De Beers Engagement Rings
De Beers is among the world’s largest diamond suppliers by volume. Nearly one hundred percent of the company’s revenue comes from mining and producing diamonds, and today, De Beers engagement rings, wedding rings, tennis bracelets and other pieces are widely admired by jewelry wearers near and far.
De Beers Mining Company was established as such in the 1880s by British businessman Cecil Rhodes. Initially, Rhodes provided water pumping systems to miners in South Africa before he began to purchase mines (by 1888, De Beers Mining Company owned nearly every mine in South Africa). Eventually, De Beers operated distribution and production of diamonds on a massive scale.
German-born industrialist Ernest Oppenheimer — founder of the Anglo American Corporation and a rival of De Beers in the diamond game — began to buy shares of Rhodes’s company as they became available in the early 20th century. Oppenheimer was owner and chairman of De Beers by the late 1920s.
De Beers has played a significant role in all parts of the diamond world over the years. In 1940, for example, the company partnered with the Gemological Institute of America to market the 4Cs. This system — the 4Cs being color, clarity, cut and carat weight — was established by former jeweler and founder of the GIA, Robert M. Shipley, and lays out the guidelines that determine how diamonds are graded. A lecturer with the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based advertising agency that worked with De Beers, N.W. Ayer & Son, traveled around the United States during the early 1940s to share guidance with jewelers on the 4Cs and on how to talk about diamonds with their clientele. The agency would play even a larger role in promoting diamonds in the years that followed.
Postwar engagement rings were intended to be simpler than those that preceded them — after the war, platinum was no longer reserved for military use and the precious stones in engagement rings were larger. In 1947, with the support of N.W. Ayer & Son, De Beers introduced the slogan “A diamond is forever” in a marketing campaign that emphasized a connection between diamonds and romance. This sparkling copy was penned by the agency’s copywriter Frances Gerety.
Newer engagement rings were designed with a focus on the beauty of the diamond, and the sale of diamonds soared. Diamond engagement rings became intertwined with the post–World War II marriage boom, which coincided with the ascension of specific diamond cuts.
Throughout the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, De Beers expanded operations across the globe. In 1986 in a South African mine, the company unearthed the Centenary Diamond. One of the most famous diamonds in the world, the heart-shaped Centenary Diamond weighs 273 carats. It was unveiled in 1988 for the 100th anniversary of De Beers. Since the 1990s, rumors have swirled that De Beers sold the stone to a private buyer; the company will neither confirm nor deny the claim, citing client confidentiality.
In the early 2000s, De Beers opened stores in London, New York City, Hong Kong and elsewhere. The company is today leading an effort to prioritize philanthropic efforts as well as transparency in diamond origins.
On 1stDibs, find vintage De Beers rings, bracelets, necklaces and more.
2010s Italian Modern De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary De Beers Engagement Rings
Pink Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s American De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s British De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary De Beers Engagement Rings
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21st Century and Contemporary De Beers Engagement Rings
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2010s European Contemporary De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1930s American Art Deco Vintage De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern De Beers Engagement Rings
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21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s English Modern De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Rose Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary South African De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s British Contemporary De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s British De Beers Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Platinum
1990s American Modern De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary De Beers Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique, New and Vintage Engagement Rings for Sale on 1stDibs
Shopping for the right antique, new or vintage engagement ring can prove daunting. Whether you’re looking for that perfect Art Deco engagement ring, an antique Edwardian period engagement ring or a fashionable contemporary alternative, it’s important to choose a style that speaks to you.
Rings have long been signifiers of marriage and committed relationships. The modern diamond engagement ring can be traced back to 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria commissioned an expensive diamond ring for his betrothed. Diamond rings subsequently became extremely popular among the European aristocracy. Later, during the Victorian era, the popularity of diamond engagement rings had filtered down to the middle class, owing to the increasing accessibility — and affordability — of gold and diamonds.
Authentic antique Victorian-era engagement rings were frequently set in rose or yellow gold and they are highly collectible. Designs for Victorian engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal. Diamonds were likely to be small rose- or old-mine-cut (the ancestor of today’s cushion-cut) stones. The former are often associated with antique styles like Victorian or Georgian, as rose-cut diamonds are uncommon in modern jewelry. The diamonds were typically set in a group of five in a band or as a solitaire.
