French Art Deco 1.40 Carat GIA Old European Cut Diamond Two-Tone Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique French Art Deco era 1.40 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Two-Tone Engagement Ring composed of 18k yellow gold and platinum. Featuring a 1.40 carat Old European Cut diamond, G...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1920s Early Art Deco Diamond Sapphire Platinum 18 Karat Gold Egyptian Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A square shaped mounting with a stippled gold finish and a deeply engraved geometric design With pierced and milgrain platinum forms accented by an old European cut and rose cut dia...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
Early Art Deco 1.95 Carats Sapphire Diamond Platinum 14 Karat Gold Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a cushion cut sapphire weighing approximately 0.70 carats - medium dark royal blue Bezel set in polished gold and surrounded by a double octagonal halo With old European ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow ...
Art Deco Diamond Ring .34ct E SI1 Old Euro GIA Original 1920s Never Worn NOS 14K
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from the 1920's Diamond Engagement Ring .34ct GIA Certified Old Euro E SI1 14K Yellow Gold Never Worn NOS Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 1.00ct Diamond Trilogy Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
Three charming transitional cut diamonds are rub over set in this wonderful 1920s trilogy ring. In the centre sits the largest of the trio, weighing 0.50 carats, with the diamonds at...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early Art Deco Diamond 14 Karat Two Tone Square Form Antique Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old mine cut diamond weighing approximately 0.10 carat - G color with SI1 clarity Bead set in a white gold square form head with a decorous square-shaped surround With g...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 0.92ct Old European Cut Diamond Filigree Engagement Ring in 18k Gold
Located in Towson, MD
This is an amazing opportunity to own an original 1920s Art Deco filigree ring that was never set or worn. This setting was acquired from a jeweler who owned it for 100 years and st...
Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 14kt Yellow Gold Garnet Pendant Necklace, Circa 1880
Located in Addison, TX
One of a kind Art Deco Ring set in platinum ring Ring Size: 6.5 (can be sized) Materials: Platinum Primary Stone: Natural Sapphire Center Secondary Stone: Natural Diamonds GIA Certi...
Diamond, Sapphire
Arts & Crafts 1.28 CTW Old Mine Diamond 14K Tri-Gold Antique Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old mine cut diamond weighing approximately 1.28 carats - I color with SI1 clarity Set in a six-prong white gold mounting with a highly rendered floral surround Featurin...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Circa 1920s GIA Art Deco 1 Carat Ruby and Diamond Ring in 14 Karat Gold
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: This lovely antique ring features a center ruby surrounded by a halo of old cut diamonds. All diamonds are prong set in 14 karat white gold and the center ruby is held...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 2.95 CTW Old European Cut Diamond 14 Karat Gold Cluster Ring GIA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing 1.95 carats - N color with VS2 clarity Set with talon prongs in yellow gold gallery with halo surround Comprised of additional old Euro...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$2,600
Art Deco Aquamarine Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, 18k. This fabulous Art Deco ring is all about color and visual movement. Festooned with diamond set flowing scrolls down the sides, its heart is a lush 15.0 carat aquama...
Aquamarine, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
AGL Certified Art Deco Burma No Heat Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Gorgeous Art Deco ring hand crafted in platinum and 18 karat yellow gold, showcasing a spectacular AGL certified 2.10 carat emerald cut Burma no heat red ruby, accented by 2 GIA cert...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early Art Deco 0.75 CTW Old Mine Cut Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Bypass Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old mine cut diamond weighing approximately 0.55 carat O-P color with SI1 clarity - set in grooved white gold bezel Flanked bypass-style shoulders with single cut diamo...
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 14K Two Tone Vintage Three Stone Ring GIA Certified Engagement Ring
Located in Addison, TX
This three stone beauty has exceptional details. Crafted in 14K yellow gold, and 14K white gold for the bezel setting, the two tone look is a subtle, unique look that compliments the...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Gentlemen's Sapphire and Diamond Three Stone Ring, c.1927
Located in London, GB
Made in 1927, this handsome 18 carat yellow gold gentlemen’s ring features a deep blue sapphire set between a pair of old cut diamonds, all claw set in open back box mountings within...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 0.60 CTW Diamond Platinum 14 Karat Gold Three Stone Antique Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering three transitional cut diamonds bead set east to west Weighing approximately 0.60 carat total - G color with SI1 clarity Each set in a grooved platinum-topped square form h...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Deco Gold and Platinum Ring set with a 11.92ct No Heat Ceylon Sapphire AGL
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, Platinum and 18k. Set with a stunning 11.92 carat sapphire (No Heat, Ceylon origin, AGL lab report) surrounded by brilliant rose cut diamonds, this Art Deco ring has i...
