Coral Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow And White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Marcianise, IT
This extraordinary retro-style ring is a true celebration of classic design, crafted in 18-carat white and yellow gold. A piece of jewelry that skillfully combines precious materials...
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s 0.53ct Diamond and 18k White Gold Cocktail Ring, Unisex
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 1950s 0.53 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold cocktail ring; part of our diverse vintage jewelry and estate jewelry collections.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 0.80 CTW Old Miner-Cut Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage 0.80 CTW Old Miner-Cut Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold A timeless and refined ring crafted in 14K white gold, featuring seven natural old miner-cut diamonds with a combined e...
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
$885Sale Price|20% Off
Retro Engagement Ring Diamond 0.15 Carat Yellow Gold and White Gold 18 Carat
Located in Vannes, FR
Retro Engagement Ring Diamond 0.15 Karat Yellow Gold and White Gold 18 Karat This engagement ring is a unique piece that embodies the timeless elegance of retro style. It is design...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1 Carat Engagement Ring. Old Euro Cut Diamond Ring 14k White Gold L VS2
Located in New York, NY
Age: Vintage Year: Circa 1950 Color: L Color Clarity: VS2 Metal: 14K Gold, White Gold Center Stone: Diamond Center Stone Cut: Old European Cut Center Stone Weight: Approx 1.20ct Sty...
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage Emerald Rose Cut Diamond Ring 18K Yellow And White Gold
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This cluster ring was created in the 3rd quarter of the 20th century in Italy out of 18K yellow and white gold. The oval emerald is set in an open claw setting. It is surrounded by t...
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage French 1.10 Carat Diamond and White Gold Full Eternity Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage French 1.10 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold full eternity ring; part of our diverse diamond jewelry and estate jewelry collections.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage French Aquamarine and Diamond Cluster Ring in 18k White Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive 1950's aquamarine and diamond ring has been crafted n 18k white gold.
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold
Vintage French 1.13 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring in White Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage French 1.13 carat diamond solitaire ring in 18 karat white gold; part of our vintage engagement ring collections.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond, Ruby, 18 Karat White and Rose Gold Double Ring
Located in Napoli, Campania
Beautiful double-ring in 18k white and rose gold. This ring is realized with two rings one in 18k rose gold with a central ruby, and the other one made in 18k white gold with a centr...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
French Mid Century GIA 1.81 carat old mine diamond 18k white gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This French Mid Century diamond ring is a beautifully elegant jewel from the 1950’s, crafted in 18k white gold with a GIA-certified old mine brilliant cut diamond at its center.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pierre Sterlé Opal and Diamond Cocktail Ring Platinum, Circa 1950
By Pierre Sterlé
Located in London, GB
A Pierre Sterlé opal and diamond cocktail ring in platinum, circa 1950. This impressive ring is set to its centre with an exceptional oval shaped cabochon of 19.87 carats approximat...
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s 2.30 Carat Diamond and 18k White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
The subtly elevated, plain ring shoulders blend seamlessly with the hinged plain 18k white gold shank.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage French 1.89 Carat Diamond and White Gold Full Eternity Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This 1950s 18k white gold eternity ring is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s French Diamond White Gold Platinum Set Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This impressive 1950s diamond engagement ring has been crafted in 18k white gold with a platinum setting.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1.70 Carat Thai Ruby Diamond White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive vintage ruby ring has been crafted in 18k white gold with a platinum setting.
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold, Platinum
1950s Black Onyx and 1.68 Carat Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage black onyx and 1.68 carat diamond, 18 karat white gold cocktail ring; part of our diverse vintage jewelry collections.
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco 14k White Gold Diamond 1.25cttw Cocktail Ring
Located in Lake Worth, FL
14K white gold and diamond cluster cocktail ring featuring a pear-shaped center diamond surrounded by round and baguette-cut diamonds in a multi-tier setting. The diamonds have a co...
Diamond, 14k Gold
1950s Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Modernist Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat white gold, owl hallmark. Ring which is inspired by the models of Jean Desprès, it is composed of three flat rings joined to each other, each set on top of a modern ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950's Retro Marquise Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Two Tone Gold Swirl Cocktail Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
18 karat two-tone (white and rose gold) Retro swirl ring, artfully designed with a captivating center marquise diamond of approximately 0.30 carats at its center. The graceful curves...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
2.70 Carat Diamond White Gold Platinum Set Twist Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
The elevated, subtly flared 14k white gold ring shoulders integrate with the main setting and blend with the plain ring shank.
