Skip to main content

Van Cleef Amethyst Ring

Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Diamond and Amethyst Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
A fabulous Van Cleef and Arpels cocktail ring featuring a vivid amethyst encased by 4 of the finest
Category

Early 2000s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Diamond and Amethyst Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
A fabulous Van Cleef and Arpels cocktail ring featuring a vivid amethyst encased by 4 of the finest
Category

Early 2000s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Van Cleef and Arpels Amethyst Diamond Yellow Gold 18K Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Geneva, CH
Van Cleef and Arpels important Amethyst Diamond Yellow Gold 18K Ring. This Van Cleef and Arpels
Category

Late 20th Century European Fashion Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Recent Sales

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Amethyst Mother of Pearl White Gold Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, NY
Modern simplicity by Van Cleef & Arpels. A simple deep cabochon Amethyst set in a squared off mount
Category

1990s French Band Rings

Materials

18k Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Hawaii Flower Ring 18k Yellow Gold with Amethyst and Orange
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
: No Accessories Measurements: Size: 6 - 52, Width: 1.95 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Hawaii
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cluster Rings

Van Cleef & Arpels Hawaii Flower Ring 18K Yellow Gold with Amethyst and Pink
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
: No Accessories Measurements: Size: 5.25 - 50, Width: 2.00 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings

Van Cleef & Arpels Amethyst Diamond Gold Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
A fabulous Van Cleef and Arpels cocktail ring featuring a vivid amethyst encased by 4 of the finest
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Amethyst 1960-1970 Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
Van Cleef & Arpels Ring in yellow gold, set with diamonds and turquoises on the size, and an
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Turquoise, Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Large Amethyst Yellow Gold Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Holland, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond And Large Amethyst Ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. With 4 round brilliant cut
Category

20th Century French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow Gold Large Amethyst Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
We are delighted to have this model back in stock: Van Cleef and Arpels cocktail ring featuring a
Category

20th Century French Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Yellow Gold Heart-Shaped Amethyst Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
This Van Cleef & Arpels ring is made of 18K yellow gold and set with a heart-shaped amethyst. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Yellow Gold

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS PARIS 18k Yellow Gold & Amethyst Cocktail Ring Vintage
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Van Cleef & Arpels Paris 18k Yellow Gold & Amethyst Cocktail Ring Vintage 1970s Here is your
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Yellow Gold

Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels '22' Purple Amethyst 18k Yellow Gold Solitaire Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Birmingham, GB
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Purple Amethyst 18k Yellow Gold Solitaire '22' Ring. A stunning vintage
Category

20th Century French Solitaire Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Hawaii 18k Yellow Gold Amethyst and Citrine Flower Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
This Van Cleef & Arpels Hawaii 18K Yellow Gold Amethyst and Citrine Flower Ring is a showstopping
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Citrine, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Babylone Amethyst Mother of Pearl 18k White Gold Cocktail Rin
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Cocktail rings by Van Cleef & Arpels are majorly decked with precious, hard stones in substantial
Category

2010s Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Pearl, White Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Carat Gold Heart Shaped Earrings and Ring with Amethyst
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Amsterdam, NL
amethyst, signed and numbered: Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1990. number ring: CR05.21AM number earrings
Category

1990s French Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

Amethyst, Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Amethyst Citrine Two Color Gold Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Holland, PA
18k White And Yellow Gold Amethyst Citrine Ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. With 2 moon shape stones
Category

Vintage 1980s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Citrine, 18k Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Babylone Amethyst White Gold Cocktail Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Make a statement with this authentic ring from the Babylone collection by Van Cleef & Arpels
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, 18k Gold, White Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Citrine and Amethyst Yellow Gold Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Weight: 11.4g Ring Size: 6.25
Category

Late 20th Century French More Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Citrine, 18k Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Pave Amethyst Yellow Gold Band Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
produce a charming allure in this exceptional ring from Van Cleef & Arpels. Ring Size: 675 Ring Top
Category

