Diamond and Ruby 18K Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This charming 18K yellow gold ring from the 1970s features a unique puffed, ribbed design, bringing both texture and elegance to the piece. The ring is set with three round brilliant...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 0.75ct Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
This sweet ring dates back to the 1880s and features five old cut natural rubies, totalling to 0.75 carat. The rubies surround a single old cut diamond which sits to centre, weighing...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Edwardian 0.40ct Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
This delightful Edwardian cluster ring features a vibrant 0.40 carat old cut ruby, at it’s centre. Surrounding the ruby, a sparkling halo of old cut diamonds totals 0.40 carats, with...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
$1,100Sale Price / item|20% Off
Natural Cluster Ruby Diamond Wedding Ring in 18k Solid White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Natural Cluster Ruby Diamond Wedding Ring Set in 18K Gold which perfectly goes with your personality and also helps you to improve your learning and spiritual healing.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ruby Diamond Cluster 0.80 Carat Claw Set 18 Karat White Gold Round Oval Cut Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Elegant and striking 0.80 Carat total diamond and ruby Cluster Ring, The radiant oval ruby is surrounded by 10 white stunning white diamonds weighing a total of 0.30 carat color G/H ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Ye...
2.30 Carat Ruby and Diamond Floral Cluster Ring with Baguette and Round Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
2.30 Carat Ruby and Diamond Floral Cluster Ring with Baguette and Round Diamonds Ruby Weight: 2.30 carats Diamond Weight: 0.92 carats total (0.65 baguette, 0.27 round brilliant) A ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Carat Iberian Cluster ring with Diamonds and Cabochon Ruby
Located in Baltimore, MD
Late 18th century ruby and diamond cluster ring from the Iberian peninsula, with breathtaking cabochon ruby set to a gold octofoil mount set with diamonds. Spanish or Portuguese in o...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Art Deco Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This ruby cluster ring holds a central ruby measuring 75pts. The ruby held in this ring is a deep pink colour and the sparkle of the diamonds compliment the stone beautifully. The di...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Estate 18K Yellow Gold Vivid Red Marquise Ruby Diamond Cluster Ring 3.50ctw
Located in Winter Springs, FL
An exceptionally elegant vintage ring executed in finely crafted 18 karat yellow gold, centered by an intensely saturated arrangement of approximately 2.50 carats total weight in viv...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold 0.56ct Diamond and Ruby Ring
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
Meant to be admired and treasured, this piece features a polished white gold band that broadens at the centerpiece to create a canvas for color and light. Horizontal rows of round ru...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1.95ct Burma Ruby And Old Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Vintage Burma ruby and diamond cluster ring, the oval faceted ruby estimated to weigh 1.95 carat, accompanied by CAG report stating to be of Burmese origin with no indication of heat...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Ruby and Turquoise Cabochon Ring with Diamonds, 18k
Located in New York, NY
A Ruby and Turquoise Cabochon Ring with Diamonds made in 18k White Gold. The ruby cabochon is 1.25 carats. Ring Size 6.25 US. Total weight 4.15 grams.
Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold
$10,898Sale Price|33% Off
Rare Tiffany & Co. Red Ruby & Diamond 18k Gold & Platinum Flower Cluster Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Tiffany & Co. Ruby & Diamond 950 Platinum & 18k Yellow Gold Flower Ring.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
18k Yellow Gold Diamond & Ruby Cluster Ring, GII Certified, UK M Size
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A beautiful 18k yellow gold diamond and natural ruby cluster ring.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Marquise-Shaped Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1890s
Located in London, GB
A marquise-shaped bezel centring a lush red ruby, and studded with 0.64ct old cut diamonds of varying sizes is the centerpiece of this Victorian era ruby and diamond cluster ring. A...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Set in 18K Gold, Blue Sapphires, Emeralds, Ruby & Diamonds Cocktail Cluster Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very gorgeous and beautiful, modern style, Blue Sapphires, Emeralds & Rubies Cocktail Cluster Ring set in 18K White Gold & natural Diamonds.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late Deco 0.60ct Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
This elaborate 1930s cluster ring centres around a 0.60 carat, oval cut ruby. Claw set into platinum the vibrant ruby is encircled by intricately patterned metalwork that features an...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 0.38 Carat Ruby and 2.46 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage English 0.38 carat ruby and 2.46 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold flower cluster ring; part of our vintage jewellery and estate jewelry col...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
1.55 Carat Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This impressive vintage ruby cluster ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
18k White Gold Diamond and Persian Turquoise Cluster Ring
Located in New York, NY
18k White Gold Diamond and Persian Turquoise Cluster Ring Condition: In good condition with some minor surface wear consistent with age. Ring size: 7.5 Markings: “750" "T864" Metal: ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Edwardian 0.50ct Ruby and Diamond Daisy Cluster Ring, circa 1910s
Located in London, GB
Delightfully charming is this ruby and diamond daisy cluster ring dating back to the Edwardian era. The ruby is an old cut and weighs 0.50 carat with the surrounding diamonds also be...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
Set in 18K Gold, 1.67 carats, natural Mozambique Ruby & Diamonds Cluster Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very gorgeous and beautiful, Ruby Cluster/ Cocktail Ring set in 18K White Gold & Diamonds.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Americana Sapphire Ruby Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A lovely plaque ring with red, white and blue stripes of rubies, diamonds and sapphires, set in 18k yellow gold, a lovely nod to Americana. 1.50 carats each of sapphires and rubies a...
