Sold|$42,000
Retro Cartier Sapphire Flower Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A chic retro Cartier flower brooch with sapphires, emeralds, and rubies.
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, White Gold
Antique Victorian 14 Karat Gold Pearl Ruby Rose Cut Diamond Round Flower Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
It is a gorgeous Victorian flower pin brooch crafted in 14K gold. It is adorned with silver.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
1950's Diamond Ruby Emerald Sapphire 18 Karat Yellow Gold Flower Circle Brooch
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This flower brooch from the 1950s captures the elegance and vibrancy of mid-century design, crafted in 14 karat yellow gold.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Christian Dior GROSSE 1962 Vintage Large Intertwined Flower Ruby Crystals Brooch
By Henkel and Grosse for Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior GROSSE 1962 Vintage Large Intertwined Flower Leaf Bush Ruby Red Crystals Elegant Modernist Chunky Brooch, Gold Tone Very good condition.
Gold Plate
18k Yellow Gold Ruby Hand Made Elegant Flower Twisted Wire Leaf Brooch Pin
By Hand Made
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Ruby - Round Brilliant Cut - Prong Set - Vivid Pinkish Red Color - 0.08ctw (approx.) Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 14.02 Grams Over...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 1950's Diamond Ruby Platinum 18K Gold Vintage Flower Brooch
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a dimensional daisy flower with fluted yellow gold petals Featuring a platinum center pavé set with single cut diamonds Weighing approximately 0.35 carats total - G color...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Retro 18 Karat White Gold 25 Carat Ruby and 1 Carat Diamond Flower Brooch
Located in Cape May, NJ
Era: Retro Composition: 18K White Gold Primary Stone: Square Step Cut Rubies Carat Weight: 25 Carats Accent Stone: Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds Carat Weight: 1 Carat Color: G-H...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Very Large Yellow Gold Mystery Set Ruby & Fancy Yellow Diamond Flower Pin Brooch
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- Numerous Natural Genuine Rubies - French Cut - Mystery Invisible Set - Deep Red Color - 100-120ctw (approx.) Numerous Natural Genuine Diamonds- Round Brilliant Cut - Pr...
Yellow Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$1,065
Italian multi gem Gold Flower Brooch
Located in Napoli, NA
This brooch incorporates a floral motif profile with multiple gem flower weighing approximately: emeralds 0.80 ct. ruby 1 ct sapphire 0.80 ct Gross weight: 11.2 gr.
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Retro Flower Basket Brooch set with Diamond, Ruby and Sapphires in 18 Karat Gold
Located in London, GB
Flower basket brooch set with diamond ruby and sapphires.
White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Retro Flower Basket Brooch Set with Diamond, Ruby and Sapphires in Bimetal 18 K
Located in London, GB
Flower basket brooch set with diamond ruby and sapphires.
White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Sold|$4,800
Large Jeweled 1970's Flower Brooch
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Great floral brooch containing turquoise, peridot, and ruby.
Ruby, Turquoise, Peridot, 18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. 1970's 0.86 CTW Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Flower Brooch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a dimensional flower with deeply grooved petals and stem Centering a cluster of prong set round cut rubies Weighing approximately 0.86 carat total Transparent medium purp...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Coro Vintage 1940s Turquoise White Pearls Wishbone Ruby Flowers Sterling Brooch
By Coro
Located in Wokingham, England
Coro Vintage 1940s Iconic Turquoise Light Blue White Pearls Wishbone Ruby Red Flowers Bouquet Leaf Talisman Sterling Silver Brooch, Gold Tone Very good condition.
Sterling Silver
Coro Vintage 1940s Turquoise White Pearls Wishbone Ruby Flowers Sterling Brooch
By Coro
Located in Wokingham, England
Coro Vintage 1940s Iconic Turquoise Light Blue White Pearls Wishbone Ruby Red Flowers Bouquet Leaf Talisman Sterling Silver Brooch, Gold Tone Very good condition.
Sterling Silver
Sold|$15,082
Cartier Aquamarine Diamond Gold Flower Brooch
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
A Cartier 14ct gold brooch, with spiky stylised flowers with ruby centres, aquamarine petals, with diamond set spacers or stamens in the flower.
Aquamarine, Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Christian Dior GROSSE 1962 Vintage Turquoise Ruby Crystals Flower Leaf Brooch
By Henkel and Grosse for Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior GROSSE 1962 Vintage Turquoise Blue Green Ruby Red Crystals Beads Cabochon Flower Leaf Elegant Modernist Brooch, Gold Tone Very good condition.
