14 Karat White Gold Contemporary Onyx Ring with Diamonds
Located in Manhasset, NY
14 Karat White Gold Contemporary Onyx Ring with Diamonds. 0.36 total diamond weight. 9.00 mm x 12.00 mm black onyx Size 10 10.06 grams total weight.
Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Ring with Diamonds and Rubies
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
14 Karat Yellow Gold Ring with Diamonds and Rubies Yellow gold ring with round cut diamonds and twelve marquise cut rubies around.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat 5.46 Carat White Gold Diamond Ring
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A striking 14K white gold solitaire ring featuring a magnificent 5.46 carat round brilliant-cut diamond. Graded E color and S12 clarity, this classic design highlights the exceptiona...
18k Gold, White Gold
$1,575Sale Price / item|35% Off
14 Karat White Gold Diamond Wedding Vintage Looking Ring
By Gregory Mikaelian & Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14 karat white gold diamond wedding vintage looking ring, containing 1 brilliant cut diamond weighing .32pts. and 14 full cut diamonds weighing .26tps.
Diamond, 14k Gold
14 Karat White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Ring #13917
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Ring Size 7.75 JAGi Certified- This lovely ring features three round sapphires and 68 round brilliant cut diamonds set in classic 14...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Heart Shaped Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat White Gold Heart Shaped Diamond Engagement Ring Size 6.75- This romantic engagement ring features one sparkling heart-shaped diamond set in classic 14K white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Amethyst and Diamond Ring #13904
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Amethyst and Diamond Ring Size 7 JAGi Certified- This lovely ring features one round faceted amethyst (15 mm) and 20 round brilliant cut diamonds set bea...
Amethyst, Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond Ring #13685
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond Ring Size 6.5 JAGi Certified- This stunning ring features nine baguette emeralds, two triangle brilliant cut diamonds and nine round...
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Diamond Wedding Band Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Wedding Band Ring Size 7.25- This sparkling band features seven princess cut diamonds set in classic 14K white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Diamond Engagement Ring '.30 ct.'
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat White Gold Diamond Engagement Ring Size 6 (.30 ct.)- This sparkling engagement ring features one round brilliant cut diamond set in classic 14K white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Ruby and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Manhasset, NY
14 Karat White Gold Ruby And Diamond Cocktail Ring 7 piece round rubies 0.33 total diamond weight.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
14 Karat White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring Size 5.25- This sparkling engagement ring features one princess cut diamond in its center (.35 ct.) and eight gradua...
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Pearl and Diamond Ring #19917
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat White Gold Pearl and Diamond Ring This elegant ring features one round white pearl (8 mm) and six round old mine cut diamonds* set in 14K white gold.
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Wedding Band Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Wedding Band Ring Size 8.25 This sparkling band features seven round brilliant cut diamonds set in classic 14K white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Aquamarine and Diamond Ring #13330
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Aquamarine and Diamond Ring JAGi Certified Size 8.5- This stunning ring features one oval aquamarine (10 mm x 8 mm) and ten round brilliant cut diamonds ...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Ring #13914
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Ring Size 5.25 JAGi Certified- This lovely ring features one round brilliant cut diamond (.28 ct.) surrounded by six round blue sapp...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Pearl and Diamond Freeform Ring
Located in Manhasset, NY
14 Karat White Gold Pearl and Diamond Free Form Ring 0.06 total diamond weight. 2 piece 9.5 mm pearls Size 7 2.04 grams total weight.
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
14 Karat White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Material: 14K white gold Center Diamond: 1 princess cut = 0.97ct Color: H Clarity: SI2 IGI: 33483179 Ring Size: 6 (please allow up to 2 additional business days for sizing requests) ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Flower Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Ring Size 6.25- This sparkling flower ring features 11 round brilliant cut diamonds set in beautifully detailed 14K white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Diamond Crossover Ring Wedding Band
Located in Manhasset, NY
14 Karat White Gold Diamond Crossover Ring Wedding Band Size 7. 0.30 total diamond weight. 2.69 grams total weight.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Ring Size 6.5
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Ring Size 5.5- This sparkling ring features four princess cut diamonds and 56 round brilliant cut diamonds set in beautifully detailed 14K white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Pink Glass and Diamond Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat White Gold Pink Glass and Diamond Ring Size 6 GAI Certified- This elegant ring features one oval pink glass stone (16 mm x 11 mm) and 12 round single cut diamonds set in cl...
