Natural Gold Nugget
Late 20th Century Contemporary Stud Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Band Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, 22k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Rope Necklaces
Gold, 22k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, 22k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Loose Gemstones
Quartz
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, 22k Gold, 24k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Contemporary Link Necklaces
14k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modernist Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Bracelets
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Jewelry Boxes
Copper
Vintage 1980s French Egyptian Revival Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Cuff Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Modern Charm Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 22k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold, 10k Gold, 22k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Brooches
14k Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Finnish Clip-on Earrings
14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Amber, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Recent Sales
Late 20th Century Unknown Artisan Band Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Artisan Fashion Rings
Gold
2010s Australian Artisan Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
2010s Australian Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, 24k Gold, White Gold,...
2010s Australian Artisan Fashion Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Cufflinks
Gold, 18k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Link Bracelets
Gold, 10k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, 22k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Australian Rustic Historical Memorabilia
Gold
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Drop Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, 22k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Link Bracelets
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold, 22k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Quartz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Quartz, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier American More Jewelry
24k Gold
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Drop Necklaces
22k Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Band Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cufflinks
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Russian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Crystal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Solitaire Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Modern Bracelets
Emerald, Pearl, Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Chain Necklaces
22k Gold
Antique 1880s American Victorian Chain Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Modern Bracelets
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Band Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Signet Rings
14k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Base Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Stud Earrings
14k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Modern Cluster Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, 22k Gold
Vintage 1950s American Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, 22k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modern Dangle Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Band Rings
14k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Quartz, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Band Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings
Chalcedony, 18k Gold
American Dangle Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary American Band Rings
Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings
Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings
Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings
Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings
Quartz, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings
Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Modern Beaded Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Turquoise Matrix, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Ster...
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, 24k Gold, White Go...
Mid-20th Century British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Artisan Cocktail Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Band Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
Natural Gold Nugget For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Natural Gold Nugget?
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.
- How pure is a gold nugget?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Gold nuggets tend to be between 85% to 95% pure gold. The gold is extracted and melted down to create pure gold. Some gold is melted and molded to look like organic nuggets for a unique touch. Shop a collection of gold accessories on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The best way to ensure a gold nugget’s authenticity is to buy it directly from a reputable source with authenticity cards and documents. Authentic gold will have a softer touch to it. If you’re unsure, consult with your local jeweler or certified appraiser. On 1stDibs, you’ll find expertly vetted gold nugget jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, while gold nuggets can be melted down and crafted into pure gold, gold nuggets in their raw form are not deemed to be “jewelry-grade.” While actual gold nuggets aren’t crafted into jewelry pieces, gold is often molded to mimic an organic shape similar to that of a nugget. Shop a selection of gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Gold nugget rings became popular during the time of the California gold rush during the mid 19th century. At the time, people associated the rings with wealth, power and good fortune. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of gold nugget rings.