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20 Carat Cushion Diamond

GIA Certified 20 Carat D Color VS1 Cushion Brilliant Diamond Ring
GIA Certified 20 Carat D Color VS1 Cushion Brilliant Diamond Ring

GIA Certified 20 Carat D Color VS1 Cushion Brilliant Diamond Ring

By Antinori Fine Jewels

Located in Chicago, IL

A truly exceptional statement ring, showcasing a breathtaking GIA-certified 20.04 carat cushion

Category

2010s Italian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

AGL Certified 20 Carat Cushion Emerald and Diamond Platinum Cocktail Ring
AGL Certified 20 Carat Cushion Emerald and Diamond Platinum Cocktail Ring

AGL Certified 20 Carat Cushion Emerald and Diamond Platinum Cocktail Ring

By Antinori Fine Jewels

Located in Chicago, IL

carats, certified by AGL. The vibrant green cushion-cut stone displays beautiful transparency and

Category

2010s American Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

3, 20 Carat Old Cut Cushion Diamonds Engagement Ring, 19th Century
3, 20 Carat Old Cut Cushion Diamonds Engagement Ring, 19th Century

3, 20 Carat Old Cut Cushion Diamonds Engagement Ring, 19th Century

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

weight: approx. 3.20 carats Center stone: cushion-cut, approx. 1.20 ct Diamonds estimated H color / SI

Category

Antique 19th Century French Romantic Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

~20 Carat Colombian Emerald Cushion Cut GRS Certified and Diamond 18K Set
~20 Carat Colombian Emerald Cushion Cut GRS Certified and Diamond 18K Set

~20 Carat Colombian Emerald Cushion Cut GRS Certified and Diamond 18K Set

By Gad & Co.

Located in Miami, FL

Ring Center Stone: Gemstone Type: Colombian Emerald Carat: 7.60 carats Cut: Cushion Cut Color

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Rose Gold Plated Sterling Silver 1/20 Carat Diamond Cushion Dangle Earrings
Rose Gold Plated Sterling Silver 1/20 Carat Diamond Cushion Dangle Earrings

Rose Gold Plated Sterling Silver 1/20 Carat Diamond Cushion Dangle Earrings

Located in New York, NY

sterling silver and plated with rose gold. Fashioned in the cushion shape, the earrings are embellished

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Rose Gold, Sterling Silver

AWARD WINING 20 Carat Ruby Diamond Platinum Ring
AWARD WINING 20 Carat Ruby Diamond Platinum Ring

AWARD WINING 20 Carat Ruby Diamond Platinum Ring

By Antinori Fine Jewels

Located in Chicago, IL

A truly important and exceptional gemstone ring centered by a 20 carat natural cushion-cut ruby of

Category

2010s American Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Mauboussin Paris 20 Carat Amethyst and Diamond Ring
Mauboussin Paris 20 Carat Amethyst and Diamond Ring

Mauboussin Paris 20 Carat Amethyst and Diamond Ring

By Mauboussin

Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL

This Mauboussin Paris amethyst and diamond ring is an exceptional haute joaillerie creation

Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Recent Sales

Cober with bright Green  11.61 Carat Tourmaline 20 Diamonds White Gold Ring
Cober with bright Green  11.61 Carat Tourmaline 20 Diamonds White Gold Ring

Cober with bright Green 11.61 Carat Tourmaline 20 Diamonds White Gold Ring

By Vincent Cober

Located in OSS, NH

Green 11.61 Carat Tourmaline 20 Diamonds White Gold Ring The 18K white gold ring with a unique bright

Category

2010s Dutch Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, White Gold

Retro Deep Blue 20 Carat Cushion Aquamarine Cocktail Ring
Retro Deep Blue 20 Carat Cushion Aquamarine Cocktail Ring

Retro Deep Blue 20 Carat Cushion Aquamarine Cocktail Ring

Located in Santa Barbara, CA

: Cushion Color: greenish Blue Clarity: Transparent Accent Diamonds: 6 Carre Cuts 1.21 carats total ; F-G

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum

Retro 20 Carat Aquamarine Diamond Gold Ring
Retro 20 Carat Aquamarine Diamond Gold Ring

Retro 20 Carat Aquamarine Diamond Gold Ring

Located in Napoli, NA

handmade wave design. The ring is set with a stunning 20 carat Aquamarine of perfect cut and great quality

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold

1950s 20 Carat Amethyst and 1 Carat Diamond 14 Karat Gold Necklace
1950s 20 Carat Amethyst and 1 Carat Diamond 14 Karat Gold Necklace

1950s 20 Carat Amethyst and 1 Carat Diamond 14 Karat Gold Necklace

Located in Hicksville, NY

1950s Retro 20 Carat Amethyst, Diamond and 14 Karat White Gold Necklace. Features a 20 Carat

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Aquamarine Pendant 20 Carat with Diamonds 6 Carat F-G/VS and Pearl Necklace
Aquamarine Pendant 20 Carat with Diamonds 6 Carat F-G/VS and Pearl Necklace

