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Victorian Pear Sapphire Diamond Dangle Earrings
Located in Solvang, CA
Victorian pear sapphire & diamond dangle earrings, circa 1900. The Victorian dangle earrings are
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Gold Halo Ring
Located in Madison area, WI
- Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring - c. 1890-1900 - 14k rose gold, sapphire, diamond A
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Victorian Toi et Moi Sapphire Diamond Ring 14k Gold Size 6
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Cut: Old European Diamond Carat Weight: 4.75ct (G / VS) Sapphire Carat Weight: 0.75ct Metal: 14k
Category

Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, 14k Gold

Victorian Style 6.00 Carat Blue Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Miami, FL
baguette cut. Diamonds set in a channel setting. Victorian era styled sapphire and diamonds. Free ring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian GIA 10.10 Carat Pink Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in METAIRIE, LA
From our Beverly Hills Estate Collection, this GIA Certified Pink Sapphire is a Victorian period
Category

Antique 1880s Early Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Victorian Sapphire Heart Pendant
Located in Aliso Viejo, CA
This Victorian pendant consist of the following. The piece is forged out of white and yellow gold
Category

Antique 1880s American Victorian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Sapphire and Old Mine Cut Diamond Oval Cluster Ring
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautifully proportioned late Victorian cluster ring is fashioned in 14k yellow gold with a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Victorian Centennial Ruby Diamond and Sapphire Bracelet, circa 1876
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Independence 1776. The bracelet is set with four old mine cut diamonds totaling approx 1.30cts., two natural
Category

Antique 1870s American Victorian Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Victorian Enamel Pearl Sapphire Diamond Silver Gold Painted Brooch
Located in McLean, VA
displays a spray of 11 rose cut diamonds, 3 sapphires and 2 cultured pearls. Brooch closes via pin
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Sapphires Diamonds Crescent Rose Gold Silver Moon Brooch
Located in Munich, DE
The crescent moon brooch was crafted circa 1880 in the Victorian era in 14 karat rose gold. The
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Victorian 1.33 Carat TW Sapphire, Diamond Antique Bangle Bracelet Yellow Gold
Located in Tampa, FL
A completely original Victorian sapphire and diamond Antique bangle bracelet featuring 1.33ct. apx
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Era Pink Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Gold Snake Ring
Located in Crownsville, MD
Gorgeous antique Victorian era late 1800s 14K yellow gold with pink sapphire cabochon and round cut
Category

Antique 1880s American Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold

Victorian Sapphire Old European Cut Diamond Carved Moon Moonstone Brooch Pin
Located in Frederick, MD
This unique Victorian Sapphire Old European Cut Diamond Carved Moon Moonstone Brooch Pin contains
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Moonstone, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Antique Cushion Cut Violet Blue Sapphire Diamond Three Stone Victorian Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exceptional and original sapphire and diamond three-stone ring from the late 19th century. A
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Sapphire Diamond 14K Gold Snake Tubogas Bracelet, circa 1925/30
Located in Goettingen, DE
Antique Sapphire Diamond 14K Gold Snake Tubogas Bracelet, circa 1925/30 Decorative Tubogas gold
Category

Vintage 1920s Late Victorian Retro Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Peridot, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 1890s Sapphire Ruby Emerald Diamond Natural Pearl Butterfly Brooch
Located in Berlin, Berlin
pearls, diameters 0.20, 0.23 and 0.26 in resp. 6 sapphires, faceted, diameters 0.087 – 0.098 in 14 rubies
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Victorian circa 1880 Certified 7.51 ct Diamond Sapphire Sunburst Brooch Pendant
Located in Berlin, Berlin
cuts have been used to set the piece entirely. 28 diamond-set rays surround the dark blue sapphire at
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver

Victorian circa 1850 Natural No Heat Madagascar Blue Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Berlin, Berlin
) blue sapphire from Madagascar, 2,95 ct, mixed star and step cut, oval 59 diamonds in various historical
Category

