Elegant Vintage 18 K Yellow Gold Brooch Meister Emerald Ruby Sapphire Diamond
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
Very elegant floral stlye brooch in 18 K yellow Gold made by internationally well-known swiss jeweller Meister Zurich.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire
Round Brilliant Cut Yellow Diamond 18K Gold Band Ring
By HYT
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Stylish Band ring with a beautiful line of Rare Natural Yellow diamonds, made in 18 K Gold Round Brilliant Cut Yellow Diamonds - 0.16 cts Made in Gold HYT Jewelry is a Fine Diamond...
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Fabergé Egg Object 18 K Yellow Gold Blue Guilloche Enamel Paillons Ruby Cabochon
By Fabergé
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Fabergé Egg Object of Art, 18k Yellow Gold, Blue Guilloché Enamel with Paillons, Ruby Cabochon 0.75 ct This Fabergé egg, created around 1995 by the workmaster Victor Mayer, is a mas...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
18k Rose Gold Black Diamonds & Brown Diamonds Snake Ring
By Althoff Jewelry
Located in Hong Kong, HK
18 K Rose Gold Black Diamonds & Brown Diamonds Snake Ring 50 Brown Diamonds 0.82 CT 16 Black Diamonds 0.25 CT 6 Diamonds 0.07 CT 2 Rubies 0.04 CT 18 K Rose Gold 8.76 GM The di...
Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, Rose Gold
Round Brilliant Cut Argyle Pink Diamond 18K Gold Band Ring
By HYT
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Stylish Band ring with a beautiful line of Rare Argyle Pink diamonds, made in 18 K Gold Round Brilliant Cut Natural Pink Diamonds - 0.26 cts Made in Gold HYT Jewelry is a Fine Diam...
Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
18K Rose Gold Ring with Multi-Color Gemstones and Diamonds
By Althoff Jewelry
Located in Hong Kong, HK
18K Rose Gold Ring with Multi-Color Gemstones and Diamonds 1 Blue Sapphire - 0.04 CT 1 Diamond - 0.03 CT 1 Green Garnet - 0.04 CT 1 Pink Sapphire - 0.05 CT 1 Ruby - 0.03 CT 18 K Rose...
Diamond, Rose Gold
Bochic Orient Vintage Emerlad & Amethyst Ring, 18K Gold & Silver, 1998
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Natural Ruby & Amethyst Ring Set In 18 K Gold & Silver Natural Emeralds 2.00 Carat Natural Amethyst, 13.00 Carats Signed Masterpiece • Exceptional Gem Wei...
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Silver
$7,059Sale Price|20% Off
Fancy Natural Emerald 18k Diamonds Yellow Gold Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring Yellow Gold 18 K (Matching Necklace and Earrings Available) Ring Yellow Gold Ruby Available Also Diamonds 0,29ct Emerald Weight 5.80 grams Adjustable Size With a heritage of a...
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Round Brilliant Cut Green Diamond and White Diamond 18K Gold Band Ring
By HYT
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Stylish Band ring with a beautiful line of Rare Green diamonds styled with white diamonds, made in 18 K Gold Round Brilliant Cut Green Diamonds - 0.10 cts Round Brilliant Cut White ...
White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Round Brilliant Cut Argyle Pink Diamond and White Diamond 18K Gold Ring
By HYT
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Stylish Band ring with beautiful and Rare Argyle Pink diamonds styled with white diamonds, made in 18 K Gold Round Brilliant Cut Natural Pink Diamonds - 0.12 cts Round Brilliant Cut...
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Round Brilliant Cut Argyle Pink Diamond and White Diamond 18K Gold Band Ring
By HYT
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Stylish Band ring with a beautiful line of Rare Argyle Pink diamonds styled with white diamonds, made in 18 K Gold Round Brilliant Cut Natural Pink Diamonds - 0.18 cts Round Brillia...
