Pearl and Diamond Ring. 10mm Natural Saltwater Pearl Halo Ring 18K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Its graceful proportions, richly colored gold, and distinctive center pearl make it an especially collectible statement of timeless elegance.
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, 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
Cartier Amulette de Cartier Mother-of-Pearl Diamond Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Crafted in warm 18K yellow gold, the ring features a luminous white mother-of-pearl inlay centered by a sparkling round brilliant-cut diamond.
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k 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
10 Karat Yellow and Rose Gold Fashion Pearl Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
10 Karat Yellow and Rose Gold Fashion Pearl Ring Size 7.75. 5 mm diameter pearl. 1.4 grams total weight.
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
$7,200Sale Price|20% Off
Henry Dunay Pearl Diamond Ring 18k Yellow Gold
By Henry Dunay
Located in Dallas, TX
Estate Henry Dunay Pearl and Diamond Ring in 18K Yellow Gold. The ring features a 11.8mm cultured pearl and 32 brilliant cut diamonds.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Modern Tahitian Pearl Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat white gold, eagle head hallmark. A white gold second hand ring with a square section and a round pearly gray cultured pearl on the front, backed on either side by 2 ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Modern French Yellow Gold Ring with White Pearl
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
The design of the ring is both minimalist and refined, allowing the pearl to take center stage while the yellow gold band provides a subtle yet striking complement.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Black and White Pearl Dome Ring #16683
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14K Yellow Gold Black and White Pearl Dome Ring This ornate ring is set in 14k yellow gold Stamped 14K Ring size: 9 Front of ring is approx. 25 mm x 22 mm x 12.5 mm Shank is ap...
Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Baroque South Sea Pearl Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The ring is made of 18K Gold that is black rhodium finished. Ring Size: 6.75
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rhodium
Pearl, Rubies, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Ring.
Located in Marcianise, CE
Fantastic ring in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure mounted with a central pearl surrounded by a flower of rubies and diamonds.
Ruby, Pearl, Diamond, Silver, Rose Gold, 9k Gold
$4,058 / item
Moi Audrey Gold and Pearl Cluster Ring
Located in Lawrenceville, GA
Gold(14K) : 7.40g Brilliant cut Diamonds : (VS clarity & H-I colour) : 0.32ct Gemstones : Cultured Pearl India Life is movement!
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
1910s Antique Pearl and Diamond Rose Gold Twist Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive pearl and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k rose gold with an 18k white gold setting.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
South Sea Pearl Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
It is accented by 2.50 carats of round brilliant-cut and baguette-cut diamonds which are set around the pearl in a spiraling pattern. Made in 18k white gold, this cocktail ring sets ...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$6,471Sale Price|20% Off
Cartier 18kt Gold Heart-Shaped Pearl Ring – Circa 1970s
By Cartier
Located in Braintree, GB
Cartier 18kt Gold Heart-Shaped Pearl Ring – Circa 1970s A beautiful vintage Cartier ring crafted in 18kt yellow gold, featuring a unique heart-shaped design set with a single round ...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Alyssa 14K Yellow Gold Round-Cut Pearl Ring
Located in New York, NY
Decorate yourself in elegance with this Ring is crafted from 14K Yellow Gold by Gin & Grace. This Ring is made up of Round-Cut Pearl (1 pcs) 9.02 carat and Emerald Square-Cut (4 ...
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Embrace Rose Gold with Cabochon Mother Pearl Cocktail Ring
By Angeletti
Located in Roma, IT
Angeletti Wave Rose Gold With Cabochon Mother of Pearl Cocktail Ring.
Natural Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$1,104Sale Price / set|20% Off
Tahitian and Freshwater Pearl 14 Karat White Gold Stacking Fashion Rings
By Vicki Orr Designs
Located in Naples, FL
Round 15mm Tahitian and 15mm white Freshwater Pearl 14k white gold stackable rings. Rings are size 6.
Pearl, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Whi...
Elizabeth Gage Pearl Molton Gold Ring circa 1990
By Elizabet Gage
Located in London, GB
A retro Elizabeth Gage pearl molton gold ring, circa 1990 Designed as a bold heavy 18 karat yellow gold ring of curved organic form - crafted to depict gold in its molton liquid sta...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Modern Pearl Diamond White Gold Ring For Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring White Gold 14K Weight 17.36 grams Size 51.5 Diam. 51-Bril.Cut-0.55 ctG/SI1A Diam. 36-Bril.Cut-0.25 ct G/SI1A PEARL 1 With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditi...
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Vintage Modernist 18K White Gold 8.35mm Pearl Solitaire Ring
Located in Miami, FL
A beautifully crafted vintage Modernist ring in solid 18K white gold, set with a luminous 8.35mm cultured pearl.