Late 20th Century French Band Rings

Materials

Amethyst, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Yellow Gold Amethyst and Diamond Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A bold cocktail ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. The central 25 carat oval cabochon amethyst mounted in
Category

20th Century French Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Hawaii 18k Yellow Gold Amethyst and Citrine Flower Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
This Van Cleef & Arpels Hawaii 18K Yellow Gold Amethyst and Citrine Flower Ring is a showstopping
Category

21st Century and Contemporary More Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Citrine, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Rare Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Amethyst Heart Ring with Box
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Amethyst Heart Ring. A stunning vintage, well made
Category

20th Century French Fashion Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels 'Hawaii' Pink Sapphire and Amethyst Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Authentic vibrant Van Cleef & Arpels ring from the 'Hawaii' collection. Designed as a rotating
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French More Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels 5.21 Carat Amethyst Gold Heart Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Stone: Amethyst 5.21ct Style: Heart Ring Metal: Yellow Gold
Category

Vintage 1980s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Coral, Amethyst, Gold and Diamond Balls Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A vibrant and dramatic cocktail ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. 18k gold triple split shank ring set
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Cluster Rings

Materials

Coral

Van Cleef & Arpels Hawaii Flower Ring 18k Yellow Gold with Amethyst and Orange
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
: No Accessories Measurements: Size: 6 - 52, Width: 1.95 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Hawaii
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cluster Rings

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Carved Gold, Amethyst & Coral Bead Ring
Located in Lakewood, NJ
The 60's are aptly reflected in this crafty cocktail ring. Carved coral and amethyst beads mingle
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Amethyst, 18k Gold

Rare Moveable Van Cleef & Arpels Moveable Amethyst Flower Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Teaneck, NJ
Though a bit difficult to show in pictures, this gorgeous flower ring by VCA rotates and moves
Category

1990s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold

People Also Browsed

Van Cleef & Arpels Lion Earrings and Brooch Set, 2.10 carats
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exuding both power and elegance, this striking earring and brooch set by Van Cleef & Arpels features intricately crafted lion heads in 18K yellow gold, symbolizing strength and regal...
Category

20th Century French Retro Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Limited Edition Diamond Celestial Blue Sevres Porcelain Holid
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Banbury, GB
SKU AT-2568 Comes With Pouch Date 2019 Model VCARP46000 Serial Number JA****** Metal 18k Yellow Gold Stones Diamond and Sevres Porcelain Weight 6.6 g Length 42 cm Condition Excellen...
Category

2010s French Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Art Deco Antique Sapphire Diamond Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Van Cleef & Arpels Art Deco Antique Sapphire Diamond Bracelet Crafted in Platinum. Meticulously made with high-quality old, single-cut, round diamonds, G-color and VS1-clarity, and a...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Tennis Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

French Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Cocktail Ring, 18k
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A French Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Cocktail Ring made in 18 Karat Yellow Gold. The diamonds weigh appx. 6 carats. Made in France. Ring Size US 5. SKU 1126
Category

20th Century French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vivienne Westwood 'Cut, Slash & Pull' blue voile oversized shirt dress, ss 1991
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
Vivienne Westwood; dusty blue cotton voile oversized blouse with large bishop sleeves, pointed collar, and ascending hemline from front. Signature slashes throughout the whole blouse...
Category

1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond Bombe Ring - Burma No Heat
Located in Hummelstown, PA
Crowned with a crystalline magenta red ruby, this lovely Edwardian bombe style ring boasts four rows of richly saturated calibre rubies divided by twinkling single cut diamonds that ...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Van Cleef and Arpels 8.85 Carat No Heat Oval-Cut Ruby 18k Gold GRS Cert Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
From the famed house of Van Cleef and Arpels, this ring centers an 8.85 carat oval-cut unheated Ruby and is flanked by an additional 2.00 carats of marquis-cut diamonds. The ruby is ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Ruby, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold

Givenchy Couture Alexander McQueen S/S 1998 Champagne Silk Tassel Dress Coat
By Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueen for Givenchy Haute Couture
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Alexander McQueen for the Givenchy Couture Spring/Summer 1998 collection. This rare dress coat features numerous tassels adorned along the entire hemline. Structured shou...
Category

1990s French Overcoats

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Yellow Sapphire Diamond Gold Flower Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This stunning authentic Van Cleef & Arpels ring features a vibrant flower design crafted in 18k yellow gold and set with yellow sapphires and round brilliant E-F-G VVS1-VVS2 diamonds...
Category

1990s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Bulgari Pink Tourmaline Amethyst Gem Ring ‘Toi et Moi’ in 18K Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Dallas, TX
Stylish vintage Bulgari ring features vivid pink tourmaline and purple amethyst gemstones set in 18 karat yellow gold. The two pear-shaped gemstones are facing one another in an eleg...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Platinum 6.00cttw Double Row Marquise Cut Diamond Band
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your sense of timeless elegance with the Van Cleef & Arpels Platinum Double Row Marquise Cut Diamond Eternity Band. This exquisite piece, designed to adorn your finger with u...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Art Deco Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Clasp
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Hummelstown, PA
Dating back to the second or third decade of the 20th century, this sleek and sophisticated Art Deco diamond clasp was designed and meticulously handcrafted in platinum by the esteem...
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Necklace Enhancers

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Rare Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Emerald & Diamond 18k Gold Fleurette Flower Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Emerald And Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Fleurette Flower Ring. A stunning vintage ring with a unique floral design typical of Van Cleef & Arpels, set wit...
Category

20th Century French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Yellow Gold Diamond Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
These stunning lever-back earrings from the Alhambra collection by Van Cleef & Arpels are crafted in 18k yellow gold and accented with 16 brilliant-cut diamonds of an estimated 0.56 ...
Category

1990s French Lever-Back Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Tiffany & Co Starfish 18k Yellow Gold Large Earrings
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Holland, PA
18k Yellow Gold Vintage Starfish 18k Yellow Gold Large Earrings by Tiffany & Co. The Vintage Tiffany & Co Starfish earrings are crafted in 18k yellow gold, featuring a large starfis...
Category

Vintage 1980s American Drop Earrings

Materials

Yellow Gold

Belle Époque Diamond Tiara
Located in London, GB
A Belle Époque diamond tiara, to the centre three diamond-set clusters with diamond-set foliate decorations and one large diamond-set cluster on each side, all within a waved frame o...
Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Van Cleef Amethyst Ring", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Van Cleef Amethyst Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact van cleef amethyst ring you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold, this item was constructed with great care. You can easily find a 19 antique edition and 10 modern creations to choose from as well. You’re likely to find the perfect van cleef amethyst ring among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 20th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Today, if you’re looking for a mixed cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes heart cut and oval cut alternatives. Finding a van cleef amethyst ring for sale for women should be easy, but there are 4 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a Van Cleef Amethyst Ring?

On average, a van cleef amethyst ring at 1stDibs sells for $6,939, while they’re typically $1,800 on the low end and $52,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Van Cleef & Arpels for sale on 1stDibs

One of the world’s foremost jewelry houses, Van Cleef & Arpels is particularly noted for a focus on technical virtuosity, craftsmanship and artistry, evident since its beginning. Rather than create earrings, bracelets, necklaces and other adornments primarily for the aim of displaying of wealth and opulence, Van Cleef & Arpels sought to produce jewelry that projected the wearer’s taste and style.

The company was formed a year after the 1895 marriage of Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a gem cutter, to Estelle Arpels, daughter of precious-stones dealer Salomon Arpels. Ten years later, Van Cleef & Arpels opened its first boutique on the Place Vendôme in Paris, setting the march on a square now crowded with dealers in bijouterie. (The company still occupies the New York flagship store opened in 1939 at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.)

