Victorian Moonstone Ruby Necklace Antique 14 Karat Gold Museum Quality Necklace
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A MAGNIFICENT MUSEUM QUALITY ANTIQUE VICTORIAN MOONSTONE AND RUBY NECKLACE IN 14 KARAT ROSE GOLD. The necklace is an absolute masterpiece of antique Victorian jewelry artist...
Moonstone, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold
Art Nouveau Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Necklace Belle Époque Pendant
Located in New York, NY
This is an extraordinary museum quality Art Nouveau, Belle Epoque Pendant Necklace set with Rose Cut Diamonds and channel set Rubies in a scroll motif open work crown design.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
John Bonnor a Superb Arts & Crafts Gold, Black Opal and Ruby Necklace
Located in London, GB
It differs slightly from the finished necklace but pencil annotations on the sketch show the addition of the rubies and confirm that the opals belonged to the client.
Opal, Ruby
Antique 9.20 Carat Ruby 9.78 Carat Diamond 9k Yellow Gold Necklace Circa 1880
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, stunning, fine and impressive antique Victorian 9.20 carat ruby and 9.78 carat diamond, 9 karat yellow gold and silver set necklace; part of our Victorian ruby jewelry...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver
Victorian 2.50 Carat Ruby 4.70 Carat Diamond Necklace in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique Victorian 2.50 carat ruby and 4.70 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold and silver set necklace; part of our diverse ruby jewelry and estate je...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 2.10 Carat Pear Cut Ruby 2.04 Carat Diamond Platinum Pendant Circa 1915
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 2.10 carat pear cut ruby, 2.04 carat diamond and platinum pendant necklace; part of our ruby jewellery collection.
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Diana M. Custom 2.50 Cts. Rubies & Diamonds Pendant Necklace 18K Rose Gold
By Diana M. Jewels
Located in New York, NY
18kt rose gold early 19 antique pendant containing 1.50 cts of rubies and 1.00 cts of round diamonds
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Victorian Ruby Diamond and Emerald Snake Necklace
Located in London, GB
In the Victorian era, snakes were extremely popular in jewellery and were often worn with a serpent style bangle, brooch, necklace or hat pin. They were often set with diamonds or p...
Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique Burma Ruby and Diamond Necklace
Located in New Orleans, LA
Sumptuous Burma rubies and vibrant white diamonds come together in this sensational antique necklace.
Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold, Silver
Edwardian Ruby and Diamond Pendant Necklace
Located in London, GB
Square shaped rubies possessing a lovely pinky red hue ascend the piece with a single old cut diamond at the centre and a charming baroque pearl hanging below.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Platinum
Ruby Diamond Florentine Gold Pendant Necklace
Located in Stamford, CT
1940's hand Florentine Ruby and diamond pendant necklace. 5 round full cut diamonds set in 14k yellow gold with 16 round rubies. 23 inch chain. 5 full cut round diamonds, approx. t...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Ruby Pearl and Diamond Necklace
Located in London, GB
Here we have a unique necklace taken from the Art Deco era. This platinum piece features a square calibrated ruby halo pendant at the centre boasting a perfectly matched striking red...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Platinum
Antique Ruby And Gold Fringe Necklace, Circa 1920
Located in London, GB
An antique ruby and gold necklace, with twenty, cushion-cut ruby set pendants, with one natural red spinel, graduating from the centre, in crown settings, onto a gold trace chain, wi...
Ruby, Gold
Art Deco Filigree Platinum Pendant Necklace with Diamonds & Ruby
Located in Aventura, FL
SPECIFICATIONS: Period: Art Deco Metal: Platinum Stones: Natural Ruby & Natural Diamonds Pendant Measurements: 1.5 x 0.75 inches (38.1 x 19.1 mm) Chain Length: 18 inches (45.7 cm) T...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Edwardian Belle Époque Ruby Diamond Bow Necklace
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Finished with a very nice and fine pearl that measures. The necklace pendant is finely encrusted with numerous small old European round diamonds as well as with 6 round rubies accent...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver
Antique Edwardian Silver and Gold Ruby Diamond Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Antique Edwardian silver and 14k gold necklace, set with rubies and rose cut diamonds. Necklace comes in box.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver
Victorian Demantoid Ruby Diamond and Pearl Heart Necklace
Located in London, GB
The butterfly is adorned with vibrant piny red rubies and a striking green demantoid at its centre.
