GIA Certified 1.53 Carat Yellow Diamond 3-Stone Ring
Located in Greenville, DE
A GIA Certified Diamond 3 Stone ring crafted in Platinum and 18k yellow gold Featuring (1) 1.53ct Cushion Cut Yellow Diamond flanked by (2) old mine cushion shaped diamonds weighing ...
Yellow Diamond, Platinum
0.90 Carat Emerald Cut Diamond Three Stone Platinum Ring
By Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc.
Located in New York, NY
This a delicate three-stone ring. The ring is Platinum 950. The 3 Diamonds are Emerald Cut.
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 2 Carat Fancy Vivid Yellow Radiant Cut Diamond 3-Stone Ring
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Prepare to be mesmerized by the extraordinary beauty of this three stone engagement ring, featuring a GIA certified 2.01 carat fancy vivid yellow radiant cut diamond center stone. Fl...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
AGL Certified 0.77 Carat Emerald Three-Stone Diamond Gold Ring
By Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc.
Located in New York, NY
The Center is a beautiful Round 0.77 Carat Emerald. The Emerald is AGL certified. There are 2 side stones and small diamonds 0.92 Carats Diamonds F/G VS/SI The ring is a size 5.00, s...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
AGL Certified 0.96 Carat Emerald Three-Stone Diamond Gold Ring
By Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc.
Located in New York, NY
The Center is a beautiful Round 0.96 Carat Emerald. The Emerald is AGL certified. There are 2 side stones 0.37 Carats Diamonds F/G VS/SI The ring is a size 6.50, sizable.
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
AGL Certified 0.84 Carat Emerald Three-Stone Diamond Gold Ring
By Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc.
Located in New York, NY
The Center is a beautiful emerald cut 0.84 Carat Emerald. The Emerald is AGL certified. There are 2 side stones 0.64 Carats Diamonds F/G VS/SI The ring is a size 6.75, sizable.
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2.60 Carat Natural Sapphire Diamond Ring, 3 Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Ramat Gan, IL
This stunning combination of deep blue natural sapphire and sparkling white diamonds is fit for the hand of a princess. A 2.60 carat sapphire offers elegant depth and color, surround...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
2.60 Carat Natural Sapphire Diamond Ring, 3 Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Ramat Gan, IL
This stunning combination of deep blue natural sapphire and sparkling white diamonds is fit for the hand of a princess. A 2.60 carat sapphire offers elegant depth and color, surround...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
4.78 Carat Asscher & Tapered Baguette Diamond Platinum 3 Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Natural 4.78 carat Asscher-cut - I color - VS1 clarity - diamond three stone engagement ring, accented with tapered baguette diamonds and set in Platinum. Details: Item Type: Three...
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage Sapphire & Diamond 3 Stone Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Sapphire & Diamond Ring 18ct Gold Circa 1930’s Gorgeous Square Sapphire Set with Two Brilliant Cut Diamonds Either Side Diamond Weight Approx 0.25cts Face of the ri...
Diamond, Sapphire
GIA Certified 1.16 Carat G VVS2 Diamond Three Stone Gold Ring
By Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc.
Located in New York, NY
3-Stone Diamond Ring. The ring is 14K White Gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Gold
10K Yellow and White Gold 1 1/2 Carat Pear Shaped 3 Stone Diamond Ring Band
Located in New York, NY
Glamorous and eye-catching, this stunning 1 1/2 c.t. cocktail ring has a gold band that splits at the center to showcase a cluster of natural pie and round-cut diamonds. Baguette-cut...
White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 10k Gold
1.40 Carat Round Cut Diamond Three-Stone 18K Yellow Gold Signet Ring
By Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc.
Located in New York, NY
The ring is 18K Yellow Gold The 3 Diamonds are Round Cut The Center stone is a Round Brilliant Cut 1.00 Carats K I1 The 2 Side stones are European Cut 0.40 Carats F/G VS All 3 diamon...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,600Sale Price|20% Off
3-Stone Diamond & 18k Gold Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
The vintage style ring set with 3 old European-cut diamonds averaging K/SI, weighing together 1.66 carats, accented with 6 smaller round brilliant-cut diamonds, for a total weight of...
