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Fine Antique Diamond Sapphire Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Nice Platinum Top and Yellow Gold Ring. Circa: 1910. Set with 5 Round Sapphires and clean bright
Category

20th Century Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum, 14k Gold

Antique Sapphire Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Glorius 2.81ct Faceted Sapphire surrounded by 12 old mine Diamonds totaling 1.5cts. Platinum top
Category

20th Century American Edwardian Bridal Rings

Materials

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

Antique Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a classically styled sapphire and diamond cluster ring. This antique piece features an
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Old Mine Cut Diamond Platinum Three-Stone Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
Custom platinum diamond Edwardian style ring features three old mine cut diamonds for approximately
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Edwardian1.30ct Sapphire and Diamond Three Stone Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
A stunning Edwardian trilogy ring set with a lovely 1.30 carat Sapphire to the centre and with two
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Mark Broumand 3.90 Carat Cushion Cut Ceylon Sapphire Engagement Ring
By Mark Broumand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This antique cushion cut Ceylon sapphire engagement ring features a 3.90ct blue sapphire, AGL
Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Platinum

Antique Sapphire Diamond Ring No Heat Ceylon GIA
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1910, Platinum and 18k. Featuring an exceptional 3.90-carat cornflower blue No-Heat Ceylon
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Antique Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Antique Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring. Featuring one oval brilliant cut sapphire
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique Diamond Sapphire 18 Karat Yellow Gold Navette Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Antique Diamond Sapphire 18 Karat Yellow Gold Navette Ring. Featuring five old European cut
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

3.19 Carat GIA and AGL Cert Natural Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian 1 Oval Shape Sapphire = 2.44ct Bezel Set Natural Corundum No Indications of Heating
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Fine Antique J.E. Caldwell Diamond and Sapphire Ring
By J.E. Caldwell Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Platinum top and Yellow Gold Ring, Signed and Numbered by J.E.Caldwell in Original Box. Set with
Category

20th Century American Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum, 14k Gold

Natural Ceylon Color Change Sapphire and Diamond Coronet Cluster Ring circa 1910
Located in London, GB
Ceylon colour change sapphire and diamond coronet cluster ring. Centrally set with a cushion shape
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Retro 2.86 Carats Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Retro 2.86 Carats Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ring. Featuring one oval mixed cut
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Pink Sapphire and Old Cut Diamond Trinity Ring
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
Crafted from platinum and set with a pink sapphire and two old cut diamonds, this ring really is a
Category

20th Century British Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Platinum

GIA Natural Unheated Ceylon Sapphire 4.54 cts. Diamond Antique Ring, c. 1920
Located in Aspen, CO
G.I.A. Sapphire displaying a rich royal endless blue color. The sapphire weighs exactly 4.54 cts
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Tiffany Co. AGL 4.33 Carat Kashmir No Heat Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Antique Tiffany & Company AGL Kashmir Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat Gold Ring. Featuring one AGL
Category

Vintage 1910s American Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Gold

French Edwardian No Heat Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Platinum 18K Gold Antique Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
for 18 karat gold Tested as platinum Circa: 1910 With maker's mark Ring size: 3 1/2 and sizable
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire and Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A large glistening sapphire surrounded by a halo of sparkling diamonds all set in platinum. Ring
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire Diamond Gold Platinum Ring
Located in London, GB
An Edwardian sapphire and diamond ring, set with an oval sapphire and two pear-shape sapphires, in
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire Diamond Platinum-Topped 19 Karat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cluster ring centers a round cut sapphire weighing in total approximately 0.45 carat - medium dark
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, Plat...

Edwardian Natural Sapphire Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian ring from ca 1910. The corn flower blue sapphire has a report from the AGL stating that the origin
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Edwardian Fine Natural Unheated Sapphire Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Aspen, CO
This Edwardian ring centers a very fine cushion cut natural unheated Ceylon sapphire. It displays
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum

Edwardian Platinum/14k Sapphire Diamond Halo Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
A fabulous sapphire and diamond ring from the Edwardian (ca1910s) era! Crafted in vibrant 14k
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian 3.50 Carat Unheated Ceylon Sapphire Platinum Cocktail Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
A stunning sapphire ring from the Edwardian (ca1910) era! Made of platinum, this fantastic ring
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Platinum