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Long Ruby, Sapphire & Diamond By the Yard Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Long Ruby, Sapphire & Diamond By the Yard Necklace This vibrant 42-inch necklace features a playful mix of oval-cut sapphires and rubies in deep blue and rich pink tones, accented b...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Edwardian diamond ruby pearl 18k yellow gold platinum necklace
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This delicate Edwardian necklace showcases an elegant composition of 21 rose cut diamonds totaling approximately 0.05 carat, offering a soft, shimmering brilliance with H color and S...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
18 Karat Gold Necklace Tanzanite Ruby Mother of Pearl
By Giulia Colussi
Located in Milan, IT
Very special necklace linked in 18k gold gr.21,78 with carved ruby leaf shape, cabochon ruby, cabochon tanzanite and old Chinese fish in mother of pearls and 2 button 1940 mother of ...
Pearl, Ruby, Tanzanite, Gold
Platinum Heart-Shaped Emerald Sapphires Rubies Diamond Necklace, 1930
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Platinum Necklace with Heart-Shaped Emerald and Sapphires Rubies Diamonds Almost 2 Carats each, Emerald centre stone heart-shaped, two natural high-quality Sapphires, and two Rubies ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum
Art Deco Yellow Gold & Platinum Diamond and Ruby Drop Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This art deco drop necklace is crafted in 12k yellow gold and platinum, featuring diamonds totaling approximately 0.94 carats accented by vibrant rubies.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Nouveau necklace with rose cut diamonds and rubies.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Necklace, antique brooch-pendant with synthetic rubies and diamonds.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver
Antique 0.30ct Ruby, Diamond and Emerald Moth Necklace, c.1900s
Located in London, GB
Dating to the 1900s, comes this beautiful necklace, designed in the likeness of a moth. Crafted in 18 carat yellow gold, the moth is adorned with a collection of diamonds, rubies and...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Victorian 1.00ct Burmese Ruby and Diamond Necklace, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
A deep red old cushion cut ruby is the centre of this gorgeous Victorian pendant.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
$13,093Sale Price|20% Off
15kt Gold and Silver Emerald, Ruby, Pearl and Diamond Necklace
Located in Braintree, GB
An ornate 15kt gold and silver necklace featuring a tassel pendant suspended from an emerald- and diamond-set cluster surmount.
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Silver
4 Carat Ruby, 3.75 Carat Diamond and Gold Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The front plaque with three curved round diamond channels accented by graduated rectangular rubies, joined to a twin fancy linking back chain gathered by ruby and diamond stations, m...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold
Late Victorian Renaissance Revival Enamel Ruby Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Late Victorian 18k yellow gold enamel ruby diamond and pearl pendant necklace, designed in the Renaissance Revival style with an ornate openwork form.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Platinum Edwardian Pearl, Ruby and Diamond Pendant and Necklace
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1900s Item Details: Metal Type: Platinum Pendant, 14K White Gold Chain [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 10.5g Diamond Details: Weight: .60ct total weight Cut: Old European bril...
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Vintage French Flower Sunburst 18K Yellow Gold Ruby Pendant Necklace
Located in London, GB
A vintage French 18 karat (18K) yellow gold pendant designed as a six-petalled flower with a radiating sunburst of gold wires creating a five-petalled shape behind it, set to the wir...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angel Cupid Ruby Diamond Enamel Pendant Necklace Austro-Hungarian Renaissance
Located in New York, NY
This is a magnificent Museum Quality Austro-Hungarian Ruby, Diamond, Enamel and Pearl Pendant Necklace with a Cupid Archer and his Bow and Arrow with a fabulous Winged Angel at the t...
Pearl, Ruby, Diamond, Silver, Enamel
Antique Art Nouveau Era Platinum Diamond, Pearl & Ruby Angel Wings Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Era: Art Nouveau Metal: Platinum Diamonds: Old Mine Cut Diamonds Total Diamond Weight: 1.85CT Total Weight Diamond Color: G Diamond Clarity: VS–SI Pearl: Natural Pearl Pearl Size: 7....
