Peter Caras

Peter Suchy is one of the world’s foremost specialists in vintage and estate jewelry, which he has collected and sold for more than three decades. A perusal of his inventory on 1stDibs reveals a fondness for substantial gemstones of all varieties. Many of his own eye-popping designs — for engagement rings, necklaces and other accessories — are simple but powerful, with carat weights in the double digits.

Suchy has made a niche in antique diamond engagement rings and signed pieces, offering jewelry and watches from brands like Cartier, Bvlgari, Tiffany & Co., Rolex and Patek Philippe. One could argue that he is the kind of vintage jewelry dealer that is the backbone of the market, someone who demonstrates expertise and integrity while delivering exceptional fine jewelry to a global client base.

When asked about his beginnings as a jewelry dealer and designer, Suchy is concise and keen to reflect pragmatically on the facts of which he is most proud. Among those facts: He worked at the bench as a repairman and goldsmith for more than 20 years, after which he studied at the Gemological Institute of America.

Today Suchy’s showroom is situated in a disarmingly unassuming retail building in Stamford, Connecticut. But inside, it is clear why clients have described it as a “vintage jewelry museum.” The characterization is not hyperbole — the store houses more than 10,000 pieces of vintage, estate and antique jewelry.

Like its owner, the space is devoid of artifice or pretense, with classical American decor featuring curved walnut architraves and overhead Art Deco–style light boxes. This lack of ostentation hints at the taste and refinement of the jewels on offer and reflects a sales philosophy belonging to a bygone era, that the only decoration necessary is the jewelry itself.

Find a collection of authentic Peter Suchy bracelets, rings and other jewelry on 1stDibs.

Rings have been symbols of devotion since the days of Ancient Greece, a practice later adopted by the Romans for marriage ceremonies. Bridal rings were given an official meaning by Pope Nicholas I in the year 850 as proving a man’s intent to marry his bride-to-be. Antique sapphire and diamond bridal rings continue to hold meaning for many couples today.

Precious stones sometimes adorned these early engagement rings and bridal rings, which were usually gold bands. Diamond engagement rings and diamond bridal ring sets weren’t the dominant choices until 1947 when De Beers popularized them with their “A diamond is forever” marketing campaign.

Recent trends in jewelry design have seen the rise of diverse gems and metals in bridal rings. Rubies, sapphires and other colorful precious gems have quickly gained favor with brides who want a unique and vibrant bridal ring.

Modern bridal ring styles can be breathtaking and break traditional trends, while vintage engagement rings harken back to this rich heritage of design. Featured on 1stDibs is a stunning array of bridal rings from world-famous jewelers including Tiffany & Co., Roman Malakov and Antinori Fine Jewels.