1920s Art Deco Fine Pearl Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum, own and grotesque hallmarks. Sublime Art Deco ring, it presents a rectangular mounting with cut sides decorated with rose- cut diamonds of ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum, Gold, 18k Gold, ...
4.60tcw 18K Natural Sapphire & Diamond Vintage Ring
Located in Jupiter, FL
Featured here is a very special vintage ring from the early 1920's with sapphire and old European cut diamonds! This Art Deco piece is quite impressive and it is sure to get her noti...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Plaque Ring
Located in London, GB
Platinum is continued onto either shoulder before a yellow gold shank completes the piece. Condition: Used (Very Good) Weight: 3.1 grams Ring Size: L 1/2 (52) Band Width: 1.5mm Fac...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Deco GIA 0.80 carat old mine cut diamond platinum engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This authentic Art Deco engagement ring centers on a 0.80 carat old mine cut diamond certified by GIA under report number 2235903907. The diamond displays a fancy light yellow brown ...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Platinum
Estate Art Deco 1.00ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring - VHK#951a
Located in Hicksville, NY
Estate Art Deco 1.00ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring - VHK#951a Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 7 (Sizable) Metal Type: 14K & Palladium [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight:...
Yellow Diamond
Yellow Gold Diamond Art Deco Men's Ring - 14k Rose .50ctw Vintage Cluster Halo
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 10 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $50 or Down 2 sizes for $40 Era: Art Deco Date: 1920s - 1930s Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .50c...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Old Austrian Ring Diamonds 14K Yellow White Gold Ø7.75US/ 2.5gr
Located in SE
Ring from early 1920's -1930s hand - made in Wiena , Austria.
Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique Red Spinel and Old Mine Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Three-Stone Ring
Located in Miami, FL
This antique circa 1920 ring features a vibrant 2.50-carat oval-cut red spinel center stone, paired with additional old mine diamond side stone detailing.
Diamond, Spinel, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 1.80 Carat Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a refined cluster ring crafted during the pinnacle of the Art Deco movement. At it's heart lies an emerald cut emerald, boasting a vibrant green colour tone whilst being...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Ring 1.25 ctw Diamonds solid 14K Yellow Gold Silver ØUS6.5/ 2.4gr
Located in SE
Old Ring. Gold, Silver and Diamonds of different hand- cut. Silver on Gold openwork crown with 21 diamond stones. Band tested solid 14K Yellow Gold . Largest stone is an old diamon...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Belle Époque Style 2.12 Carat Diamond Ruby 18K Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Center Stone: Diamond Cut: Old Mine Weight: 2.12 Carat Color: O-P Clarity: SI Accent Stone: 36 Diamonds Cut: Old Mine Weight: Approximately 1.5 Carats Color: H Clarity: SI Accent St...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
GIA .59 Carat Art Deco Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 8.25 Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 5.0 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA LAB REPORT #: 2221897016 Weight: .59ct Cut: Old Mine brilliant Col...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Antique 1920s Diamond Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive diamond solitaire ring has been crafted in 14k white, yellow and rose gold.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Yellow Gold Platinum Three Diamond Ring, Circa 1920s
Located in Palm Desert, CA
18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Three Diamond Antique Ring. Simple and elegant handmade three diamond ring design. All three diamonds are brilliant-cut and five prong-set in platinum. ...
Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Sapphire and Old Mine Cut Diamonds in 10K Yellow Gold
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Sapphire and Old Mine Cut Diamonds in 10K Yellow Gold A captivating antique ring from the 1920s, beautifully handcrafted in 10K yellow gold and weighing 3.4 grams. This time...
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Vintage Ruby and Diamond Statement Ring, Circa 1920s
Located in Lewisburg, PA
This glamorous ring is reminiscent of the cosmos bursting with life! The starry spotlight sets the perfect stage for its constellation of twinkling diamonds and radiant rays of rubie...
Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1920s 18K Yellow Gold 0.25tgw Ruby and Old Cut Diamond 5 Stone Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique diamond, ruby, and yellow gold ring, comprising one old European cut diamond, two rose cut diamonds, and two round cut rubies, set in 18 karat yellow gold, to an 18 karat ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
9.00Ct Natural African Ruby & Old Cut Diamond 18K Yellow Gold and Platinum Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
9.00Ct Natural African Ruby and European Diamond 18K Solid Yellow Gold & Platinum Ring Suggested Replacement Value: $12,000.00 Total Natural Cut Ruby Weight is: Approx. 3.00...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Amethyst and Onyx Engraved Cocktail Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Amethyst and Onyx Engraved Cocktail Ring. This incredible Art Deco amethyst and onyx ring is crafted in 14k yellow gold. This ring features...