Aquamarine Pendant 20 Carat with Diamonds 6 Carat F-G/VS and Pearl Necklace

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Aquamarine 20 Carat Diamonds = 6 Carats ( Color: F-G, Clarity: VS ) Pearls = 6 milimeters Metal

Category

Late 20th Century Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

20 Carat Emerald Cut Aquamarine & Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Cocktail Ring
20 Carat Emerald Cut Aquamarine & Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Cocktail Ring

20 Carat Emerald Cut Aquamarine & Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Cocktail Ring

Located in Boca Raton, FL

aquamarine weighs approximately 20 carats and the 6 round brilliant cut diamond accents weigh approximately

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

HARBOR D. Amethyst Diamond Cocktail Ring 20 Carat 14 Karat White Gold
HARBOR D. Amethyst Diamond Cocktail Ring 20 Carat 14 Karat White Gold

HARBOR D. Amethyst Diamond Cocktail Ring 20 Carat 14 Karat White Gold

By Harbor Diamonds

Located in New York, NY

14K White gold cocktail ring featuring a beautiful purple Amethyst flanked with two tapered baguettes. Great Conversation Piece!

Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, White Gold

20 Carat Amethyst, Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Ring in 14 Karat Rose Gold
20 Carat Amethyst, Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Ring in 14 Karat Rose Gold

20 Carat Amethyst, Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Ring in 14 Karat Rose Gold

By Sunita Nahata

Located in Hong Kong, HK

gold with pink tourmaline and diamonds. Amethyst: 20 carat, 18x15mm, cushion checkerboard shape. Pink

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

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Vintage Custom 2 Carat Boulder Opal on 22K and 14K Gold Cocktail Fashion Ring
Vintage Custom 2 Carat Boulder Opal on 22K and 14K Gold Cocktail Fashion Ring

Vintage Custom 2 Carat Boulder Opal on 22K and 14K Gold Cocktail Fashion Ring

Located in Milford, DE

A gorgeous opal in a unique cut! This statement cocktail ring features a custom-cut boulder opal with a mesmerizing, blue, black, and purple play of color in the body. Set in a decor...

Category

Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, 22k Gold

SAMUEL MAYOR 1940 Art Deco Platinum Eternity Ring With 5.14 Ctw VS Diamonds
SAMUEL MAYOR 1940 Art Deco Platinum Eternity Ring With 5.14 Ctw VS Diamonds

SAMUEL MAYOR 1940 Art Deco Platinum Eternity Ring With 5.14 Ctw VS Diamonds

Located in Miami, FL

An art-deco diamonds ring designed by Samuel Mayor. This is a fabulous eternity ring with graduated diamonds created in America during the late art-deco period by Samuel Mayor, back...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Circa 1900s Rose Cut Three Row Diamond Band Ring
Circa 1900s Rose Cut Three Row Diamond Band Ring

Circa 1900s Rose Cut Three Row Diamond Band Ring

Located in Hicksville, NY

Details Year: 1900s Ring Size: 7 Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.7grams Diamond Details: Rose Cut Diamonds, .40ct total weight, H Color, SI Clarity, Na...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

GUCCI black leather & PYTHON NEW BAMBOO Shoulder Bag
GUCCI black leather & PYTHON NEW BAMBOO Shoulder Bag

GUCCI black leather & PYTHON NEW BAMBOO Shoulder Bag

By Hermès

Located in Zürich, CH

Gucci 'The New Bamboo' handbag in black python with bamboo turn-lock and bamboo handle. Has a detachable shoulder strap divided in a regular strap and a woven strap with silver-tone ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Rare Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL Lotus Heels 2004 Pumps Sz 40
Rare Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL Lotus Heels 2004 Pumps Sz 40

Rare Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL Lotus Heels 2004 Pumps Sz 40

By Yves Saint Laurent

Located in Conroe, TX

Yves Saint Laurent Heels Worn Twice. Only signs of Use is to the Sole, the Uppers are Perfect * Tom Ford Lotus Runway Ad Heels * This was his last collection for Yves Saint Laurent...

Category

Early 2000s Italian Shoes

Tiffany & Co. circa 1880 Classic Colombia Emerald Diamond Pin Necklace
Tiffany & Co. circa 1880 Classic Colombia Emerald Diamond Pin Necklace

Tiffany & Co. circa 1880 Classic Colombia Emerald Diamond Pin Necklace

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL

Signed Tiffany & Co. This Scroll Motif Emerald & Diamond Pendant contains a rare AGL Graded 2.85 Carat CLASSIC COLOMBIA Emerald surrounded by approximately 11.8 carats of old mine c...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum

LOUIS VUITTON Large Pegasus Model Rolling Suitcase in Damier Ebene Canvas
LOUIS VUITTON Large Pegasus Model Rolling Suitcase in Damier Ebene Canvas

LOUIS VUITTON Large Pegasus Model Rolling Suitcase in Damier Ebene Canvas

By Louis Vuitton

Located in Paris, FR

Louis Vuitton large Pegasus model rolling suitcase in damier Ebene canvas. It is very light. It contains a lot. In very good used condition (a snag on the right side). It has a to...

