Modern Sapphires Cultured Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. This second-hand ring features a delicate double band adorned in the center with a creamy, pearlescent oriental cultured pearl, fla...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Modern Rubies Cultured Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
A round pearly cream cultured pearl adorns the top of the ring. Diameter of the pearl : 6,5/7 mm approximately.
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
14K Yellow Gold Cultured Tahitian Pearl Diamond Ring
Located in Queens, NY
14K Yellow Gold Cultured Tahitian Pearl Diamond Ring, featuring 2 cultured round Tahitian pearls approx. 6.5 - 7.0 mm, further adorned with 2 prong set diamonds weighing a total of a...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pearl, Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Ring.
Located in Marcianise, CE
Elegant ring in 18 kt white gold structure mounted with a central pearl and diamonds.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
$377Sale Price / item|44% Off
Vintage Style Aquamarine and pearl Silver, Gold ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Weight: 4 gr (depends from size) Central gemstone: Aquamarine, round cabochon cut, 0.5 ct, transparent, blue Freshwater cultivated pearl - 5 mm., white color, button form 💍This ri...
Aquamarine, Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver
South Sea Pearl Diamond Retro Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
A distinguished 1970s vintage ring featuring a magnificent 43-carat South Sea pearl measuring 18mm, paired with 1.20 carats of brilliant-cut diamonds in 18k white gold.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold
Victorian Turquoise and Pearl 15 Carat Gold Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The chunky gold band holds three turquoise stones and three pearls.
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold
Classic Mother-of-Pearl Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Bloomington, MN
Classic Mother-of-Pearl Ring in 18k Yellow Gold This ring is crafted in 18k yellow gold and features rectangular mother-of-pearl inlay panels set around the band.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1930s Pearl and Diamond Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning antique pearl and 1.02 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold and 18 karat white gold set cluster ring; part of our diverse pearl jewelry collections.
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Cultured Pearl Solitaire Ring 14k Scrollwork
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $35 or Down 1 size for $35 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Cultured Pearl Style: Solitaire Features: Scrollwork Accented Shoul...
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 9ct Gold, Victorian Pearl & Enamel Cluster Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Pearl Ring 9ct Gold This charming Victorian ring centres a deep, glossy enamel panel framed by a halo of natural seed pearls, each one delicately set to create a soft, lum...
Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Enamel
$3,733 / item
Moi Zoe Gold Diamond and Pearl Ring
Located in Lawrenceville, GA
Gold(14K): 6.50g Brilliant cut Diamonds (VS clarity & H-I colour): 0.26ct Gemstone: Cultured Pearl Classic and evergreen, the Zoe ring has been handcrafted in gold and holds a white...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique Pearl and Diamond Yellow Gold Twist Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning antique pearl and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
French 20th Century 1, 17 Carat Certified Natural Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. Splendid yellow gold setting, it is openworked of gold arabesques, strewn with small gold pearls and decorated in its center in clo...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Peach Freshwater Pearl Two Color Gold Ring
Located in Berkeley, CA
The bezel is in yellow gold and the band in a soft rose gold each hammered in detail complementing this piece of art.
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
South Sea Pearl Diamond Two-Tone Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A sweet ring featuring a blemish free South Sea pearl accented by a halo of 0.75 carats of marquise cut diamonds set in platinum alternating with round cut fancy yellow round cut dia...
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Gold
Pearl, Diamonds, 14 Karat White Gold Ring
Located in Marcianise, CE
Amazing ring in 14 kt white gold structure mounted with a central pearl surrounded by a flower of diamonds.
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
【Caelmare】Cameo Halo Turquoise & Baby Akoya Statement Ring
By The Pearl Vogue
Located in New York, NY
Product Information Origin Japan Material Akoya Pearl, Natural Turquoise, and 18k Gold Dimensions - Pearl Shaped: Round Size: 3.5-4 mm Quality: AAA Nacre: Very Thick Color: White L...
Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Hammered Gold 20 Millimeter Baroque Pearl and Diamond Ring
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The bumpy surface catches light from multiple angles, creating a dramatic, luminous shimmer across the finger. The pearl is surrounded by a waved bezel of G-H /VS color diamonds S...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Mikimoto Pearl and Diamond Ring 18K Yellow Gold
By Mikimoto
Located in Dallas, TX
Mikimoto Pearl and Diamond Ring 18K Yellow Gold Size 6.75 5.45 Grams 7.9mm pearl
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Black Pearl 18k White Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
Brand Cartier Serial No. N****** Date 2001 ____________________________________________...
Black Pearl, White Gold
Pearl Diamond 18K White Gold Exclusive Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
14K White Gold Ring Diamond 10-0,01 ct Diamond 29-0,2 ct Pearls d 10,0-11,0 1-0 ct Weigth 7,68 grams Size 6.5 US With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKIN...
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Pearl Cluster Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 14K yellow gold Size: 7 (complimentary sizing available) Weight: 32.90 grams
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$377Sale Price / item|44% Off
Vintage Style Sapphire and pearl Silver, Gold ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Weight: 4 gr (depends from size) Central gemstone: sapphire, round cabochon cut, 0.5 ct, transparent, blue Freshwater cultivated pearl - 5 mm., white color, button form 💍This ring...
Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
14 Karat Yellow Gold Fashion Pearl Ring with Diamonds
Located in Stamford, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold Fashion Pearl Ring with Diamonds Size 6.75. 5 mm diameter pearl. 2.4 grams total weight.
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Akoya Pearl and Ruby Cocktail Ring 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 4.9 Grams Stone: Akoya Pearl and Ruby Ring Size: 6.5 (resizable) Pearl Diameter: 9.5 mm Total Ruby Weight: ~0.15 cara...
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIT Certified Tahitian Pearl Diamonds 18K Gold Ring
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
Stunning ring come in 18k gold with a lustrous Thaitian Pearl, fine quality, in perfect shape and surface, and natural diamonds of 0,40 carats,F color VS clarity.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Pearls, Diamonds, 14 Karat White Gold Ring.
Located in Marcianise, CE
Ring in 14 kt white gold structure mounted with three central pearls between structures of diamonds.
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Baroque Pearl with Diamond and Gold Ribbon Cocktail Ring
By Vicki Orr
Located in Naples, FL
Exceptional, natural Freshwater Baroque Pearl "illusion" set with Diamond and 22k yellow gold ribbon mounted on a signature sterling silver square ring band.
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, Pearl, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, ...
$944Sale Price / item|44% Off
Blue sapphire and pearls 14k solid gold ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14 k solid gold ring with natural sapphire, diamonds and pearls.
Sapphire, Pearl, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold B & F Pearl Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold B & F Pearl Ring. Size 6.5 3.5 grams total weight. 7 mm Pearl size.
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Modern Precious Pearl Diamond Fabulous White Gold Ring
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring White Gold 14 K Diamond 28-RND-0,07-G/VS2A Pearl diameter 6,5-7,0 - 1-2,42ct Weight 5.73 grams Size 16.8 With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKINA i...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
Pearl and Diamond Ring 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Total Weight: 1.3 Grams Ring Size: 6.5 (resizable) Gemstone Specifications: Center Gemstone: Akoya Pearl Pearl Diameter: 5.6 mm Di...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIT Certified Thaitian Pearl Diamonds 18K Gold Ring
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
Stunning ring come in 18k gold with a lustrous Thaitian Pearl of 13mm, fine quality, in perfect shape and surface, and Natural Diamonds, in baguettes cut, of 1,20 carats , F color V...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Modern Precious Pearl Diamond Fabulous Yellow Gold Ring
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring Yellow Gold 14 K (Matching Earrings Available) Diamond 20-RND-0,4-F/VS1A Pearl diameter 11,0-12,0 1-0.8ct Weight 9.21 grams Size 15.8 With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss je...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
14K Yellow Gold Turquoise & Seed Pearl Dual Band Ring
Located in Hallandale Beach, FL
Specifications: Metal: 14K Yellow Gold Gemstones:7 Natural Seed Pearls 7 Natural Turquoise Stones Total Weight: 11 grams Size: 6 (Resizing available)
Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
White Gold Ring with Pearl, Turquoise, and Diamonds
Located in Warszawa, PL
The centerpiece of the composition is a button-shaped pearl weighing approximately 2.25 carats, displaying a soft white-to-yellow hue.
