Skip to main content

Color Change Star Sapphire

Vintage Platinum AGL 18.69ctw Color Change Star Sapphire Diamond Sides Ring
Vintage Platinum AGL 18.69ctw Color Change Star Sapphire Diamond Sides Ring

Vintage Platinum AGL 18.69ctw Color Change Star Sapphire Diamond Sides Ring

Located in Montclair, NJ

--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Star Sapphire - Oval Cabochon Cut - Prong Set - Most Desirable Color Change - Blue to Purple Pink Color - No Heat - Ceylon - 17.80ct (exact) ** See ...

Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Natural Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum

GIA Certified 7.6 Carat Color Change Star Sapphire & Diamond 14K Gold Men's Ring
GIA Certified 7.6 Carat Color Change Star Sapphire & Diamond 14K Gold Men's Ring

GIA Certified 7.6 Carat Color Change Star Sapphire & Diamond 14K Gold Men's Ring

Located in Miami, FL

GIA Certified 7.60 carat no heat color change star sapphire bezel set men's ring in 14K solid yellow gold with 1.10 carat round diamond accents.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Purple Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Platinum AGL 15.79ctw No Heat Color Change Star Sapphire w/ Diamond Halo Ring
Platinum AGL 15.79ctw No Heat Color Change Star Sapphire w/ Diamond Halo Ring

Platinum AGL 15.79ctw No Heat Color Change Star Sapphire w/ Diamond Halo Ring

Located in Montclair, NJ

--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Star Sapphire - Oval Double Cabochon Cut - Prong Set - Strong Color Change - Violet Blue to Purple Pink Color - No Heat - Good Star - 14.01ct (exact...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Star Sapphire, Platinum

10.50 Carat Color-Change Star Sapphire Diamond Platinum Ring
10.50 Carat Color-Change Star Sapphire Diamond Platinum Ring

10.50 Carat Color-Change Star Sapphire Diamond Platinum Ring

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

A fine and rare sapphire exhibiting two phenomena, color-change and asterism (star-effect)!

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Star Sapphire, Platinum

20.38 Carat Color-Change Star Sapphire Diamond Platinum Ring
20.38 Carat Color-Change Star Sapphire Diamond Platinum Ring

20.38 Carat Color-Change Star Sapphire Diamond Platinum Ring

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

It is a large 20.38 carat star sapphire which also has color change, two unique phenomena!

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Star Sapphire, Platinum

Platinum No Heat Color Change Star Sapphire w/ Baguette Diamond Ring
Platinum No Heat Color Change Star Sapphire w/ Baguette Diamond Ring

Platinum No Heat Color Change Star Sapphire w/ Baguette Diamond Ring

Located in Montclair, NJ

--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Star Sapphire - Oval Double Cabochon Cut - Prong Set - Color Change - Blue to Purple Color - No Heat - 100% Natural - 3.34ct (exact) (20) Natural Ge...

Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Platinum 6.83ctw GIA No Heat Burma Color Change Star Sapphire Pear Diamond Ring
Platinum 6.83ctw GIA No Heat Burma Color Change Star Sapphire Pear Diamond Ring

Platinum 6.83ctw GIA No Heat Burma Color Change Star Sapphire Pear Diamond Ring

Located in Montclair, NJ

--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Star Sapphire - Double Cabochon Cut - Prong Set - Blue Changing to Violet Color - No Heat - Burma - Nice star - 4.15ct (exact) ** See Certification ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

GIA Certified 49.73 Carat No Heat Color Change Star Sapphire Diamonds Ring 18kt
GIA Certified 49.73 Carat No Heat Color Change Star Sapphire Diamonds Ring 18kt

GIA Certified 49.73 Carat No Heat Color Change Star Sapphire Diamonds Ring 18kt

Located in New York, NY

Sugarloaf Raised Star, Crowned Mount GIA Certified 49.73ct. Natural Blue Sapphire ring GIA Certified Report ID: 2205404232 18.24 X 15.53 X 16.08mm Prime Cabochon Natural Color ...

