2.54 Carat Natural Diamonds Fold Over Ring 18 Karat Fine Deco Bead Set Pave*
Located in New York, NY
Foldover Ring 2.54ct Round Diamond Bead Set ring Diamonds: Vs-2 clarity, G color. 25mm long 12.8mm wide Depth of ring 8mm Size 6.50 11.6 grams. 18kt white Gold $14000 appra...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
0.95 Carat Natural Emerald and Diamond Ring Set in 18 Karat Gold
Located in Tokyo, JP
A stunning ring featuring a 0.95 Carat Natural Emerald and 1.30 Carats of Diamond Accents set in 18 Karat Yellow Gold. People have admired emerald’s green for thousands of years. Eme...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 2.29 Carat Natural Diamonds Men’s Ring 18 Karat Hexagon Deck
Located in New York, NY
Men's Round cut diamonds, Micro Bead Set Ring. Intricate Craftsmanship, Hexagon Deck. GIA Certified .49ct. natural round cut center diamond. VS-c clarity / G-color Report: 2185...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco Platinum Ladies Ring with 1.50 Carat Diamond and Rubies, 1930s
Located in Braintree, GB
Art Deco platinum ladies ring with 1.50 ct diamond and rubies Circa 1930's Tested positive for platinum Dimensions - Weight : 4.5 grams Finger Size (UK) = O (US) = 7 1/2 (EU) = 55 ...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
$2,626Sale Price|20% Off
2.50ct Carat Fine Ceylon Blue Sapphire and Diamond 18k White Gold Halo Ring
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Fine Ceylon Blue Sapphire & Diamond 18k White Gold Halo Ring. 2.36 Carat centre Ceylon sapphire with a beautiful deep blue colour and excellent clarity. Sri Lankan in origin, source...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco 18 Carat Gold and Platinum Opal and Diamond Panel Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous ring holds five opals and four diamonds. The diamonds total approx 60pts and all the stones are set in platinum and the band is modelled in 18carat gold. Ring Size: M...
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold
Vintage 14-Carat Yellow Gold & Silver Bow Ring with Rose-Cut Diamonds & Sapphire
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
This elegant vintage bow ring is crafted from 14-carat yellow gold and silver, exuding timeless charm. It is adorned with 26 rose-cut natural, untreated diamonds, adding a delicate b...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
18 kt. White Gold Ring with 52.8 carat Natural Diamonds, & Amethysts IGI Cert
Located in רמת גן, IL
52.8 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond Ring with Amethyst Side Stones in 18K White Gold This stunning ring is made with 18K white gold and features 32 round brilliant diamonds totaling ...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 14K Yellow gold 3/4 Carat Diamond Pearl American Ring Size 6
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Antique 14K Yellow gold 3/4 Carat Diamond Pearl American Ring Size 6 Ower 100 Yrs of age Size 6 Center Diamond 5.2-5.3 mm diameter & 3.3 mm deep, a little more than 1/2 Carat Ol...
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Chunky 18 Carat Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond 5 Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Chunky 18ct Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond 5 Stone Ring most incredible chunky sapphire stones with diamonds surrounding, truly excellent! The item comes without the box in the...
Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Plaque Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have an exceptional sapphire and diamond ring crafted at a time when the Art Deco style was at the forefront of design. The tone of the piece is set by a trio of straight bag...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Yellow Gold Ruby Diamond Ring - 10k Round .49ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 1/4 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $40 or Down 2 sizes for $40 Metal Content: 10k Yellow Gold Stone Information Rubies Treatment: Heating Carat(s): .48ctw. Cut: Round Color: P...
Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Diamond Men's Ring - 14k Round Brilliant 1.00ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 12 1/4 Sizing Fee: Up 1 size for $100 or Down 2 sizes for $80 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): 1.00ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color:...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Honeycomb Motif Diamond Ring
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
Honeycomb motif diamond ring features 19 round brilliant cut diamonds with a total estimated weight of 1.38 carats set in 18 Karat white gold. Diamonds are F/G Color VS Clarity. Ring...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$25,460Sale Price|20% Off
Alexander Beverly Hills GIA 6.40ct Yellow YZ Diamond Ring Cocktail Ring 18k Gold
By Alexander Beverly Hills
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Modern multi yellow YZ diamonds open shank with 2 GIA reports. High jewelry by Alexander Beverly Hills. 6.40 carats total diamond weight. 2 cushion cut diamonds, 3.70 carats total. O...
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,795Sale Price|20% Off
Contemporary Diamonds and Tanzanite 18K Gold Ring
Located in MADRID, ES
A modern design featuring a stunning combination of diamonds and tanzanite set in 18K gold. Perfect for those who appreciate refined elegance. Key Features: Metal: 18K Gold Main St...
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold
White Gold Tanzanite Diamond Ring - 14k Oval 1.68ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 3/4 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $60 or Down 1 size for $40 Metal Content: 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Tanzanite Treatment: Routinely Enhanced Carat(s): 1.52ct ...