Victorian-era engagement rings also saw other gemstones accompanying diamonds. Small seed pearls and moonstones were popular. Other sentimental and romantic motifs such as hearts and stars took hold as well. When Prince Albert became engaged to Queen Victoria, he gave her a serpent ring with emerald eyes, her birthstone. This initiated a widespread craze for snake jewelry.
In 1886, esteemed American luxury firm Tiffany & Co. introduced its solitaire diamond design, which is still among the most popular styles of engagement rings. The Tiffany Setting raises the stone above the band on six prongs, allowing its facets to catch the light and reflect through the stone.
French jewelry house Cartier, which pioneered the use of platinum in fine jewelry and helped define Art Deco, sought to render the diamonds in their engagement rings and other rings as brilliantly as possible. The brand’s timeless Solitaire 1895 engagement ring gave the impression of delicate lace.
Edwardian and, afterward, Art Deco engagement rings that followed in the wake of Queen Victoria’s death in 1901 would be characterized by complex geometric designs and platinum settings. Owing to the Art Nouveau movement, nature was a major theme for Edwardian jewelry, while the diamond ring designs of the Art Deco period were inspired by Cubism as well as ancient Egypt. Art Deco engagement rings are bold and colorful and feature gems cut in nontraditional ways.
Engagement rings designed during World War II were made from two-toned metals and smaller stones. Large stones were scarce, and platinum was reserved for the military. Postwar engagement rings were intended to be simpler and focused on the beauty of the diamond. In 1947, De Beers Consolidated Mines, with the support of Philadelphia ad agency N.W. Ayer & Son, introduced the slogan “A diamond is forever” in a marketing campaign that emphasized a connection between diamonds and romance. Diamond sales skyrocketed, and diamond engagement rings became intertwined with the post–World War II marriage boom, which coincided with the ascension of specific diamond cuts.
The round brilliant cut, which consists of an astounding 58 facets, continues to be the most popular cut to this day. Jewelers such as Harry Winston had already gained a reputation for his talents by the time the De Beers campaign debuted, and he is said to have favored emerald-cut diamonds.
For everything from understanding the 4Cs to choosing between antique, vintage, contemporary and custom styles, get expert tips to help you find just the right ring.
When you’re ready to mark your momentous occasion, find a vast collection of engagement rings on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to De Beers
- Is De Beers a luxury brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, De Beers is genuinely considered to be a luxury brand. Most people define a luxury jewelry brand as one that produces pieces out of high-quality gemstones and precious metals and prices them accordingly. De Beers fits this definition. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of De Beers jewelry.
- Where are De Beers rings made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022In a recent turn of events, De Beers has opened a factory in Portland, Oregon that has the capacity to produce 400,000 lab-grown diamonds per year. You can shop a selection of De Beers jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024Where De Beers gets its diamonds varies. The diamond supplier operates mines in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. De Beers guarantees that all of its gemstones are ethically sourced and conflict-free, and it employs transparency policies that allow customers to know the origins of the diamonds they purchase. Shop a variety of De Beers diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Are De Beers diamonds worth it?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024Yes, De Beers diamonds are generally worth it. The luxury jewelry maker has exceptionally high standards for gemstone quality. As a result, jewelry produced by the company only features diamonds with color ratings of D to L, clarity ratings of FL to SI2 and cuts of Excellent and Very Good. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of De Beers diamond jewelry.
- Is De Beers a good brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024Yes, many people consider De Beers to be a good brand. The company is among the world’s largest diamond suppliers by volume. De Beers engagement rings, wedding rings, tennis bracelets and other pieces are widely admired by jewelry wearers near and far. Additionally, De Beers has played a significant role in the diamond world over the years. In 1940, for example, the company partnered with the Gemological Institute of America to market the 4Cs — cut, color, clarity and carat weight. This system lays out the guidelines that determine how diamonds are graded. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of De Beers jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, De Beers did not invent the engagement ring. Use of engagement rings date back to at least the time of Ancient Rome. However, in the 20th century, engagement rings began to fall out of style, especially by the time of the Great Depression. In the late 1930’s, De Beers began an advertising campaign that would forever rejuvenate interest in diamond engagement rings. Shop a collection of authentic De Beers jewelry on 1stDibs from some of the world’s top sellers.