RUCHI Brilliant Diamond Heart Two-Tone Gold Bypass Ring
By Ruchi New York
Located in New York, NY
18K Rose and White Gold Diamonds: 0.93 carats
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Paloma Picasso Diamond Gold Platinum Bypass Ring
By Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
This beautifully composed ring is crafted in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum, designed as a fluid bypass silhouette with two opposing pavé diamond forms that create movement, balan...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
RUCHI Mixed-Cut Diamond White Gold Bypass Cocktail Ring
By Ruchi New York
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold Diamonds: 1.70ct total weight. All diamonds are G-H/SI stones.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
RUCHI Blue Sapphire & Brilliant Diamond White Gold Bypass Ring
By Ruchi New York
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold Sapphire- 2.88ct Total Weight Diamond- 0.22ct Total Weight All Diamonds are G - H/ SI stones.
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
GIA 1.51 Carat East-West Oval Halo Curved Bypass 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
The gracefully curved bypass shank in yellow gold allows the ring to elegantly hug the finger, presenting a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA 1.50 Carat East-West Oval Halo Curved Bypass 18K White Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Details: Certificate: GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Shape: Oval Carat: 1.5 Color: J Clarity: SI2 Cut/Pol/Sym: -/EX/EX Ring Details: Karat: 18K Metal: White Gold DI...
Diamond, White Gold
Vintage 18K Ruby Pave Diamond Bypass Large Cocktail Ring 4.53cttw Sz 7.75
Located in Winter Springs, FL
A gorgeous vintage bypass ring from one of the most bold periods in the jewelry world… c. the 1980’s - 1990’s.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
GIA 1.03 Carat East-West Oval Halo Curved Bypass 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
The gracefully curved bypass shank in yellow gold allows the ring to elegantly hug the finger, presenting a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Bvlgari Diamond Bypass White Gold Band Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond Bypass Band Ring by Bulgari.
Diamond, White Gold
Estate 18K Yellow Sapphire Baguette Diamond Bypass Cocktail Ring 2.90ctw Sz 6.75
Located in Winter Springs, FL
A nicely made cocktail ring crafted in 18K yellow gold and channel set with approximately 1.90cttw in natural yellow square baguette cut sapphires as well as 1cttw in G-I color Vs1-2...
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Retro Twin Sapphire and Diamond Bypass Ring
Located in Denver, CO
The design features decorative piercing on the under gallery. Set in 18K yellow gold. Stamped 750. Circa late 20th century.
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Rainbow Sapphire and Diamond Bypass Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom design Material: 18K yellow gold Diamond: 8 round brilliant cut = 0.08cttw Color: G Clarity: VS1-2 Sapphire: 24 princess cut = 3.76cttw Dimensions: ring top measures...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Marquise Round Diamond Bypass Ring 0.80 Carats 18 Karat White Gold
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18 Karat white gold fashion bypass ring featuring two Marquise diamonds weighing 0.62 carats and 14 round brilliants down the band weighing 0.18 carats. More Bypass Rings in Stock. ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pear Emerald Natural Diamond Bypass Ring in 14k Solid Gold (Certified)
Located in New Delhi, DL
★ MATERIALS ★ Stone: Natural Emerald Shape: Pear Carat: 1.23 ct Color: Green Stone: Natural Diamond Shape: Marquise Carat: 0.52 ct Clarity: SI Color: FGH Stone: Natural Dia...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yello...
Australian Lightning Ridge Oval Opal 18 Karat White Gold Bypass Ring
Located in Houston, TX
Set in luxurious 18K white gold, this piece is designed for women who appreciate a harmonious blend of color and brilliance.