Gold Plate
Christian Dior GROSSE 1962 Vintage Large Intertwined Flower Ruby Crystals Brooch
By Henkel and Grosse for Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior GROSSE 1962 Vintage Large Intertwined Flower Leaf Bush Ruby Red Crystals Elegant Modernist Chunky Brooch, Gold Tone Very good condition.
Gold Plate
Christian Dior GROSSE 1962 Vintage Large Intertwined Flower Ruby Crystals Brooch
By Henkel and Grosse for Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior GROSSE 1962 Vintage Large Intertwined Flower Ruby Crystal Brooch, Gold Tone Very good condition.
Gold Plate
Christian Dior GROSSE 1962 Vintage Large Intertwined Flower Ruby Crystals Brooch
By Henkel and Grosse for Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior GROSSE 1962 Vintage Large Intertwined Flower Ruby Crystal Brooch, Gold Tone Very good condition.
Gold Plate
Sold|$65,100
An Exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels Flower Brooch
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite flower brooch manufactured by Van Cleef & Arpels (New York) in the 1960s, presenting blue and yellow sapphires for a total of approx. 40 cts, sided by smaller rubies, on...
Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Fendi Vintage Gripoix Ruby Flower Circle Crystal Drop Pendant Black Bow Brooch
By Fendi
Located in Wokingham, England
Fendi Vintage 1980s Iconic Gripoix Ruby Red Art Glass Flower Circle Crystals Drop Pendant Black Enamel Knot Bow Brooch, Gold Tone Very excellent condition.
Gold Plate
Fendi Vintage Gripoix Ruby Flower Circle Crystal Drop Pendant Black Bow Brooch
By Fendi
Located in Wokingham, England
Fendi Vintage 1980s Iconic Gripoix Ruby Red Art Glass Flower Circle Crystals Drop Pendant Black Enamel Knot Bow Brooch, Gold Tone Very excellent condition.
Gold Plate
Fendi Vintage Gripoix Ruby Flower Circle Crystal Drop Pendant Black Bow Brooch
By Fendi
Located in Wokingham, England
Fendi Vintage 1980s Iconic Gripoix Ruby Red Art Glass Flower Circle Crystals Drop Pendant Black Enamel Knot Bow Brooch, Gold Tone Very excellent condition.
Gold Plate
Sold|$4,750
A Retro Gold Gemset Flower Cart Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A Retro gold flower cart brooch set with rubies, emeralds, diamonds and pearls, in 18k and platinum.
Cultured Pearl, Emerald, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Gripoix Ruby Thistle Flower Jelly Belly Pendant Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Gripoix Ruby Red Thistle Flower Jelly Belly Pendant Elegant Brooch, Gold Plated Very excellent condition.
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Gripoix Ruby Thistle Flower Jelly Belly Pendant Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Gripoix Ruby Red Thistle Flower Jelly Belly Pendant Brooch, Gold Plated Very excellent condition.
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Ruby Orange Navy Emerald Sapphire Flower Bouquet Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL 1980s Five Ruby Red Orange Yellow Navy Blue Enamel Emerald Sapphire Crystals Flower Floral Bouquet Elegant Brooch, Gold Plated Very good condition.
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Gripoix Ruby Thistle Flower Jelly Belly Pendant Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Gripoix Ruby Red Thistle Flower Jelly Belly Pendant Brooch, Gold Plated Very excellent condition.
Gold Plate
Exceptional Large Cartier "Tutti Frutti" Flower Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A one of a kind large "Tutti Frutti" cardoon flower brooch by Cartier flower brooch in yellow gold with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies.
White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Gripoix Ruby Thistle Flower Jelly Belly Pendant Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty 1980s Gripoix Ruby Red Thistle Flower Pineapple Jelly Belly Pendant Elegant Brooch, Gold Plated Very excellent condition.
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gripoix Ruby Flower Crystal Gold Long Ring Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Robert Goossens Vintage Unisex Gripoix Ruby Red Oval Clover Flower Crystal Cabochon Long Drop Circle Ring Elegant Modernist Brooch, Gold Plated Very excellent...
Gold Plate
18k Art Nouveau brooch - Late Victorian jewelry - round Floral flower brooch
Located in Antwerp, BE
Round in shape, this lovely antique brooch represents a beautiful flower bouquet. The brooch itself is a plain round disc with hand-made engravings set with two little seed pearls, a...