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum,...
0.89Ct Diamond, 18k Yellow Gold Solitaire Ring - Antique Circa 1920
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 1.83 carat diamond, 18 carat yellow gold solitaire engagement ring with a platinum setting; part of our diamond jewellery and estate jewelry collections...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920 Antique White and Yellow Diamond Ring in Platinum and 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
This 1920 white and yellow diamond ring is handmade in platinum and 18k yellow gold.
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Diamond and Yellow Gold Dress Ring Circa 1920
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 0.40 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, platinum set three stone dress ring; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections This fine ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920 Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold/Platinum .40cttw Rose Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920 Item Details: Ring Size: 4 Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold & Platinum Weight: 2.3 grams Diamond Details: Weight: .40cttw Cut: Antique Rose Cut Color: H-I Clarity: SI Side Ston...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
French 1920 Art Deco Sapphire Diamonds Yellow Gold Oval Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karats yellow gold, eagle's head hallmark. Oval shaped, it is decorated in the center of a starry setting diamond. The mount is openwork, set with rose- cut diamonds and c...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
0.74Ct Diamond, 18k Yellow Gold, Platinum Set Trilogy Ring - Antique Circa 1920
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This authentic 1920's trilogy ring has a plain, hallmarked 18k yellow gold ring shank.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Diamond and Yellow Gold Dress Ring Art Deco Antique, circa 1920
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive Art Deco diamond dress ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Circa 1920's 14k Yellow Gold Vintage Three Stone Shield Ring
Located in Addison, TX
Here we have a beautifully detailed art deco 14K yellow gold three stone shield ring. There are not may yellow gold shield rings out there, and the details on this one are eye catchi...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 18ct Yellow Gold, Sapphire & Diamond Three Stone Ring, Circa 1920
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Sapphire & Diamond Three Stone Ring 18ct Gold Stamped Circa 1920 Introducing a stunning 18ct yellow gold Sapphire & Diamond three-stone ring.
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Diamond Ring Mined .18ct Transitional Original 1920's 14K Baby Ring
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from the 1920's Diamond Engagement Baby Ring .18ct 14K Yellow Gold Genuine F VS Transitional Cut Diamond Center 100% Natural Mined Diamonds ....
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920's Art Deco Two Tone Platinum and Yellow Gold Vintage Small Shield Ring
Located in Addison, TX
This Art Deco beauty, is strait out of the Great Gatsby. The details in the top of this small shield are breathtaking, the perfect pop of sparkle for any occasion. The shanks are cra...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Sold|$2,340
1920s Diamond and Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.62 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, platinum set dress ring; part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections This impressive antiqu...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$2,238
1920s Diamond and Yellow Gold Twist Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive antique diamond twist ring has been crafted in 14k yellow gold with a 14k white gold setting.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 1920 Ring 18kt in Gold and Platinum with Diamonds and Sapphires
Located in Aventura, FL
Period: 1920's Style: Art Deco Metal: 18Kt Yellow Gold & Platinum Stone: Natural Diamonds & Natural Sapphires Ring size: 5 1/4 (sizable).
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
Art Deco 1920 filigree Ring in 18kt Gold and Platinum with Diamond and Onyx
Located in Aventura, FL
Period: 1920's Style: Art Deco Metal: 18Kt Yellow Gold & Platinum Stone: Natural Diamonds & Onyx Ring size: 7 (sizable).
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Diamond and Yellow Gold Twist Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Condition This yellow gold diamond twist ring is fine quality set with two feature old cut diamonds.
Diamond, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1920s Antique Diamond and Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.52 carat diamond and 14 karat yellow gold, platinum set dress ring; part of our antique jewelry/estate jewelry collections This impressive 1920s cock...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Deco 10 Karat Yellow Gold Enamel Diamond Men’s Ring
Located in Lexington, KY
This awesome men’s ring is in 10k yellow gold and features a great cut-out design completed by enamel accents and a bright white diamond set in the center. This great ring has an ex...
Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Turquoise Cabochon Diamonds Cluster Yellow Gold Platinum Ring
Located in London, GB
It was made during the Retro era circa 1920. Weight: 6.9 gr Metal: 18kt Yellow Gold and Platinum Stones: 1 Turquoise • Cut: Cabochon • Diameter: 15.25mm by 13.28mm Others: 34 Sin...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Victorian 14k Yellow Gold Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
A gorgeous Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old European Diamond Engagement Ring. This beautiful ring features an old european cut diamond in the center of a classic prong set art d...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Vintage Black Onyx and Diamond Statement Ring, 10k Yellow Gold, Ring Size 7
Located in McLeansville, NC
Stones: black onyx rectangular tablet 18 x 12 mm diamond single cut Ring Size 7 Rise Off Of Finger: 6.6 mm Length: 20.5 mm Weight: 5.8 grams Stamps: "10k" *vintage SKU: R3886 ...
Diamond, Onyx, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique French Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique French 0.75 carat ruby and 0.52 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold and platinum set dress ring; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collecti...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Oval Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Oval Diamond Engagement Ring. This gorgeous diamond engagement ring has an oval diamond in the center surrounded by a single cut diamond ha...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Yellow Sapphire and Diamond Platinum Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This stunning cluster ring holds a bright yellow sapphire at the centre and is surrounded by glistening diamonds. The sapphire measures approx 2carat and the diamonds total approx 25...
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Platinum
1920s French 0.43 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Twist Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive antique diamond twist ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s French 2.58 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique French 2.58 carat (total) diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, 18 karat white gold set cluster ring; part of our antique jewelry collections Thi...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Navette Diamond Ring 18k yellow gold & Platinum
Located in London, GB
Striking ring features geometric shapes, bold lines, and contrasting materials characteristic of Art Deco jewellery from the 1920s and 1930s. 20 Old European Cut diamonds, totaling 2...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1920s Antique Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 0.71 carat natural blue sapphire and 0.81 carat diamond, 14 karat yellow gold, 14k white gold set antique cluster ring; part of our antique jewelry and estate j...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Art Deco 14k Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond Engagement Ring. This gorgeous classic ring has an old mine cut diamond set in the center of a classic art deco yellow gol...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Old European Diamond Engagement Ring. This gorgeous antique engagement ring features a .30 ct center diamond in a beautiful engraved art de...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1920s Antique Diamond & Yellow Gold White Gold Set Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.72 carat diamond and 14 karat yellow gold, 14 karat white gold set marquise shaped dress ring; part of our diverse collection of antique diamond rings...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$2,900
Hermes diamond 18k yellow gold Kelly ring
By Hermès
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This modern Hermès ring, crafted in luxurious 18k yellow gold, features four sparkling diamonds, embodying understated elegance and refined contemporary design. Center Stone: Diamon...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1.96 Carat Aquamarine and Diamond Yellow Gold Dress Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 1920's 1.96 carat aquamarine and 0.08 carat diamond, 18 carat yellow gold and platinum set dress ring; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate je...
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Pearl & 0.28Ct Diamond, 14k Yellow Gold & Platinum Set Dress Ring - Antique
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This original 1920's ring is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card.
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
1920s Antique 1.57 Carat Sapphire & Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 1.57 carat natural blue sapphire and 0.20 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow, 18 karat white gold set dress ring; part of our antique jewelry and estate jew...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA 1.09 Carat Art Deco Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 7 Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.8 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA REPORT #: 5221622949 Weight: 1.09ct Cut: Old European brilliant Color...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Antique Edwardian 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Sapphire Cluster Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Antique Edwardian 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Sapphire Cluster Engagement Ring - GIA. This beautiful pink sapphire engagement ring is crafted in 14k yellow gold. The center holds a natur...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Solitaire Diamond Ring .22ct F/VS Original 1920's Antique 14K Gold
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from 1940's Solitaire Engagement Ring .22ct Old European Cut Diamond 14K Gold Featuring a Gorgeous Genuine F/VS .22ct Natural Old European Cut Nat...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Antique Diamond & Pearl Yellow Gold White Gold Set Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.25 carat diamond and seed pearl, 14 karat yellow gold, 14k white gold set dress ring; part our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections This fi...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold, 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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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.