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Sapphire Ring with Diamond Accents
Located in Manhasset, NY
14 Karat Yellow Gold Sapphire Ring With Diamond Accents Size 6.5 4 grams total weight.
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Natural Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Ring Size 5 This stunning ring features one pear shaped ruby (7 mm x 5 mm), ten round brilliant cut diamonds, 14 baguette diamonds set...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
$2,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
14 Karat Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring
By Gregory Mikaelian & Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k yellow gold emerald and diamond ring, containing 11 round emerald weighing .65pts. and 5 marquise cut emeralds weighing .65pts. This ring is a size 5.5 but we will size to fit ...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring Size 4.25- This stunning ring features one princess cut natural diamond (.35 ct.) and 24 round brilliant cut diamonds (12 on...
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Material: 14k white gold Center Diamond: 1 emerald cut = 4.19ct Color: E Clarity: VS2 GIA: 2161004810 Diamond: 18 round brilliant cut = 0.54cttw Color: G Clarity: VS1-2 Ring Size: 6....
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Amethyst Diamond Ring, 1940s
Located in Wallkill, NY
Amethyst and diamonds set in 14K yellow gold, the Amethyst is 4.4 Carats. Size 7+ Can be sized by your jeweler or us. This is out of our massive collection of Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, So...
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat White Gold Diamond Wedding Band Bridal Ring
Located in Manhasset, NY
14 Karat White Gold Diamond Wedding Band Bridal Ring Size 5.5 5.69 grams total weight *This ring can be resized at your local jeweler if need.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold White and Black Diamond Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Black and White Diamond Ring Size 7- This elegant ring features one round black diamond (6 mm) approx. .75cts accented with 35 round brilliant cut diamon...
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Wedding Band Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Wedding Band Ring Size 7.25- This sparkling band features 13 round brilliant cut diamonds set in classic 14K yellow gold.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Wedding Band Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Wedding Band Ring Size 5.75- This sparkling band features ten round brilliant cut diamonds set in classic 14K white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Diamond Wedding Band Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Diamond Wedding Band Ring Size 6- This sparkling band features 11 round brilliant cut diamonds set in beautifully detailed 14K white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Natural Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Natural Emerald and Diamond Ring Size 6.25- This stunning ring features 14 round natural emeralds and 11 round brilliant cut diamonds set in beautifully...
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Pave Diamond Cuban Link Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 14k yellow gold Diamond: 132 round cut = 0.66cttw Color: G / H Clarity: SI1-2 Dimensions: ring top measures 10.1mm wide Size: 8.5 sizing available Weight:...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cougar Diamonds Rubies 14 Karat Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
Ring total weight 12 grams Diamonds weight 0.12 karat Rubies weight 0.13 karat Ring size 19 ITA 8.75 US (all rings are can be resized)
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
$1,083Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring 14 Karat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Specifications: main stone: 12 PCS ROUND DIAM APPRX 0.25 GEMSTONE: 15 PCS BLUE SAPPHIRE 2MM carat total weight: n/a color: h clarity: si2 brand: UNBRANDED ...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Wedding Band Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Wedding Band Ring Size 5.5- This sparkling band features 20 round brilliant cut diamonds set in classic 14K white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Marquise Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Material: 14k yellow gold Diamond: 1 marquise cut = 0.64cttw Color: H Clarity: SI1 Ring Size: 4.25 (please allow up to 2 additional business days for sizing requests) Dimensions: rin...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Material: 14K white gold Center Diamond: 1 princess cut = 1.05ct Color: H Clarity: VS1 EGL: US80654607D Ring Size: 5.5 (please allow up to 2 additional business days for sizing reque...