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$4,400
Tiffany & Co. Basket of Flowers Gold Brooch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Litchfield, CT
This lovely Tiffany & Co. basket of flowers brooch is set with vibrant rubies, sapphires, and diamonds.
White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$8,500
Burmese Ruby No Heat Diamond Flower Pin
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful flower motif pin prong-set with seven round, brilliant-cut burmese ruby accented with round brilliant-cut diamonds. Stamped McT, Platinum.
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Retro Gold Diamond Sapphire Emerald Ruby Flower
Located in New York, NY
18k gold retro brooch with old mine cut diamonds approx. 0.50ctw, Sapphires, rubies and emeralds. Measures - 52mm x 57mm. Weights 55.2 grams. Marked Hallmarks.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
Chanel Vintage 1950s Flower Ruby Cabochon Long 6 Dots Ball Barrette Gold Brooch
By Chanel
Located in Wokingham, England
Chanel Vintage 1950s Flower Camellia Ruby Red Circle Cabochon Long 6 Dots Ball Barrette Brooch, Gold Tone Very excellent condition.
Gold Plate
Sold|$17,500
Cartier Natural Burma Ruby Gold Flower Pin
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and chic flower pin set with ten no heat natural ruby beads, presumed to be from Mogok, Burma. Signed Cartier, London.
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$5,395
Diamond and Multi Gemstone Flower Brooch Pin
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Material: 14k white gold Diamonds Details: Approximately 1.25ctw of round brilliant diamonds. Diamonds are G/H in color and VS in clarity. Gemstone Details: 1ct pear shape emerald, 0...
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold,...
Sold|$1,895
Retro Ruby and Diamond Flower Pin, 1940s
Located in Towson, MD
One 18 and 10 karat yellow gold containing fourteen (14) 6.5 x 5mm natural oval cabochon cut rubies and three (3) round brilliant cut diamonds with approximately, 0.45-carat total we...
Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$22,624
Large Mid-Century Gem Set Diamond Flower Brooch
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A fabulous large scale flower brooch dating from the 1950s. Crafted from 18k white gold & platinum.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Red Crystal and Faux Ruby Flower Pin Brooch in Silver
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
A stylish flower pin by Kenneth Jay Lane. This floral brooch features a large, single faux pearl centerpiece, accented with pave red crystal petals. Exquisite! Hallmarks: Kenneth © ...
Crystal
Vintage 4.32 Carat Diamond and 1.93 Carat Ruby Platinum Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage 4.32 carat diamond and 1.93 carat ruby, platinum flower spray brooch; part of our diverse brooch collection This stunning, fine and impressiv...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1950s "Tremblant" Abstract Turquoise, Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire & Ruby Flower
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Charming and unique brooch, clearly a flower motif, et abstract in its design, made of platinum and 18k yellow gold and decorated with turquoise, diamonds, rubies, sapphires and an e...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Turquoise, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Victorian Old Mine Cut Diamond Ruby Sapphire Gold Posy Brooch
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Victorian old mine-cut diamond ruby sapphire and gold flower bouquet brooch circa 1890.
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
Merin 3 Dimensional Mesh Ruby Emerald Diamond Flower Pin
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage Merin 18k 3 Dimensional Mesh Ruby Emerald Diamond Flower Pin Original handmade Merin 18k yellow gold fine mesh 3-D flower pin with top quality workmanship and fantastic qual...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Flower Interchangeable Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your style with this exquisite estate piece from David Webb – an interchangeable removable double flower brooch. This masterpiece is adorned with stunning oval cabochon ruby ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage Flower Basket Brooch with Diamonds in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in La Jolla, CA
Vintage Flower Basket Brooch with Diamonds in 18k Yellow Gold Vintage Basket Brooch features a Woven textured basket with 7 Flowers that turn and move with gemstone centers includi...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Bouquet of Flower Brooche in 18 Karat Gold and Emerald Ruby and Sapphire Flowers
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Bouquet of flower Brooche in 18k yellow and white gold, with diamonds, emerald, ruby and sapphire composing a beautiful flowers MATERIALS ◘ Weight 29,6 grams ◘ Size 55cm /22inch. ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Cartier manner flower gold brooch, jabot pin, circa 1910-1930.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A beautiful decoration in the form of a bouquet of flowers, it will work great as a women's or men's brooch today.
Diamond, Quartz, Ruby, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold, 9k Gold
Cartier manner flower gold brooch, jabot pin, circa 1910-1930.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A beautiful decoration in the form of a bouquet of flowers, it will work great as a women's or men's brooch today.
