Tourmaline Butterfly
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Bridal Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Moonstone, Tourmaline, Rainbow Moonstone, Gold, ...
Late 20th Century Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Brooches
Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, Gold
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Brooches
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Brooches
Garnet, Peridot, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swiss Modern Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Labradorite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Aesthetic Movement Pendant Necklaces
Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, Topaz, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Peridot, Rhodolite, Tourmaline, Topaz, Iolite, Garnet, Diamond, Citrine,...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, Garnet, Iolite, Peridot, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Peridot, Rhodolite, Blue Topaz, Tourmaline, Topaz, Multi-gemstone, Iolit...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Tourmaline, Tsavorite, Rose Gold
2010s American Fashion Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, White Gold
Early 2000s Italian Modern Clip-on Earrings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s American Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Fashion Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Spanish More Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Tourmaline, Diamond, Opal, Peridot, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, Peridot, Tourmaline, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modern Brooches
Diamond, Garnet, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Antique 1870s French Victorian Brooches
Emerald, Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s American Modern Brooches
Amethyst, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Garnet, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Art Deco Stud Earrings
White Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Modern Dangle Earrings
Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, Zircon, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s British Contemporary Drop Earrings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Rubelite, Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Tourmaline, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Sapphire, Tourmaline, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Engagement Rings
Tourmaline, Sapphire, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Indicolite, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Tourmaline, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Stud Earrings
Tourmaline, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Tourmaline, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Tourmaline, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Tourmaline, Vermeil, Sterling Silver, 14k Gold
2010s British Brooches
Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Stud Earrings
Tourmaline, Platinum, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver, Mixed Metal
1990s Modern More Necklaces
Tourmaline, Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Aluminum, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Dangle Earrings
Tourmaline, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Modern More Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s American Fashion Rings
Tourmaline, Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Tourmaline Butterfly For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Tourmaline Butterfly?
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.
The Legacy of Tourmaline in Jewelry Design
Very few gems dazzle quite in the manner that tourmaline does — vintage and antique tourmaline jewelry is a showstopper, and you can blame this on its wide range of spectacular colors. In fact, when Dutch traders brought stones back home from Sri Lanka that they couldn't identify, they called them "toramalli," a Sinhalese term for "mixed gems."
If you could transform the ocean to a gem, this is what it would look like: a clear, translucent azure, bordering on turquoise, hypnotizing in its depth and sparkling in the sun.
There is, in fact, such a stone, although it comes from deep in the copper-rich mountains of Paraíba, Brazil, and not from the oceans along its coast. Far rarer than diamonds, Paraíba tourmaline, a kind of tourmaline discovered only in the 1980s, is treasured as much for its extraordinary color as its scarcity, both of which contribute to its high value.
While diamonds generally sell for about $6,000 per carat, a carat of Paraíba tourmaline is likely to fetch about $16,000. Fans of the gem are said to include singer Taylor Swift and actress Zooey Deschanel, as well as some of the finest jewelers.
“No other stone can have a color as magnetic and captivating as Paraíba tourmaline,” says Vania Leles of VanLeles Diamonds, who combines the stone with diamonds and other gems in several of her designs.
You don't have to stop at Paraíba tourmaline jewelry — on 1stDibs, find the most extraordinary antique and vintage tourmaline rings, tourmaline and diamond earrings and other accessories.