Tiffany & Co. Five Band Ring in 18K White Gold with pavè diamond band
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
One band is adorned with a refined pavé of diamonds, adding a luminous contrast to the polished gold surfaces.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
SI/H Diamond Open Pave Band Wedding Ring Set 18k White Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Diera, Dubai
SI/H Diamond Open Pave Band Wedding Ring Set 18k White Gold features two dainty rings.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,912Sale Price / item|20% Off
Natural 2.09Ct Emerald Cut Tanzanite Diamond Pave 18K Rose Gold Solitaire Ring
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Diera, Dubai
2.26 CTW Emerald Cut Tanzanite Diamond Solitaire Ring 18k Rose Gold features emerald cut tanzanite set in center of the diamond pave band ring.
Diamond, Tanzanite, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Graff Butterfly 18K White Gold Pavé Diamond Ring Size 47
By Graff
Located in Guangzhou, CN
Pavé Butterfly Diamond Small Ring from the luxury jeweler Graff.
Diamond Pavé Multi-Band Wrap Ring
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Pavé Multi-Band Wrap Ring This diamond wrap ring delivers a striking stacked look in a single, seamless design. Three rows of pavé-set diamonds curve gracefully around the f...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold Diamond Parrot Ring, 5.41 Carats Pavé Diamonds with Yellow Dia
Located in Bangkok, Thailand
An extraordinary statement cocktail ring crafted in 18K white gold, designed in the form of a sculptural parrot.
Diamond, White Gold
Rare Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Pavé Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Wavey Band Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Pavé Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Wavey Band Ring This beautifully made ring by VCA features a 'wavey' curved design with beautifully set Pavé diamonds go...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond & Ruby Eye Pave Set Double Headed Snake 18K Rose Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Finely detailed vintage style double headed snake curving design with curled over tail ring crafted in 18k rose gold. Four rubies adorn the snake eyes. Set with approximately total 1...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
18K White Gold Pavé Diamond Ring with 0.20 ct Center Stone & 42 Accent Diamonds
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
Technical Sheet: Period: Contemporary (circa 2000–2025) Style: Pavé-Set Diamond Ring Metal: 18K White Gold (750‰) Gemstones: 1 × Brilliant-Cut Diamond, ~0.20 ct 42 × Round Bril...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$1,280Sale Price / item|20% Off
Pavé Diamond Dome Open Tapered Band Stacking Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Wan Chai District, HK
Sleek, minimalist, and endlessly versatile, this Round Cut Pavé Diamond Dome Open Tapered Band Stacking Ring is the perfect fusion of refined sparkle and timeless elegance.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold,...
Fancy & White Diamond Pave Set Lilly Flower Floral 18K Rose Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Dimensions: 3.80x3.80x3.70cm Color: 18K Rose Gold Materials: "78 White Diamonds 0.41 CT 349 Fancy Diamonds 6.48 CT 18KR 22.05 GM (WBTT)" 18K Gold & Precious Diamond & Gemstone Jewel...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rachel Koen Pave Set Round Cut Diamond Ring 18K Yellow Gold 2.00Cttw
Located in New York, NY
This luxurious 18k yellow gold ladies diamond ring showcases 2.00 carats of dazzling round cut diamonds in pave setting.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rachel Koen Pave Set Round Cut Diamond Ring 18K White Gold 2.00Cttw
Located in New York, NY
This luxurious 18k white gold ladies diamond ring showcases 2.00 carats of dazzling round cut diamonds in pave setting.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Rachel Koen Pave Set Round Cut Diamond Ring 18K Rose Gold 2.00Cttw
Located in New York, NY
This luxurious 18k rose gold ladies diamond ring showcases 2.00 carats of dazzling round cut diamonds in pave setting.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Fancy & White Diamond Pave Set Lilly Flower Floral 18K Rose Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Dimensions: 3.00x3.10x2.70cm Color: 18K Rose Gold Materials: "282 Fancy Diamonds 2.63 CT 18KR 8.52 GM (WBTT)" 18K Gold & Precious Diamond & Gemstone Jewelry Our Jewelry Collections ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Fancy & White Diamond Pave Set Lilly Flower Floral 18K Rose Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Dimensions: 4.10x4.10x3.80cm Color: 18K Rose Gold Materials: "417 Fancy Diamonds 6.32 CT 18KR 20.06 GM (WBTT)" 18K Gold & Precious Diamond & Gemstone Jewelry Our Jewelry Collections...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$1,880Sale Price|20% Off
