1.20 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement RIng
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Please allow up to 4 weeks for making this ring when customising.
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
0.83 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Please allow up to 4 weeks for making this ring when customising.
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
1.68 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Please allow up to 4 weeks for making this ring when customising.
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
1.45 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Please allow up to 4 weeks for making this ring when customising.
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
2.18 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Please allow up to 4 weeks for making this ring when customising.
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
0.70 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Please allow up to 4 weeks for making this ring when customising.
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
0.50 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat White Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Please allow up to 4 weeks for making this ring when customising.
Diamond, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
0.68 Carat Round Side Band Diamond Solitaire 18 Karat Rose Gold Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Please allow up to 4 weeks for making this ring when customising.
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
Natkina White Pearl Emerald Ruby Diamond White Gold Ring For Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
White 14K Gold Ring Diamond 6-RND57-0,06 ct- VS1 A Diamond 75-RND57-0,52 ct- VS1 A Pearl d 9,5-10,0 1-0 ct Size US 6.5 It is our honour to create fine jewelry, and it’s for that re...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Pearl, White Gold
Modern Gold Cocktail Band 1.50 Carat Natural Ruby Gem Stone & Diamond circa 1980
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modern 18k Yellow Gold Cocktail Band, approximately 1.50 Carat Natural Rubies & Diamonds. The 16 natural rubies weigh approximately 1 carat and the 11 natural diamonds are approxima...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
Angara Natural Half Eternity Five Stone 1.4 ct Ruby Wedding Band 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Description: Beautifully studded in a prong setting are five round rubies in a row, exuding their radiant red hue.
Ruby, Gold
Roberto Coin Overlapping Band Ring, 18k Yellow & White Gold, Ring Size 7.25
By Robert Coin
Located in McLeansville, NC
Stones: ruby round Ring Size: 7.25 (fits like 7.5) Rise Off Of Finger: 4.7 mm Width: 7 mm Weight: 3.9 dwts/ 6.1 grams Metal: "18k ITALY 1226VI" *Roberto Coin *Appassionota Colle...
Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Stunning Nine Stone Navratna Astrological 18k Ring
Located in bangkok, TH
A Stunning Nine Stone Navratna Astrological Ring suitable for either a man or woman in solid 18k gold and featuring a wonderful array of beautiful natural gemstones. The central Ruby...
Ruby, 18k Gold
Platinum Natural Ruby Channel Set Eternity 2 Mm Band 2.5 Gram Size 6.5
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Platinum Natural Ruby Channel Set Eternity 2 mm band 2.5 Gram Size 6.5 Size 6.5 2 mm wide 2.5 gram Marked "900 pt"
Ruby, Platinum
$1,400Sale Price / item|20% Off
"Gresah" signature 14 Karat Rose Gold Flower with a Ruby and Diamond Halo
By Gregory Mikaelian & Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k rose gold flower and "Gresah" signature silver woven bark ring containing 1 round ruby of gem quality weighing .30pts. and 18 round full cut diamonds of fine quality weighing .09...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
18k Rose Gold & Enamel Band with 1.60 Carat Diamond & 0.28 Carat Ruby
By Shimon's Creations
Located in New York, NY
Very Unique and Stylish 18k Rose Gold Band with Red Oriental Style Enamel and Diamond Inlay & Border containing Natural Rubies Total Carat Weight: 1.32 Carats White Diamonds: 1.32 ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Enamel, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Angara Natural Prong 1.32 ct Ruby and Diamond Eternity Band in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This luxurious and classic ruby eternity band is crafted in 14k white gold.July Birthstone Ring for Women: Ruby is the July birthstone and the traditional gemstone gift for the 15th ...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Half Eternity Ruby and Diamond Wedding Band. Alternate Band 14K White Gold
Located in New York, NY
Its half-eternity design offers a graceful display of gemstones while allowing the band to pair beautifully with other rings. The combination of crisp baguette-cut rubies and sparkl...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
0.40 Carat Round Diamond Twisted Love 18 Karat Rose Gold 4 Prong Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Please allow up to 4 weeks for making this ring when customising.
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
0.95 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat Rose Gold 4 Prong Love Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Please allow up to 4 weeks for making this ring when customising.
