Angara Natural Five Stone Oval Emerald Swirl Ring with Diamonds 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Details:Metal and Purity: 14K Solid GoldMain Stone: EmeraldMain Stone Color: Rich GreenMain Stone Shape: OvalMain Stone Creation:NaturalMain Stone Size: 4x3mmMain Stone Carat...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
Angara Natural Five Stone Opal and Diamond Wedding Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Details:Metal and Purity: 14K Solid GoldMain Stone: OpalMain Stone Color: Milky with high Play of ColourMain Stone Shape: OvalMain Stone Creation:NaturalMain Stone Size: 5x3m...
Diamond, Opal, Gold
Angara Natural Five Stone Aquamarine and Diamond Wedding Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Details:Metal and Purity: 14K Solid GoldMain Stone: AquamarineMain Stone Color: Light Sky BlueMain Stone Shape: OvalMain Stone Creation:NaturalMain Stone Size: 4x3mmMain Ston...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold
$1,200Sale Price|25% Off
9K Gold Blue Sapphire and Diamond Vintage Style Five Stone Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
CHARACTERISTICS Status: Made to order Origin: Thailand Metal: Solid 9K Yellow Gold Ring Size: US 3-8 Total Gemstones Weight: 2.19 carat.
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
$787Sale Price|25% Off
9K Yellow Gold Natural Opal Vintage Style Five Stones Band Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
This vintage-style five-stone band ring showcases five shimmering natural opals, each glowing with a unique play of colors.
Opal, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angara Natural Five Stone Emerald and Diamond Wedding Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
About Angara:
At Angara, every piece of jewellery is a handcrafted expression of love and individuality. We design with intention—using vivid coloured gemstones and ethically...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
Angara Natural Half Eternity Five-Stone Sapphire Halo Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Details:Metal and Purity: 14K Solid GoldMain Stone: Blue SapphireMain Stone Color: Medium to Rich BlueMain Stone Shape: RoundMain Stone Creation:NaturalMain Stone Size: 4.5mm...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Gold
1910s 0.45Ct Ruby 0.60Ct Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.45 carat ruby and 0.60 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold five stone ring; part of our antique ruby jewellery collections.
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Angara Natural Five Stone Oval Sapphire Swirl Ring with Diamonds 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Details:Metal and Purity: 14K Solid GoldMain Stone: Blue SapphireMain Stone Color: Medium to Rich BlueMain Stone Shape: OvalMain Stone Creation:NaturalMain Stone Size: 4x3mmM...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Gold
Hallmarked 1895 London 18K Five Stone Diamond Ring size 61/4
Located in Baltimore, MD
This is an antique, Hallmarked London 1895, 18K yellow gold 5 stone diamond ring, size 6 1/4. A hallmarked ring is truly a treasure. It assures confidence. The ring is marked ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
14K Yellow Gold Solid Natural Tourmaline Diamond Vintage Style Five Stone Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
Gracefully inspired by the refined elegance of the Edwardian era, this vintage-style five stone ring showcases five oval natural tourmalines arranged across the band with delicate di...
Tourmaline, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Yellow Gold Emerald Diamond Five-Stone Band - 14k Round .46ctw Channel Set Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 7 Sizing Fee: Up 1/2 a size for $35 or Down 1/2 a size for $35 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Emeralds Treatment: Oiling Carat(s):...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Solid Emerald Diamond Victorian Style Five Stone Band Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
Inspired by the timeless romance of the Victorian era, this vintage-style five stone band ring showcases vivid green emeralds set in a graceful curved row across warm yellow gold.
Emerald, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Contemporary 0.78 CTW Step Cut Diamond Platinum Five Stone Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring five square step cut diamonds set to front with split prongs Weighing approximately 0.78 carat total - H/I color and VS clarity Flanked by faceted cathedral shoulders and a...