Category

2010s American Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 8.08ct Star Sapphire Ring
Art Deco 8.08ct Star Sapphire Ring

Art Deco 8.08ct Star Sapphire Ring

Located in Litchfield, CT

SIZE: Ring size 7 WEIGHT: 7.2 grams STONES: 8.08 carat no-heat, Ceylon, color change, star sapphire. Color change from light blue to light purple. 1.50 carats total weigh...

Category

Vintage 1920s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Star Sapphire, 18k Gold

PURPLE PINK NATURAL STAR SAPPHIRE RING 17 CT! GIA CERTIFIED NO HEAT! Sri Lanka!
PURPLE PINK NATURAL STAR SAPPHIRE RING 17 CT! GIA CERTIFIED NO HEAT! Sri Lanka!

PURPLE PINK NATURAL STAR SAPPHIRE RING 17 CT! GIA CERTIFIED NO HEAT! Sri Lanka!

Located in Galveston, TX

*HUGE* ~17 CARAT NATURAL COLOR-CHANGE PINK - PURPLE STAR SAPPHIRE WITH 6 RAYS!

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Star Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold

Art Deco 1940 Designer Cocktail Ring 14Kt Gold with 47.24 Cts Blue Star Sapphire
Art Deco 1940 Designer Cocktail Ring 14Kt Gold with 47.24 Cts Blue Star Sapphire

Art Deco 1940 Designer Cocktail Ring 14Kt Gold with 47.24 Cts Blue Star Sapphire

Located in Miami, FL

Mount in the center, with a round cabochon cut (18 x 18 x 13.5 mm) of a natural color changing grayish-violetish-bluish star sapphire of 47.24 carats.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Star Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold

Recent Sales

Art Deco 25 Carat GIA Cert No Heat Color Change Star Sapphire Platinum Ring
Art Deco 25 Carat GIA Cert No Heat Color Change Star Sapphire Platinum Ring

Art Deco 25 Carat GIA Cert No Heat Color Change Star Sapphire Platinum Ring

Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

This ring has layers of interest, even beyond its stunning art deco design. Hand made of platinum, with a subtle double frame of diamonds and emeralds, cabochon sapphire accents pe...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Platinum

Vintage GIA 8.73 Carat Cabochon Star Sapphire Diamond Platinum Ring
Vintage GIA 8.73 Carat Cabochon Star Sapphire Diamond Platinum Ring

Vintage GIA 8.73 Carat Cabochon Star Sapphire Diamond Platinum Ring

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

One Vintage GIA 8.73 Carat No Heat Ceylon Color Change Star Sapphire Diamond Platinum Ring.

Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Star Sapphire, Platinum

18K Gold & Platinum 95.53ctw AGL Star Sapphire & Diamond Brushed Flower Pendant
18K Gold & Platinum 95.53ctw AGL Star Sapphire & Diamond Brushed Flower Pendant

18K Gold & Platinum 95.53ctw AGL Star Sapphire & Diamond Brushed Flower Pendant

Located in Montclair, NJ

Strength of Star: Strong Quality of Star: Good Species: Natural Corundum Variety: Color - Change Star Sapphire Geographic Origin: Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Treatment: No gemological evidenc...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Star Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

19.03Ct Color-changing Violet Star Sapphire and Diamond in 18K White Gold
19.03Ct Color-changing Violet Star Sapphire and Diamond in 18K White Gold

19.03Ct Color-changing Violet Star Sapphire and Diamond in 18K White Gold

Located in Hong Kong, HK

The showcased ring is a stunning testament to masterful craftsmanship and intricate design, combining the allure of precious gemstones with the luminance of 18K white gold. At the he...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Star Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Amazing Color-Change Star Sapphire cts 4.51 'Lavender to Pink' Ring in 18k Gold
Amazing Color-Change Star Sapphire cts 4.51 'Lavender to Pink' Ring in 18k Gold