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Round brilliant cut Argyle Pink Diamond and White Diamond 18K Gold Ring
By HYT Jewelry
Located in Hong Kong, HK
- Round Brilliant Cut Argyle Pink Diamonds total 0.13 carat - White Diamonds total 0.40 carat (color E/F, clarity VVS-VS) - 18 K Gold. HYT Jewelry is a Fine Diamond and Gemston...
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Round Brilliant Cut Orange Diamond and White Diamond 18K Gold Band Ring
By HYT
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Stylish Band ring with a beautiful line of Rare Natural Orange diamonds styled with white diamonds, made in 18 K Gold Round Brilliant Cut Yellow Diamonds - 0.17 cts Round Brilliant ...
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Round Brilliant Cut Yellow Diamond and White Diamond 18K Gold Band Ring
By HYT
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Stylish Band ring with a beautiful line of Rare Natural Yellow diamonds styled with white diamonds, made in 18 K Gold Round Brilliant Cut Yellow Diamonds - 0.13 cts Round Brilliant ...
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
$7,000Sale Price|20% Off
KURT WAYNE Cocktail Ring In 18Kt White Gold With 2.14 Cwt. In VVS Diamonds
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Miami, FL
Traditionally, the jeweler used 18 K gold and precious stones – emeralds, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, etc.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
Round Brilliant Cut Argyle Pink Diamond and White Diamond 18K Gold Band Ring
By HYT
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Band ring with a dual combination of Rare Argyle Pink diamonds styled with white diamonds, made in 18 K Gold Round Brilliant Cut Natural Pink Diamonds - 0.06 cts Round Brilliant Cut...
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Round Brilliant Cut Argyle Pink Diamond and White Diamond 18K Gold Band Ring
By HYT
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Stylish Band ring with a beautiful line of Rare Argyle Pink diamonds styled with white diamonds, made in 18 K Gold Round Brilliant Cut Natural Pink Diamonds - 0.12 cts Round Brillia...
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
GIA Certified Round Cut White Diamond, Argyle Pink Diamond 18K Gold Band Ring
By HYT
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Band Ring with GIA Certified White diamond, designed with Rare Pink diamonds to add elegance and luxury, set in 18 K Gold.
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Round Brilliant Cut Argyle Pink Diamond and White Diamond 18K Gold Band Ring
By HYT
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Stylish Band ring with a beautiful line of Rare Argyle Pink diamonds styled with white diamonds, made in 18 K Gold Round Brilliant Cut Natural Pink Diamonds - 0.12 cts Round Brillia...
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
$5,588Sale Price|20% Off
KURT WAYNE Geometric Cocktail Ring In 18Kt Yellow Gold With 1.71 Ctw Diamonds
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Miami, FL
Traditionally, the jeweler used 18 K gold and precious stones – emeralds, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, etc.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Authentic Augis - Plus qu'hier et moins que demain - French love 18k solid gold
By A. Augis
Located in Antwerp, BE
This lovely 18 k Yellow gold ring holds the most beautiful and popular love medallion of all times.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$39,122Sale Price|20% Off
4.44 Carat Round Diamond Solitaire Platinum Bespoke 8 Claw Large Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
At Hasbani Diamonds London, we are also renowned for creating bespoke diamond engagement rings, handcrafted in platinum or 18 karat gold to your exact specifications.
Diamond, Platinum
Marina J. Graduated Pearl Necklace with Rubies, 14 k Gold and Large Pearl Drop
By Marina J.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and dramatic Necklace by Marina J. This Statement piece is made using high luster Pearls, all displaying a soft iridescence. The Pearls in this Necklace slightly Graduate ...