Carved Agate Ring with Polki Diamonds & Pave Diamonds Made in 18k Gold & Silver
By Artisan NYC
Located in New York, NY
18k:2.64g, Diamond:3.35ct, Silver:7.35gm, Agate:10.20ct Size: 28X17X35MM"
Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Pavé Dome Shield Geometric Diamond Ring 1.90 Carat Total
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Vintage 18K yellow gold ring with 32 baguette diamonds and 64 pavé set round natural diamonds.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare Vintage Cartier Pavé Diamond Mimi 18k White Gold Band Dome Ring 49
By Cartier
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Cartier Pavé Diamond 18k White Gold Mimi Band Ring. This stunning ring by Cartier features a curved dome design with three rows of beautifully set Pavé diamonds going h...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Pave Gold Ring, circa 1970s
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This abstract and shimmering 1970s Italian diamond pave ring in 18K yellow and white gold radiates elegance and sophistication.
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
$16,320Sale Price|20% Off
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Pave Diamond Hammered Tiered Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Urban, stylish and always modern this beautiful statement ring is designed as a rectangular mounting with stepped tiers of gold, atop with round dimaonds in platinum. "57th Street" C...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Yellow Gold Pavé Diamond Leaf Cluster Cocktail Ring -18k Round 3.00ctw Botanical
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 8 1/4 Sizing Fee: Up 1/2 a size for $80 or Down 1/2 a size for $60 Metal Content: 18k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): 3.00ctw Cut: Round Brilliant C...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.74ct Emerald diamond pave band engagement ring in 18k white gold.
Located in London, GB
1.74ct Emerald diamond pave band engagement ring in 18k white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
Unisex Pave Set Diamond Engagement Band Ring in 18k Solid White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Unisex Pave Set Diamond Engagement Band Ring in 18K Gold symbolizes the everlasting love between a couple.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,800Sale Price|30% Off
18k White and Yellow Oval Pink Sapphire and Diamond Pave' Ring
By Gregory Mikaelian & Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Specifications: Metal: Platinum Weight: 7 Gr Main Stone: Pink Sapphire 2.67cts. Side Stones: 48 Diamonds Weight: .40pts. Color: G Clarity: VS Siz...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18K Ruby Pave Diamond Bypass Large Cocktail Ring 4.53cttw Sz 7.75
Located in Winter Springs, FL
It is crafted in 18K yellow gold and pave set with approximately 2.20cttw in H-I color Vs2-Si1 clarity rounds diamonds and channel set with approximately 2.53cttw in bright, natural ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Pavé Dome Shield Ring, Round & Baguette 2.65 Ct Diamonds
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Vintage 18K yellow gold dome shield ring with round pavé set and baguette diamonds totaling 2.65 carats.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pavé Set Half-Way Around 1.15 Carat Diamond Multirow 18k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
18K yellow gold multi row ring with 31 round pavé set natural diamonds totaling 1.15 carats, G color, VS clarity.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k White Gold 4.11ctw Oval Peridot & Pave Diamond Matte Hammered Cocktail Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have an absolutely magnificent cocktail ring that is crafted from solid 18k white gold featuring a large peridot gemstone that is perfectly accented with very fine quality di...
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Pave & Ruby Eyes Cat Kitten 18K White Gold Statement Animal Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
This captivating piece is crafted in 18k white gold, featuring a playful cat design adorned with diamonds. The primary stones, weighing 1.14 carats, exhibit a brilliant white color, ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Old Cut Diamond & Ruby Art Deco Style Pave Ring Sunburst 18K White Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
A stylish diamond and ruby ring crafted in 18k white gold. Old cut diamonds total an estimated 0.48 carats. French cut rubies total an estimated 0.75 carats. Art Deo in style, the ri...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Oval Bezel Prasiolite Quartz & Pave Diamond Twisted Cocktail Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
The stone is elegantly set at an angle and embraced by the twisted, overlapping, design at the top of the ring in which is completely drenched with pave set diamonds.