Diamond, 15k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
14 Karat White Gold 1950s Cocktail Diamond Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1950s Item Details: Ring Size: 8.25 Metal Type: 14K White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 5 grams Diamond Details: .50ct, total weight. G Color, VS Clarity, Transition...
White Gold
1950s 1.89 Carat Diamond and White Gold Trilogy Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 1950s 1.89 carat diamond and 18 carat white gold trilogy ring; part of our diverse antique jewelry collections.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Emerald and Diamond 18 Carat White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The gorgeous 60pt emerald perched on top of this simple claw setting is fabulous bright green. Complimenting the stone perfectly is a halo of bright white diamonds. The ring is model...
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
Rhodochrosite Bombe Cocktail Ring in 14K Yellow Gold with Diamonds, Circa 1950
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
This unusual ring, undoubtedly a custom piece, features a fluted wedge of rhodochrosite. A beautiful, rasberry-colored stone, rhodochrosite only came on the market in the 1940s with...
Diamond, White Diamond, Rhodocrosite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1.20 Carat Old European Cut Ring. Diamond Ring 14k White Gold L VS2
Located in New York, NY
Color: L Color Clarity: VS2 Metal: Gold, White Gold Stone: Diamond Stone Cut: Old European Cut Style: Retro Total Weight: 2.98 Grams Ring Size: 6.25 US, Resizable This exquisite Vi...
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
1950s French 2.06 Carat Diamond and Emerald White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning vintage 2.06 carat diamond and 0.46 carat emerald, 18 karat white gold cocktail ring; part of our diverse emerald estate jewelry collections.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$1,580Sale Price / item|20% Off
14k white gold Sapphire and Diamond Ring
By Gregory Mikaelian & Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k white gold Sapphire and diamond ring, containing 1 oval sapphire weighing .75pts. and 12 round full cut diamonds of very fine quality weighing .15pts. This ring is a size 6 but...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
4.60 Carat Ceylon Sapphire and 0.82 Carat Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive vintage sapphire and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k white gold. The substantial ring features an impressive vintage (circa 1950) claw set 4.60ct oval ...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
Natural Unenhanced Ceylon Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1950
Located in London, GB
Marked 18 carat white gold, circa 1950, accompanied by Gemmological Certification Services report #80270-96.
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
Mid Century French Style Moonstone Emerald Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in San Francisco, CA
A refined mid century ring inspired by the elegance of French Belle Époque and Art Deco design. Crafted in 18 karat white gold, the ring is centered by two luminous cabochon moonston...
Diamond, Emerald, Moonstone, White Gold
0, 60 carat old cut Diamond, 18 Karat White Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, Campania
Elegant ring in 18 karat white gold structure studded with a diamond in the central part. The origin of this ring goes back to the 1950s.It was totally handmade by Italian master gol...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 2.36 Carat Basaltic Sapphire and Diamond 18k White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage 2.36 carat Basaltic sapphire and 0.75 carat diamond, 18 karat white gold cocktail ring; part of our diverse oval cut engagement ring collectio...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
14k White Gold Pear Shaped Diamond and Emerald Ring with GIA Report
By Non Branded
Located in Lexington, KY
This gorgeous white gold cocktail ring comes from the 1950s and showcases an incredible a pear-shaped diamond, surrounded by baguettes and vivid green emeralds. The ring comes with a...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Baden & Foss Mid-Century Opal Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Vintage Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a rectangular shaped opal cabochon measuring 10.0 x 8.0 mm Translucent white in body color with spectral play-of-color Prong set in basket and flanked by cathedral shoulder...
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Rubies, Diamonds, Old-Cut Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Snake Ring.
Located in Napoli, Campania
Fashion snake ring in 18 kt white gold structure mounted with diamonds for all the body and three fancy old-cut diamonds on snake head. As eyes, two rubies. This ring was totally h...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
1.20ct Sapphire & Diamond Cluster Floral Motif Retro Ring in 14K White Gold
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Of timeless design, this vintage cocktail ring is exquisitely crafted in white gold, featuring a cluster of gemstones, forming vine leaves & grapes, measuring impressive 24mm x 22...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-Century GIA 2.21 Carat Oval Sapphire Diamond 18K White Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Center Stone: Sapphire Certificate: GIA #5202979107 Cut: Oval Weight: 2.21 Carat Color: Blue Origin: Madagascar Treatments: No Indications Of Heating Accent Stone: 8 Diamonds Cut: S...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
White gold 1.30 Carats diamond ring from 1951
Located in Uccle, BE
White gold 18 Karat ring from 1951. The ring is set with a center brilliant diamond of 1.30 Carats (estimated H color - Vs clarity) and approximately 0.65 Carats 8/8 cut diamonds. ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco Style 1.07 Carat Diamond and White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 1.07 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold cluster ring in the Art Deco style; part of our diverse vintage jewelry collections.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 1950s Cabochon Blue Sapphire Diamonds White 18 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Milano, IT
A Beautiful 1950s Cabochon Sapphire Ring set in White Gold 18k with 28 Diamonds approximately 0,25 ctw, Cabochon Sapphire, approximately 7 ctw, mm 12x10 / 0.4724x0.3937 inches US si...