Amazing Color-Change Star Sapphire cts 4.51 'Lavender to Pink' Ring in 18k Gold

Located in Hong Kong, HK

Amazing color-change star sapphire cts 4.51 (Lavender to Pink) ring in 18 K gold.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Star Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, White Gold

Vintage Platinum GIA 14.23ctw Color Change Star Sapphire Diamond Ballerina Ring
Vintage Platinum GIA 14.23ctw Color Change Star Sapphire Diamond Ballerina Ring

Vintage Platinum GIA 14.23ctw Color Change Star Sapphire Diamond Ballerina Ring

Located in Montclair, NJ

--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Star Sapphire - Oval Double Cabochon Cut - Prong Set - Changing Color - Violet to Purple Color - No Heat - 13.50ct (exact) ** See Certification Deta...

Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Purple Sapphire, Platinum

GRS Certified 45.63 Carat Untreated Star Sapphire Diamond Ring
GRS Certified 45.63 Carat Untreated Star Sapphire Diamond Ring

GRS Certified 45.63 Carat Untreated Star Sapphire Diamond Ring

Located in Hong Kong, HK

The stone is mounted in a delicate solid 18K white gold with VS quality diamonds. This color changing star sapphire color range from violetish-blue (day light) to purple (incandescen...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Star Sapphire, 18k Gold

Gump's Jade Necklace, circa 1960s
Gump's Jade Necklace, circa 1960s

Gump's Jade Necklace, circa 1960s

By Gump's San Francisco

Located in Northampton, MA

Jade is a dynamic gemstone. Meaning, it changes. You might think, how can it change? It's not like color-change Alexandrite, a star sapphire or a chrysoberyl cat's eye?

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Modern Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Jade, 14k Gold

11, 04 Carat Natural Color Change Blue Purple Sri Lankan Sapphire
11, 04 Carat Natural Color Change Blue Purple Sri Lankan Sapphire

11, 04 Carat Natural Color Change Blue Purple Sri Lankan Sapphire

By D and A Style

Located in Singapore, SG

When you hear the word "sapphire" you definitely imagine intense blue color. But what to do if you like purple sapphires either? This stone is the best option for those who like pu...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Armenian Modern Dome Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Star Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Whi...

Art Deco 5.54 Ct Natural No Heat Ceylon Sapphire Tiffany & Co. Platinum Unisex R
Art Deco 5.54 Ct Natural No Heat Ceylon Sapphire Tiffany & Co. Platinum Unisex R

Art Deco 5.54 Ct Natural No Heat Ceylon Sapphire Tiffany & Co. Platinum Unisex R

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Napoli, IT

Creating Eternal Value Amazing in class, eternal in elegance, stepping into history, sleek and neat design, suitable for either sex This rare find from TIFFANY & CO dates around 30'...

Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

People Also Browsed

10.5 Carat Cushion Cut Neon Mint Tourmaline Cadillac Diamond 18K Gold Ring
10.5 Carat Cushion Cut Neon Mint Tourmaline Cadillac Diamond 18K Gold Ring

10.5 Carat Cushion Cut Neon Mint Tourmaline Cadillac Diamond 18K Gold Ring

By Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

A one-of-a-kind 10.5 carat cushion cut neon mint tourmaline and diamond three stone ring by Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills, handcrafted in solid 18K yellow gold. Designed for collecto...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold

Mens Diamond Ring 14K Gold Band Old 1.38 TDW Vintage Cluster
Mens Diamond Ring 14K Gold Band Old 1.38 TDW Vintage Cluster

Mens Diamond Ring 14K Gold Band Old 1.38 TDW Vintage Cluster

By Estate Jewelry

Located in East Brunswick, NJ

Mens Diamond Ring 14K Gold Band Old 1.38 TDW Vintage Cluster This amazing vintage ring for a gentleman is finely crafted in solid 14K Yellow Gold (carefully tested and guaranteed) a...