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, White Gold
Small Butterfly Diamond Pave Set 18K Rose Gold Split Shank Ring
By Galt & Bro. Jewelers
Located in Tysons, VA
14 Karat Rose Gold 0.15 CT Diamonds Size 7
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Diamond Pave Gold Domed Cocktail Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A very well made ring with fine quality diamonds. The domed ring, made in 18k white gold, is set with 6.26 carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds which are bright white top quality.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Estate 18K Gold 2.20ct Diamond Pavé Dome Ring Baguette Wide Band Sz 6.5
Located in Winter Springs, FL
A beautifully composed dome ring in 18 karat yellow gold, designed with a dense, luminous pavé of round brilliant cut diamonds framed by precise rows of baguette cut diamonds along t...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Fancy Yellow & White Diamond Pave in 18K Two Tone Gold Butterfly Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
A fancy yellow and white diamond 18K two-tone rose and white gold butterfly motif cocktail ring, featuring four pear-shaped fancy yellow diamonds as wings, one kite-shaped fancy yell...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Natural Diamond Bridal Ring Set 0.83 Carat in 18K White Gold Pave Diamond Band
Located in Diera, AE
Clean lines, balanced proportions, and continuous brilliance define this oval-cut diamond bridal set. The elongated center stone creates a graceful focal point, while matching pavé d...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18k Solid White Gold Pave Set Amethyst and Diamond Dolphin Bypass Ring
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Pave Set Amethyst and Diamond Dolphin Bypass Ring in 18K Gold featuring natural amethyst of 0.35 carats and diamond of 1.13 carats.
Diamond, Amethyst, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Fancy & White Diamond Pave Set Lilly Flower Floral 18K Rose Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Dimensions: 2.75x2.60x3.40cm Color: 18K Rose Gold Materials: "185 Fancy Diamonds 2.91 CT 18 Green Garnet 0.22 CT 18KR 12.38 GM (WETT)" 18K Gold & Precious Diamond & Gemstone Jewelry...
Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
White Diamond Pave Set Lilly Flower Floral 18K White & Yellow Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Dimensions: 2.95x3.00x3.55cm Color: 18K Yellow Gold Materials: "36 White Diamonds 0.29 CT 18KY 15.30 GM (WBTT)" 18K Gold & Precious Diamond & Gemstone Jewelry Our Jewelry Collection...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Nigeria Ring Diamond Pave Eternity Band
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A vintage Cartier Nigeria band ring, made of 18k gold, featuring diamonds. The ring features a wide diamond band fully set with pavé diamonds arranged in a repeating honeycomb patte...
Diamond, 18k Gold
2.88 cts of Diamond Pave Ring
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite ring, crafted in 18k white gold, epitomizes elegance and sophistication. Adorned with 121 dazzling round white diamonds totaling 2.88 carats, it captures and reflects ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Sea Fish White Yellow Diamond Pave & Ruby 18K Rose Gold Animal Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Dimensions: 4.30x2.60x2.80cm Color: 18K Rose Gold Materials: "25 White Diamonds 0.25 CT 114 Fancy Diamonds 2.78 CT 2 Ruby 0.12 CT 18KR 10.10 GM (WBTT)" 18K Gold & Precious Diamond &...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Radiant 0.65ct Ruby & Natural Diamond Pave Ring Delight in 18K Rose Gold
Located in רמת גן, IL
This exquisite ring is crafted from luxurious 18K rose gold, showcasing a vibrant 0.5ct oval ruby at its center, glowing with a rich red hue. Surrounding the ruby are 26 natural roun...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
18K Yellow Gold and Pave Set Diamond Bombe Band Style Dome Ring
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This smaller scale dome ring is fashioned in 18K yellow gold and is pave set with diamonds across the top.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k White Gold 7.05ctw Round Brilliant Natural Diamond Pave Wide Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Material: 18k White Gold Diamond Details: The ring features approximately 7.05 ctw of natural Round Brilliant Diamonds set in a Pave design.