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, White Gold
Yellow Gold Diamond Men's Ring - 14k Round Brilliant 1.10ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 10 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $60 or Down 1 size for $40 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): 1.10ctw Cut: Round Bril...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Diamond Men's Ring - 10k Round Brilliant .25ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 9 3/4 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $50 or Down 2 sizes for $40 Metal Content: 10k Yellow Gold & 10k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .25ctw Cut: Rou...
Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$17,072Sale Price|20% Off
GRS Switzerland Pear Cut Ruby Three Stone Diamond Ring
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
Antinori Di Sanpietro GRS-Certified Pear Cut Ruby and Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold Embrace the splendor of Antinori Di Sanpietro's craftsmanship with this exquisite three-stone ru...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$52,000Sale Price|20% Off
IGI Antwerp Bypass Heart Shape Diamond and Ruby Ring
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
An amazing bypass moi & toi platinum ring set with a 2 carat heart shape diamond certified by GIA and a 3 carat IGI Antwerp pear cut ruby platinum ring.
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
0.50 Carat Natural Rose Cut Diamond Double Halo Ring Set in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Tokyo, JP
A beautiful double halo ring featuring a 0.50 Carat Natural Rose Cut Diamond and 0.59 Carats Diamond accents Ring set in Platinum. Diamonds have been adorned and cherished throughout...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Natural Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Band 1.31 TDW
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Natural Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Band 1.31 TDW This absolutely stunning estate ring is crafted in solid 14K White gold and set with white and fiery diamonds. The center diamond i...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Yellow Gold Diamond Men's Ring - 10k Single .50ctw Pave
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 10 Sizing Fee: Up 1 size for $50 or Down 1/2 a size for $40 Metal Content: 10k Yellow Gold & 10k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamond Carat(s): .50ctw Cut: Single Co...
Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
White Gold Diamond Halo Ring - 14k Round Brilliant .33ctw Engagement
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 4 3/4 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $50 or Down 2 sizes for $40 Metal Content: 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .24ct Cut: Round Brilliant Color: K C...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1950s Diamond and Yellow Gold Platinum Set Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 0.86 carat diamond and 14 karat yellow gold, platinum set vintage cocktail ring; part of our diverse diamond jewelry and estate jewelry collections. Th...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
3.75 Carat Turquoise and 2.81 Carat Sapphire 18k White Gold Ring Circa 1980
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage 3.75 carat turquoise and 2.81 carat sapphire, 18 karat white gold cluster ring; part of our diverse collection of gemstone rings.
Sapphire, Turquoise, White Gold
.925 Sterling Silver 1.0 Cttw Round & Baguette-Cut Diamond Fashion Ring
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous navette shaped elongated cocktail ring is crafted in 92.5% sterling silver. One carat total weight of natural, earth mined near colorless I-J color, I2-I3 clarity diamo...
White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Rhodium
.925 Sterling Silver 1.0 Cttw Round & Baguette-Cut Diamond Fashion Ring
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous navette shaped elongated cocktail ring is crafted in 92.5% sterling silver. One carat total weight of natural, earth mined near colorless I-J color, I2-I3 clarity diamo...
White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Rhodium
$3,588Sale Price|20% Off
Retro 1940-1950 Diamond and Green Tourmaline Gold Ring
Located in MADRID, ES
This retro-style ring from the 1940-1950 period is crafted in 18K gold and features brilliant-cut Diamonds and an emerald-cut green Tourmaline. It has a weight of 9.47 grams and is...
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold
Natural Diamond Ring Band 14k Gold 1.01 TDW Anniversary Wedding
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Natural Diamond Ring Band 14k Gold 1.01 TDW Anniversary Wedding This beautiful estate diamond ring is finely crafted in solid 14K Yellow Gold. 11 diamonds baguettes + 2 side baguett...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Platinum Antique Art Deco Diamond Ring 1.82ct
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Ladies' antique art deco diamond ring in a platinum setting. The ring tests platinum and weighs 9.5 grams. The center diamond is an old-euro cut, 1.07 carats, k to L color, and Si cl...
Diamond, Platinum
14K Yellow Gold Oval Diamond Ring 0.75ct
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
14k yellow gold and diamond ring. Stamped 14k and weighs 4.8 grams. The center diamond is an oval brilliant cut, .20 carats, H to I color, Vs clarity. On the sides are round brillian...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
White Gold Diamond Halo Bypass Ring 14k Round .28ctw Flower
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 5 3/4 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $40 or Down 2 sizes for $40 Metal Content: 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .28ctw Cut: Round Brialliant (center)...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1940s Vintage Diamond and Sapphire White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 0.55 carat diamond and 0.32 carat natural blue sapphire, 18 karat white gold Art Deco style cocktail ring; part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelr...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s Diamond and Yellow Gold White Gold Set Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 0.51 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, 18 karat white gold set cluster ring; part of our collection of vintage diamond rings.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,841Sale Price|20% Off
Contemporary 20th Century Diamond, Ruby, and Pearl Gold Ring
Located in MADRID, ES
This contemporary ring from the 20th century is crafted in 18K gold and features Diamonds, a ruby, and a pearl. It has a weight of 10.72 grams and is sized 21/61. The Diamonds ar...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Sterling Silver 3/8 Cttw Enhanced Black and White Diamond Men's Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
Black diamonds set in black rhodium create the perfect backdrop for a white diamond cluster to sit on and become the centerpiece of the ring.
