Antique 1930's Sapphire and Rose Cut Diamond Ring 18k Gold
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Circa 1930's. Antique two tone ring with a synthetic emerald cut sapphire and rose cut diamonds.
Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930's Opal Diamond Halo 18K Ring
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
Details: Are you looking for a fabulous Vintage Opal and chunky diamond halo ring from the 1930's? Look no further, we have your ring!
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Diamond Cocktail Cluster Ring .20ct 18K Original 1920's-1930's
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Antique from the 1920's-1930's Art Deco Diamond Cocktail Cluster Ring .20ct 18K White Gold Features 7 Genuine F-H/VS-SI Antique Single Cut Diamonds Creates the Lo...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1930's 18k Gold Transitional Cut Diamond Flower Ring
Located in Altrincham, GB
This charming Art Deco period flower ring is set with gorgeous transitional cut diamond petals. With a total weight of 1.05 carats (a 0.25ct centre and 0.80ct cluster), each stone di...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Art Deco Diamond 18K Solitaire Engagement Ring .50ct Filigree Flowers 1930's
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Antique from 1930's Art Deco Solitaire Engagement Ring .50ct Diamond 18K White Gold Featuring a Genuine .50ct Natural Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Center Pierced ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
French 1930s Art Deco 2.66 Carats J.SI2 Diamond 18 K White Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat white gold, eagle head hallmark. A delightful Art Deco antique ring, its top is adorned with an intermediate brilliant-cut diamond, held in place by six claws. On ei...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1930's Art Deco Diamond Filigree Panel Ring 18k White Gold
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Intricate 1930's Art Deco filigree panel ring with an old mine cut diamond in the center and four synthetic blue sapphires in the corners.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Diamond Engagement Ring GIA .54ct 18K Love Bird Deco Original 1930's
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco from the 1930's GIA Certified .54ct Diamond Lovebird 18K White Gold Engagement Ring Featuring a High Quality GIA Certified .54ct H-VS2 Genuine Old Europe...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1930's 18k White Gold European Cut .29ct Diamond Filigree Art Deco Ring
Located in Boston, MA
Vintage 1930's 18K White Gold European Cut .29ct Diamond Filigree Art Deco Ring - The European cut diamond is F color and VS2 clarity and has a diameter of 4.45mm.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco 18k White Gold & Diamond Ring Circa 1930s
Located in ADELAIDE, SA
Diamonds: One natural early European cut, 5.6mm, I-K colour, VS2 clarity, estimated total weight 0.70ct Four natural old mine cut, 2.2mm, average material, estimated total weight 0....
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 18K White Gold Diamond Ring, Italy, 1930s, 0.95ct
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage ring with 18 karat white gold band, with small brilliant diamonds for a total of 0.95 karats, and one large center diamond of 0.54 karats, Italy 1930s Ring size US 7
Diamond, 18k Gold
Circa 1930's 18kt Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
Located in Wheaton, IL
Sharp circa 1930s diamond and 18kt yellow gold double snake ring. This striking ring contains 4 small sparkling single-cut diamonds set into a star-cut pattern on the face of the mod...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 18K White Gold Emerald and Diamond Ring, Italy 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18 karat white gold lozenge shaped ring with a central emerald of 1.2 karats and brilliant diamonds for a total of 1 karat, Italy 1930s Ring size US 8.5
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1930's Art Deco European Cut .50ct Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Boston, MA
Vintage 1930's Art Deco European Cut .50ct Diamond Engagement Ring - The European Cut diamond is I color and VS1 clarity.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Circa 1930s 18k Gold Estate Natural Rose Cut Diamond Tank Ring
Located in Fatih/Ä°stanbul, 34
Import Taxes USA — No Hidden Fees!💎 Antique Circa 1930s 18k Gold Estate Natural Rose Cut Diamond Tank Ring In very good condition.
Diamond, 18k Gold
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco 18k Gold Ruby Emerald Diamond Pagoda Ring, Circa 1930s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Art Deco pagoda Emerald and Ruby ring was all the rage during the early 1930's. The 1930's brought back a fascination with all things Asian.
