Art Deco 2.76ct Burmese Ruby & Diamond Ring, Platinum, Circa 1930
Located in London, GB
An Art Deco ruby and diamond ring, the cushion-shaped ruby weighing 2.76 carats, accompanied by GCS report, stating to be of Burmese origin with no indications of heating, four claw-...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Art Deco 1ct Old-Cut Diamond Onyx Ring, 18k White Gold, Circa 1930
Located in London, GB
An Art-Deco diamond and onyx ring, the old-cut diamond estimated to weigh approximately 1 carat, assessed as M-O colour VS clarity, millegrain rub-over set in a rectangular onyx plaq...
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
A French Art Deco bombé style diamond ring
Located in London, GB
A French Art Deco bombé style diamond ring, the old European-cut diamond weighing 2.68 carats accompanied by De Beers grading report stating to be of O-P colour and VS clarity, half ...
Diamond, Platinum
Single Stone Solitaire Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
A single stone diamond ring, the brilliant-cut diamond weighing 1.03 carats of K colour and I1 clarity, shoulders set with graduating diamond-set shoulders, to a carved mount and rib...
Diamond, Platinum
An Art Deco emerald and diamond bombe cluster ring
Located in London, GB
Surrounding this mesmerizing centrepiece is a rounded triple frame, meticulously pave set with fifty sparkling diamonds. Crafted with precision and finesse, this 1930’s ring exudes t...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vertical Two Stones Round Brilliant-Cut Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
A vintage two-stone diamond ring, the round brilliant-cut diamonds, weighing 1.01 and 1.18 carats, accompanied by De Beers reports stating the first to be of N colour and VS2 clarity...
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage Opal and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
A vintage opal and diamond cluster ring, the rectangular cabochon-cut opal, measuring 19.6 x 10.3mm, claw set to a surround of old brilliant-cut diamonds estimated to weigh a total o...
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Natural Pearl and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
A natural pearl and diamond cluster ring, the natural pearl surrounded by a daylight and twelve transition-cut diamonds, estimated to weigh a total of 1.20 carats millegrain-set in p...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Art Deco Cabochon Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
An Art Deco cabochon emerald and diamond ring, the central cabochon cut emerald estimated to weigh 1.1 carats accompanied by GCS Report stating that is of Colombian origin, flanked b...
Diamond, Emerald
Natural Pearl and Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
A natural pearl and diamond three stone ring, the bouton pearl measuring approximately 10.3mm in diameter, flanked by two old brilliant-cut diamonds, estimated to weigh a total of 0....
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
French 1930s Platinum 1.25 Carat Diamonds Art Deco Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in platinum, mascaron hallmark. Curved shape, this voluminous antique ring is adorned with 2 antique brilliant- cut diamonds, separated by a kind of knot set with diamonds. On e...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
French 1930s Art Deco 1.62 Carat Diamonds Round Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in platinum, dog's head hallmark. Round shaped, this sublime and timeless art deco ring is claws set in the center of its mounting of a brilliant-cut diamond, surrounded by 14 b...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
1930s French Platinum Art Deco Emerald Diamond "You and Me" Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in platinum, dog's head hallmark. Called "you and me", this ring is set with a brilliant- cut diamond and a round emerald. On both sides, on the departure of the ring is set a l...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
French 1930s Art Deco Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat white gold, eagle head hallmark, and platinum, dog head hallmark. Round shape, this charming Art Deco ring is decorated with an antique- cut diamond in the center, t...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Fascination with the Jazz Age is endless, and even today jewelry designers continue to be inspired by authentic Art Deco jewelry and watches.
The Art Deco period, encompassing the 1920s and ’30s, ushered in a very distinct look in the design of jewelry. There were many influences on the jewelry of the era that actually began to take shape prior to the 1920s. In 1909, Serge Diaghilev brought the Ballet Russes to Paris, and women went wild for the company’s exotic and vibrant costumes It’s no wonder, then, that jade, lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise and other bright gemstones became all the rage. There already existed a fascination with the East, particularly China and Japan, and motifs consisting of fans and masks started to show up in Art Deco jewelry.
However, the event that had the greatest influence on Deco was the excavation of the tomb of King Tut in 1922. When the world saw what was hidden in Tut’s burial chamber, it sent just about everyone into a frenzy. Pierre Cartier wrote in 1923 that “the discovery of the tomb will bring some sweeping changes in fashion jewelry.” And he couldn’t have been more right. “Egyptomania” left an indelible mark on all of the major jewelry houses, from Cartier to Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and Georges Fouquet. (Cartier created some of the most iconic jewelry designs that defined this era.)
While a lot of Art Deco jewelry was black and white — the black coming from the use of onyx or black enamel and the white from rock crystal and diamonds — there is plenty of color in jewelry of the era. A perfect accent to diamonds in platinum settings were blue sapphires, emeralds and rubies, and these stones were also used in combination with each other.
Many designers employed coral, jade and lapis lazuli, too. In fact, some of the most important avant-garde jewelers of the period, like Jean Després and Jean Fouquet (son of Georges), would combine white gold with ebony and malachite for a jolt of color.
A lot of the jewelry produced during this time nodded to current fashion trends, and women often accessorized their accessories. The cloche hat was often accented with geometric diamond brooches or double-clip brooches. Backless evening dresses looked fabulous with sautoir necklaces, and long pearl necklaces that ended with tassels, popular during the Edwardian period, were favored by women everywhere, including Coco Chanel.
Find unique Art Deco necklaces, earrings, bracelets and other 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.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Ready to rock? Some of our favorite jewelry designers and dealers share indispensable advice for choosing that most important ring.
Will your beloved be enchanted by an Edwardian ring or a trendy Art Deco piece? We clue you into period styles and tips for finding the perfect ring.