What did engagement rings look like in the 1920s?

In the 1920s, engagement rings still looked like rings but were representative of a diverse range of styles and influences. Art Deco diamond ring designs took inspiration from the contemporary Cubist movement as well as from ancient Egypt – a revival sparked by the opening of King Tut’s tomb in 1922. Native American, African and Asian motifs also inspired jewelry pieces. Diamonds in square and rectangular shapes incorporating angular steps – like emerald cuts, Asscher cuts and baguettes – were set against black onyx, rubies, sapphires and emeralds to create color-blocking effects. Platinum, 18-karat gold, 14-karat white gold and sterling silver were some of the favored metals of the decade. Find a wide range of Art Deco engagement rings on 1stDibs.

1920s Engagement Ring Old Mine

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1920s Yellow Gold Art Deco Diamond Ring

1920 Cushion Cut Diamond Ring

Antique 3 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Rings

Art Deco Old Mine Cut

1920s Platinum Three Stone Diamond Ring

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

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Materials

Diamond, Platinum

1920's Platinum Filigree Ring

Unavailable

1920's Platinum Filigree Ring

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

1920's handcarved ring features 0.40 of Old Mine cut diamonds. This ring can be sized to fit.

Platinum Art Deco Engagement Ring Natural Pearl and Big Old Mine Cut Brilliants

Unavailable

Platinum Art Deco Engagement Ring Natural Pearl and Big Old Mine Cut Brilliants

Located in Antwerp, BE

This platinum Art Deco inline ring is more than meets the eye. The gleam of this natural pearl in its vertical sequence of two old brilliant cut diamonds shows the star alignment of ...

Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Art Deco Engagement Rings

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Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum

1920's Platinum & Diamond Ring, 1.65ct K-VS2

Unavailable

1920's Platinum & Diamond Ring, 1.65ct K-VS2

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

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W.A. Bolin 18K White Gold Navette Diamond Ring, 1.50 ct, 1943

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1920s Engagement Ring Old Mine For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the 1920s engagement ring old mine you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from gold, platinum and 18k gold — can elevate any look. Our collection of these items for sale includes 1042 vintage editions and 13 modern creations to choose from as well. You’re likely to find the perfect 1920s engagement ring old mine among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 19th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. As it relates to this specific piece, our collection includes designs that are universally popular, but .5 carat and 1 carat carat weights, specifically, are sought with frequency. Finding an appealing 1920s engagement ring old mine — no matter the origin — is easy, but Antinori Fine Jewels, Cartier and Belais each produced a popular version that is worth a look. A 1920s engagement ring old mine of any era or style can lend versatility to your look, but a version featuring diamond, from our inventory of 519, is particularly popular. Today, if you’re looking for an old mine cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes old european cut and oval cut alternatives. Finding a 1920s engagement ring old mine for sale for women should be easy, but there are 159 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a 1920s Engagement Ring Old Mine?

Prices for a 1920s engagement ring old mine can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $325 and can go as high as $250,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $3,680.

The Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design

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.

Finding the Right Rings for You

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.