Amethyst, Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 1930s 18K White and Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Geometric Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An Art Deco ruby, diamond, platinum, and yellow gold ring, comprising one lozenge shaped ruby, and two rose cut diamonds, in 18 karat white and yellow gold. My favourite thing abou...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Diamond Art Deco Solitaire Engagement Ring 14k 18k Euro.22ct Vintage
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 1/2 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $40 or Down 1 size for $40 Era: Art Deco Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold & 18k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamond Carat(s): .22ct ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Diamond Art Deco Men's Ring -14k European .50ct Leafy Vine Solitaire
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 9 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $40 or Down 3 sizes for $30 Era: Art Deco Date: 1920s - 1930s Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamond...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
0.53tcw 14K Marquise Sapphire & Diamond Dainty Vintage Ring
Located in Jupiter, FL
0.53 TCW Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Natural Genuine Blue Sapphire & Diamonds Cocktail Ring. The piece was hand made with solid yellow gold. The pear and marquise shape sapphires are 100...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
0.32tcw 14K Natural Sapphire & Diamond Floral Petite Ring
Located in Jupiter, FL
0.32 TCW Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Natural Genuine Blue Sapphire & Diamonds Cocktail Ring. The piece was hand made with solid yellow gold. The round shape sapphires are 100% genuine wi...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 18k Yellow Gold and Platinum Set Chocolate Diamond Filigree Ring
Located in Addison, TX
Presenting a, Art Deco beauty with 2 chocolate diamond 1CTW prong set on a filigree engraved platinum and 18K Yellow gold band. There are multiple rose cut diamonds decorated on...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique German Cluster Ring Diamonds 14K Yellow Gold Silver Ø US7.5/ 6 gr
Located in SE
German cluster Ring ca 1920s- 1930s with carved band and shoulders in solid 14ct Yellow /Orange toned Gold with Silver crown holding 7 eight-cut Diamonds. The central setting can be ...
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Silver, 14k Gold
Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Double Target Ring
Located in London, GB
All stones here are contained within a fine white gold milgrain bordering whilst the piece is finished with a plain polished yellow gold band. Condition: Used (Very Good) Weight: ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 18kt Gold & Paltinum Ring with Green Tourmaline & Diamonds
Located in Aventura, FL
This exquisite Art Deco filigree ring is crafted in 18kt yellow gold with a platinum top and features a natural emerald-cut green tourmaline with approximately 1.00 carats total weig...
Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Deco 18k Gold & Platinum Ring with Sapphires & Diamond
Located in Aventura, FL
Period: 1920´s Style: Art Deco Metal: 18Kt yellow Gold and Platinum Stone: Natural Diamonds & Sapphire Ring size: 6 1/4 (sizable).
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
Yellow Gold Shell & Diamond Art Deco Ring 10k & 14k Carved Cameo .20ctw Vintage
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 5 Sizing Fee: Up 1 1/2 sizes for $35 or Down 1 size for $35 Era: Art Deco Date: 1920s - 1930s Metal Content: 10k Yellow Gold, 10k White Gold, & 14k Yellow Gold Metal Note: 10...
Diamond, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
3.85tcw Art Deco Vintage Antique Opal Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Jupiter, FL
A magnificent, hand made vintage ring from the 1920's with extraordinary opals and diamonds.
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Estate Art Deco .50ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring - VHK#878a
Located in Hicksville, NY
Estate Art Deco .50ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring - VHK#878a Item Details: Year: 1920s Ring Size: 11 (Sizable) Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: ...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art-Deco 6.24 Carat Fancy Deep Orange-Yellow Diamond Platinum Ring, GIA Cert
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An original Art Deco piece made in the 1920’s, this lovely ring features a beautiful richly colored natural fancy colored diamond.
Diamond, Platinum
Circa 1920s Art Deco Gold & Platinum Old European Diamond Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 5.75 (Sizable) Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold and Platinum Top [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.4 grams Diamond Details: Old European Brilliant,...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
14K & Platinum GIA .72ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring - VEG#2311a
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold & Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 1.8 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA Report#: 1232444047 Weight:...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Deco 1930 Solitaire Ring in Two Tone 18kt Gold with Diamonds
Located in Aventura, FL
This exquisite 1930s Deco Solitaire Ring showcases the elegance and craftsmanship of its era, beautifully combining 18kt white and yellow gold to create a striking visual contrast. A...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, 14k, American. This romantic Art Deco engagement ring features a brilliant .56 carat diamond (K-L color, SI1 clarity) in a quintessential 100-year-old 1920s setting. The...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Style Platinum Heart Ring with Diamonds and Emeralds
Located in Aventura, FL
This enchanting Art Deco style ring captures romance and sophistication, crafted in lustrous platinum and 18kt yellow gold and featuring a magnificent 1.75-carat heart-shaped emerald...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Deco filigree Ring in 14kt Gold and Platinum with Diamonds
Located in Aventura, FL
Period: 1920's Style: Art Deco Metal: 14Kt Gold & Platinum Stone: Diamond Ring size: 6 (resizable).