Ruby, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Moiseikin 18 Karat White Gold Diamond Ruby Flower Necklace
By MOISEIKIN
Located in Hong Kong, HK
It enables the gem to turn and tumble freely, releasing the maximum light. 18K WG Necklace Gold 18 K,Weight 4.72 g,Size 49.5cm, Diamond, Rd 7pc 0.28ct Ruby, Rd 11pc 0.545ct Cle...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Moiseikin 18 Karat White Gold Ruby Tahiti Pearl Earrings
By MOISEIKIN
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Gold 18 K, Weight 10.66 g, 2-Tahiti South Sea Pearl, Round-9.5-10.0 ААА, 2.41g 2-Diamond, Rd 0.05ct 48-Ruby, Rd 3.23ct
Pearl, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,765 / item
Fashion Ruby Diamond White 18k Gold Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring White Gold 18 K Diamond 4-0,06 ct Ruby 1-0,46 ct Діамант 5-Кр57-0,05-Gcz/6A Рубін 8--смараг-0,43 Т(5)/3A Size 7 US Weight 3,02 grams With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
$2,353Sale Price / item|20% Off
Classic Ruby Diamond White 18k Gold Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring White Gold 18 K Diamond 4-0,06 ct Ruby 1-0,46 ct Size 8 US Weight 4,74 grams With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKINA is a Geneva based jewellery...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
$3,473Sale Price / item|20% Off
Wide Ruby Diamond White 18k Gold Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring White Gold 18 K Diamond 7-0,21 ct Ruby 1-0,3 ct Size 6.5 US Weight 4,51 grams With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKINA is a Geneva based jeweller...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
$3,270 / item
Fashion Ruby Diamond White 18k Gold Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring White Gold 18 K Diamond 4-0,06 ct Ruby 1-0,46 ct Діамант 5-Кр57-0,05-Gcz/6A Рубін 8--смараг-0,43 Т(5)/3A Size 7 US Weight 3,02 grams With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
$3,717Sale Price / item|20% Off
Impressive Blue Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Earrings
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Earrings Yellow Gold 14 K (Matching Ring Available) Diamond 2-RND-0,01-G/VS2A Ruby 40-0,56ct Ruby 18-3,4ct Weight 3.66 grams With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditi...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Halo Interchangeable Diamond, Emerald & Ruby Earring Set with Ring
Located in New York, NY
Earring Dimension- Diameter 14.67 mm, Height 5.53 mm Earrings Weight- 10.18 Grams Hand Crafted Ballerina Style Diamond Ring Details- Center Diamond- 0.55 Carat Round Brilliant Cut...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,141Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Customize Ruby Pink Sapphire Diamond White Gold Necklace
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Necklace White Gold 14 K (Matching Earrings and Ring Available) Diamond 1-RND-0,04-G/VS2A Diamond 8-RND-0,06-G/VS2A Ruby 8-0,08ct Pink Sapphire 18-0,23ct Weight 2.65 grams Length...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold
$3,670Sale Price / item|20% Off
Classic Ruby Diamond Yellow 14k Gold Bracelet Lever-Back for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Bracelet Yellow Gold 14 K (Matching Earrings, Ring and Necklace Available) Diamond 1-0,04 ct Diamond 18-0,1 ct Diamond 32-0,25 ct Weight 3,290grams With a heritage of ancient fin...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
18k Rose Gold Butterfly Stud Earrings Pink Sapphire Ruby Diamond Tsavorite
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
A pair of lovely 18 K rose Gold Butterfly stud earrings featuring 78 brilliant cut Diamonds weiging 0.67 ct, 32 pink Sapphires weighing 0.51 ct, 75 Rubies weighing 1.49 ct and 4 Tsav...
Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
18k Rose Gold Genuine Burmese Jadeite Pendant Necklace with Diamond & Ruby
By Baikalla
Located in Portland, OR
W;0.073 ct, Ruby,0.07 ct Diamond Color: H-G Chain Length: 16-18 In ( Adjustable ) Necklace Pendant Dimensions(LWH): 28.7mm * 20.6 mm * 5.8mm Chain Style: 18 k rose or yellow solid Ro...
