Garland Collection Yellow Gold and Star Set Diamond Dome Ring
By Garland Collection
Located in New York, NY
Our Garland Collection custom solid gold dome rings are scattered with bright diamonds in a starburst setting. A chic, throwback style with a modern twist. Available in yellow, r...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Rose Gold, White G...
Vintage 14K Gold, Diamond and Multi Gemstone Thai Princess Harem Ring
Located in Derby, NY
This remarkable multi-gemstone dome ring features a central brilliant-cut diamond framed by delicate milgrain petals, surrounded by a vibrant constellation of rubies, sapphires, emer...
Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Moonstone, Multi-gemstone, Quartz, Ruby...
2.17CT Tanzanite and 3.56CTW Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Chicago, IL
This piece comes directly from the vault of Atlantic Diamond Company—a family-run fine jewelry house with nearly 50 years of history serving elite collectors, retailers, and dealers ...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, Tanzan...
10.47 Carat Oval Orange Sapphire and Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Chicago, IL
This piece comes directly from the vault of Atlantic Diamond Company—a family-run fine jewelry house with nearly 50 years of history serving elite collectors, retailers, and dealers ...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold, P...
Yellow Gold Tibetan Ring with Vivid Sapphire and Diamonds
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
An unusual form makes this Tibetan 18 karat yellow gold contemporary ring an art object. It is encrusted with: colourful sapphires, diamonds, emeralds and cushion blue vivid sapphire...
Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, ...
Navratna Gold Ring with Diamonds and Gemstones in Indian Design by Kahana Jewels
Located in Geneve, CH
Navratna Gold Ring by Kahana Jewels Dimensions: D 2.5 x H 2.5 cm Materials: Gold, diamond, emerald, ruby, blue sapphire, yellow sapphire, red coral, pearl, cat's eye, hessonite garn...
Hessonite, Cat’s Eye, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Pearl, Garne...
Marquise and Round Cut Multi-Gemstone Wide Band Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Gemstones Color: Red, Blue, Green, Yellow Gemstones Mineral Type: Natural Corundum & Natural Beryl Gemstone Variety: Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire Ring Size: 8.5 Ring Weight: 12.5 Grams Gr...
Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 1...
Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring with Vivid Cushion Sapphire and Diamonds
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
An unusual form makes this Tibetan 18 karat yellow gold contemporary cocktail ring an art object. It is encrusted with: colourful sapphires, diamonds, emeralds and cushion vivid sapp...
Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, ...
Yellow Gold Tibetan Ring with Vivid Red Spinel and Diamonds
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
An unusual form makes this Tibetan 18 karat yellow gold contemporary ring an art object. It is encrusted with: colourful sapphires, diamonds, emeralds and cushion red vivid spinel. S...
Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, ...
$13,250Sale Price|20% Off
Sybarite Safety Pin Ring in Yellow Gold with Rainbow Gemstones and a Charm Ball
By Sybarite Jewellery
Located in London, GB
Sybarite Jewellery is a London-based luxury brand crafting outstanding pieces, incomparable both in design and in execution. Spearheaded by founder Margarita Prykhodko, a former arch...
Multi-gemstone, Emerald, Ruby, Green Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
6.74CTW Blue Sapphire and 0.89CTW Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold
Located in Chicago, IL
This piece comes directly from the vault of Atlantic Diamond Company—a family-run fine jewelry house with nearly 50 years of history serving elite collectors, retailers, and dealers ...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Tanzani...
David Webb Cocktail Ring In 18kt Gold & Platinum With 3.10 Cts Gems And Diamonds
By David Webb
Located in Miami, FL
The ring is embellished with eight natural earth mined gemstones such diamonds, an emerald, a ruby and a sapphire.
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18...
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow Gold Tanzanite Cushion Cut and Diamond Ring
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
S.Georgios designer 18 Karat Yellow Gold Band Ring is all handmade with a Byzantine Granulation Workmanship and a unique velvet background. This gorgeous band features in the center ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Tanzanite, Aquamarine, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, ...
Cartier Diamond and Gemstone Band
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier Diamond and Gemstone Band A ring of openwork broad band design, set with circular-cut diamonds, rubies and emeralds; all mounted in 18 karat yellow gold.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Rosior one-off Multi-Color Gemstone Cocktail Ring set in White and Yellow Gold
By Rosior
Located in Porto, PT
Rosior contemporary cocktail ring made in 19.2k yellow and white gold. The "sea" is made in yellow gold and "over it" there are different species of fish made in white gold and set ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Black Diamond, Eme...
Diamond and multi-gem harem style band
Located in New York, NY
A three-row stacked gold ring set with emerald, sapphire, ruby, and diamond, in 18k.
