 2004 Runway Collection Elegant black python skin shoulder bag with gold-tone bamboo double chain shoul...
1940s French Set of Diamond and Burma No Heat Ruby Necklace and Earrings
Located in New York, NY
1940's French Diamond and Ruby Necklace and Earrings Set The necklace has approximately 75ct of rubies and 40-42ct of diamonds all set in Platinum, and the clasps are white gold. The...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
On Hold|$13,065
Size: Fr 40 - IT 44 - UK 12
Alexander McQueen Autumn-Winter 2001 black silk and lace evening dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
Alexander McQueen Autumn-Winter 2001 black silk and lace evening dress - drop waist - low back - black lace skirt, yoke and collar
Roman Malakov 61.96 Carats Pear Shape Yellow & White Diamond Riviera Necklace
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
A well-crafted necklace, showcasing 28 pear shape yellow diamonds weighing 32.31 carats total and 28 pear shape diamonds weighing 29.65 carats total. Yellow diamonds are set on a fiv...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold
Antique 18ct Gold Victorian Ruby & Diamond Band Ring, Hallmarked Birmingham 1890
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Gypsy Ring 18ct Gold Hallmarked Hallmarked Birmingham 1890 Step back in time with this exquisite 18ct yellow gold Victorian gypsy ring, a true embodiment of timeless eleg...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
GIA Certified 2.40 Carat Natural Ruby and Diamond Ring Made in Platinum
Located in Tokyo, JP
A beautiful Ring made in Platinum featuring a GIA Certified 2.40 Carat Natural Ruby and 0.52 Carat Diamonds. Rubies are referred to as "Ratnaraj" in Sanskrit meaning the King of Gems...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
$8,252
Size: FR 42 - UK 14
Vivienne Westwood purple silk taffeta mermaid skirt and corset top, c. 1997
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
Vivienne Westwood Couture purple silk taffeta evening ensemble. High waisted hip hugging mermaid maxi skirt and pleated corset top with lace up fastening. c. 1997
Christian Dior by John Galliano Blue Crochet and Chainmail Dress, SS 2001
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
This Christian Dior dress from the Spring-Summer 2001 collection, designed by John Galliano, combines hand-crocheted textile with industrial chainmail, reflecting the designer’s fusi...
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.
This deep red gem is the color of heat and passion — vintage and antique ruby jewelry is perfect for those born in the middle of summer.
Rubies are one of the few gemstones that can give diamonds a run for their money. Just consider the Van Cleef & Arpels “scarf” necklace the Duke of Windsor presented to the Duchess on her 40th birthday, in 1936 — set with diamonds and dripping with rubies, a testament to the deep-red gemstone’s power — or the slippers encrusted with 4,600 rubies that Harry Winston made to commemorate The Wizard of Oz’s golden anniversary. July babies have permission to adorn themselves with this beautiful red stone even when it’s not their birthday.
Rubies are considered precious stones — along with diamonds, sapphires and emeralds — and have a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs Scale, surpassed only by Moissanite and diamonds. They are composed of corundum, a colorless mineral that is also the basic material of sapphires. In the July birthstone, the red of the gemstone — and the various hues seen in sapphires — are produced by the presence of trace elements. In the case of a ruby, this element is chromium. Rubies range in color from vermilion to a violet red. They are also pleochroic, which means that a stone’s hue can vary depending on the direction of viewing. The most sought-after color is pigeon’s blood: pure red with a hint of blue.
Rubies that are hosted in dolomite marble are the most prized: Because the marble is low in iron, so are the rubies, resulting in a more intense color. Rubies found in basalt, which has a higher iron content, are generally darker and less intense.
When shopping for antique and vintage ruby jewelry, remember that the 4Cs of selecting the perfect diamond — color, clarity, cut and carat — also apply to rubies.
According to the Gemological Institute of America, the color of the July birthstone should be a vibrant to slightly purplish red, and the stone should be clear and inclusion-free. Accordingly, the cut should show off its color and clarity. As for the last criterion, fine rubies more than a carat in weight are rare. Often, large rubies are more expensive than diamonds of comparable weights.
Find a collection of ruby necklaces, ruby rings and other accessories 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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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.