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,275Sale Price / item|20% Off
Certified SI/H Natural Diamond Bypass Ring 18 Karat White Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Diera, Dubai
Certified SI/H Natural Diamond Bypass Ring 18 Karat White Gold features heart cut and pear cut diamonds.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
RUCHI Pear-Shaped Ruby & Pink Sapphire Rose Gold Bypass Ring
By Ruchi New York
Located in New York, NY
18K Rose Gold Pink Sapphire- 2.79 Cts Ruby- 2.64 Cts
Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
RUCHI Mixed-Shape Diamond Double-Pear Bypass White Gold Ring
By Ruchi New York
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold Diamond: 2.35 ct total weight. All diamonds are G-H/SI stones.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Black and White Pearl Bypass 18K Cocktail Ring with Black and White Diamonds
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Ring Size: 6.25 A true masterpiece of contrast and elegance, this bypass ring beautifully pairs a luminous freshwater pearl with a striking Tahitian pearl, symbolizing balance and s...
Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Black Pearl, Gold, 18k Gol...
18 Karat White Gold Emerald Sapphire Diamond Bypass Fashion Ring
By Campanelli & Pear
Located in Troy, MI
This is the ultimate right hand ring! Bypass rings have been around since the Victorian era. Characterized by bands that overlap and part they are sought after due to their distincti...
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Natural Sapphire Diamond Bypass Ring Vintage 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant vintage bypass ring (circa 1950s to 1960s), crafted in 18 karat white gold. One round mixed cut Natural Sapphire, approx. 0.90 carats (5.5 x 3.7mm), dark blue color, modera...
Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2 Pear Shaped Red Ruby ByPass Ring
Located in New York, NY
The diamonds gracefully flow down the shank of the ring, set in 18K white gold to create a mesmerizing design.
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chaya Jewellery Contemporary 18k White Gold Ruby and Sapphire Toi et Moi Bypass
Located in Zurich, CH
Elegant contemporary Toi et Moi bypass ring from Chaya Jewellery, masterfully crafted in polished 18k white gold (750 hallmark).
Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
GIA 2.5 Carat Radiant Three-Stone Curved Bypass 18K White Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
The ring is meticulously crafted in luxurious white gold, accentuated by an elegant curved bypass shank and traditional milgrain detailing, inviting admiration not just for its beaut...
Diamond, White Gold
Vhernier 2000's Lapis Lazuli 18 Karat Yellow Gold Eclisse Bypass Ring
By Vhernier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a bypass style ring terminating flush set navette shaped lapis lazuli cabochons Measuring 21.0 x 5.7 mm - opaque ultramarine blue in color with subtle gold pyrite fleckin...
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Nigaam 1 Cttw Ruby & Diamond Bypass Ring Size 7 W/18k White Gold & Red Rhodium
Located in New York, NY
Embrace modern elegance with this captivating ruby and diamond bypass ring. This unique piece features a striking design where two bands curve around the finger, creating a dynamic a...
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold, Rhodium
Contemporary Elongated Pavé Diamond Open Bypass Style Ring 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This breathtaking diamond wrap bypass ring is a stunning example of contemporary fine jewelry design at its most fluid and expressive. Thirty-four round brilliant cut diamonds are se...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Certified SI/H Natural Diamond Stackable Bypass Ring 18 Karat White Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Diera, Dubai
Certified SI/H Natural Diamond Stackable Bypass Ring 18 Karat White Gold features four pear cut diamond set in a sleek band ring making a bypass band ring for women.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,112Sale Price / item|20% Off
Natural Emerald Halo Diamond Bypass Ring in 18kt Solid Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Natural Emerald Halo Diamond Bypass Ring in 18K Gold featuring natural emerald of 0.96 carats and diamonds of 0.81 carats.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Oval Emerald and Baguette Diamond Horseshoe Bypass Ring
Located in New York, NY
Oval Emerald and Baguette Diamond Horseshoe Bypass Ring Description: This architectural cocktail ring is crafted in solid 18k white gold and features a striking centerpiece: a 4.17-...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,556Sale Price / item|20% Off
1.41 CTW Natural Emerald Diamond Bypass Wedding Ring 18 Karat White Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Diera, Dubai
1.41 CTW Natural Emerald Diamond Bypass Wedding Ring 18 Karat White Gold features cushion cut emerald set in the ends of the bypass ring and two marquise cut diamonds set in the cent...