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mabe Pearl Flower Diamond Ring 14k White Gold
Located in Sugar Land, TX
♥ Product Summary ♥ Main Stone: Mabe Pearl & Diamond Pearl Size: 13-14MM Band Material: 14k White Gold
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
French Mid Century emerald pearl 18K yellow gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Crafted in warm 18k yellow gold and hallmarked with purity and makers marks, the ring has a substantial and polished presence on the hand.
Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Tahitian Pearl & Diamond Ring 14k .24ctw
By Wilson Brothers Jewelry
Located in Greensboro, NC
Yellow Gold Tahitian Pearl & Diamond Ring 14k .24ctw Stone Information: Tahitian Pearl Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .24ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: F - G Clarity: VS1 - VS2 Total ...
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Ring in White Gold
Located in Coral Gables, FL
18 Karat White Gold Ring Featuring An 10.5mm Tahitian Cultured Pearl Accented By a 0.02 Carat Round Diamonds Of SI Clarity & G Color.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
$607Sale Price / item|50% Off
14k gold ring with opal cabochon and pearl
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14 kt solid gold ring with opal cabochon. Multicolor opal ring.
Cultured Pearl, Opal, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
CHANEL Mademoiselle Cultured Pearl Gemstone Diamond Rose Gold Ring
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Chanel ring from the chic Mademoiselle collection is crafted in 18k rose gold and set with cultured pearl, amethyst, citrine, pink quartz, and multicolor sapphires.
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Rose Gold
Diamond and Pearl Rose Gold Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 4.5 Metal Type: 14 Karat Rose Gold and Platinum Top Weight: 3.0 grams Center Diamond Details: Shape: Old European Carat Weight: .45 carat Color: J Clarity:...
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
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
Diamond Pearl Cluster Ring 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 10.0 Grams Diamond Count: 5 brilliant cut Diamond Color: G Diamond Clarity: VS2-SI1 Diamond Carat Weight: 0.15...
Pearl, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 18k Yellow Gold Sapphire and Seed Pearl Ring
Located in New York, NY
Weight: 2.6 Grams Primary Stone: .71ctw Sapphire Secondary Stone: Seed Pearls Measurements: 9.5 x 16.3 x 3.5mm Size: 7.75 Hallmark: 18 Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Item #: BR-1878-05072...
Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Pearl Gold Claw Set Ring 1890s
Located in Wallkill, NY
14K gold set 9.38 mm Pearl Ring Elaborate Claw setting, Size 6 and can be sized by you or our jeweler.
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Mabe Grey Pearl Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Mabe Grey Pearl Ring Size 5.25- This stunning ring features one oval Mabe pearl (27 mm x 16 mm) set in beautifully detailed 14K yellow gold.
Pearl, Yellow Gold
$945Sale Price / item|44% Off
Oval cabochon ruby and pearl 14k gold ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14 kt solid gold ring with natural ruby, pearl and diamond. July birthstone ring. 14k solid gold Weight: 2.50 g.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
Antique Enamel pearl diamond Gold memorial ring
Located in London, GB
Tested yellow gold, circa 1780. UK finger size M. Please note shipping to the United States of America requires the purchaser to fill out a CBP 5106 customs form before the item is ...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
19.2K White Gold Toi et Moi Diamond and Pearl Ring
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Elegant Toi et Moi ring crafted in 800‰ white gold, weighing 3.55 grams, featuring a luminous golden pearl paired with a brilliant-cut diamond in a graceful asymmetrical composition.
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
$945Sale Price / item|44% Off
14k Gold Ring with Pearl, Ruby and Diamonds
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14k gold ring with pearl, ruby and diamonds. Pear ruby ring.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
Modern Cultured Pearl Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat white gold, eagle head hallmark. This second-hand white gold wedding band ring features a wide drop band decorated with gadroons at the start.
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,383Sale Price|20% Off
South Sea Cultured Pearl Ring White Gold 18 Karat
Located in Vannes, FR
Wearing this South Sea cultured pearl ring on 18K white gold is a statement of refinement and grace.
Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
14K Yellow Gold Double Pearl Ring Size 7 #21228
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14K Yellow Gold Double Pearl Ring This lovely pearl ring is set in 14K yellow gold and features two center pearls Pearls are approx. 6mm each Front of ring is approx. 17mm in diam...
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1920s Pearl and Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive pearl and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting.