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage Amethyst Five-Stone with Diamond Points Modelled in 9 Carat Gold
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Not only does this ring hold five bright and sparkling amethyst but it also boasts diamond points. All stone are set in gold and have an ornate gallery. Even the shoulders on this ri...
Amethyst, Diamond, 9k Gold, Gold
$1,350Sale Price|25% Off
14K Yellow Gold Tourmaline and Diamond Vintage Style Five Stone Band Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
Vibrant tourmalines take center stage in this vintage-style five-stone band ring, surrounded by smaller diamonds that sparkle with every movement.
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,462Sale Price|25% Off
14K Yellow Gold Solid Ruby and Diamond Vintage Style Five Stone Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
CHARACTERISTICS Status: Made to order Origin: Thailand Metal: Solid 14K Yellow Gold Ring Size: US 3-8 Total Gemstones Weight: 1.99 carat.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
$600Sale Price|25% Off
Blue Topaz Vintage Style Five Stones Ring in Solid 9K Yellow Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
CHARACTERISTICS Status: Made to order Origin: Thailand Metal: Solid 9K Yellow Gold Ring Size: US 3-8 Total Gemstones Weight: 0.64 carat.
Topaz, Blue Topaz, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angara Natural Five Stone 1.25 ct Garnet and Diamond Wedding Ring in 14K Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Details:Metal and Purity: 14K Solid GoldMain Stone: GarnetMain Stone Color: Rich RedMain Stone Shape: OvalMain Stone Creation:NaturalMain Stone Size: 5x3mmMain Stone Carat We...
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold
Art Deco Platinum Five Stone 1.50 Carat Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Band
Located in Los Angeles, CA
DeKara Designs Collection Metal- 95% Platinum, 5% Iridium. Stones- 5 Emerald Cut Diamonds, H Color VS1-VS2 Clarity 1.50 Carats. Size- 6 3/4. FREE SIZING!!! A truly beautiful fore...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Minimalist Ruby & Sapphire Five Stone Stackable Band Ring in 14K White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This elegant three-stone ring features vibrant round and baguette-cut natural rubies and round blue sapphires totaling 0.52 carats, set in 14k white gold. The center stone measures a...
Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Yellow Gold Diamond Five-Stone Ring - 14k Round Brilliant .50ctw Nugget-Inspired
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 1/4 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $50 or Down 1 1/2 sizes for $40 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .50ctw Cut: Rou...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 5 Stone 3 Carat Ultra Fine Old Mine Cut Diamonds 18k Gold Enamel Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Antique 5 Stone 3 Carat Ultra Fine Old Mine Cut Diamonds 18k Gold Enamel Ring Description: Just shy of 3cts, this antique 18k gold & enamel ring features 5 old Euro / old mine cut ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
$487Sale Price|25% Off
9K Yellow Gold Solid London Blue Topaz Vintage Style Five Stone Carved Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
This London blue topaz vintage-style five stone ring shines with regal creativity, crowned in a design inspired by royal elegance.
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sapphire and Diamond Art Deco Style Five Stone Ring in 14K White Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
This Art Deco–style five stone ring is a striking harmony of elegance and bold design.
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco Sapphire Diamond Wedding Engagement Band Ring Five-Stone 18 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning antique Art Deco Sapphire Diamond Wedding Engagement Band Ring in 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold. There are two sparkling white round brilliant cut diamonds each ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
VR Jewels Five-Stone Emerald & Diamond Stackable Band Ring in 14K Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This elegant five-stone band ring features three oval-cut emeralds totaling 0.66 carat, set in rich 18K yellow gold.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Cubic Zirconia Five-Stone Bypass Ring - 10k Round Cut .22ctw Wave
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 1/4 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $30 or Down 1 1/2 sizes for $30 Metal Content: 10k Yellow Gold & 10k White Gold Stone Information Cubic Zirconias Carat(s): .22ctw dew Cut: ...
10k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Platinum Diamond Vintage Five-Stone Wedding Band - 900 Rnd.50ctw Knife-Edge Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 10 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $50 or Down 2 sizes for $40 Era: Vintage Metal Content: 900 Platinum Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .50ctw Cut: Round Brilliant C...