Diamond, White Gold
Natural Diamond Open Ring 0.69 Carat 18K White Gold with Pear and Pave Diamond
Located in Diera, AE
Two pear-cut diamonds appear suspended above a diamond-lined double-rail silhouette, creating a striking interplay of light, structure, and negative space. The open architecture enha...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Orange Yellow Sapphire & Diamonds Pave Butterfly Sweet 18K Rose Gold Animal Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Dimensions: 4.00x4.00x3.50cm Color: 18K Rose Gold Materials: "24 Fancy Diamonds 0.55 CT 109 Orange Sapphire 5.40 CT 39 Yellow Sapphire 0.83 CT 18KR 12.33 GM (WBTT)" 18K Gold & Preci...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Pink Tourmaline Rubellite Pink Sapphire Diamond Pave 18K Rose Gold Unique Ring
By Galt & Bro. Jewelers
Located in Tysons, VA
Exquisite Craftsmanship and Vibrant Elegance. Set with a Large Pink Rubellite Tourmaline Accented by Pavé Pink Sapphires and Diamonds. 18K Rose Gold
Diamond, Rubelite, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Dilys' 18k Gold Pavé Brilliant & Rose Cut Diamond Dome Monochrome Cocktail Ring
By Dilys'
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Stunningly bold, this ring was handcrafted with meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail by the House of Dilys'. Inspired by mid-century modern and pop art, this ring is a on...
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18k Gold 1.80ct Pear Cut Emerald Solitaire & Pave Round Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This stone stands out with its attractive size and deep, vibrant, green color that gives this ring such an attractive and desirable look. The wide shoulders of the band are covered w...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,643Sale Price|20% Off
18k White Gold Solitaire Pave Ring with 0.76ct Natural Diamonds IGI Certificate
Located in רמת גן, IL
A gorgeous solitaire ring with extra matching with a dazzling 0.4 carat round brilliant natural diamond. It has 0.36 carat of side diamonds which add more to its elegance. The jewelr...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$27,600Sale Price|20% Off
Certified 17.50 Carat Diamond Pavé 18k White Gold Vintage Cocktail Ring
By Hana Or
Located in Chicago, IL
This exceptional vintage cocktail ring is a striking statement piece showcasing approximately 17.50 carats of pavé-set round brilliant diamonds, crafted in luxurious 18-karat white g...
Diamond, White Gold
0.90 Ct Oval Diamond Swirl Pavé Engagement Ring in 18k White Gold
Located in Diera, AE
Details Item Code :- SER-210256A Gross Wt. :- 3.77 gm 18k White Gold Wt. :- 3.59 gm Natural Diamond Wt. :- 0.90 Ct. ( SI Clarity & HI Color ) Follow JEWEL PALATE STOREFRONT f...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Rare Vintage Cartier Pavé Diamond Mimi 18k Yellow Gold Band Dome Ring 51
By Cartier
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Cartier Pavé Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Mimi Band Ring. This stunning ring by Cartier features a curved dome design with three rows of beautifully set Pavé diamonds going ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
8.56 Carat Round Diamond Full Pave Square 18K White Gold Vintage Mens Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Ring size 10, adjustable. Product Specifications: Item Type: Men's Vintage Statement / Cocktail Ring Style: Vintage Period: 1990 Metal: 18K White Gold Size: 10 (adjustable) Weight: ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Red Pink Tourmaline Green Garnet & Diamond Pave Set 18K Rose Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Dimensions: 2.50x2.10x2.60cm Color: 18K Rose Gold Materials: "57 Fancy Diamonds 1.40 CT 166 Green Garnet 5.65 CT 1 Tourmaline 4.44 CT 18KR 15.20 GM (WNTT)" 18K Gold & Precious Diamo...
Diamond, Garnet, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose 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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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.
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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.