Edwardian 2.30 Carats No Heat Sapphire Diamond Platinum Heart Band Ring GIA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tested as platinum Circa: 1915 Ring Size: 6 & sizable (with loss of engraving) Measures: 7.9 mm wide
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire Diamond 18 Carat Gold and Platinum Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Dainty and sparkly sapphire and diamond ring very simply set in platinum with a 18ct gold band
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Platinum Diamond and Sapphire Three-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A precious antique Edwardian three-stone ring. Set with a stunning central square cut blue sapphire
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Antique Edwardian Natural Sapphire Intaglio Crest Platinum Signet Ring
Located in New York, NY
Antique Edwardian 4.45 carat sapphire intaglio platinum signet ring Early 20th Century Sapphire
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Signet Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Platinum

Kashmir Sapphire Diamond Edwardian Platinum Ring Estate Fine Jewelry GIA
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful, Elegant and finely detailed Edwardian Platinum Engagement Ring, center securely nestled
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire and Diamond Platinum Eternity Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Bright and sparkling platinum eternity band encrusted with sapphire and diamonds. Ring Size: L 1/2
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Edwardian Marquise Navette Diamond Blue Sapphire Platinum Shield Cocktail Ring
Located in Addison, TX
Here we have an excellent example of an early 1900s platinum ring in a classic flowing Edwardian
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire and Diamond 18 Carat and Platinum Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This classic design of a sapphire cluster ring is exquisite. It features a 70pt sapphire at the
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian 18ct Gold and Platinum, Sapphire Diamond Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Edwardian Sapphire & Diamond Ring 18ct Gold and Platinum Circa 1910 A jewel from the
Category

Early 20th Century European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire, Diamond and Platinum Eternity Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
way. The ring is modelled in platinum. Ring Size: J 1/2 or 5 Band width: 3mm Weight: 5.2g
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire Diamond Navette Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
An exquisite multi-gemstone ring from the Edwardian (ca1910) era! Crafted in 18kt gold and platinum
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire Diamond Platinum 14k Yellow Gold Navette Dinner Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Edwardian Sapphire Diamond Platinum 14k Yellow Gold Navette Dinner Ring. Featuring one oval
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian Sapphire and Diamond 18 Carat and Platinum Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This classic cluster ring holds a central sapphire and old mine cut diamonds around the edges. The
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Edwardian Sapphire Onyx Diamond Bow Cocktail Ring Gold Platinum Garland
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
The Lewiston Edwardian sapphire onyx diamond cocktail ring is a bold statement jewelry estate
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a charming Edwardian ring showcasing a sapphire and diamond two-stone design with rose
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique Sapphire Engagement Ring Edwardian Diamond 1900s 18 Karat Gold Platinum
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
antique sapphire engagement ring that can be an eminently wearable cocktail ring. A velvety, deep navy
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire and Diamond 18 Carat and Platinum Three Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This stunning 18ct gold and platinum ring holds a central emerald cut sapphire approximately 50pts
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Edwardian 18 Karat Gold Platinum Top Ceylon Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful & classic Edwardian Ceylon Sapphire & Diamond Cluster ring in a 18K Yellow Gold
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Burma No Heat Pink Sapphire and Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Banbury, GB
being heated. The ring itself is beautifully crafted in platinum. It also could be a very nice
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire and Diamond 18 Karat Gold and Platinum Square Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A wonderful antique Edwardian cluster ring. Centrally set with a beautiful princess-cut blue
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

"Julianne" 2ct GIA Unheated Step Cut Sapphire in Platinum Edwardian-Style Ring
By Eytan Brandes
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
designs. The ring will feature Edwardian elements such as a carinated band, tiny coin-edged pavé plates
Category

2010s American Edwardian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire and Diamond 18 Carat Gold and Platinum Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This classic cluster ring holds a central sapphire and diamonds around the edges. The sapphire is
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold

Edwardian Sapphire Ruby Old Mine Cut Diamond Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Platinum and yellow gold (18kt) Sapphire, Ruby and Old-Mine cut Diamond Ring. Antique English
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Sapphire Diamond Estate Engagement Ring Platinum Halo Edwardian Art Deco Revival
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
abrasions to sapphire visible only under magnification Era: Art Deco Edwardian Revival Year: 1940s Metal
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Edwardian 950 Platinum 2.00 Carat VVS Sapphire 0.10 Carat Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an Edwardian cocktail ring crafted in 950 platinum and 18K gold. Circa 1910. The piece
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire and Diamond 18 Carat Gold and Platinum Three Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This stunning 18ct gold and platinum ring holds a central sapphire approximately 15pts in size and
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold

Edwardian Sapphire and Diamond 18 Carat Gold and Platinum Three Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This stunning 18ct gold and platinum ring holds a central sapphire approximately 50pts in size and
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian 18 Karat Gold and Platinum Pink Sapphire Rose Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Banbury, GB
An unusual 18ct gold ring with a platinum top that was made circa 1900-1910. It has been set with a
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Sapphire and Rose Cut Diamond 18 Carat and Platinum Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This classic cluster ring holds a central sapphire and rose cut diamonds around the edges. The
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Cabochon Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Sweet Oval Cabochon Sapphire, bezel set in 18kt Yellow Gold flanked on either side by single cut
Category

Vintage 1910s American Edwardian Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Sapphire and Diamond Edwardian Antique Ring, circa 1915
Located in Aspen, CO
sapphire is unheated, a vibrant deep blue color, and weighs approximately 1.5 cts. This platinum ring was
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Antique Edwardian 14K Gold Platinum 3.60ctw GIA Sapphire Diamond Halo Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Sapphire - Old Cushion Cut - Milgrain Bezel Set - Dark Blue Color
Category

Antique Early 1900s Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian Cornflower Blue Sapphire Solitaire Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A simply stunning natural cornflower blue sapphire set in a beautiful platinum setting with
Category

Early 20th Century Solitaire Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Platinum

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Edwardian Sapphire Ring Platinum For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the piece of edwardian sapphire ring platinum you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Frequently made of Platinum, Gold and 18k Gold, this item was constructed with great care. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. Making the right choice when shopping for an item from our selection of edwardian sapphire ring platinum may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 19th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. As it relates to this specific piece, our collection includes designs that are universally popular, but 1 Carat and 1.5 Carat carat weights, specifically, are sought with frequency. Finding an appealing choice in our collection of edwardian sapphire ring platinum — no matter the origin — is easy, but Baume, Glorious Antique Jewelry Collection and J.E. Caldwell Co. each produced a popular version that is worth a look. See these pages for an old european cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also oval cut cut and round cut cut versions available here, too. Most of our edwardian sapphire ring platinum for sale are for women, but there are 92 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Edwardian Sapphire Ring Platinum?

On average, a piece of edwardian sapphire ring platinum at 1stDibs sells for $4,773, while they’re typically $500 on the low end and $197,697 for the highest priced versions of this item.

A Close Look at Edwardian Jewelry

Antique Edwardian jewelry is named for King Edward VII of Great Britain, who ruled from 1901 until 1910. Classic Edwardian necklaces, engagement rings, earrings and other jewelry are often overshadowed by the more popular style of the era, Art Nouveau, which is a shame. At its best, Edwardian jewelry was all about the exquisite diamond, platinum and pearl creations made by such famous names as Cartier and Boucheron.

Edward introduced incredibly formal Buckingham Palace court presentations, balls and soirées, resulting in a huge demand for diamond jewels starting with his coronation in 1902. Dozens of tiaras and formal jewels in an updated 18th-century style were purchased from French jewelers Boucheron and Chaumet and from Russia’s Fabergé. The court jewelers Asprey, Garrard, Carrington and the newly opened London branch of Cartier were all overwhelmed with orders for sumptuous diamond jewelry to be worn at the king’s elaborate coronation.

During the Edwardian era, pearls were more valuable than diamonds. The pear-shaped pearl La Peregrina, for example, belonged to some of the most fabulous and strongest women in history and bounced among royal courts in Spain, France and Russia for several centuries. So while today the scale and clarity of a diamond ring matters, back then the size and quantity of your pearls was more important a declaration of wealth. And just as Victorian notions of propriety and femininity began to change after Queen Victoria died in 1901, jewelry design also evolved but there was some overlap with late Victorian styles.

Women of the Edwardian period sported bejeweled headpieces like tiaras and bandeaus with feathered aigrettes. Another popular piece of jewelry that is said to have been directly inspired by Queen Alexandra were colliers de chien, or dog collars — today's choker necklaces — which consisted of either a ribbon decorated with a brooch, a gemstone or several strands of pearls strung closely together.

Two major jewelry houses, Cartier and Boucheron, were founded in the mid-1850s, and by the beginning of the 20th century, the wealthy considered them household names. The Cartier brand became even more desirable once the house became the official jewelry supplier to King Edward VII. Cartier took this title seriously and designed some of the most innovative jewelry of its day, since it was willing to experiment with new materials like platinum and because it was mindful of fashion trends. Filigree settings also became popular. This saw-piercing technique was decorative and at the same time created a sense of lightness.

Perhaps even more important than Cartier’s use of platinum was the founding of De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited in 1888. The discovery of new diamond mines made the stone more affordable and prompted the introduction of new gemstone cuts. It is not uncommon to see Edwardian jewels with baguette or briolette diamonds.

Find antique Edwardian rings, bracelets, watches and other 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.

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.