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, White Gold
$944Sale Price / item|44% Off
14k Gold Ring with Sapphire, Pearl and Diamond
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14k gold ring with sapphire, pearl and diamond. September birthstone ring. 14k solid gold Weight: 2.50 g. depends from size Central stones: Natural sapphire Weight - approx 1.00 ct ...
Sapphire, Pearl, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
$9,784Sale Price|20% Off
Mikimoto Vintage Golden Pearl 18k Yellow Gold Statement Ring
By Mikimoto
Located in Chicago, IL
Each pearl, measuring approximately 8 mm, exhibits a smooth, round shape and a warm, radiant glow that complements the polished gold setting.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pearl and diamond halo ring in white gold
Located in Coral Gables, FL
14 Karat White Gold 9mm Cultured Pearl Ring Featuring 16 Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds of SI Clarity and H Color Totaling Approximately 0.25 Carats.
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Blue Enamel Natural Pearls Gold Ring, 1930
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Natural Pearl, Blue Enamel & Diamond Ring 18K Gold European, 1930 Overview A truly unique European Art Deco ring, crafted circa 1930, combining natural pearls, blue enamel, an...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Enamel
1940s Diamond and Pearl Yellow Gold and White Gold Set Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive pearl and diamond twist ring has been crafted in 14k yellow gold with a 14k white gold setting.
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Modernist 14K Gold Black Pearl & Diamond Sculpture Ring
Located in Miami, FL
The composition centers on a lustrous 6 mm black pearl, balanced by a 0.06 ct round brilliant diamond bezel-set within a sculpted gold arc.
Diamond, Black Pearl, 14k Gold
18 Karat Gold, Mabe Pearl and Diamond Ring
Located in Palm Beach, FL
18KT GOLD, MABE PEARL AND DIAMOND RING Diamonds weighing approximately .40 carats, mounted in 18kt white gold, gr wt approx 11.3 dwts, size 7.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
14K Yellow Gold Potato Pearl and Round Diamond Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 14K yellow gold Potato Pearl= 10.3mm Diamonds: 8 round cut= 0.16cttw Color: G-H Clarity: SI2-I1 Size: 7.25 (complimentary sizing available) Dimensions: the...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
9k White Gold Double Row Pearl Waterfall Ring
Located in London, GB
A bold organic style Waterfall 9k white gold ring, with thirteen small white pearls in two rows of dots between three Ripple style outer bands.
Pearl, 9k Gold, White Gold
Freshwater Pearl, Sapphire & Diamond Cluster Ring 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Sugar Land, TX
♥ Product Summary ♥ Main Stone: Freshwater Pearls, Sapphire & Diamond Band Material: 14k Yellow Gold Dimensions: 27mm x 21mm Stone Cut: Marquise Weight: 5 grams Size: 7
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,200Sale Price|25% Off
18 Karat Yellow Gold Mother of Pearl and Diamond Ring with Mabe Pearl Center
Located in New York, NY
Classic and elegant best describes this 18 karat yellow gold ring. The ring centers a mabe pearl in a bezel setting.
Pearl, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Mings Akoya Pearl Cluster Ring 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Designer: Ming's Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 6.5 Grams Stones: Akoya Pearls Ring Size: 5.5 (resizable) Ring Measurements: ~20 mm x 20 mm Stamped:...
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Classic Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Nice Luster Pearl Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
–Stone(s)– (3) Genuine Cultured Pearls - Round Shape - White Color w/ Very Nice Luster - 5.69mm, 5.52mm, 7.34mm (approx.) (8) Genuine Seed Pearls - White Color w/ Very Nice Luster - ...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$377Sale Price / item|44% Off
Vintage Style Ruby and pearl Silver, Gold ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Freshwater cultivated pearl - 5 mm., white color, button form 💍This ring will be made for order 💍Processing time for custom item takes: 5-7 working days. 💍 It could be done in an...
