Hidden Locket
Vintage 1970s American Drop Necklaces
Antique Late 19th Century Engagement Rings
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold
Antique Late 19th Century European High Victorian Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century British Georgian Cluster Rings
Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Cluster Rings
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Spinel, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Spinel, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Silver
Mid-20th Century Etruscan Revival Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
Antique 1870s Swiss Fashion Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 15k Gold, 9k Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Romantic Bangles
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
2010s American Modern Dome Rings
Onyx, Sterling Silver
American More Rings
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Dome Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s American Late Victorian More Bracelets
Pearl, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Enamel
Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Multi-Strand Necklaces
Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 17th Century British Georgian Fashion Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1880s Victorian Solitaire Rings
Spinel, 14k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Charm Bracelets
Black Diamond, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s French Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 1860s Victorian More Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s American More Jewelry
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Carnelian, Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Link Bracelets
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Brooches
Silver
Antique 1880s Victorian Dangle Earrings
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rhodium, Gold
Antique 1850s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 1880s British Victorian More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1860s Victorian Bangles
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Late 18th Century English Victorian More Bracelets
15k Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Bangles
Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique 1870s French Fashion Rings
Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Silver, Vermeil
Antique 18th Century Unknown Early Victorian Brooches
Natural Pearl, Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, Silver
European Bangles
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings
Garnet, Pearl, White Diamond, 15k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Bangles
Agate, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Agate, 15k Gold
English Chain Necklaces
Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Engagement Rings
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Bangles
European Cocktail Rings
Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings
Moonstone, Diamond, Gold
Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Moonstone, Gold
Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Moonstone, Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Drop Necklaces
Garnet, Turquoise, 15k Gold
Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Engagement Rings
Amethyst, Chrysophrase, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Wedding Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Mid-19th Century French High Victorian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
Antique 18th Century English Georgian More Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1880s American Victorian Fashion Rings
Agate, Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Signet Rings
Onyx, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s British Victorian More Rings
18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Mexican Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian More Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian More Rings
Diamond, 15k Gold, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings
Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Signet Rings
15k Gold
Antique 1890s Victorian Signet Rings
18k Gold
Antique 19th Century European Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold
People Also Browsed
1990s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Enamel, Gilt Metal
Antique 1890s Etruscan Revival Pendant Necklaces
Gold-filled
Antique 1870s French Bangles
Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Late 18th Century British Georgian Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1840s Victorian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Structured Shoulder Bags
Antique 18th Century Georgian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Etruscan Revival Pendant Necklaces
15k Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1940s French Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Yellow Gold
Antique 1850s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modern Bangles
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Hidden Locket For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Hidden Locket?
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.