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Radiant Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Material: 14K white gold Center Diamond: 1 radiant cut = 1.07ct Color: G Clarity: SI2 Diamonds: 2 radiant cut = 0.60cttw Color: H / I Clarity: SI1-2 Ring Size: 6.75 (please allow u...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Handcraft Coral 14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds Cocktail Ring
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping and require specific documents that require a particular period, please contact the selle...
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,240Sale Price / item|20% Off
14 Karat Gold Diamond Pave Elevated Bar Ring
By Chee Lee New York
Located in New York, NY
All items are made to order, please allow 10-15 business days for items to ship after the order is placed. ----- Chee Lee New York is a New York-based jewelry company that fuses t...
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Wedding Band Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Wedding Band Ring Size 6- This sparkling band features 14 round brilliant cut diamonds set in classic 14K yellow gold.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Wedding Band Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Wedding Band Ring Size 6.5- This sparkling band features 49 round brilliant cut diamonds set in beautifully detailed 14K white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Diamond Band Ring Size 7
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Diamond Band Ring Size 7- This sparkling band features 90 round brilliant cut diamonds set in classic 14K white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Tanzanite and Diamond Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Tanzanite and Diamond Ring Size 7- This elegant ring features one round tanzanite (5 mm) and 32 round brilliant cut diamonds set in classic 14K white gol...
Diamond, Tanzanite, White Gold
$1,785Sale Price / item|37% Off
14 Karat White Gold Diamond Wedding Vintage Looking Ring
By Gregory Mikaelian & Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14 karat white gold diamond wedding vintage looking ring, containing 1 round old "Euro" cut diamond weighing .79pts. and 44 round single cut diamonds of good quality weighing .35pts.
Diamond, 14k Gold
Handcraft Tourmaline 14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds Cocktail Ring
Located in Marcianise, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping and require specific documents that require a particular period, please contact the selle...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold
14 Karat White Gold Diamond and Pink Tourmaline Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Material: 14k white gold Pink Tourmaline: 1 oval cut= 1.30cttw Diamond: 42 round cut = 0.42cttw Color: H / I Clarity: SI2 Ring Size: 6.25 (please allow up to 2 additional business da...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Wedding Band Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat White Gold Diamond Wedding Band Ring Size 6.5- This sparkling band features 14 round brilliant cut diamonds set in classic 14K white gold.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Ring Size 7
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Ring Size 7- This sparkling flower ring features 19 round brilliant cut diamonds set in beautifully detailed 14K white gold.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Mabe Pearl and Diamond Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Mobe Pearl and Diamond Ring Size 4.5- This stunning ring features one Mobe pearl (11 mm) surrounded by six baguette diamonds and 20 round brilliant cut ...
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1 Carat 14 Karat White Gold Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Wallkill, NY
Diamond Engagement Ring Set in 14K Gold, 1 Carat, SI-1, J color. Ring is a size 7 and can be sized by us or your jeweler. This is out of our massive collection of Hopi, Zuni, Navajo,...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Material: 14K white gold Pink Tourmaline: oval cut = 2.20cttw Diamond: 6 round brilliant cut = 0.18cttw Color: H Clarity: SI Diamond: 4 baguette cut = 0.35cttw Color: I Clarity: SI R...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, White Gold
Handcraft Diamonds 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ruby Cocktail Ring
Located in Marcianise, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping and require specific documents that require a particular period, please contact the selle...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
14 Karat YellowGold Diamond Heart Ring Size 6.25 #15699
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Heart Ring Size 6.25- This stunning heart ring features 24 round brilliant cut diamonds and one princess cut diamond set in beautifully detailed 14K yel...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold
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.
Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.
From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!
There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.
Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.
In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).
When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And on 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
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 rings, vintage 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.
Ancient Egyptians referred to the vibrant stone as the “gem of the sun.”
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.