Diamond, 18k Gold
GIA 6.16 Carat Diamond Emerald Cut and Trapezoid 3 Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Gram weights and measurements are subject to a slight variance depending on ring size. Product Specifications: Item Type: Three Stone Engagement Ring Metal: 18K White Gold Ring Size...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1.3 Carat Oval Cut Blue Sapphire and Diamond 3 Stone Curvy Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Details: Item Type: 3-Stone Ring Metal: 14K Yellow Gold Size: Available in Size 6 1/2 (Adjustable) Weight: 2.0 grams Setting: 3-Stone, Prong Center Stone: Type: Natural Sapphire Car...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Carat Gold with Platinum Mounts 3 Stones Diamond Ring One-Stone Swaped
Located in GB
Wimbledon - Furniture are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage 18ct gold with platinum mounts three stone diamond ring A lovely piece in excellent vintage condition throu...
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
Emerald Cut Diamond 3 Stone Ring Platinum
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Circa 1990's. Beautiful 3 stone ring with emerald cut diamonds. The center stone has a GIA certification as well.
Diamond, Platinum
2.05 Zambian Emerald Diamond 3-Stone Ring
Located in Greenville, DE
The Emerald and Diamond 3 stone ring is crafted in 18k white gold with a 18k yellow gold box and features (1) Emerald cut Zambian Emerald weighing 2.05ct and flanked by (2) half moon...
Emerald, 18k Gold
1.0 Carat Diamond and 950 Platinum Three-Stone Diamond Eternity Ring 3
Located in GB
Wimbledon-Furniture are delighted to offer for auction this Stunning Bradleys 3 stone 1.0ct diamond ring in a four claw platinum 950 setting A very good looking ring with bright cl...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 2.31 Carat Pink Sapphire Oval & Diamond 3-Stone Ring
Located in Miami, FL
GIA Certified 2.31 carat oval cut pink sapphire ring flanked by brilliant trillion-cut diamonds in an 18k white gold three stone engagement ring. Ring size 6.5, adjustable. Details ...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
4.22 Carat Vivid Blue Oval Cut Sapphire & Diamond 3 Stone Ring
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
GRS Certified 4.22 Carat Oval Cut Vivid Blue Natural Sapphire with 2 Half Moon Cut Diamonds in 18k White Gold Three Stone Ring. Details: Item Type: Three Stone Ring Metal: 18K Wh...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Platinum Natural 1.47 Carat Oval Cut Diamond 3 Stone Halo Engagement Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Platinum Natural 1.47 Carat Oval Cut Diamond 3 Stone Halo Engagement Ring Style: Women's 3 Stones Diamond Engagement Ring Material: Platinum Diamond Details: The Center Diamond is ...
Diamond, Platinum
2.31 Carat Burmese Ruby Diamond Platinum 3-Stone Ring, GIA Certified
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A superb gem quality ruby from the famous mines of Myanmar (Burma). It weighs an impressive 2.31 carats and has a rich vivid pinkish-red color that glows in the light. Adding to that...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
0.87 Carat Yellow and White Diamond Princess Cut 18K 3 Stone Ring
Located in Miami, FL
A three-stone 18K two-tone white and yellow gold engagement ring featuring a fancy yellow radiant-cut diamond center set in yellow gold prongs, flanked by two matching white princess...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s 3-Stone European Cut Diamond Platinum Ring 1.75 Carat
Located in Boston, MA
Vintage 1930s 3 Stone European Cut Diamond Platinum Ring 1.75ct - The center diamond weighs approximately .80ct and the 2 side diamonds weigh approximately .95ct. The diamonds are H-...
Diamond, Platinum
1.00 Carat 3-Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat White Gold
By David & Morris
Located in New York, NY
1.01 Carat 3 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K White Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.01CT G-H SI 14K White Gold Prong style 3.90...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Shreve, Crump & Low 6.08 Carat Zambian Emerald and Diamond 3-Stone Ring
By Shreve, Crump & Low
Located in Boston, MA
This classic 3 stone platinum setting incorporates 2 accenting kite shaped side diamonds having a total weight of 1.70 carats and respective color and clarity of F-G VS1-VS2.
Emerald, Platinum
10K Yellow Gold 1/2 Carat Round Diamond Three Stone Illusion Plate Ring
Located in New York, NY
Crafted from radiant 10K yellow gold, this ring exudes warmth and luxury. Adorned with three natural round diamonds totaling 1/2 carats, each diamond is showcased in a mesmerizing mi...