Diamond, Platinum
Yellow Gold Diamond Five-Stone Wedding Band - 18k Round .50ctw Channel Set
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 5 3/4 Metal Content: 18k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): 0.50ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G - H Clarity: VS1 - VS2 Stone Note: (two stones have t...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K White Gold Five Stone Diamond Ruby Engagement Band
Located in Los Angeles, CA
DeKara Designs Collection Metal- 14K White Gold, .583. Stones- 3 Natural Round Pigeon Blood Rubies 1.00-1.10 Carats, 2 Round Diamonds H Color SI1-SI2 Clarity 0.44 Carats.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
White Gold Diamond Art Deco Wedding Band - 18k Vintage Five-Stone Ring SZ 9 1/4
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 9 1/4 Specific Year: 1930 Era: Art Deco Metal Content: 18k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .08ctw Cut: Single Color: I - J Clarity: VS2 - SI1 Style...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pear Diamond Sunburst Shadow Band 14k Yellow Gold Bezels 0.40 Carats V-Band
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
Accent your finger with this sunburst of pear shape and round brilliant diamonds! Set in warm 14k yellow gold bezels. The curved shape of the ring sits beautifully alone on your fing...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
White Gold Diamond Five-Stone Men's Wedding Band - 14k Round Brilliant .76ctw Fi
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 12 1/2 Sizing Fee: Up 1 size for $40 or Down 1/2 a size for $30 Metal Content: 14k White Gold & 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .76ctw Cut: Roun...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Angara Natural Eternity Five Stone 1 ct Emerald Wedding Band in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Details:Metal and Purity: 14K Solid GoldMain Stone: EmeraldMain Stone Color: Rich Medium GreenMain Stone Shape: RoundMain Stone Creation:NaturalMain Stone Size: 3.8mmMain Sto...
Emerald, Gold
Angara Natural Eternity Five Stone Sapphire and Diamond Wedding Band in 14K Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
About Angara:
At Angara, every piece of jewellery is a handcrafted expression of love and individuality. We design with intention—using vivid coloured gemstones and ethically...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
Seven Diamond Baguette Band at 0.37 Carats in 14k White Gold or Yellow or Rose
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
This slender baguette diamond band is perfect to stack up with your ring against its smooth flat sides. The clean lines of the horizontal row of seven baguettes are accented between ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
3 Carat Cushion Statement Brilliant VVS Crystal-Clear Grandeur Diamond Ring
Located in Mumbai, IN
Approximately 3 carats, cushion, statement ring, diamond ring.
White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
3 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond Ring Fancy Yellow 14K White Gold
Located in Mumbai, IN
Approximately 3 carats, round brilliant, diamond ring. Created for those who prefer quiet power—brilliance without chaos.
Yellow Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Angara Natural Half Eternity Five Stone 1.4 ct Ruby Wedding Band 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Details:Metal and Purity: 14K Solid GoldMain Stone: RubyMain Stone Color: Deep Rich RedMain Stone Shape: RoundMain Stone Creation:NaturalMain Stone Size: 3.8mmMain Stone Cara...
Ruby, Gold
3 Carat Heart Shape Statement Fancy Yellow Rare Fancy-Color Diamond Ring
Located in Mumbai, IN
Approximately 3 carats, heart shape, statement ring, diamond ring.
Yellow Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
3 Carat Cushion Diamond Ring Fancy Yellow 14K Gold Rare Fancy-Color Splendour
Located in Mumbai, IN
How to Wear & Style This Diamond Ring On the hand, this 3 carats Fancy Yellow Three-Stone Ring is best treated as a focal point.
Yellow Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
3 Carat Emerald-cut Statement VVS 18K Gold Flawless-Level Presence Diamond Ring
Located in Mumbai, IN
Approximately 3 carats, emerald, statement ring, diamond ring.
