5 Karat
20th Century Chinese Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Modern Band Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Wedding Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s Wedding Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Drop Necklaces
Emerald, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American More Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold
2010s American More Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold
2010s American Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold
2010s American More Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Stud Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Link Bracelets
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Brooches
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Silver
2010s American More Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Clip-on Earrings
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Drop Earrings
Chrysophrase, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Drop Earrings
Chrysophrase, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Link Bracelets
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Modern More Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Charm Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Fashion Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Necklace Enhancers
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Multi-Strand Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
2010s Multi-Strand Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold
1990s Contemporary Band Rings
White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 18th Century British Georgian Signet Rings
Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Pink Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Solitaire Rings
Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Band Rings
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Band Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Cuff Bracelets
20th Century French Bangles
18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American More Rings
14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cluster Rings
Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Band Rings
18k Gold
1990s Unknown Retro Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Cluster Rings
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Dome Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
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5 Karat For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 5 Karat?
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.