Solid Gold Nugget
2010s North American Artisan Drop Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Baroque Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Byzantine Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Retro Clamper Bracelets
Aquamarine, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s New Zealand Beaded Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold, 9k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary More Jewelry
10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Fashion Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Link Bracelets
14k Gold
Late 20th Century Greek Modernist Link Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Baroque Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Baroque Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Victorian Engagement Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1960s Bangles
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Cufflinks
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Link Bracelets
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Solid Gold Nugget For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Solid Gold Nugget?
Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship
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.
- How pure is a gold nugget?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Gold nuggets tend to be between 85% to 95% pure gold. The gold is extracted and melted down to create pure gold. Some gold is melted and molded to look like organic nuggets for a unique touch. Shop a collection of gold accessories on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The best way to ensure a gold nugget’s authenticity is to buy it directly from a reputable source with authenticity cards and documents. Authentic gold will have a softer touch to it. If you’re unsure, consult with your local jeweler or certified appraiser. On 1stDibs, you’ll find expertly vetted gold nugget jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, while gold nuggets can be melted down and crafted into pure gold, gold nuggets in their raw form are not deemed to be “jewelry-grade.” While actual gold nuggets aren’t crafted into jewelry pieces, gold is often molded to mimic an organic shape similar to that of a nugget. Shop a selection of gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Gold nugget rings became popular during the time of the California gold rush during the mid 19th century. At the time, people associated the rings with wealth, power and good fortune. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of gold nugget rings.
- Are gold watches solid gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021It depends on the brand but a Rolex gold watch is made in solid gold, while other brands may use gold capping or gold plating.
- Is my watch solid gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024Whether your watch is solid good or not will depend on its maker and model. Some watchmakers offer solid gold watches, but others are gold-filled. The difference is that a gold-filled watch consists of a base metal and has a thin layer of gold bonded to its outer surfaces. One way to potentially determine whether your watch is solid gold is to place a magnet near it. Gold-filled watches are often magnetic, while solid gold ones usually aren't. If you're still unsure about your timepiece's materials, consult a certified appraiser or experienced jeweler. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of gold watches.
- Is 24k solid gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Because a karat is 1/24 part of pure gold by weight, 24K gold is the purest type of gold available and extremely valuable.
- Is a Cartier ring solid gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, a Cartier ring is not usually solid gold. Typically, the French luxury jewelry maker uses 18-karat gold to craft jewelry. An 18-karat gold ring is 75 percent gold and 25 percent metal alloy. Shop a collection of Cartier rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Gold Rolex pieces are only made with solid gold, never gold-plated. Crafted with high-quality materials, Rolex uses 18-karat gold made at their in-house foundries to ensure the utmost premium metals are used in each Rolex. Shop a selection of gold Rolex watches on 1stDibs.
- Is 14k solid gold real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024Yes, 14k solid gold is real. However, it is not pure gold. The term 14-karat describes gold, which is 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% alloy metal. Adding alloy metal helps to make the gold more resistant to wear and tear. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of 14k gold jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A solid gold Rolex watch is made of 18-karat gold and can cost $20,000 or more. While the rise in popularity of vintage Rolex watches is of no surprise to aficionados, collectors and industry experts, when it comes to contemporary luxury wristwatches, Rolex is also often the first brand that springs to mind. Find a collection of antique and vintage solid gold Rolex watches on 1stDibs today.