Diamond, 18k Gold
3 Carat Cushion Diamond Ring Royal Blue Sapphire 14K White Gold Quiet Power
Located in Mumbai, IN
Approximately 3 carats, cushion, diamond ring. Created for those who prefer quiet power—brilliance without chaos.
Sapphire, White Gold, 14k Gold
3 Carat Oval Halo Diamond Ring Fancy Yellow 14K Gold Colour-Collector’s Treasure
Located in Mumbai, IN
Approximately 3 carats, oval, halo, diamond ring. A connoisseur-led design where the face-up stays calm, crisp, and intentionally luxurious.
Yellow Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Contemporary 0.72 CTW Square Step Cut Diamond Platinum Five Stone Channel Band
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring square step cut diamonds channel set to front Weighing 0.72 carats total - G/H color with VS clarity With high polish finish Inscribed with carat weight Stamped for platinu...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco 3 Carat Diamond and Ruby Tablet or Plaque Ring in Platinum, Circa 1925
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
This tablet (aka shield) ring is quintessential Art Deco: the strong geometric pattern with open channels, the varied gem-setting techniques, the way components appear to lap over a...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Elegant 18k White Gold 5 Stone Ring with 0.50 total carat of Natural Diamonds
Located in רמת גן, IL
A sparkling five stone ring with a dazzling 0.50 carat round brilliant diamonds.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Emerald and Diamond Five Stone Anniversary Band Made in Italy in 18k Solid Gold
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
Whether as a wedding band, an anniversary gift, or a symbol of your eternal devotion, this FIve-Stone Band is designed to be cherished for a lifetime.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Emerald and Diamond Five Stone Anniversary Band Made in Italy in 14k Solid Gold
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
Whether as a wedding band, an anniversary gift, or a symbol of your eternal devotion, this FIve-Stone Band is designed to be cherished for a lifetime.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold
14k Italian Gold Anniversary Five Diamonds Ring by Oltremare Gioielli
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
Stone Type: 100% Natural Diamonds Shape: Round Brilliant Carat Weight: approx 0,29 Cts TW Color: G Clarity: VS Cut: Excellent The production time of this jewel varies from 3-4 worki...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Angara Natural GIA Certified Five-Petal 7.84ct Swiss Blue Topaz Ring in 14K Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Details:Metal and Purity: 14K Solid GoldMain Stone: Swiss Blue TopazMain Stone Color: Swiss BlueMain Stone Shape: Five Petal FlowerMain Stone Creation:NaturalMain Stone Size:...
Blue Topaz, Gold, 14k Gold
3 Carat Emerald-cut Statement 14K White Gold Effortless Elegance
Located in Mumbai, IN
Approximately 3 carats, emerald, statement ring, diamond ring.
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
Italian 18k Gold Eternity Five Diamonds Ring Made in Italy Oltremare Gioielli
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
Stone Type: 100% Natural Diamonds Shape: Round Brilliant Carat Weight: approx 0,29 Cts TW Color: G Clarity: VS Cut: Excellent The production time of this jewel varies from 3-4 worki...
Diamond, 18k Gold
"Haphazard" Set of 3 Nesting Bands in 18 Karat Gold with 1.47 Carats Diamonds
By Eytan Brandes
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
We're proud to present a bold and modernistic set of three nesting rings by Eytan Brandes. The center ring features five round and square diamonds in a haphazard line. Above and be...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
9.17 Carat Octagon Chivor Emerald & Diamond Palladium Ballerina Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Details: Item Type: Statement Ring Metal: Palladium and 18K Yellow Gold Size: 7 (adjustable) Center Stone Details: Type: Emerald Carat: 9.17 Carat Color: Light Yellowish Green Cut: ...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Palladium
TVJ 1.00 Carat Asscher Cut Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful diamond five stone ring. The ring features a Georgian style cut down setting with five asscher cut diamonds which has been crafted in silver with a yellow gold ba...
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
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.