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
1.20 Carat Round Diamond Twisted 18 Karat Rose Gold 4 Prong Engagement Love Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Please allow up to 4 weeks for making this ring when customising.
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yel...
Diamond Brahma Cocktail Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The mode of transport for the God ‘Brahma’, creator of the universe, was a swan... This stunning interpretation features a beautiful center cut Diamond accented with dazzling parve D...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver
14 Karat Two Tone Rope Design Ruby and Diamond Band, Size 3.75
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Details: Metal: 14 Karat Yellow and White Gold Design: Accent Band Gemstones: 3.5mm Faceted Round Ruby, 0.63ct, Four 3.0mm Round Faceted Rubies Diamonds: Eight 1.7mm Round Brill...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
Roman Malakov 0.78 Carat Alternating Ruby and Diamond Eternity Wedding Band
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
This wedding band features 18 natural rubies of 0.44 carats, alternating with 18 round brilliant diamonds of 0.34 carats. The stones weigh 0.78 carats total. Set in 18K white gold. S...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Fantastic Gold and Enamel Tiger Ring
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic Gold and Enamel Tiger Ring Details: 18k gold, Enamel, Ruby eyes, ring size 5 and half, weight 18.1 grams. In excellent condition.
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
$971Sale Price / item|25% Off
14 Karat Rose Gold "Snake" Diamond Ring
By Gregory Mikaelian & Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14 karat rose gold "Snake" diamond ring containing 18 round full cut diamonds weighing .18pts. and 2 round rubies as eyes weighing .06pts.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Wide Pave' Eternity Band with Diamonds, Sapphires and Rubies in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Wailea, HI
Indulge in opulent elegance with our Wide Pave' Eternity Band, a radiant symphony of diamonds, sapphires, and rubies set in lustrous 18k yellow gold. Embracing the finger with a luxu...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$12,500
French Art Deco Temple Ring
Located in Riverdale, NY
French Art Deco Temple Ring in 18k gold rubies and diamonds. Incredible tiered design with stones set platinum petals unfurling over each level. Very high style Art Moderne design an...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
$927Sale Price / item|44% Off
Blossom ring with multicolored gemstones
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14 karat gold Blossom ring with pink gemstones. Flower bouquet gold ring. Pink tourmaline ring. Tourmaline, sapphires, amethyst ring. Weight: 2.5 g. depends from size 14k solid gol...
Amethyst, Sapphire, Tourmaline, Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Mid-Century Marchak, Paris Multigem Giardinetto Ring
By Marchak
Located in New York, NY
A Mid-Century, gold, jardiniere ring comprised of two gold bands suspending a basket of flowers in diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald, in 18k and platinum. Signed Marchak, Paris, n...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
$927Sale Price / item|44% Off
Two Tone Gold, Emerald Engagement Ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Emerald solitaire ring in 14k two tone gold. Emerald engagement ring. 14k gold ring with natural emerald. May birthstone ring. Emerald jewelry. Metal: 14k solid gold. 2 color tone...
Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold
Zolotos Yellow Gold and Gen set Swan Bird Ring
By Zolotos
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1990s Zolotos 18k Yellow Gold Swan Bird ford Ring, the top measures 1 3/8 inches across, weighing 5,8 Grams, finely detailed with a brushed finish and having Ruby set Eyes. Fin...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Unbranded 18K Yellow Gold Rubin Ring with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Unbranded Rubin Ring Material 18K yellow gold Ruby: 5 Dia: 1.75ct Diamond Clarity SI Color Grade G Ring size 10 Ring Weight 7.5gr Condition Pre-Owned Retail Price$ 5500
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Snake Ring of 18k Gold, Circa 1880
Located in Lewisburg, PA
A captivating antique snake ring from the late Victorian era (circa 1880–1900), featuring a beautifully sculpted knotted serpent in solid 18k gold, its head set with two ruby eyes. S...
Ruby, 18k Gold
Natural Mixed Gemstones Ring 1.36 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
Comes with Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All Gemstones are Natural in Origin White Topaz: 0.70 Carats Ruby: 0.24 Carats (Treatment: Filling) Black Sapphire: 0.22 Carats Emerald...