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1800 2.50 Carat Ruby Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
Antique 18K rose Gold Ruby and Diamond ring. The cluster style ring is centered with an approximately 2.50 carats stunning oval ruby, Thailand origin, accented by an halo of sparkli...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Silver Top Old Mine Diamond Ruby Cluster Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Silver Top Old Mine Diamond Ruby Cluster Ring.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Victorian 18ct Gold Marquise Ruby & Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Braintree, GB
A striking Victorian 18ct gold marquise-shaped cluster ring set with a vibrant natural ruby of approximately 1.00 ct. The ruby displays rich colour consistent with antique stones, li...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Yellow Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
Exuding an elegant and timeless beauty, this charming piece will make the perfect ruby and diamond engagement ring. At its heart lies a breathtaking vibrant red cushion shaped ruby, ...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2.10 ct Ruby diamond cluster ring in 18 karat
Located in PARIS, FR
2.10 ct Ruby diamond cluster ring in 18 karat. Cluster ring centered with a ruby within a surround of 12 diamonds.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Rare Vintage Tiffany & Co. Red Ruby Diamond Flower 18k Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Tiffany & Co. Ruby & Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Flower Ring. A beautifully made yellow gold cluster ring set with a stunning 4mm (approx. 0.40ct) deep vivid red round cut ...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 18ct Gold & Silver, Victorian Ruby and Diamond Triple Cluster Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Ruby & Diamond Trilogy Ring 18ct Gold & Silver Circa 1880 Introducing a stunning 18ct yellow gold Victorian ring that epitomises elegance and sophistication. This exquisi...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
18ct White Gold Ruby and Old Cut Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
This gorgeous ruby and diamond cluster ring set in 18ct white gold is the dream vintage ruby engagement ring. We date this beautiful piece to the 1960s or 1970s, and it's finished wi...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco 1.15ct Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
This Art Deco show stopper features a wonderful red ruby in its centre with multiple diamond halos surrounding the stone. The central ruby is and old cushion cut, 1.15 carat stone an...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Certified No Heated Siamese Red Pink Ruby & Diamonds Cluster 18K White Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Sublime and imposing Art Deco style ring set in its center with a ruby weighting about 1.37 carat. It is surrounded by old fashioned diamonds, also of a very beautiful H/SI quality. ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Burma Ruby 1.53ct and Diamond Ring in 18K Gold
Located in Berlin, BE
Elegant ring set with a natural ruby from Myanmar (Burma) weighing 1.53 carats. The ruby has been heat treated, a standard enhancement commonly accepted in the trade to improve color...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire and Diamond Ring, Levian, 18k
Located in New York, NY
A Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire and Diamond Ring signed by Levian made in 18k yellow gold. The ring weighs 6.24 grams. The ring size is US 6.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire
Certified 0.92 Carat Burmese Ruby and 0.51 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive vintage Burmese ruby and diamond cluster ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Art-Deco Untreated, Unheated 2.10 carats Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in OVIEDO, AS
Art-Deco Untreated, Unheated 2.10 carats Natural Ruby Vivid Red and Diamond Cluster Ring. The oval-cut ruby with exceptional clarity and vivid red color (Royal Red Color: deep carmi...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Marquise Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat White Gold Cluster Cocktail Ring
Located in London, GB
Expertly crafted from luxurious 18 carat white gold, this cocktail ring is absolutely divine! The focal point is a cluster of 9 marquise shaped rubies, estimated to weigh approximat...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold 1.08ct Diamond and 1.76ct Ruby Ring
Located in Broomall, PA
This ornate ring presents a vivid ruby at its center surrounded by additional ruby accents that create a rich, elegant display of color. The diamonds add a bright contrast that enhan...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GCS 3.5 Carat Ruby and Diamonds Yellow Gold Engagement Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
This cluster ring is set with a deep red ruby weighing around 3.5ct. It has been tested by GCS lab as a Thailand with no indication of heating. It is surrounded with 7 marquise cut d...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,360Sale Price|25% Off
18k Gold Natural Diamond And Ruby Decorated Pretty Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 3.1 grams. Totally is diamond 0.45 ct. The diamond is has F-G color and vvs-vs clarity. Totally is ruby 0.22 ct. Ring size is US 6.5 We can ma...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1.18 Carat Ruby and 1.38 Carat Diamond White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage 1.18 carat ruby and 1.38 carat diamond, 18 karat white gold cluster ring; part of our vintage jewelry and estate jewelry collections This stu...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Edwardian 0.40ct Ruby and Diamond Double Heart Cluster Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
Unique in its design, this stunning ring features a double heart cluster design. At the centre of each heart a pear cut ruby is set. Each ruby is 0.20 carat in size and is surrounde...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Ruby, Blue Sapphire and Old Cut Diamond Triple Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
A highly unique antique ruby, blue sapphire and old cut diamond triple cluster ring set in 18k gold and silver.