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$3,560Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Art Deco Platinum 2.51ctw Sapphire & Diamond Cocktail Dinner Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stones:-- 1 Natural Genuine Diamond - Old Oval Cut - Prong Set - I1 Clarity - Light Yellow Color - 8x5.8x3.11mm - 1.01ctw approx. 128 Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old European & Old ...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Antique 1920s 2.42 Carat Emerald Diamond Gold Cocktail Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning antique 2.42 carat emerald and 0.95 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold and 18 karat white gold set cocktail ring; part of our diverse antique jewelry collections.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique Thee Stone Ring 0.45ctw Diamonds 14K Yellow Gold Platinum ØUS8.25/3.3gr
Located in SE
Old cluster ring, a fine example of early XX-century taste. Platinum on Gold openwork crown, band tested solid 14K Yellow Gold, hallmarked 585. The Crown is 13 mm x 7.5 mm at axes ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum
1920s Antique 0.83ct Diamond Twist Ring in 18k Gold and Silver
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive antique diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a silver setting.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1925 Art Deco 14k Yellow and White Gold Two Tone Diamond 3 Stone Ring
Located in Lexington, KY
This beautiful ring from 1925 Art Deco is two tone, being made with both 14k yellow and 14k white gold, with 3 diamond stones. The ring is a size 4.5 but can be resized upon request....
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early Art Deco Old European Diamond Platinum 18K Gold Antique Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.98 carat total - I color with VS2 clarity Set with platinum-topped talon prongs in a pierced crown-style mounting Flank...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Deco Diamond-set Snake Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1929, 18k, London, England. The double snake rings speak of "the two of us", and traditionally signal fidelity, friendship, and trust. Featuring a sleek design underscored by ....
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1920s 1.26 Carat and Yellow Gold Platinum Set Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive antique 1920s diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Art Deco Cabochon Corallium Rubrum Diamond 18K Gold Platinum Dome Ring
Located in Munich, Bavaria
The coral diamond ring made out of 18K gold with a platinum mounting was handcrafted in 1920 ca. Ring Size: US 51.5 Diameter ring head 1.7 cm
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Ring 0.1 ct Diamond solid 18K Yellow Gold Platinum ØUS6 / 2.8gr
Located in SE
A Diamond ring in solid 18K Gold and Platinum, likely hand - made in USA ca. 1920s - 1930s. Hallmarked " Plat for Platinum , 18ct. Diamond of old European cut Ø 2.75 mm x 1.6 mm de...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Five Stone Single Cut Diamond Wedding Band
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Five Stone Single Cut Diamond Wedding Band. This art deco wedding band has 5 single cut diamonds set in 14k yellow gold and white gold top....
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Asscher Cut Sapphire Diamond Ring circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
A one carat asscher cut sapphire is wrapped within a twinkling 1.90 carat, grain set border of old cut diamonds at the heart of this circa 1920s halo ring. These antique jewels are ...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Antique Art Deco 9K Gold Old Euro Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 9K Yellow Gold Old Euro Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring. This incredible ring is crafted in 9k yellow gold and has hallmarks inside the band. The ring ...
Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s 1.50 Carat Cabochon Cut Emerald and 2.85ct Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive cabochon cut emerald and diamond cluster ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
SSEF Certified 2.22 Carats Colombian Emerald and Diamond Art-Deco Ring
Located in Zurich, CH
Elegant SSEF certified Art-Déco Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring, dated circa 1920. Charming Art-Déco ring, set with a cushion-shaped, luminous Colombian emerald of 2.22 ct, mino...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Deco Certified Natural Sapphire Diamond Cocktail Ring Platinum Gold 1930s
Located in Lisbon, PT
Art Deco certified 2.5-carat natural sapphire and 2.25-carat diamond cocktail or engagement ring in platinum and yellow gold, by Portuguese jeweler Joaquim Lory & Cª and accompanied ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Lugano 1.90 carat oval cut diamond 18k yellow gold eternity band
By Lugano
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This elegant Lugano diamond eternity band is a beautifully crafted contemporary piece, designed with refined brilliance and classic luxury. Featuring 18 oval cut diamonds weighing ap...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 0.40ct Diamond Signet Ring, hallmarked 1929
Located in London, GB
A single old cut diamond sits central in this wonderful signet ring, hallmarked 1929. The diamond is 0.40 carat in weight and is of high quality at F in colour and VS in clarity. Th...
Diamond, 18k 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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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.