Category

Mid-20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 1920s Platinum French Stamped, 1.40 Carat Diamond Full Eternity Ring
Antique 1920s Platinum French Stamped, 1.40 Carat Diamond Full Eternity Ring

Antique 1920s Platinum French Stamped, 1.40 Carat Diamond Full Eternity Ring

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Eternity Ring Platinum French Stamped Circa 1920s This stunning platinum eternity ring is a true gem. It's fully set with an estimated 1.40 carats of exquisite French dia...

Category

Early 20th Century French Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Edwardian 43 Carat Star Sapphire Seed Pearl Necklace Bracelet Earrings Suite
Edwardian 43 Carat Star Sapphire Seed Pearl Necklace Bracelet Earrings Suite

Edwardian 43 Carat Star Sapphire Seed Pearl Necklace Bracelet Earrings Suite

Located in New York, NY

This is a spectacular museum quality antique Edwardian 43 Carat Black Star Sapphire and Seed Pearl Garland Suite. The suite comprising a necklace, bracelet and earrings each with b...

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Pearl, Star Sapphire, 10k Gold, Gold

Mens Diamond Ring 14K Gold Band .97 TDW Vintage
Mens Diamond Ring 14K Gold Band .97 TDW Vintage

Mens Diamond Ring 14K Gold Band .97 TDW Vintage

By Estate Jewelry

Located in East Brunswick, NJ

This amazing vintage ring for a gentleman is finely crafted in solid 14K Yellow Gold and White Gold for the top (tested and guaranteed) and set with white and fiery round brilliant c...

Category

Late 20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1892 Karin's Nordic Men Ring Mars Ares Intaglio Hematite 18K Gold ØUS13/ 7.6gr
1892 Karin's Nordic Men Ring Mars Ares Intaglio Hematite 18K Gold ØUS13/ 7.6gr

1892 Karin's Nordic Men Ring Mars Ares Intaglio Hematite 18K Gold ØUS13/ 7.6gr

Located in SE

Antique Signet Intaglio Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold with claw set fine intaglio on Hematite stone depicting depicting Greek Ares (Roman Mars ) - God of War and also an agricultural...

Category

Antique 1890s Swedish Greek Revival Signet Rings

Materials

Hematite, 18k Gold

4.96 Carat Green Beryl Square Radiant Cut Platinum Engagement Ring by Merkaba
4.96 Carat Green Beryl Square Radiant Cut Platinum Engagement Ring by Merkaba

4.96 Carat Green Beryl Square Radiant Cut Platinum Engagement Ring by Merkaba

By Merkaba

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

A refined platinum diamond engagement ring by Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills, centered by a natural green beryl weighing 4.96 carats in a square radiant cut. The vivid green hue is pa...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Beryl, Green Beryl, Multi-gemstone, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum

Stephen Webster 18K White Gold Diamond Murder She Wrote Crystal Haze Ring
Stephen Webster 18K White Gold Diamond Murder She Wrote Crystal Haze Ring

Stephen Webster 18K White Gold Diamond Murder She Wrote Crystal Haze Ring

By Stephen Webster

Located in New York, NY

Spectacular Stephen Webster Crystal Haze 18K white gold diamond ring. Intense sapphire blue lapis and natural clear quartz gemstone in the Crystal Haze technique pioneered by Stephen...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, White Gold

3.48 Carat Impressive Natural London Blue Topaz and Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Ring
3.48 Carat Impressive Natural London Blue Topaz and Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Ring

3.48 Carat Impressive Natural London Blue Topaz and Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Ring

Located in Los Angeles, CA

3.48 Carats Impressive Natural London Blue Topaz and Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Ring Total Natural London Blue Topaz Weight is Approx. 3.30 Carats Topaz Measures: Approx. 10.00 x 8.00...