Emerald, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
0.3ct Natural Round-Cut Diamond Bypass Wedding Band in 18K White Gold — Timeless
By VimleshBadaya
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Handcrafted in solid 18K white gold, this modern yet romantic design features a gently curving bypass silhouette, representing two paths intertwining in eternal harmony.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
4.18 CTW Zambian Emerald Diamond Bypass Wrap Ring 18 Karat White Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Diera, Dubai
4.18 CTW Zambian Emerald Diamond Bypass Wrap Ring 18 Karat White Gold features a wrap ring with 3.1 carat cushion cut emerald set on the top of the arm and pear cut diamond set on th...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2.06 Carat Double Heart-Shaped Fancy Yellow Diamond Bypass Ring 18K G
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in 18K yellow and white gold (total metal weight 4.29 grams), this ring blends modern sophistication with timeless romance.
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Dainty SI/H Minimalist Diamond Cluster 18 Karat White Gold Bypass Ring
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Diera, Dubai
Dainty SI/H Minimalist Diamond Cluster 18 Karat White Gold Bypass Ring features a bypass where the two ends of the band curve toward each other without touching.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Cartier Dinh Van 1970's 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Ankh Bypass Ring
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as double wrapped coiled bypass style ring Terminating as a spiraling ankh motif With high polish finish Stamped for 18 karat gold Fully signed for Dinh Van for Cartier Circ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$22,000Sale Price|20% Off
Alexander Beverly Hills GIA 3.24ct Toi et Moi Pear Diamonds Pave Bypass Ring 18k
By Alexander Beverly Hills
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Stunning modern floating diamond bypass toi et moi ring, both stones GIA certified. High jewelry Alexander Beverly Hills. 3.24 carats total diamond weight. 2 pear shape diamonds, 2.1...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Maurice Fine Jewelry - Diamond Baguette Bypass Ring
By Maurice Fine Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your style with this sophisticated 18k white gold ring, showcasing a captivating mosaic design. This ring has a 1.45-carat round diamonds in a prong setting, and 1.38 carats ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage Diamond and Pink Sapphire Bypass Ring
Located in Denver, CO
This vintage bypass ring features mirror image rows of twenty-four dark pink calibre baguette-shaped sapphires totaling approximately 0.72 carats outlined with four rows of brilliant...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
4.18 CTW Zambian Emerald Diamond Bypass Wrap Ring 14 Karat White Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Diera, Dubai
4.18 CTW Zambian Emerald Diamond Bypass Wrap Ring 14 Karat White Gold features a wrap ring with 3.1 carat cushion cut emerald set on the top of the arm and pear cut diamond set on th...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,625Sale Price / item|20% Off
Natural 1 Carat SI/H Diamond Bypass Ring 18 Karat White Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Diera, Dubai
Natural 1 Carat SI/H Diamond Bypass Ring 18 Karat White Gold features an open band ring with pear cut diamond set in the ends of both the ends and heart cut diamonds set on the end o...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
RUCHI Baguette Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Art Deco Bypass Ring
By Ruchi New York
Located in New York, NY
18K Yellow Gold Diamond - 0.73 Cts Ruby- 2.95 Cts All Diamonds are G- H/ SI
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
RUCHI Diamond and Emerald White Gold Toi Et Moi Bypass Ring
By Ruchi New York
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold Diamond : 1.44ct total weight. Emerald : 1.23ct total weight. All diamonds are G-H/SI stones.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18kt White Gold Blue Sapphire and Diamond Thin Bypass Crossover Ring
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Cute, dainty, and stackable 18-karat solid white gold crossover bypass ring. Set with 10 round-cut natural Blue Sapphires and Diamonds. Hypoallergenic and 100% waterproof. Ideal for ...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Natural Diamond 0.60 carats 18KT White Gold Double Cluster Bypass Ring