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Georgios Collection 18 Karat Gold Yellow Sapphire and Diamond Two-Tone Band Ring
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
S.Georgios designer ring is handmade from solid 18 Karat Yellow Gold. This gorgeous ring is microscopically decorated with gold wires - granulated details contrast with a unique Byza...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Emerald, Multi-gemsto...
Georgios Collections 18 Karat White Gold Blue and White Diamonds Wide Band Ring
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
Unique S.Georgios designer Hand Made 18 Karat White Gold Ring. It is all custom made and has granulation work with twisted wire on the sides, and features 6 (six) Brilliant cut Blue ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, Blac...
A Star Set Multi Gem and Diamond Wide Band, by Cartier, France
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Of wide design set with star set circular shaped sapphires, rubies, emeralds and diamonds, mounted in 18K gold, weighing approximately: 16 grams. Signed Cartier, France, numbered, a...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow Gold Blue and White Diamonds Wide Band Ring
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
Unique S.Georgios designer 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring all handmade with Byzantine Granulation workmanship and a gorgeous velvet finish on the background. The gorgeous ring features on...
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sap...
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Diamond Greek Key Band Ring
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
This S.Georgios designer ring is handmade from solid 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold and is microscopically carved in a unique Greek design to create a stunning art piece. This beauti...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, Blac...
Handcraft Tourmaline 14 Karat Yellow Gold Aquamarine Sapphires Cocktail Ring
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
Ring total Weight 16.30 grams Aquamarine weight 8.88 karat Tourmaline weight 2.72 karat Yellow sapphires weight 2.74 karat Emeralds,ruby and sapphires total weight 0.40 karat Ring Si...
Aquamarine, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Tou...
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow Gold Byzantine Style Multicolor Gem Ring
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
S.Georgios Hand Made 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring decorated with Byzantine-era style Granulation and a combination of Diamonds, Rubies, and an Emerald The Ring features Brilliant cut Di...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, and Diamond Cocktail Ring, Part of Set
Located in New York, NY
A Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, and Diamond Cocktail Ring made in 18k Yellow Gold.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow Gold Byzantine Style Multicolour Gem Ring
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
S.Georgios Hand Made 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring decorated with Byzantine-era style granulation and a combination of Diamonds, Rubies, Emerald, and Sapphires.
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold...
Vintage Mid Century Modern 18 Carat Lavender Jade Diamond Multi Gem Gold Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Finely detailed Vintage Mid Century Modern Lavender Jade, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald Gold Cocktail Ring. Centering a securely nestled Hand set Awesome Oval 18 Carat Lavender...
Diamond, Emerald, Jade, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Y...
10.20 Carat Natural Diamond and Ruby 18 Karat Solid White Gold Men's Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
10.20 Carats Natural Diamond & Ruby 18K Solid White Gold Men's Ring Amazing looking piece! Total Natural Round Cut Diamonds Weight: Approx. 0.70 Carats (color G-H / Clarity SI1-SI2...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ruby Cts 0.86 and Emerald Cts 0.43 and Sapphire Cts 0.55 Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Imagine a fiery 0.86-carat ruby, its passionate red heart accompanied by the verdant glow of a 0.43-carat emerald and the celestial blue of 0.55-carat sapphires on your ring.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
10.30 Carat Natural Diamond and Ruby 14 Karat Solid White Gold Men's Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
10.30 Carats Natural Diamond & Ruby 14K Solid White Gold Men's Ring Amazing looking piece! Total Natural Round Cut Diamonds Weight: Approx. 0.80 Carats (color G-H / Clarity SI1-SI2...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
10.70 Carat Natural Diamond and Ruby 14 Karat Solid Yellow Gold Men's Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
10.70 Carats Natural Diamond & Ruby 14K Solid Yellow Gold Men's Ring Amazing looking piece! Total Natural Round Cut Diamonds Weight: Approx. 0.70 Carats (color G-H / Clarity SI1-SI...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
4.60 Carat Natural Ruby and Diamond 14 Karat Solid Yellow Gold Men's Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
4.60 Carats Natural Ruby and Diamond 14K Solid Yellow Gold Men's Ring Amazing looking piece! Total Natural Round Cut Diamonds Weight: Approx. 1.10 Carats (color G-H / Clarity SI1) ...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
9.70 Carat Natural Diamond and Ruby 14 Karat Solid White Gold Men's Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
9.70 Carats Natural Diamond & Ruby 14K Solid White Gold Men's Ring Amazing looking piece! Total Natural Round Cut Diamonds Weight: Approx. 0.70 Carats (color G-H / Clarity SI1-SI2)...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
$4,500 / item
18 Karat Gold Diamond Chain Link Ring
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
Also available in emerald and ruby. The ring is a size 7 and may be resized to larger or smaller upon request.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
9K Gold Edwardian Snake Ring with Rhodolite Garnets
Located in Venice, CA
Snakes are a popular motif in contemporary jewelry trends, but date back to the Victorian era, when Prince Albert gave Queen Victoria a ruby and emerald encrusted snake engagement ri...