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Platinum
Antique Moonstone Ruby Sapphire and Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Necklace Circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning antique Victorian 29.20 carat moonstone, 0.18 carat ruby, 0.20 carat sapphire and 0.40 carat diamond necklace in 18 karat yellow gold; part of our diverse antique moonston...
Diamond, Moonstone, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Antique Emerald Ruby Pearl Pendant Necklace Austro-Hungarian Renaissance Revival
Located in New York, NY
There are seven gorgeous round faceted Rubies. These rubies have the most fabulous vivid red color.
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Silver, Gilt Metal
Pigeon's Blood Burmese Ruby and Diamond Necklace/Tiara, circa 1915
Located in London, GB
Pigeon's blood Burmese ruby and diamond necklace/tiara. Set to the centre with twenty six oval old cut natural unenhanced Pigeon's blood Burmese rubies in open back claw settings, ra...
Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold, Platinum
Victorian 18 Karat Gold Blue Enamel Pearl Ruby Drop Collier Necklace
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a Victorian drop collier necklace crafted in 18K gold. The piece features light blue and white enamel, pearls, ruby.
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Enamel
Vintage TIFFANY & CO Opal, Ruby and OEC Diamond Gold Pendant Necklace
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Montreal, QC
Antique Victorian TIFFANY & CO Opal, Ruby and OEC Diamond Gold Pendant Necklace. Centering a securely nestled Hand set Opal, weighing 2 Carat.
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique French Pearl Ruby Diamond Gold Convertible Snake Bracelet Necklace 1860
Located in Chicago, IL
The eyes are set with cabochon rubies. Marked with French eagle head assay mark for 18K gold (750 gold standard).
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold
.50 Carat Round Cabochon Ruby Diamond Pierced Engraved Platinum Pendant Necklace
Located in Stamford, CT
1930's Art Deco ruby and diamond pendant necklace. 1 beautiful round cabochon 14k yellow gold bezel set translucent bright red ruby center stone in a handmade platinum pierced and ha...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
18ct Gold & Platinum Victorian Diamond, Sapphire Ruby and Pearl Pendent Necklace
Located in Brighton, GB
The pendant features a vivid central ruby and a rich blue sapphire, symbolising passion and wisdom, surrounded by sparkling old-cut diamonds that shimmer with exceptional life and ch...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
GIA Certified 43.79 Carat Jadeite Jade Ruby Diamond Pendant Necklace
Located in Stamford, CT
Retro Art Deco 1940's jade, diamond and ruby pendant necklace. GIA certified 43.79cts oval variegated jadeite jade, polished and carved with a 14k rose gold bail, accented with 2 sin...
Diamond, Jade, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage - Victorian Multi Charm Necklace 15ct Gold With Rubies, Sapphires & Pear
Located in London, GB
Victorian Charm Necklace 15ct Gold With Rubies, Sapphires & Pearls Fixed multiple charms sat on a hoop link necklace.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 15k Gold, 9k Gold
Antique 18ct Gold & Platinum Edwardian, Ruby, Diamond, Pearl Pendant Necklace
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Pendant Necklace 18ct Yellow Gold & Platinum Beautiful, Edwardian Y shaped pendant, suspended from a platinum, trace link chain.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Maison Gripoix Ruby Pate de Verre Necklace
By Maison Gripoix
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Ruby pate de verre rondel bead necklace with pave ball spacers from Maison Gripoix.
Gilt Metal, Silver Plate, Brass, Bronze
Antique 18ct Yellow Gold 1920s Ruby & Pearl Fly / Bug Pendant Necklace
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Bug Necklace 18ct Gold Circa 1920s Step back into the enchanting era of the 1920s with this delightful antique insect necklace.
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Nouveau Ruby Flower Pendant Lavaliere Necklace Gold, Circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS AN ART NOUVEAU - BELLE EPOQUE PENDANT IN THE FORM OF A FLOWER WITH A GORGEOUS NATURAL MINED RUBY IN THE CENTER. THE LAVALIERE IS SO STUNNING WITH THE MOST WONDERFUL THREE D...
Ruby, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 9K/ 14K Yellow Gold Snake Necklace with Rubies and Diamond.