Diamond, Quartz, Ruby, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold, 9k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Trefle Diamond Ruby Yellow Gold Flower Pin
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
The fabulous blend of gorgeous rubies totaling approximately 0.25ct and sparkling F-color diamonds of VVS clarity amounting approximately to 0.70ct is placed upon precious 18K yellow...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Handcraft Flower 9 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds Precious Stones Brooch
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping and require specific documents that require a particular period, please contact the selle...
Diamond, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, Rock Crystal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pearl...
Ruby Diamond Gold Silver and Plique à Jour Enamel Flower Broooch
By Moira
Located in London, GB
A Moira single rose flower brooch, with pavé set ruby petals, with old-cut and eight-cut diamonds and green plique à jour enamel leaves.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver, Enamel
1940s Vintage Ruby and Diamond Lily Bouquet Brooch Set in Silver and Gold
Located in London, England
A beautiful vintage ruby and diamond lily flower bouquet brooch in silver and gold, circa 1940s.
Diamond, Ruby
Diamond & Gemstone Gold Floral Bouquet Flower Pin
Located in Miami, FL
Adorn your lapel with this exquisite, colorful and beautifully detailed floral bouquet pin, perfect for any occasion!! Finely crafted in solid 18K gold, this floral bouquet gold pin ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1950s Multi Stone Yellow Gold En Tremblant Flower Pin
Located in Stamford, CT
Robert Altman 1950 14k Yellow Gold En Tremblant Flower Pin Authentic Robert Altman authentic En Tremblant flower pin with stones that move and a flower that opens and closes by push...
Ruby, Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k 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.
Vintage brooches, which refer to decorative jewelry traditionally pinned to garments and used to fasten pieces of clothing together where needed, have seen increasing popularity in recent years.
While jewelry trends come and go, brooches are indeed back on the radar thanks to fashion houses like Gucci, Versace, Dior and Saint Laurent, all of which feature fun pinnable designs in their current collections. Whether a dazzlingly naturalistic Art Nouveau dragonfly, a whimsical David Webb animal, a gem-studded bloom or a streamlined abstract design, these jewels add color and sparkle to your look and a spring to your step.
Given their long history, brooches have expectedly taken on a variety of different shapes and forms over time, with jewelers turning to assorted methods of ornamentation for these accessories, including enameling and the integration of pearls and gemstones. Cameo brooches that originated during the Victorian age are characterized by a shell carved in raised relief that feature portraits of a woman’s profile, while 19th-century micromosaic brooches, comprising innumerable individually placed glass fragments, sometimes feature miniature depictions of a pastoral scene in daily Roman life.
At one time, brooches were symbols of wealth, made primarily from the finest metals and showcasing exquisite precious gemstones. Today, these jewels are inclusive and universal, and you don’t have to travel very far to find an admirer of brooches. They can be richly geometric in form, such as the ornate diamond pins dating from the Art Deco era, or designer-specific, such as the celebrated naturalistic works created by Tiffany & Co., the milk glass and gold confections crafted by Trifari or handmade vintage Chanel brooches of silk or laminated sheer fabric. Chanel, of course, has never abandoned this style, producing gorgeously baroque CC examples since the 1980s.
Brooches are versatile and adaptable. These decorative accessories can be worn in your hair, on hats, scarves and on the lower point of V-neck clothing. Pin a dazzling brooch to the lapel of your blazer-and-tee combo or add a cluster of smaller pins to your overcoat. And while brooches have their place in “mourning jewelry,” in that a mourning brooch is representative of your connection to a lost loved one, they’re widely seen as romantic and symbolic of love, so much so that a hardcore brooch enthusiast might advocate for brooches to be worn over the heart.
Today, find a wide variety of antique and vintage brooches for sale on 1stDibs, including gold brooches, sapphire brooches and more.
The care that went into crafting this jewel, with its lifelike carved petals and diamond accents, matches the sentiment it represents.
For starters, it is one of the jewelry designer’s most celebrated works.
Though it sparkles with more than 27 carats of diamonds, this multifaceted gem delivers more than just dazzle.
Stellene Volandes takes us on a glittering, engrossing tour through the centuries.
From cameos to cigar bands, here are the looks on our radar this season.
The philanthropist and heiress was an avid jewelry collector, and her trove of Jean Schlumberger creations embodies the love of nature she shared with the famed designer.