Diamond, Jade, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
18k Rose Gold Ruby Pink Sapphire Diamond Tsavorite Butterfly Pendant with Chain
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
Fantastic 18 K rose Gold Butterfly pendant with chain. This butterfly is ready to take a flight covered with precious gems.
Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$15,531Sale Price|20% Off
Gianni Lazzaro 20, 60 Ct Tourmaline Ruby Diamond White 18K Gold Earrings for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Earrings White Gold 18 K Gianni Lazzaro (Matching Ring Available) Diamonds 74-1,07 ct Ruby 88-4,14ct., Tourmaline 2-.20,60ct With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry tradition...
Diamond, Ruby, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold
$1,883Sale Price|20% Off
Customized Gold Diamond Bracelet 18 Karat, Letters, Symbols, of Your Choice
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Gold Bracelet 18 K Single or Double chain Also possible to make as a Ring, Necklace,Earrings or Pendant Please send us a message and we will make 3D visualisations of your ideas.
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gol...
$1,882Sale Price|20% Off
Customisable Diamond Jewelry for Her 18 Karat Gold Made in Italy
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Gold Jewellery 18 K Possible to make as a Necklace Ring, Bracelet, Earrings or Pendant Please send us a message and we will make 3D visualisations of your ideas.
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gol...
$753Sale Price|20% Off
Classic Diamond Yellow Gold Earrings
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Earrings Yellow Gold 14 K (Matching Ring Available) Diamond 18-RND-0,06-G/VS1A Weight 0.76 grams With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKINA is a Geneva base...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
MOISEIKIN 18K White Gold Diamond Akoya Pearl Flower Necklace, Promotion
By MOISEIKIN
Located in Hong Kong, HK
This technology is patented in the USA, Europe, China, and Russia. 18 Karat White Gold Necklace Gold 18 K,Weight 3.55 g,Size 44cm, 1 Pearl Akoya sea 7.0-7.5mm, - 0.54 g 1 Ruby 0.015...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$3,105Sale Price|20% Off
Fashion Every Day Diamond Rose 18K Gold Stud Earrings for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring Rose Gold 18 K Diamond 8-RND-0,32ct H/VS2A Diamond 4-RND-0,29ct -4/6 Diamond 10-25-0,27ct-4/5 Weight 2.58 grams With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, N...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
18K White Gold Natural Blue Zircon Diamond Handmade Earrings
By MOISEIKIN
Located in Hong Kong, HK
The tint of tender rose colour sapphires accentuate the Zircon's blue shade while unveiling femininity inside the cool look and making the ring fashionable and full of life. Matchin...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Zircon, Blue Zircon, 18k Gold, White Gold
$8,482Sale Price|20% Off
Fancy Natural Emerald 18k Diamonds Yellow Gold Necklace for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Necklace Yellow Gold 18 K (Matching Ring and Earrings Available) Ring Yellow Gold Ruby Available Also Diamonds 0,31ct Emerald Weight 7.80 grams Size 40 With a heritage of ancient f...
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
$2,917Sale Price|20% Off
Fancy Natural Emerald 18k Diamonds Yellow Gold Earrings for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Earrings Yellow Gold 18 K (Matching Necklace and Ring Available) Ring Yellow Gold Ruby Available Also Diamonds 0,19ct Emerald Weight 2.70 grams With a heritage of ancient fine Swi...
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
AGL Certified 24.25 Carat Ruby Cabochon & Diamond Ring In 18 K 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 ...
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
18 K White Gold Eternity Ring Pear Shape Tanzanite Diamonds
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
An exquisite find. This 18 K white gold prong set eternity ring features 14 pear shape Tanzanites with a total weight of 4.26 ct and 3 pear shape DIamonds weiging 0.99 ct, J color, I...
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White 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.
Ancient Egyptians referred to the vibrant stone as the “gem of the sun.”
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
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.
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.