Category

2010s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Steven Battelle 16.8 Carat Cabochon Pink Tourmaline 18K Gold Ring
Steven Battelle 16.8 Carat Cabochon Pink Tourmaline 18K Gold Ring

Steven Battelle 16.8 Carat Cabochon Pink Tourmaline 18K Gold Ring

By Steven Battelle

Located in Soquel, CA

A high-grade almost flawless deep pink Mozambique pink tourmaline 13 x 18 mm cabochon is held in a spiral carved and fluted 4 prong setting atop a substantial split double spiral mot...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Tourmaline, 18k Gold

Ancient Greek 5th Century BC Silver Bull Coin 18K Gold Mens Ring
Ancient Greek 5th Century BC Silver Bull Coin 18K Gold Mens Ring

Ancient Greek 5th Century BC Silver Bull Coin 18K Gold Mens Ring

By Steven Battelle

Located in Soquel, CA

An authentic, ancient Greek silver "Triobol" coin from the Phocian League 480 - 421 BC, features the head of a bull on one side and the goddess Artemis on the other. The Phocian Leag...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings

Materials

18k Gold

Steven Battelle 12.6 Carats Rainbow Moonstone 22K Gold Ring
Steven Battelle 12.6 Carats Rainbow Moonstone 22K Gold Ring

Steven Battelle 12.6 Carats Rainbow Moonstone 22K Gold Ring

By Steven Battelle

Located in Soquel, CA

A luminous and flashing 12 mm high-dome cushion shaped cabochon rainbow moonstone rests in a vertical "4-point with jawan" Steven Battelle designed setting atop a tapered matte-finis...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, 22k Gold

Steven Battelle 60.0 Carats Blue-Green Indicolite Tourmaline 18K Gold Ring
Steven Battelle 60.0 Carats Blue-Green Indicolite Tourmaline 18K Gold Ring

Steven Battelle 60.0 Carats Blue-Green Indicolite Tourmaline 18K Gold Ring

By Steven Battelle

Located in Soquel, CA

A fabulous 18 x 25 mm pear shaped cabochon Brazilian indicolite tourmaline is set within a one of kind Steven Battelle design. Indicolite blue tourmaline is the rarest and most soug...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Tourmaline, 18k Gold

Ancient Greek 4th Century BC Eagle Coin 18K Gold Mens Ring
Ancient Greek 4th Century BC Eagle Coin 18K Gold Mens Ring

Ancient Greek 4th Century BC Eagle Coin 18K Gold Mens Ring

By Steven Battelle

Located in Soquel, CA

A clear and crisply struck image of an eagle carrying a snake in its talons is depicted on an authentic ancient Greek silver "drachm" coin struck in the seaport city of Chalkis on th...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings

Materials

18k Gold

Art Deco Blue Sapphire Star Ring from Late 1930s 18 Karat White Gold
Art Deco Blue Sapphire Star Ring from Late 1930s 18 Karat White Gold

Art Deco Blue Sapphire Star Ring from Late 1930s 18 Karat White Gold

Located in Boston, MA

1930s Late Art Deco 12 Carat Star Sapphire Diamond 18 kt White Gold Cocktail Ring This cocktail ring has a large, natural star sapphire that is a round cabochon shape. The stone wei...

Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Star Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, White Gold

1.75 Carat, 7 Diamonds Traditional Men's Ring 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ring Estate
1.75 Carat, 7 Diamonds Traditional Men's Ring 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ring Estate

1.75 Carat, 7 Diamonds Traditional Men's Ring 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ring Estate

Located in New York, NY

1.75 Carat 7 Diamonds Traditional Men's Ring 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ring Estate This is a Nice traditional 7 diamond ring from our premium wedding collection for Men 7 Round di...

Category

Early 2000s Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

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

Color Change Star Sapphire For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the color change star sapphire you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from gold, 14k gold and platinum — can elevate any look. Our collection of these items for sale includes 6 vintage editions and 29 modern creations to choose from as well. You’re likely to find the perfect color change star sapphire among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 20th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Creating a color change star sapphire has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Emilio!, Five Star Jewelry and D and A Style are consistently popular. Take a look at a color change star sapphire featuring diamond from our inventory today to add the perfect touch to your look. A brilliant cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also cabochon and round cut versions for sale. When shopping for a color change star sapphire, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a Color Change Star Sapphire?

Prices for a color change star sapphire can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $390 and can go as high as $140,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $9,015.

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.