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1.24 Carat Basaltic Sapphire 0.70ct Diamond 14k White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 1.24 carat Basaltic sapphire and 0.70 carat diamond, 14 karat white gold clutser ring; part of our diverse vintage estate jewelry collections.
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
Mid-Century 19.50 CTW Aquamarine Diamond 18K White Gold Vintage Cocktail Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a rectangular step-cut aquamarine weighing approximately 19.32 carats Transparent light blue in color and set in basket via corner tab prongs Flanked by rows of prong set t...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 18K White Gold Emerald Diamond Baguette Cocktail Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
An elegant vintage emerald and diamond cocktail ring crafted in 18 karat white gold. At the center sits an emerald-cut emerald weighing approximately 0.99 carats, displaying a vivid...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s Wavy Diamond 4K White Gold Ring Guards
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This set of vintage 1950s wavy, curved ring guards, from the vintage fine jewelry collection at Bracken Jewelers in Santa Monica, California, are studded with 20 round diamonds that ...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Retro 14k White Gold 0.65ctw Fiery Diamond Geometric Floral Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (15) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old European & Old Single Cut - Pave & Bezel Set - G-I Color - VS1-SI2 & I1 Clarity - 0.65ctw (approx.) Total Carat Weight: 0.65 (approx...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1.85Ct Pink Tourmaline, 2.00Ct Aquamarine and 1.07Ct Diamond 14k White Gold Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 1.85 carat pink tourmaline, 2.00 carat aquamarine and 1.07 carat diamond 14 karat white gold cocktail ring; part of our diverse vintage cocktail rings...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Tourmaline, White Gold
Vintage Diamond and 18ct White Gold Retro Fancy Cocktail Ring
Located in London, GB
Step back in time and add a personal touch to any attire with this intricately designed diamond and platinum fancy cocktail ring. Centring this special ring are 6 diamonds (a mix of...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 18k Gold Light Yellow & White Diamond Double Tiered Halo Cluster Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This truly breathtaking and very well made vintage diamond engagement or cocktail ring that was crafted from solid 18k white gold. It features a stunning light yellow diamond neatly ...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Old European Cut 0.70 Carat Round Diamond Ring 14 Karat White Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Old European Cut 0.70 Carat Round Diamond Ring 14k White Gold. Circa Art Deco 1950’s. Features 0.60 carat center diamond K/VS surrounded by 12 round cut diamonds totaling 0.10 carats.
Diamond, White Gold
Vintage Ruby and 18 Carat White Gold Half Eternity Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This lovely half eternity holds a strip of square cut rubies which reach around half of the 18ct white gold band. The 14 rubies total 1.4ct. Ring Size: N or 6 3/4 Band Width: 3mm ...
Ruby, White Gold
Vintage 1950s 2.15 Carat Amethyst 2.13 Carat Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning vintage amethyst and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k white gold with platinum settings.
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Coral, Fancy Diamonds, Pearls, 14 Karat White and Rose Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, Campania
Amazing ring in 14 kt white gold structure mounted with flowers of coral with a pearl surrounded by leaves in white gold studded with fancy diamonds and leaves in rose gold. This rin...
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
14K White Gold Ring Studded With Rubies And Diamonds
Located in Berlin, DE
Elegant ladies white gold ring, set with five rubies and four tiny diamonds. Hallmarked.
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
Cluster Ring Natural Emerald Colombia Certified HRD 3.45 Cts. White Gold 18Karat
Located in MADRID, ES
Classic and shiny double border ring years 1950’s handmade in white gold 18 karat.
Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s Art Deco Style 14k White Gold .50 Carat Emerald Cut Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 9.75 Metal Type: 14k White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.6 grams Band Width: 1.5mm Condition: Excellent
White Gold
Vintage 5.22 Carat Black Onyx and 3.64 Carat Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive, large vintage 5.22 carat black onyx and 3.64 carat diamond, 18 karat white gold cocktail ring; part of our diverse vintage jewellery and estate jewel...
Diamond, Onyx, White 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.
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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.