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Silver, Sterling Silver
18K Gold 2 carat Diamond eternity Ring by MOISEIKIN
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Very light. Very radiant. Very MOISEIKIN. In The Very, precious stones and 18K white gold come together in jewellery that feels both elegant and effortless. This eternity ring plac...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$13,491 / item
Fortune Kinetic Ring in Yellow Gold
By Sybarite Jewellery
Located in London, GB
Make your own luck with our Fortune kinetic ring. This refined 18ct yellow gold Fortune Kinetic ring is a playful take on the Wheel of Fortune. Loving designed with Sybarite’s signat...
White Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
$3,430Sale Price / item|20% Off
Full Eternity Band of Ruby and Diamond in 18 Karat White Gold Gift For Her
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
PRODUCT DETAILS :- Material - 18K Solid White Gold Gemstone - Ruby Stone Shape - Round Gemstone Pcs - 15 Stone Shape - Round Stone Size - 1.8 mm Diamond Weight - 0.48 ct Diam...
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Sophia D. 18K Yellow Gold Ring
By Sophia D
Located in New York, NY
18K yellow gold ring with sapphire, ruby and diamond. Sophia D has been known world-wide for over 40 years because of its rich history of design and quality craftsmanship. From art ...
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18KT Gold 4.68ct Pink Tourmaline Ring
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage 18KT gold ring designed with a round pink tourmaline centre stone of approximately 4.68 carats, surrounded by rose cut diamonds in an openwork mount. The ring has an elegan...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold 2.6 carat Tsavorite eternity Ring by MOISEIKIN
By MOISEIKIN
Located in Hong Kong, HK
MOISEIKIN's Exquisite "The Very" jewellery collection – Very light, shining, radiant, pretty, elegant, and exquisite MOISEIKIN! From MOISEIKIN’s The Very collection, this 18K white ...
Ruby, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
Sculptural Vintage Inspired Ring with Precious Natural Gems
Located in Singapore, SG
This sculptural vintage-style ring is handcrafted in solid 18K gold and set with carefully curated natural precious gemstones, including a Burmese unheated ruby, Colombian emeralds, ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
2 Carat Halo Style Engagement Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
There are 2.34ctw of Pure Red Rubies. Mounting Size: This ring is approximately 21.0mm x 3.7mm.
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Acrostic "REGARD" Ring c1883 Birmingham England
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1883, 15k, Birmingham, England. I cannot think of a more charming or romantic sentiment than the one behind this acrostic antique jewel. The first letter of the names of the g...
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Natural Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold
Vintage Multi Stone 9 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This stylish ring holds Turquoise, Sapphires and Rubies. The gold has a rope twist effect and the stones are set in collections of 3. Ring Size: N or 6 3/4 Band Width: 14mm Weight:...
Ruby, Sapphire, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
Fortune Kinetic Ring in White Gold
By Sybarite Jewellery
Located in London, GB
Make your own luck with our Fortune kinetic ring. This refined 18ct white gold Fortune Kinetic ring is a playful take on the Wheel of Fortune. Loving designed with Sybarite’s signatu...
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$1,855Sale Price / item|44% Off
Multicolor gemstone 14k gold ring.
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Multicolor gemstone 14k gold ring. Gemstone Shaker ring. Rainbow gemstone under sapphire glass ring. Floating gemstone gold ring. Metal: 14k gold Weight: 9 gr depends from size RIn...
Agate, Amethyst, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Tourmali...
Cartier Vintage Dome Ring Gold Gemstones Enamel Size 5.75
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A vintage Cartier dome band ring, crafted in 18k yellow gold and accented with rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. Designed with a wide, sculptural dome profile, the ring showcases a st...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
$13,491 / item
Fortune Kinetic Ring in Rose Gold
By Sybarite Jewellery
Located in London, GB
Make your own luck with our Fortune kinetic ring. This refined 18ct rose gold Fortune Kinetic ring is a playful take on the Wheel of Fortune. Loving designed with Sybarite’s signatur...
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$854 / item
Carved Flower 14k ring with gemstones
Located in Istanbul, TR
Round ruby vintage ring. Nature inspired ring with mother of pearl flower.
Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Diamond-set Snake Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1929, 18k, London, England. The double snake rings speak of "the two of us", and traditionally signal fidelity, friendship, and trust. Featuring a sleek design underscored by ....