White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Circa 1930s 18K White Gold “Romance” Diamond Filigree Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1930s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.5 (Sizable) Metal Type: 18K White Gold[Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.5 grams Diamond Details: .08ct, Old European Brilliant, G color, VS Cl...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco 0.45 TCW Old European Diamond 18k White Gold Dinner Ring 1930s
Located in Towson, MD
Currently a size 5, this piece reflects the sophisticated craftsmanship and refined artistry that define authentic Art Deco jewelry. Stamped 18k and weighs 4.56 grams. Perfect as a...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,281Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1930s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Baguette Cut Ruby Tank Ring
Located in Fatih/Ä°stanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 10.6 grams. Totally is diamond 0.15 ct. The diamond is has F-G color and vvs-vs clarity. Ring size is US 8.5 We can make any size. Please cont...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique 1930s 0.57ct Diamond Twist Ring, 18k Yellow & White Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive 1930s diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 18K White Gold Diamond Ring, 3.64ct J.VVS2, French 1930s
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat white gold, eagle's head hallmark. Sublime antique ring, it is closed set in the center with a 3.64 carats intermediate brilliant-cut diamond, surrounded by diamonds...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Circa 1930s 18K Rose Gold Diamond Solitaire Ring, Size 9.5
Located in Wallkill, NY
Stunning 18K Rose Gold ring with diamond center flanked by white gold. Diamond is approximately .18 points. Ring is hallmarked 750 and is a size 9.5. Ring can be sized by us or your ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
1930's Art Deco Old Cut Diamond 18 Karat Gold Platinum Bow Ring
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A magnificent 18 karat gold and platinum old cut diamond bow ring. The ring dates from the 1930's and is set with beautiful clear old cut diamonds in a platinum bow frame. The main f...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold
Antique 1930s 0.83ct Diamond Cluster Ring, 18k Yellow Gold & Platinum
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1930's 4.57 Carat High Zircon and Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 4.57 carat high zircon and 0.38 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow and white gold cocktail ring; part of our diverse antique jewelry collections. This fine and imp...
Blue Diamond, Zircon, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Circa 1930s Art Deco 18K Old European Diamond Shield Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1930s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.25 (Sizable) Metal Type: 18K White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.0 grams Diamond Details: .35ct total weight, old European brilliant ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1.14 Carat Diamond 18 Carat White Gold Deco Target Engagement Ring, Circa 1930's
Located in London, GB
This 1930's Art Deco handmade target engagement ring features a 1.14ct transitional cut diamond, grain set into a square shaped target mount. The diamond is beautifully accompanied b...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late Deco 0.25ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Transitional Cut Carat Weight: 0.25 Colour: G Clarity: VS2 Metal: 18ct Yellow Gold, Platinum Age: 1930s Size: K 1/2
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Deco 0.40ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Transitional Cut Carat Weight: 0.40 Colour: G Clarity: VS2 Metal: 18ct Yellow Gold, Platinum Age: 1930s Size: K 1/2
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1930s French 0.63 Ct Diamond and 18K White Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive antique 1930s solitaire diamond ring has been crafted in 18k white gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$1,544Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Diamond Ring .38ct VS2 GIA Cert. Original 1930s Never Worn NOS 18K
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from the 1930's Diamond Engagement Ring .38ct GIA Certified VS2 18K White Gold Never Worn NOS Featuring a Genuine GIA Certified Natural Mined .38...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$1,009Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Art Deco 18k Gold Circa 1930s Natural Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/Ä°stanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 2.3 grams. Totally is rose cut diamond 0.10 carat. Totally is brilliant cut 0.10 carat. The diamond is has G color and vs-s1 clarity. Ring siz...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Circa 1930s 18K White Gold Belais Sapphire and Diamond Filigree Ring
By Belais
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1930s Item Details: Ring Size: 4 (Sizable) Metal Type: 18K White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4 grams Diamond Details: .10ct total weight, old European brilliant, g co...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Circa 1930s 18K White Gold .50ct Old European Brilliant Diamond Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1930s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.25 (Sizable) Metal Type: 18K White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.0 grams Diamond Details: Old European Brilliant, .50ct, H Color, VS ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco 1930s 18K White Gold 1.82ctw Diamond Navette Panel Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An Art Deco diamond and white gold ring, comprising three large round brilliant cut diamonds, and fifty-six smaller round brilliant cut and single cut diamonds, set in 18 karat white...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Circa 1930s 18K White Gold .80ct Diamond Art Deco Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 9 (Sizable) Metal Type: 18k White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 6.0 grams Diamond Details: .80ct, Fancy Light Brown, VS Clarity, Old Euro...