Pearl, Ruby, Gold Plate, Silver
$377Sale Price / item|44% Off
Vintage Style Garnet and pearl Silver, Gold ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Freshwater cultivated pearl - 5 mm., white color, button form 💍This ring will be made for order 💍Processing time for custom item takes: 5-7 working days. 💍 It could be done in an...
Garnet, Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver
14K White Gold White Pearl and Diamond Ring
Located in Stuart, FL
14k white gold white pearl and diamond ring. The diamonds in this ring are all round, the width of the pearl is 14 mm, the ring is a size 6 1/2, and it has a total weight of 8.2 grams.
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Large Antique 14K Gold & Mabe Pearl Cocktail Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage cocktail ring. In 14 karat yellow gold. Set with a large silver-gray mabe pearl in a deep bezel setting.
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
GIT Certified Thaitian Pearl Diamonds 18K Gold Ring
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
An exclusive Tahitian Pearl and Diamonds ring. Adorn yourself and add a touch of charm and sophistication on your look. Pearls are perfect for all occasion, and are perfect for a gif...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
GIT Certified Tahitian Pearl Diamonds 18K Gold Ring
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
Magnificent ring come in 18k gold with a lustrous Tahitian Pearl of 15mm, extra fine quality , vibrant color, and 122 pieces of Natural Diamonds of 1,48 carats, F-G color VS clarity...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Victorian Pearl and Tourmaline 15 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous 15ct gold band holds four pearls and two pink tourmaline stones.
Tourmaline, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
14k Yellow Gold 11.52mm Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
This vintage ring is a bold and elegant pearl design, centered by a richly toned Tahitian pearl accented by diamonds in a warm 14k yellow gold setting.
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona Pearl 18 Karat White Gold Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold with double kind round pearls. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special design and for the exc...
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 14k Rose Gold Cocktail Ring with 5.2mm Pearl, Circa 1940
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage pearl and 14k rose gold cocktail ring; part of our diverse gemstone jewelry and estate jewelry collections.
Pearl, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
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 pearl has been synonymous with ladylike elegance since the Tudor period — learn what to look for when shopping for vintage and antique pearl jewelry as well as how to tell the origin of a pearl with our handy primer.
Every woman at some point in her life desires a simple strand of pearls. They are elegant, timeless, versatile — just ask Coco Chanel or Jacqueline Kennedy — and valuable. In 1917, Pierre Cartier famously traded a double-strand of natural pearls for a Fifth Avenue mansion, the Cartier brand’s flagship store ever since. And if you were born in the beginning of summer, pearl is the June birthstone.
It is possible to tell where a pearl originated from its appearance. Akoyas are usually round and white — the classic pearl, if you will. South Sea pearls are normally larger and vary in color; orangey yellow ones are not uncommon. Tahitian pearls are mostly black but can also be gray or brown, and between the Akoya and the South Sea varieties in size. Freshwater pearls, or Orientals, run the gamut in terms of color and size, but in shape, they tend to resemble Rice Krispies. Another important distinction is a round pearl versus a baroque pearl. A round pearl is self-explanatory, but there are two types of baroque pearls: symmetrical and asymmetrical. In general, the symmetrical variation commands a higher valuation. Within a strand of pearls, uniformity is prized — the more the individual pearls resemble one another, the more valuable the strand.
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the earliest recorded mention of a pearl was in 2206 BC by a Chinese historian. Centuries later, Christopher Columbus made it a point to visit pearl fisheries during his 15th-century exploration of the Caribbean. Since the late-19th century, the Japanese have been at the forefront of cultivating pearls, when jeweler Kokichi Mikimoto successfully cultured the world’s first pearl in 1893.
On 1stDibs, find vintage and antique pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and other accessories.
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.
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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.