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
$9,660Sale Price|20% Off
1.15 Carats Ruby and Diamond Ring 18k White Gold
By GEM PLAZA
Located in New York, NY
Ruby = 1.15 Carat Diamond = 0.39 Carats Metal: 18K White Gold Ring Size: 7* US *It can be resized
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring in Yellow and White Gold
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
Step into the elegance of yesteryear with this captivating vintage ring. Expertly crafted from yellow and white 18K gold (750‰), this piece features a striking synthetic ruby of appr...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 0.40ct Ruby and Diamond Cluster, Hallmarked 1968
Located in London, GB
This charming vintage cluster ring is hallmarked 1968. At its centre sits a vivid 0.40 carat oval cut ruby, claw set into platinum. A halo of eight sparkling eight cut diamonds envel...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Edwardian 1.05ct Natural Burmese Ruby and 0.80ct Old Mine Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
- Edwardian antique ruby and diamond cluster engagement ring - 1.05ct marquise-shaped natural Burmese ruby - Old Mine-cut diamonds totalling approximately 0.80ct - 18K yellow gold...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
$17,437Sale Price|25% Off
GCS Certified 3.6 Carat Natural Ruby and Diamond Pear Shape Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
A dramatic design of a teardrop shape deeply saturated red ruby, full of mystery in a unique, powerful tigerclaw hold. Surrounding the ruby is an extravagant, exuberant rim of bague...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Burma Unheated Ruby and Diamond Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Singapore, SG
Features: Main Gemstone - Ruby Total Carat Weight (5pcs) - 1.08Ct (Approx) Natural Diamonds (45pcs) -0.33Ct Measurement of ruby - 4.08x3.07mm (Approx) Cut - Oval Clarity - VS (...
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold 4.0ct Diamond and Ruby Ring MF10-050626
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
A detailed 18K Yellow Gold setting sets the stage for this exquisite ring. At the center, a 2.10 carat Ruby adds a stylish pop of color. Sparkling Diamond accents totaling 4.0 carats...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pigeon Blood Ruby 'No Heat, Burma' and Diamond Cluster Ring, ca. 1900
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
A natural Burmese ruby and single cut diamond cluster Ring, ca. 1900.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Star Ruby and Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Ring, circa 1960s
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This captivating 1960s 18K yellow gold ring centers on a 5-carat oval cabochon star ruby, bezel set to highlight its mesmerizing star effect with GIA Report stating natural ruby with...
Ruby, Diamond, Star Ruby, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
1.35ct Ruby & Diamond Cluster Ring, Set in 18ct White Gold
Located in London, GB
1.10ct ruby & 0.84ct diamond cluster ring set in luxurious 18ct white gold. This elegant ring features a vibrant natural ruby at its center, encircled by a halo of sparkling natural ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Beautiful 0.71ct Ruby and Diamonds Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in רמת גן, IL
This captivating ring features five oval-shaped red rubies with a total carat weight of 0.67ct, beautifully set in 18K yellow gold. Complementing the rubies are six round brilliant d...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,475Sale Price|25% Off
New Handmade 18K Gold Natural Diamond And Ruby Snake Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 10.1 grams. Totally is center diamond 0.68 ct. All diamond is totally 1.50 ct. The diamond is has G-H color and vs-s1. Totally is ruby 0.10 ct...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
$13,200Sale Price|20% Off
2.40 Carats 18K Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant ring is finely crafted in 18k yellow gold and features a striking combination of a vibrant red ruby and a brilliant white diamond, creating a timeless and refined contra...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Yellow 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.”
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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.