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$30,865 / item
Towards the Stars Sunlight Heart Ring
By Sybarite Jewellery
Located in London, GB
Towards the Stars Collection The allure of this ring lies in its remarkable ability to surprise and enchant, much like the intricate wonders of the universe we inhabit. At first glan...
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Russian Diamond Cocktail Ring in 14K Rose Gold
By Hand Made
Located in New York, NY
Custom Made Russian Ring Material: 14K Rose Gold Condition: Pre-Owned Rose Cut Ruby: 1.20ctw Diamonds: 0.14ctw Clarity: SI1 Color: G Ring Dimension: Size: 7 Width: 9.4mm Band Width:...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Sterling Silver Pave Set Diamond Bear Ring, App. 2.00 TCW
Located in Fairfield, CT
Round faceted red color synthetic rubies are bezel set as the eyes, to finish the ring.
Diamond, Ruby, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Pave Set Diamond Frog Ring, App. 2.63 TCW
Located in Fairfield, CT
Round faceted pinkish red color synthetic rubies are bezel set as the eyes, to finish the ring.
Diamond, Ruby, Sterling Silver
Vintage 9 Carat Gold Dearest Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Ring Size: L or 5 3/4 Width: 3mm Weight: 2g
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, Gold, 9k Go...
RETRO Diamond Rose Gold Platinum Flower Bouquet Ring
Located in New York, NY
This classic women's ring features an intriguing retro flower bouquet design popular in 1940s. Made in platinum and 14k rose gold and set with synthetic rubies and sparkling brillian...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage Rose Flower Ring circa 1940's 18k Yellow Gold French made
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Flower Ring 18k Yellow Gold Made in France and has a French mark. approx weight 15 grams Finger size 5 Leafs Petals open and close manually. Center has blue Sapphire Diamond ...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Gold 2.6 carat Tsavorite eternity Ring by MOISEIKIN
By MOISEIKIN
Located in Hong Kong, HK
MOISEIKIN's Exquisite "The Very" jewellery collection – Very light, shining, radiant, pretty, elegant, and exquisite MOISEIKIN! Elevate your style to new heights with MOISEIKIN's la...
Ruby, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960's Multi-Gem 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage En Tremblant Flower Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a domed form comprised of dimensional daisy flower heads Flowers move and spin en tremblant style - with engraved texture petals Prong set with round cut diamonds, sapphi...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k 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.
This deep red gem is the color of heat and passion — vintage and antique ruby jewelry is perfect for those born in the middle of summer.
Rubies are one of the few gemstones that can give diamonds a run for their money. Just consider the Van Cleef & Arpels “scarf” necklace the Duke of Windsor presented to the Duchess on her 40th birthday, in 1936 — set with diamonds and dripping with rubies, a testament to the deep-red gemstone’s power — or the slippers encrusted with 4,600 rubies that Harry Winston made to commemorate The Wizard of Oz’s golden anniversary. July babies have permission to adorn themselves with this beautiful red stone even when it’s not their birthday.
Rubies are considered precious stones — along with diamonds, sapphires and emeralds — and have a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs Scale, surpassed only by Moissanite and diamonds. They are composed of corundum, a colorless mineral that is also the basic material of sapphires. In the July birthstone, the red of the gemstone — and the various hues seen in sapphires — are produced by the presence of trace elements. In the case of a ruby, this element is chromium. Rubies range in color from vermilion to a violet red. They are also pleochroic, which means that a stone’s hue can vary depending on the direction of viewing. The most sought-after color is pigeon’s blood: pure red with a hint of blue.
Rubies that are hosted in dolomite marble are the most prized: Because the marble is low in iron, so are the rubies, resulting in a more intense color. Rubies found in basalt, which has a higher iron content, are generally darker and less intense.
When shopping for antique and vintage ruby jewelry, remember that the 4Cs of selecting the perfect diamond — color, clarity, cut and carat — also apply to rubies.
According to the Gemological Institute of America, the color of the July birthstone should be a vibrant to slightly purplish red, and the stone should be clear and inclusion-free. Accordingly, the cut should show off its color and clarity. As for the last criterion, fine rubies more than a carat in weight are rare. Often, large rubies are more expensive than diamonds of comparable weights.
Find a collection of ruby necklaces, ruby rings and other accessories on 1stDibs.
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.