Garnet, Rhodolite, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Platinum Aquamarine Stacking Band Ring by Rossella Ugolini, Italy
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Available in Citrino, Amethyst, Rose and Green Tourmaline, Sapphires Rubyes and Emerald on order. This ring is entirely manufactured, in an artisanal way, in Rome, Italy and every st...
Aquamarine, Platinum
Solitaire Pear Sapphire 14K (or 18k upon request) Yellow Gold Band Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Solitaire Pear Sapphire 14K Yellow Gold Band Ring is a stunning piece crafted in 14K yellow gold, featuring a beautiful combination of blue sapphire, ruby, and emerald stones.
14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$419Sale Price / item|46% Off
Carved Flower with gemstones silver, gold
Located in Istanbul, TR
Carved Flower ring with gemstones silver, gold. Lab emerald and ruby ring.
Emerald, Ruby, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Emerald Ruby Sapphire Diamond Pearl Necklace & Ring Set in 18 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
Emerald Ruby Sapphire Diamond Pearl Necklace & Ring Set in 18 Karat Gold Beautiful Necklace with matching ring This Necklace has all precious stones All are Big size and best q...
Diamond, Pearl, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Trilogy ring, 18K Rose Gold, 0.20 Ct Cabochon Ruby and Emeralds. Contemporary
Located in Cattolica, IT
A ring with a retro flavor, made of 18K rose gold and embellished with a cabochon-cut Ruby centered and vividly colored. On either side are set two round brilliant-cut Emeralds. The...
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
1960’s Gentleman's Gold and Gemstone Ring
Located in Toronto, ON
1960’s colorful Gold and Gemstone Ring. The custom made Ring of a rectangular tutti fruti like form set with three old mine cut diamonds and a round brilliant cut diamond, total diam...
Beryl, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
$1,680Sale Price / set|20% Off
Tutti Frutti 14K Gold Earrings & Ring Set, Art Deco, Netherlands, 2000
Located in North Hollywood, CA
They are set with small Diamonds throughout. The ring is the same teardrop shape but with two (2) Emeralds, one (1) Ruby and one (1) Blue Sapphire.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Platinum & Round Brilliant Diamond Infinity Eternity Ring, Custom Made-To-Order
By Rock N Gold Creations
Located in San Diego, CA
This exquisite platinum and diamond infinity eternity ring can be customized to meet your specifications, offering a wide range of gemstone types (ruby, sapphire, emerald, and more),...
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Alexandrite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine,...
Platinum 14kt Rose Gold Natural Pink & Diamond Eternity Ring, Custom-to-Order
By Rock N Gold Creations
Located in San Diego, CA
Platinum and 14kt Rose Gold Natural Pink & White Diamond Eternity Ring, Custom Made-to-Order Ring This exquisite eternity ring can be customized to meet your specifications, offerin...
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Alexandrite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine,...
Handcraft Butterfly 14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds Stud Earrings
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
Handmade by our artisans assembled with diamonds,emeralds and ruby Earrings total weight 2.30 grams Diamonds weight 0.19 karat Ruby and emeralds total weight 0.16 karat (ring is not...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
David Webb Coral Double Lion Head Bangle Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Designed as two opposing carved coral dragon heads, each with set diamonds, rubies and emeralds, holding a paved diamond ring and carved coral bodies forming the hinged articulated h...
$9,500
Emerald and Ruby Ring
Located in Sarasota, FL
Complete your jewelry collection with our stunning Emerald & Ruby Ring. Featuring a classic ring design, this piece adds a touch of elegance to any outfit.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early Victorian Ruby, Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
An early Victorian ruby, emerald and diamond ring, to the centre two old brilliant-cut diamonds estimated to weigh 0.5 carats in total, set between an emerald estimated to weigh 0.3...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver
Late Victorian Emerald, Ruby and Diamond Twin Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
This Victorian ring is in very good condition, with slight abrasion to the emerald and ruby consistent with age.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver
Art Deco Style Ruby and Diamond Square Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
An Art Deco style ruby and diamond square cluster ring, the central octagonal-cut ruby estimated to weigh 0.6 carats, surrounded by eighteen round brilliant-cut diamonds estimated to...
Diamond, Ruby
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow Gold Emerald Ruby and Sapphire Diamond Ring
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
This Multicolour Byzantine style ring features Brilliant cut Diamonds total weight of 0.23 Carat, in the center a marquise cut emerald, two brilliant-cut rubies, and one brilliant Cu...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sa...
Vintage Ruby and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Half Eternity Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The stones are so gorgeous in this band. The rubies are square cut and total 50pts and in-between these red stones are emerald cut diamonds totalling 10pts.
Diamond, Ruby, 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.