Black Diamond, White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Rhodium
Vintage 0.65ct Diamond Snake Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
A 0.65 carat pear cut diamond takes centre stage in this vintage snake ring. Surrounding the central diamond and adorning the curving snake-like band, a total of 0.80 carat in additi...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Contemporary 0.75ct Diamond and Sapphire Target Ring
Located in London, GB
A sparkling oval cut diamond sits central in this contemporary take on the classic target ring style. The central diamond weighs 0.75 carat and has a colour of H and a clarity of VS1...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Yellow Gold Ruby Diamond Halo Bypass Ring - 10k Round .31ctw Floral
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 1/4 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $40 or Down 1 size for $30 Metal Content: 10k Yellow Gold & 10k White Gold Stone Information Rubies Treatment: Heating Carat(s): .30ctw ...
Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Oval Cut Sapphire and Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Sapphire Quality Color Blue Cut Oval Content 1.10 carat Diamond Quality Color (average grades) H Clarity (average grades) SI1 Cut Old European round Content (total) 0.60 carat Dime...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,544Sale Price|30% Off
1980s Navette Diamond Yellow / White Gold Ring
Located in Firenze, FI
This stunning ring is made of 18 karat yellow/white gold and cluster of 14 marquise diamonds and 2 brilliant cut diamonds weight in 2.5 carats total.
Diamond, White Gold
2.66ct Pink Marquise Lab Diamond Baguette Halo Ring 14K Rose Gold Wedding Ring
Located in Jaipur, IN
14K solid rose gold ring. Fancy pink lab marquise-cut diamond centre — bezel-style rose gold surround, north-south orientation. Double concentric baguette halo: two rows white baguet...
Diamond, Pink Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Contemporary 0.25ct Diamond and Sapphire Target Ring
Located in London, GB
This stunning contemporary take on the target ring design centres around a sparkling round brilliant diamond. The 0.25ct stone is of good quality with colour of G and clarity of VS1....
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
White Gold Diamond Vintage Bypass Ring 14k European .65ctw Two-Stone
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $50 or Down 2 sizes for $40 Era: Vintage Metal Content: 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamond Carat(s): .50ctw Cut: European Color: ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold Vintage Diamond Ring 0.30 ct
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Ladies' 18k yellow gold and diamond ring. Stamped 18k and weighs 4.6 grams. The diamonds are round brilliant cuts, i to j color, Si clarity, .30 total carats. The top of the ring mea...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Contemporary 0.80ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1990s
Located in London, GB
This wonderful solitaire ring was created in the 1990s. At its centre sits a glittering rub over set round brilliant diamond. The diamond is 0.80 carat in weight with colour of G and...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a marvellous emerald and diamond cluster ring crafted during the pinnacle of the Art Deco movement.
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
14K White Gold Vintage Estate Diamond Ring 1.00ct
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Vintage diamond ring in 14k white gold. Tests 14k and weighs 9.5 grams. The center diamond is a round, transition cut and the rest are round brilliant cuts, 1.00 total carat, I to J ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Victorian 0.80ct Diamond Five Stone Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
This beautiful five stone ring dates back to the 1880s. The five old cut diamonds graduate in size, with the centre sitting the largest, weighing 0.30 carat, the flanking pair weigh...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Edwardian 0.28ct Diamond & 0.24ct Ruby Cocktail Ring, 18k Gold, 1905
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Edwardian 0.28 carat diamond, 0.24 carat ruby cocktail ring in 18 karat yellow gold; part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This i...
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Tsavorite Garnet & Diamond Ring 1.06g
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Ladies custom-made tsavorite garnet and diamond ring in 14k yellow gold setting. Stamped 14k and weighs 10.6 grams gross weight. The tsavorite garnets are round brilliant cuts, inten...
Diamond, Garnet, Tsavorite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold Ribbon Style Diamond Ring 4.00ct
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Ribbon style diamond ring in 18k white gold. Stamped 750 and weighs 15.4 grams. The diamonds are round brilliant cuts, 4.00 total carats, G color, mostly VS clarity, some Si. Very go...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
14K White Gold Vintage Platinum Diamond Ring 1.01ct
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Ladies' vintage art deco style platinum and 14k white and diamond ring. Someone sized the bottom portion of the ring using 14k white gold. The upper 3/4 of the ring tests platinum. T...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Heart Ring Size 7 #21376
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Heart Ring Size 7 This sparkling heart ring features one princess cut diamond, 29 round brilliant cut diamonds and one round single cut diamond set ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Contemporary 4.28 CTW Oval Step Cut Ruby Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an oval cut ruby weighing 2.86 carats total - natural Vietnamese in origin Transparent bright medium red in color - set with talon prongs Featuring a halo surround of round...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 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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