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Dazzling round-cut diamonds form a spectacular cluster in this stunning white gold duo cluster ring in Bypass Spilt Shank. The Cluster are Pear/ Drop Shape, giving an illusion of s...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage South Sea Pearl and Diamond Bypass Ring
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This very large and distinctive 18K white gold bypass ring projects beauty and drama in equal measure.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Gold, Baroque Pearl and Diamond Bypass Ring by Tambetti
By Tambetti
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This bold and beautiful vintage cocktail ring by American designer, Tambetti, evokes all of the exuberance and spirit of the 1970's. Two 12mm, large, silver gray baroque cultured pea...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
Marquise Diamond Pear Shape Sapphire Bypass Ring 1.95 CTTW 18 Karat White Gold
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Details: • Metal: 18K White Gold • Weight: 3.1 grams • Gemstones: 5 Pear-Shape Blue Sapphires totaling approximately 1.45 carats • Diamonds: 5 Marquise-Cut Diamonds totaling appr...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
RUCHI Blue and Pink Sapphire with Diamond White Gold Bypass Ring
By Ruchi New York
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold Pink Sapphire-2.36 Cts Blue Sapphire- 1.75 Cts Diamonds- 0.08 Cts All Diamonds are G-H/SI
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
A refined contemporary bypass ring crafted in 18 karat white gold, centered by
Located in Winter Springs, FL
A refined contemporary bypass ring crafted in 18 karat white gold, centered by a bright red natural cabochon ruby weighing approximately 1.40 carats. The ruby is bezel set within a ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$3,650 / item
Duet Diamond Halo Bypass Ring, Pear and Oval
By ADA Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
Details Creator: ADA Jewelry Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Stone: Natural Diamonds Stone Shapes: Pear, Oval, and Round Brilliant Total Carat Weight: 1.05 Carats Color Grade: Center Sto...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Stefan Hafner Contemporary Round Diamond Spray Bypass Ring 18 Karat White Gold
By Stefan Hafner
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
It is in very good condition with only slight evidence of wear to the band visible with a 10x loupe. Ring size: 5.5 Metal: 18K White Gold Natural Diamonds: 1.50 ctw Width: 23.91 mm ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Natural SI/H Certified Diamond Open Bypass Cuff Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Diera, Dubai
Natural SI/H Certified Diamond Open Bypass Cuff Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold features pear cut diamonds set in the front of the bypass style ring with diamonds set on the ends of the op...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
4.07 Carat SI/H Pear Diamond Bypass Cocktail Ring 18 Karat White Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Diera, Dubai
4.07 Carat SI/H Pear Diamond Bypass Cocktail Ring 18 Karat White Gold features pear shaped diamonds are arranged in leaf inspired pattern on the open ends of the bypass ring.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Natural Blue Sapphire, Ruby and pearl Bypass Ring in 18 Karat Gold
Located in OVIEDO, AS
Natural Blue Sapphire, Ruby and pearl Ring in 18 Karat Gold. This is a striking and ornate ring with a bold, colorful design. The ring is made of 18 Karat gold and has a unique bypa...
Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Minimalist SI Clarity HI Color Diamond Open Bypass Ring 18 Karat White Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Diera, Dubai
Minimalist SI Clarity HI Color Diamond Open Bypass Ring 18 Karat White Gold features marquise and pear cut diamond set in the ends of the open bypass ring making a stackable promise ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
0.31 Carat SI/H Diamond Minimalist Open Bypass Ring 18 Karat White Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Diera, Dubai
0.31 Carat SI/H Diamond Minimalist Open Bypass Ring 18 Karat White Gold features pear and marquise diamonds set in the ends of the open ring making a bypass ring for her.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White 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.