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
18 Karat White Gold Akoya Pearl and Diamond
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom design Material: 18K white gold Akoya Pearl: 9mm Diamond: 8 round brilliant cut = 0.56cttw Color: G Clarity: SI1 Ring Size: 5.5 (please allow two additional shipping...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Pearl Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Twist Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.26 carat diamond, 0.18 carat ruby and pearl, 18 karat yellow gold and platinum set cocktail ring; part of our antique jewellery and estate jewelry col...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold and Cultured Pearl Emerald Ring
Located in Queens, NY
14K Yellow Gold Cultured Pearl Emerald Ring, featuring one centered round cultured pearl, approx. 6.50 - 7.0 mm, further adorned with eight channel set square step cut emeralds weigh...
Emerald, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Edwardian Turquoise & Pearl Marquise Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Turquoise and Pearl Ring Hallmarked 15ct Circa 1900 Antique Edwardian turquoise and pearl ring, crafted circa 1900 and hallmarked 15ct gold.
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 15k Gold
19th Century Fine Pearls 18 Karat Rose Gold Oval Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold. A charming antique ring from the 19th century, featuring an oval motif on the top adorned with four small half-pearls set within a finely chiseled and ope...
Natural Pearl, Pearl, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Modernist 14K Two-Tone Gold Diamond Baroque Pearl Ring
Located in Queens, NY
14K Rose & White Gold Diamond Pearl Ring, featuring eleven pave set round brilliant cut diamonds weighing a total of approx. 0.10 carat, decorated with one cultured baroque drop pear...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
$2,128Sale Price|20% Off
Statement Pearl & Diamond Cocktail Ring in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Bloomington, MN
Statement Pearl & Diamond Cocktail Ring in 14k Yellow Gold This ring is crafted in 14k yellow gold and features a tall, sculptural cocktail design with a cluster of cultured pea...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,702Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Pearl & Diamond Cocktail Ring in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Bloomington, MN
Sculptural Pearl & Diamond Cocktail Ring in 14k Yellow Gold This ring is crafted in 14k yellow gold and features a cultured pearl set within a sculptural cocktail-style design.
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian Pearl and 9 Carat Gold Five-Stone
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This pearl five stone ring has a chunky feel to it and is modelled in glossy 9carat gold.
Pearl, Gold
Blue Enamel Pearl Ring Flower 14k Gold Vintage
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Blue Enamel Pearl Ring Flower 14K Gold Vintage This pretty vintage ring is crafted in solid 14K gold.
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
18k gold emerald and mother of pearls ring
By Giulia Colussi
Located in Milan, IT
Very special ring with an oval in mother of pearls and by side a emerald princess cut, mis 14 eu .gr gold 18k 23.
Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold
Victorian Diamond Pearl Gold Ring and Earrings Set
Located in Napoli, NA
A gorgeous Victorian perfectly preserved suite, composed of clip-on earrings and ring, set with rose-cut diamonds and mother of pearls, mounted in 12k rose Gold. All handcrafted, Cir...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
$3,733 / item
Moi Zoe Gold Diamond and Cultured Pearl Ring
Located in Lawrenceville, GA
Gold(14K): 6.60g Diamonds : (VS clarity & H-I colour) : (Brilliant cut) : 0.27ct Gemstones : Cultured Pearl : 2.65ct Diamonds.
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Yellow Gold Cultured Pearl Ruby Bypass Ring - 14k
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 1/4 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $35 or Down 2 sizes for $35 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Cultured Pearl Size: 4.9mm Natural Ruby Treatment: Heating Car...
Cultured Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$945Sale Price / item|44% Off
14k Gold Ring with Pearl, Garnet and Diamonds
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14 kt solid gold ring with natural pearl, garnet and diamonds.
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, 14k Gold
$945Sale Price / item|44% Off
14k Gold Ring with Ruby, Pearl and Diamond
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14 k solid yellow gold ring with natural ruby, pearl and diamond. July birthstone ring.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
Lika Behar 22K Yellow Gold Lydia Baroque Pearl & Diamond Ring
By Lika Behar
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Discover the timeless beauty of the 22K Yellow Gold “Lydia” Baroque Pearl and Diamond Ring by Lika Behar, an exquisite expression of artisanal luxury.
Diamond, Pearl, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
$945Sale Price / item|44% Off
14k Gold Ring with Emerald, Pearls and Diamonds
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14 kt solid gold ring with natural emerald, pearls and diamonds.
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold
Pearl and Diamond Ballerina Ring 14k Yellow Gold
Located in beverly hills, CA
It is crafted in 14k gold and is the perfect ring to dazzle on every occasion, Pearl 14.6 mm Diamond weight: 4.5 carats approximately Diamond color: G-H Diamond clarity: SI1 Measure...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow 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.
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Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.