Born from a union of expertise in both jewelry making and gem selection, Van Cleef & Arpels distinguished itself with both the consistency of the color and clarity of its stones and the creativity of its designs. In doing so, the house would win a roster of dedicated, fashion-conscious clients that included the Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Hutton, Jacqueline Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor. In 1933, Van Cleef & Arpels patented its trademark Mystery Setting — a technique by which gems are fitted into an intricate matrix of slots and “drawers” that keep the setting hidden. Another signal innovation was the Zip necklace, introduced in 1951, which can be worn either around the neck or, with the zipper closed, as a bracelet.

But as much as to the firm’s craftsmanship, clients have been drawn by the insouciance and playfulness of Van Cleef & Arpels designers, as well as their attunement to the cultural climate. After the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, the company produced several lavish pieces featuring hieroglyphics and other Egyptian motifs to go along with the geometric Art Deco jewelry of that decade and the next. Following World War II, as symbols of freedom and rebirth, the firm focused on naturalistic forms such as birds, flowers, fruit and flying insects. High society’s 1960s fascination with the Near East and India prompted such pieces as the best-selling Alhambra necklace, popularized by Princess Grace.

Lately, attention among collectors and connoisseurs has centered on Van Cleef & Arpels’s quality of workmanship as much as its glamour. The firm was the subject of a 2012 show at the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, as well as exhibitions at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, in 2013 and at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 2014.

Find an exquisite collection of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry on 1stDibs.

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 Amethyst in Jewelry Design

There are few gemstones in the world that are both affordable and worthy of a duchess’s attention. But then not many stones are as beautiful as amethyst. Indeed, vintage and antique amethyst jewelry has innumerable fans, and February’s birthstone has many unique attributes. For the romantics, there are several tales in Greek mythology that tell the story of Bacchus and Amethyste, a maiden that he pursues yet is rescued by Diane by turning her into a white stone. Bacchus, mourning his love, pours a glass of wine over the sculpture, dyeing her purple.

Amethyst has adorned many royal jewels. One of the most enviable jewelry collections of all time belonged to Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. In 1947, the Duke gifted her with a Cartier amethyst and turquoise bib necklace. This special order piece was made with twisted 18-carat and 20-carat gold, platinum, brilliant- and baguette-cut diamonds, one heart-shaped faceted amethyst, 27 emerald-cut amethysts, one oval faceted amethyst, and turquoise cabochons. The Duchess was not the only Royal with a penchant for the purple gemstone. The tiara now owned by Queen Silvia of Sweden is set with amethysts that once belonged to the French Empress Josephine. A stunning 56-carat cushion-cut, square-shaped amethyst set in an 18-karat yellow gold necklace designed by Tiffany & Co. is now in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

The Smithsonian also has in its possession an even more rare example of fine amethyst: the 96-carat Morris Amethyst Brooch. The brooch features a deep, rich purple heart-shaped amethyst. The museum states that the piece was likely made during the Edwardian period (1901–15) “when platinum and diamonds were often used, and amethyst, a favorite stone of King Edward VII’s wife, Alexandra, was often included in jewelry of the era.”

Another amethyst necklace, with an even richer story, can be found in the Natural History Museum of London. Known as the Delhi Purple Sapphire (even though the stone is an amethyst), this stone was stolen from the Temple of Indra during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. Anyone in possession of this stone is bound to have terrible luck, including its owner Edward Heron-Allen, who gifted the gemstone to the museum thinking that this would save him but ended up transferring the bad luck to the museum curators overseeing the stone.

Find a wide range of vintage and antique amethyst necklaces, bracelets and other fine jewelry on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Rings for You

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 ringsvintage 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.

Questions About Van Cleef & Arpels
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Van Cleef & Arpels is so expensive because it is a well-known company that has a fantastic reputation. Van Cleef & Arpels are universally renowned for high quality jewelry with a focus on detail. High-profile fans of the French jewelry house over the years have included the Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor and many more. Find an extraordinary range of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry on 1stDibs.