Brown Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1930s 0.48 Carat Diamond Trilogy Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning diamond three stone ring (trilogy) has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring .12ct Old European Cut Original 1930's Antique
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from 1930's Solitaire Engagement Ring .12ct Old European Cut Diamond 18K Featuring a Gorgeous Genuine .12ct H-I/VS Natural Mined Old European Cut ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late Deco 2.00ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
A 2.00ct old cut diamond sits in the centre of this superb solitaire engagement ring dating back to the 1930's. It has been graded by EDR as I-J in colour and SI3 in clarity. Flanked...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late Deco 1.04ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, C.1930s
Located in London, GB
A timeless solitaire engagement ring set with an old cut diamond weighing 1.04 carat. The beautiful old cut has been certified by EDR as H in colour and SI1 in clarity. The elegant s...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Circa 1930s Art Deco 18K White Gold Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1930s Item Details: Ring Size: 5 (Sizable) Metal Type: 18k White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.5 grams Diamond Details: .45ct, Old European Brilliant, I Color, VS C...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco 18K Yellow Gold Coral Onyx Diamond Cocktail Ring, Circa 1930s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
They were a pair of earrings simple but precious to me. This Coral ring was made at the end of the Deco period around late 1930's to early 1940's.
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
Late Deco 1.37ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
This elegant solitaire ring dates to the 1930s and the Late Deco era. A stunning 1.37 carat, old cut diamond takes centre stage, claw set within a platinum illusion setting. The dia...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Deco 0.65ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
A unique twist on the traditional solitaire is seen here in this ring dating back to the Art Deco era. The central stone is a traditional cut, 0.65 carat diamond, graded G in colour ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Deco Three-Stone Diamond Engagement Ring, circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
The claw setting work has been crafted from platinum, whilst the should, cheniers and band are all 18 carat yellow gold. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Transitional Cut Carat Weight:...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
1930s Antique 1.52 Carat Diamond and 18k White Gold Twist Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 1.52 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold twist ring; part of our diverse engagement ring collection. This stunning, fine and impressive antique tw...
Diamond, White Gold
Circa 1930s 18K White Gold .35ct Old European Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1930s Item Details: Ring Size: 3 Metal Type: 18k white gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 1.9 grams Diamond Details Center Diamond: .35ct weight, Old European brilliant shap...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco Square Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
In the centre of this art deco ring is a 0.55 carat transitional cut diamond. It has been claw set and is surrounded by a collection of old cut and 8-cut diamonds within the square c...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Art Deco 0.50ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
Dating back to the 1930s is this classic solitaire ring set with a 0.50 carat, old cut diamond at it’s centre. The diamond has a colour of F and clarity of SI1 and has been claw set ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Deco 0.78ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
Sitting to the centre of this Art Deco solitaire engagement ring is a 0.78 carat transitional cut diamond. It has been estimated as F in colour and SI2 in clarity. Running down on ea...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
1930s Diamond 18 Karat White Yellow Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat white and yellow gold. A delicate antique solitaire ring, it is adorned with a brilliant-cut diamond set in eight prongs at its center. The sides and inside of the r...
White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Art Deco 1.62ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
A timeless classic, this Art Deco era solitaire ring features a 1.62 carat old cut diamond at its centre. The diamond has been fully certified by EDR and has been graded F in colour...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Deco 1930s 18K Yellow Gold and Platinum 0.18ctw Diamond Trilogy Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An Art Deco diamond, yellow gold, and platinum ring, comprising one transitional cut diamond, and two single cut diamonds, set in platinum, to a band of 18 karat yellow gold. This ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Circa 1930s 18K White Gold Old European Cut Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 4.75 Metal Type: 18k White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.7 grams Diamond Details Center Diamond: .20ct, Old European Brilliant, G Color, VS Clarity...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco 18K white gold Dome Ring with Old-Cut Diamonds — French, 1930s
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
This French Art Deco dome ring, crafted in 18K white gold, features a beautifully geometric design set with old-cut diamonds arranged in an elegant symmetrical pattern characteristic...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1930s Art Deco Engagement Ring – 0.60ct Old European Cut Diamond
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This 1930s antique Art Deco solitaire engagement ring features a 0.60 carat old European cut diamond, framed by an 18K white gold filigree setting with floral hand engraving.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 0.25ct Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
This beautiful 1930s cluster ring showcases a vibrant 0.25 carat emerald at its centre. The emerald cut stone is rub over set into platinum and surrounded by a 1.00 carat total of ol...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs. Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Ready to rock? Some of our favorite jewelry designers and dealers share indispensable advice for choosing that most important ring.
Will your beloved be enchanted by an Edwardian ring or a trendy Art Deco piece? We clue you into period styles and tips for finding the perfect ring.