Antique 1850s Early Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold

Organic Enchantment: Uncut Diamonds and Pink Sapphires in 14K White Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
14K white gold 3.27 ct uncut diamond in the center 0.65ct black diamond 7.39ct pink sapphires
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Early Victorian Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold

Blue Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Bellmore, NY
Sapphires. The setting is 14 karat yellow gold with Silver trim. It was was common to set diamonds in silver
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Sapphire Diamond Silver Yellow Gold Bracelet
Located in Kennebunkport, ME
14k yellow gold and silver antique Victorian sapphire and diamond bangle bracelet. The knife edge
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver

7.68 Carat Sapphire Diamond Antique Cluster Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
within a sparkling white diamond halo in this ravishing and regal antique jewel, hand fabricated in 14K
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow ...

Victorian Revival Gold Snake Stud Earrings Ruby Sapphire Rose Gold Serpent Studs
Located in Rottedam, NL
are made of solid 14 karat gold and are set with natural rubies and sapphires. Snake rings were
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Stud Earrings

Materials

Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage 1.00 Carat Diamond and Blue Sapphire Stud Earrings
Located in Miami, FL
Metal: 14k white gold. Diamonds: 0.60 cwt. VS clarity and G color. Round brilliant cut diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Victorian Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Midcentury 2.25 Carat Blue Sapphire and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Metairie, LA
Mid Century 2.25ct Blue Sapphire and Diamond Cocktail Ring Birthstone of September. Sapphires
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Late Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

2.15 Carat Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
By DGI
Located in Los Angeles, CA
weight is 2.15 Carats. The Oval Cut Sapphire is 8 mm x 6 mm. It is crafted in 14 Karat Yellow Gold and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Late Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cushion Cut Sapphire and Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring, 14 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in New Orleans, LA
. Approximately 1.25 carats of old mine cut diamonds make a shine. This ring is crafted from 14 karat yellow gold
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold

Haute Victorian Gem-Set Pendant Chain
Located in Wimberley, TX
The grandeur of those Victorian times is clearly expressed in this 14k yellow gold pendant/brooch
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Natural Pearl, Ruby, Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Mindi Mond 13.61 Carat Diamond Gemstone Pearl Rose Gold Shaker Pendant
By Mindi Mond
Located in New York, NY
oldeuropeancut diamond (2.50 CTW) and 50 pearls surround this locket derived from the Victorian Period, Circa
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Victorian Diamond Blue Sapphire Earrings in 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Victorian Diamond & Blue Sapphire Earrings in Yellow Gold - 14K Yellow Gold, Rose-Cut Diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Victorian diamond sapphire 14k yellow gold 3 stone ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
blue sapphires, offering refined Victorian-era elegance and grace.
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Target Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Victorian 18k white gold and 14k yellow gold ring featuring approximately 2cts of
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian More Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold

14K Yellow Gold Victorian Revival Natural Sapphire Diamond Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
14K Yellow Gold Victorian Revival Natural Sapphire Diamond Ring. The ring is in excellent estate
Category

Vintage 1930s American Revival Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold

Victorian Era 14K Rose Gold Cabochon Sapphire Diamond Ring
Located in Montgomery, AL
We are loving the crazy patina on this beautiful vintage sapphire & diamond ring!! The center
Category

Antique 19th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring - GIA. This
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old Cushion Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old Cushion Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring. This
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian Era Sapphire Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring 14K Rose Gold
Located in Montgomery, AL
We are in love with this vintage beauty!! Item Details Material: 14K Rose Gold Era: Victorian 1840
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Victorian 2.15 Carats Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
diamonds Weighing in total approximately 1.00 carat with H to J color and SI clarity Tested as 14 karat
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k ...

Antique Victorian 14k Gold AGL Ceylon No Heat Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
You are looking at a truly breathtaking antique sapphire and diamond "Princess Diana" engagement
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Platinum

Late Victorian Sapphire Diamond Silver 14k Rose Gold Cluster Drop Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Pair of Late Victorian Sapphire Diamond Silver 14k Rose Gold Cluster Drop Earrings. Featuring
Category

Antique 1890s Late Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Ring Flowers Diamond Sapphire Conversion Band 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Torrance, CA
Originally an antique Victorian era stick pin (circa 1880s to 1900s), the sapphire & diamond ring
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow ...

Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Earrings
Located in Napoli, NA
Victorian 12 kt gold and silver cluster earrings feauturing 2 center sapphires weighing
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian More Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver

Victorian Sapphire Ruby Diamond 14 Karat Gold Amphora Vinaigrette Necklace
Located in Philadelphia, PA
repousse and a lid that opens on a hinge Accented by a bead set ruby, sapphire, and diamond weighing in
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, 1...

Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old Cut Diamond Sapphire Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old Cut Diamond Sapphire Engagement Ring - GIA. This
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 2.50 Carats Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Gold Cabochon Cluster Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Weighing in total approximately 1.00 carat with I/J color and SI clarity Stamped 14K for 14 karat gold
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow ...

Victorian Pearl Diamond Sapphire Ruby 14 Karat Rose Gold Dragonfly Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
With a bezel set sapphire as body and two round cut ruby eyes Tested as 14 karat gold Circa: 1900
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, ...

Antique Victorian 14K Rose Gold Cabochon Star Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Rose Gold Cabochon Star Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring. This
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old European Diamond Sapphire Three Stone Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old European Diamond Sapphire Three Stone Ring. This
Category

Antique 18th Century Unknown Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Pearl Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Gold Floral Drop Pendant Necklace
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Accented by a round brilliant cut diamond and two cornflower blue sapphires Diamond weighs approximately
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, ...

Pair of Antique 1891 Victorian 14k Gold Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl Wedding Bangles
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
This exceptional pair of 14k gold Victorian wedding bangles date to 1891, late nineteenth century
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

1880 Victorian 14k Yellow Gold over Silver Sapphire Ruby Diamond Floral Brooch
Located in Lexington, KY
sapphires set into silver on 14k gold in a gorgeous Victorian brooch from 1880. The layout of the brooch
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old Cut Diamond and Sapphire Cluster Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old Cut Diamond and Sapphire Cluster Ring. This
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Large Victorian Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Gold Unisex Bypass Snake Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bypass style ring designed as a coiling snake pavé set throughout by diamonds and sapphires
Category

Antique 1860s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond and Sapphire Cluster Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond and Sapphire Cluster Ring. This
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1890 s Victorian 3.14 Carats Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Gold Bangle Bracelet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Hinged bangle bracelet claw set to front with diamonds and sapphires, alternating Cushion cut
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Bangles

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow ...

Victorian Diamond Sapphire Turquoise 14 18 Karat Rose Gold Butterfly Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
thorax and rose cut diamond wings With a calibrè cut sapphire thorax - bright royal blue Butterfly
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 14k Gold, 18...

Antique Victorian 14K Two Tone Gold 0.50ctw Sapphire Diamond Arrow Stick Pin
Located in Montclair, NJ
This lovely antique stick pin was crafted during the early Victorian era from solid 14k yellow and
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold

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14k Victorian Sapphire Diamond For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact 14k victorian sapphire diamond you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of gold, white gold and 14k gold, this item was constructed with great care. Find an antique version now, or shop for 443 vintage or 128 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Making the right choice when shopping for a 14k victorian sapphire diamond may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 18th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. Creating a 14k victorian sapphire diamond has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Gems Paradise, J DAUPHIN and Roshe Jewels are consistently popular. A 14k victorian sapphire diamond of any era or style can lend versatility to your look, but a version featuring opal, from our inventory of 30, is particularly popular. See these pages for an oval cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also round cut cut and old mine cut cut versions available here, too. If you’re browsing our inventory for a 14k victorian sapphire diamond, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and men.

How Much is a 14k Victorian Sapphire Diamond?

Prices for a 14k victorian sapphire diamond can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $146 and can go as high as $269,500, while this accessory, on average, fetches $3,026.

A Close Look at Victorian Jewelry

The reign of Queen Victoria encapsulates a quickly evolving period of history — and jewelry styles were no exception. No single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Today, there is a vast collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.

Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. (She was surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.) During this time, different styles of fashion and jewelry came and went. Thanks to our fascination with royalty and swoon-worthy melodramas like Netflix’s The Crown — which is rife with evocative fashion, jewelry and interiors — and the 2017 feature film Victoria Abdul, we are all familiar with her story. After the death of Victoria’s father and three childless uncles, she ascended to the throne at age 18. In 1840, Queen Victoria married the love of her life, her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and she had even more power to shape trends than Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle do today. The British monarch’s best-known piece in this mold is the gold coiled-snake engagement ring she received from Prince Albert — the sinuous reptile was considered a symbol of everlasting love.

The Queen's 63-year reign has been divided by historians into the Romantic period, the early happy years, circa 1837–60; the Grand period, marked by the deaths of the Queen’s mother and husband, circa 1860–80; and the late Victorian or Aesthetic period, which lasted from about 1880 until 1901 and ushered in the Belle Époque. Queen Victoria wore her heart on her sleeve, and her fashion and jewelry reflected her emotions.

Romantic period jewelry, which featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise, was a celebration of the young monarch’s love. Everything changed with the death of Prince Albert, and the Grand period is most often associated with mourning jewelry. Jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty during the late Victorian period. During this era, diamonds came into fashion, and semiprecious gems such as amethysts and opals became prevalent, too. Using gemstones for their natural beauty and not their worth was something that jewelers of the era felt passionate about, and this ideology would really become relevant in Art Nouveau jewelry.

Find a collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry — from rings, necklaces and brooches to a range of other accessories — 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 Sapphire in Jewelry Design

On 1stDibs, shop the bright blue gems that star in sapphire rings, sapphire necklaces and other vintage and antique sapphire jewelry

Sapphires — the stone of choice for Napoleon, Princess Diana and Elizabeth Taylor — have been a favorite of aristocrats and the well-to-do since the time of the Ancient Greeks.

Picture a sapphire. If the stone you conjure is a deep cornflower blue, you’re seeing only part of the picture. Although blue Kashmirs are considered the most valuable, sapphires come in every color except red. No matter the hue, this very special gem is rich in history and beloved by royals (FYI, Princess Diana and Kate Middleton share an 11-carat sapphire engagement ring), so September babies are in very noble company.

America’s version of royalty — old money and celebrities — have also shown a predilection for the blue stones. In 1940, John D. Rockefeller Jr. had Cartier mount a 62-carat sapphire he had bought from an Indian maharajah in a brooch for his first wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller; in 2001, the piece sold for a then-record of $3,031,000 at Christie’s New York.

The grand dame of jewelry, Elizabeth Taylor had a passion for the gems that her lovers were happy to indulge. Second husband Michael Wilding gave her an engagement ring set with a cabochon sapphire, while Richard Burton famously presented her with a BVLGARI sautoir set with diamonds and sapphires, including at its center a cabochon Burmese weighing 52.72 carats. One of the star lots in the sale of Taylor’s jewels at the Christie’s New York in 2011, it sold for $5,906,500.

You don’t have to have blue blood or a bulging bank account, however, to get an eyeful of this much-coveted gem. A number of outstanding examples reside in public collections.

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History owns the 423-carat Logan sapphire, a gift from the Guggenheim family, and the Hall sapphire and diamond necklace, designed by Harry Winston and featuring 36 fine, well-matched cushion-cut Sri Lankan sapphires weighing a combined 195 carats. Also in the collection is the Bismarck sapphire necklace, designed by Cartier and sporting a central sapphire weighing 98.6 carats, which Mona Von Bismarck donated to the museum.

Sapphires are composed of corundum. Their color derives from trace elements, such as iron, titanium, chromium, copper or magnesium. When the trace element produces a ruby hue, the stone is called, what else, a ruby. (which is, as mentioned above, why sapphires cannot be red by definition).

The allure of large gemstones endures throughout the periods characterized as vintage, and sapphire features frequently in vintage engagement rings. (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.)  

Find an exquisite collection of vintage and antique sapphire jewelry on 1stDibs.