Located in San Francisco, CA
Other Important Details: The necklace is approximately 16 inches in length, and can be adjusted if needed.
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Old Mine Cut Diamond Ruby 14 Karat Yellow Gold Cross Pendant Necklace
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Crafted in 14 karat yellow gold, this vintage-inspired diamond cross pendant exudes timeless elegance and heirloom charm. The design is set with 12 old mine cut diamonds totaling 1.0...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,948Sale Price|25% Off
Circa 1870s 8k Gold Ottoman Natural Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Pendant Necklace
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 13.8 grams. Totally is rose cut diamond about 4 carat. The diamond is has H-I-J-K-L-M-Brown and s1-s2-s3-Pique. Totally is ruby about 0.40 car...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Demantoid Garnet Ruby Flower Locket Pendant Necklace Art Nouveau Gold Antique
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in a gorgeous and very rare Art Nouveau - Victorian - Belle Epoque Picture Locket pendant set with Demantoid Garnet and Ruby gems in a flower motif design. The locket is the ...
Ruby, Garnet, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Fine GIA Natural Saltwater Pearl Ruby Diamond Edwardian Platinum Gold Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Quintessential Edwardian GIA Natural Saltwater PEARL, Unheated RUBY & DIAMOND la Belle Époque Bow LAVALIÈRE Platinum Gold Antique Necklace.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Platinum
9.00 Carat Aqua Ruby Diamond Rose Gold Pendant
Located in Stamford, CT
Retro Art Deco Aqua, diamond and ruby pendant. 9.00ct oval natural aqua set in 14k rose gold setting with two round rubies and two full cut round diamonds. circa 1930-1940. 1 brigh...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Butterfly Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Pearl Pendant Brooch Necklace Victorian
Located in New York, NY
This is a spectacular antique Victorian - Belle Epoque Butterfly Pendant or Brooch set throughout with Rose Cut Diamonds, Pearls and Rubies in a gorgeous open work design in Silver a...
Diamond, Ruby, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1890's Art Nouveau Diamond Ruby Pearl Gold Necklace 18K Solid Gold
Located in EINDHOVEN, NB
Art Nouveau Diamond, Ruby and Pearl Target Necklace Circa 1890–1910 This exceptional necklace is an authentic Art Nouveau period jewel, distinguished by its refined openwork constr...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Victorian Snake Serpent Brooch Ruby Eyes Pendant Necklace Antique 14 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
The snake is set with two gorgeous bright red ruby eyes. These rubies are cabochon cut and are a stunning color with incredible fire.
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Belle Epoque Ruby Sapphire OMC Diamond Enamel Pendant Necklace 14 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A STUNNING MUSEUM QUALITY ANTIQUE SAPPHIRE, RUBY AND OLD MINE CUT DIAMOND PENDANT WITH EXQUISITE PINK AND ROBIN'S EGG BLUE GUILLOCHE ENAMEL. THE PENDANT IS 14 KARAT PINK GOLD...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
Antique 1908 Belle Époque Locket Pendant Necklace 14K Gold Diamond Ruby Enamel
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This extraordinary locket pendant was created in 1908 out of 14K gold. The jewel is impressed wIth a gold mark for 14 karat and year mark for the year 1908 and the initials of the ma...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
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.
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners. Today, Van Cleef necklaces, Tiffany necklaces and Cartier necklaces are some of the most popularly searched designer necklaces on 1stDibs.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage David Webb necklaces — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Dior, Chanel and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.
If jewelry could talk, we know this piece would have good stories.
Emblems of heartfelt emotion, elegant vessels for photos and keepsakes and perfect for layering, these special ornaments are an essential component of any thoughtfully curated jewelry collection.
With more than 100 carats of diamonds, this vintage stunner converts into different styles, making it as versatile as it is breathtaking.
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
Organic shapes, surprising textures, shimmering colors and inventive embellishments take the new generation of pearl jewelry from classic to cutting-edge.
Soak up the pleasures of the season with a these bold gems.
Learn more about the stylish links that have passed the test of time.
After more than a decade creating the iconic Lanvin gems of the Alber Elbaz years, designer Elie Top dove into the world of fine jewelry, mixing silver and gold to create his own striking, timeless look.