Category

2010s French Suitcases and Trunks

HARRY WINSTON Turquoise and Diamond Necklace and Ear Clips
HARRY WINSTON Turquoise and Diamond Necklace and Ear Clips

HARRY WINSTON Turquoise and Diamond Necklace and Ear Clips

By Harry Winston

Located in New York, NY

Inviting you to experience a world of unparalleled splendor and indulge in opulence, this breathtaking suite designed by Harry Winston showcases a mesmerizing blend of turquoise and ...

Category

Vintage 1960s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Gianni Versace Vintage Black Bondage Dress with Gold Hardware, 1992
Gianni Versace Vintage Black Bondage Dress with Gold Hardware, 1992

Gianni Versace Vintage Black Bondage Dress with Gold Hardware, 1992

By Gianni Versace

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Condition : Excellent Vintage Condition Size : 38 A rare and unusual vintage Gianni Versace black bondage dress with lattice bodice, sides, and back with gold medallions hardware. Se...

Category

1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

Christian Dior by John Galliano black leather lace up pants, fw 2003
Christian Dior by John Galliano black leather lace up pants, fw 2003

Christian Dior by John Galliano black leather lace up pants, fw 2003

By John Galliano for Christian Dior

Located in London, GB

Christian Dior by John Galliano black leather pants with open lace up fastening down the legs and buckle fastenings around knees. Fall-Winter 2003

Category

Early 2000s Italian Pants

GIA Certified 3.29 Carat Round Diamond Sapphire Halo Platinum Engagement Ring
GIA Certified 3.29 Carat Round Diamond Sapphire Halo Platinum Engagement Ring

GIA Certified 3.29 Carat Round Diamond Sapphire Halo Platinum Engagement Ring

Located in Stamford, CT

This 1940's GIA certified round Diamond and Sapphire halo engagement ring is a stunning piece that exudes elegance and sophistication. The centerpiece, a dazzling 3.29cts round brill...

Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Antique French Pearl Ruby Diamond Gold Convertible Snake Bracelet Necklace 1860
Antique French Pearl Ruby Diamond Gold Convertible Snake Bracelet Necklace 1860

Antique French Pearl Ruby Diamond Gold Convertible Snake Bracelet Necklace 1860

Located in Chicago, IL

France, circa 1860. Length is approximately 17 in. (43 cm) Weight – 121 grams. This exceptional quality Victorian era articulated snake bracelet / necklace is formed of sections, eac...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold

Rolex Daytona 18k Gold With Black Face & Diamond Dot Dial
Rolex Daytona 18k Gold With Black Face & Diamond Dot Dial

Rolex Daytona 18k Gold With Black Face & Diamond Dot Dial

By Rolex

Located in London, GB

Rolex Daytona 18k Gold Diamond Dot Dial 1999 Model - Solid 18k Yellow gold Daytona watch with chronograph black face and diamond dot dial. Solid gold bracelet with folding clasp cl...

Category

1990s Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

GIA Certified 4.17 Carat NO HEAT Ceylon Blue Sapphire Cut Diamond Ring
GIA Certified 4.17 Carat NO HEAT Ceylon Blue Sapphire Cut Diamond Ring

GIA Certified 4.17 Carat NO HEAT Ceylon Blue Sapphire Cut Diamond Ring

By Antinori Fine Jewels

Located in Chicago, IL

An exquisite unheated and untreated blue sapphire with origin Ceylon that is extremely rare and valuable furthermore the sapphire has no signs of treament or heat and this was certi...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Harry Winston Diamond Cluster and Pear-Shaped Dangle Earrings
Harry Winston Diamond Cluster and Pear-Shaped Dangle Earrings

Harry Winston Diamond Cluster and Pear-Shaped Dangle Earrings

By Harry Winston

Located in New York, NY

Finely crafted in platinum with GIA certified dangling Pear-Shaped Diamonds. One weighing 6.14 carats, E color, VS2 clarity. The other weighing 6.02 carats, E color, VS1 clarity. The...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

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20 Carat Cushion Diamond For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the 20 carat cushion diamond you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, Platinum and 18k Gold. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. You’re likely to find the perfect 20 carat cushion diamond 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. For this particular accessory, there are many different carat weights to choose from, but .5 Carat and 1 Carat versions are of considerable interest. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic 20 carat cushion diamond over the years, but those made by Cirari, Single Stone and Berca Atelier are often thought to be among the most beautiful. See these pages for a cushion cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also antique cushion cut cut and old mine cut cut versions available here, too. If you’re browsing our inventory for a 20 carat cushion diamond, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and men.

How Much is a 20 Carat Cushion Diamond?

On average, a 20 carat cushion diamond at 1stDibs sells for $10,464, while they’re typically $535 on the low end and $1,575,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

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.

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 ringsvintage 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 ringsvintage 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.