Gold 21 Karat
21st Century and Contemporary Rope Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Indian Victorian Dangle Earrings
Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Dutch Retro Fashion Rings
Yellow Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Greek Modern Clip-on Earrings
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century European Art Deco Wedding Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Brooches
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Finnish Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Bracelets
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Moonstone, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Byzantine Pendant Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Link Bracelets
Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Link Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Cocktail Rings
Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Paraiba, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Bangles
22k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Saudi Arabian Link Necklaces
22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
Late 20th Century Indian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches
14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Three-Stone Rings
Paraiba, Tourmaline, Diamond, 22k Gold
2010s Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
Antique Early 1800s German Empire Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 22k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Engagement Rings
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Medieval Cluster Rings
Coral, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1830s Indian Regency Drop Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Unknown Classical Roman Pendant Necklaces
Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches
Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1960s German Cuff Bracelets
Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Classical Greek Signet Rings
Chalcedony, Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Rock Crystal, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Unknown Byzantine Pendant Necklaces
Gold, Bronze
Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Artist Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Unknown Byzantine Pendant Necklaces
Gold, Bronze
20th Century Greek Modern Clip-on Earrings
Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique 19th Century Brooches
Aquamarine, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Unknown Egyptian Revival Pendant Necklaces
Gold
Antique 1850s Unknown Victorian Link Bracelets
Turquoise, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Brooches
Garnet, Yellow Gold
2010s American Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver
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Gold 21 Karat For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Gold 21 Karat?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, 21 karat gold is real gold and is made of 21 parts gold and four parts other metals. 21 karat gold is usually mixed with copper, zinc, silver, palladium and nickel to increase durability. You’ll find a wide variety of 21 karat gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 202221 karats refers to the amount of pure gold in your piece, out of a maximum of 24 karats. 21 karats is 87.5% pure gold with 12.5% alloy. You can shop a collection of expertly vetted gold jewelry from some of the worlds top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is the highest karat gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The highest carat gold is 24K gold. 24K means 100% pure gold.
- What karat is Portuguese gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Portuguese gold is 19.2 karat gold, or 80% gold and 20% other materials. Most gold is 75% gold and 25% other materials which translates to 18k. This means when you purchase Portuguese gold youre getting gold with a higher percentage of pure gold. Shop a collection of Portuguese gold jewelry from some of the worlds top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Is 21k gold real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, 21K gold is real gold, but it is not pure, solid gold. Instead, the metal is 87.5 percent genuine gold. The remaining 12.5 percent of the jewelry or other object is one or more other metals. Find a variety of expertly vetted gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Does 21k gold tarnish?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 202221K gold does not rust or tarnish. This highly-desirable metal resists oxygen, meaning that it does not easily rust or tarnish. This is part of the reason that gold is such a popular metal for jewelry. Shop a collection of 21k jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Is 20 karat gold real gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, 20-karat gold is indeed real. Karat is a unit used to measure the purity level of a gold item. Pure gold is 24-karat while the makeup of 20-karat gold is 83.3% gold and 16.7% alloy. Shop a collection of expertly vetted 20-karat jewelry from some of the worlds top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Is 14-karat gold real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024Yes, 14-karat gold is real. However, it is not pure gold. Instead, 14-karat gold is an alloy made from 58.3% gold and 41.7% other metals. Durable and resistant to fading, 14-karat gold is a popular choice for producing jewelry and watches. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of gold jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Because gold is too delicate a metal for everyday wear, it is mixed with other alloys. The best mixtures of gold for earrings are 14K and 18K for everyday jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024Opinions may vary as to which karat gold is the best for watches. However, many luxury makers opt for 18-karat gold. An alloy that is 75% pure gold, 18-karat gold is more durable than pure 24-karat and 22-karat gold alloys, allowing watches to resist wear and tear. At the same time, 18-karat gold offers more vibrant color than 14-karat and 10-karat alloys. Explore a collection of gold watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Van Cleef & Arpels typically uses 18-karat gold. This precious metal is roughly 75 percent pure gold and is the type most commonly used to produce luxury jewelry. You can find a selection of Van Cleef & Arpels gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023What karat gold is best for engagement rings depends on your preferences. The most commonly used varieties are 14-karat gold, which is 58% pure gold, and 18-karat gold, which is 75% pure gold. Generally, 18-karat gold has a richer color because it contains more gold, but 14-karat is stronger since it features more base metal. On 1stDibs, explore a wide variety of gold engagement rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The term 14-karat gold plated means that an item has a thin layer of 14-karat gold applied over a base metal like copper or brass. Fourteen-carat gold refers to metal that is 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% alloy. An alloy could be silver, zinc, copper or another metal. Shop a selection of 14-karat gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
Roman Malakov DiamondsMarch 22, 2021Typically, there are 41.7% gold and 58.3% other alloys/metals. This means that per gram, there are 0.417 grams gold and 0.583 grams other metals.- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 8, 2023Whether 14-karat or 18-karat white gold is better for a wedding band depends largely on your preferences. If you like the look of white gold with a warmer tone, you may wish to opt for 18-karat gold because it often appears yellower due to its higher gold content. On the other hand, 14-karat white gold wedding bands tend to be durable, making them a good option for people most concerned with keeping their rings scratch-free. Find an assortment of white gold wedding bands on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2023What karat white gold is best for wedding rings depends on personal preferences. Generally, 18-karat white gold has more visible yellow undertones because it contains more gold. Because it is a harder metal, 14-karat white gold may resist scratches better than 18-karat. On 1stDibs, find a variety of white gold wedding rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023Yes, 18-karat gold is generally okay to wear every day because the alloy can resist light wear and tear. However, you should take your jewelry off before exercising, playing sports, handling chemicals or doing other activities that could damage it. On 1stDibs, shop a range of gold jewelry from some of the world's top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 5, 2024On a watch, 10-karat gold-filled means that the watch has a specific type of construction executed with a particular material. A gold-filled watch is predominantly a base metal, such as copper, silver or brass. During the crafting process, the watchmaker finishes this base metal with a thin layer of gold. In the case of a 10-karat gold-filled watch, the gold is a 10-karat alloy, meaning it is 41.7% pure gold and 58.3% other metals. Makers can also use other gold alloys, such as 14-karat or 18-karat gold, which are 58.3% and 75% pure gold, respectively. On 1stDibs, find an assortment of gold watches.