Diamond, White Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Beautiful Amethyst and Diamond 3-stone Ring
Located in רמת גן, IL
Metal: 18K White Gold Main stone: 1 amethyst stone Main stone carat weight: 0.56ct Shape: Round brilliant Color grade: Purple Clarity grade: Transparent Cut grade: Very good Side s...
Amethyst, Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
GIA Certified 3.45 Carat F/VVS2 Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement 3 Stone Ring
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
GIA Certified 3.45 Carat F/VVS2 Emerald Cut Natural Diamond With Trillion Cut Side Stone Engagement Ring. Adorned along the sides are 2 triangular-cut diamonds, weighing 1.07 carats....
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
GIA Certified 2.22 Carat Fancy Yellow-Green Radiant Cut Diamond 3 Stone Ring
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
GIA certified 2.22 carat fancy yellow-green radiant cut diamond three-stone ring. Featuring two flawless tapered baguette-cut diamonds. The center stone is a certified Fancy Yellow-G...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
AGL Certified 2.19 Carat No Heat Burma Ruby & Trapezoid Diamond 3 Stone Ring
Located in Miami, FL
AGL Certified 2.19 carat no heat Burma ruby ring. Adorned with 2 trapezoid cut diamonds totaling 0.97 cttw. The gemstones are set in prong setting; ruby is set in 18k yellow gold and...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Certified 4.02 Carats Lavender Jade & Pear Shaped Cut Diamond 3 Stone Ring
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Please check out the HD Video! In addition to being a status symbol, wearing jade traditionally has been known to grant the user good luck, health, prosperity and longevity. Here i...
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Gem Aquamarine Diamond Platinum 3-Stone Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Truly one of the finest aquamarines we have seen! The gem weighs 3.69 carats and has the perfect deep sea-blue color. It is accented by 2 large trillion-cut diamonds set on its sides...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
5.87 Carat Grade A Jadeite Jade and Diamond Platinum 3 Stone Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Untreated Grade A 5.87 Carat Cabochon Cut Green Jadeite Jade and Baguette Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring in Platinum Ring. The Jade is certified Hong Kong Jade & Stone Lab as a Fei Cui...
Diamond, Jade, Platinum
3-Stone Ring, with a Round Emerald Accentuated by 2 Fancy Yellow Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
A three stone 18k yellow gold ring, that features a deep green round emerald set in platinum prongs and is accentuated by 2 round brilliant cut fancy yellow diamonds that weigh 0.25 ...
Yellow Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
GIA Cert. 1.85 Carat Oval Blue Sapphire & Diamond 14K White Gold 3 Stone Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Presented here is a GIA certified 1.85-carat oval-cut sapphire and round diamond 3-stone ring.
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
7.70 Carats Emerald Cut Chrome Tourmaline and Trapezoid Diamond 3 Stone Ring
By Kiersten Elizabeth
Located in Southport, CT
What a rich and classic looking ring! Sure to get compliments every time you wear it. Ring Details: Emerald Cut Chrome Tourmaline (11.7 x 11.3 mm) weighing 6.75 Carats Very S...
Diamond, Tourmaline, Chrome Tourmaline, 14k Gold, White Gold
TJD 1.70 Carat 18 Karat white Gold Diamond 3 Stone Bridal Engagement Ring
By TJD
Located in New York, NY
This 3 stone ring shines bright with 3 center stone and handcrafted in 18 karat White gold. it features 11 diamonds 0.75ct of center stone and each side diamond is 0.30 ct and remain...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
5.58 Carat G/I1 Round Cut Diamond & Baguette Side 3 Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Size 6.5, and set in platinum with 3 baguette cut diamond side stones. Details: Item Type: Three Stone Engagement Ring Metal: Platinum 950 Size: 6.5 (adjustable) Weight: 6.30 Gram...
Diamond, Platinum
5.41 Carat Vivid Green Colombian Muzo Emerald & Old Euro Diamond 3 Stone Ring
Located in Miami, FL
GRS-certified 5.41 carat cushion-cut "Vivid Green" minor oil Colombian emerald in 18K white gold three-stone ring. Flanked by two old European-cut diamonds totaling 1.50 carats. Ring...
Emerald, Diamond, Platinum, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Lavender Jadeite Jade Diamond Platinum 3-Stone Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A classic 3-stone ring featuring a luscious lavender jade in the center.
Diamond, Jade, Platinum
Sapphire and Diamond 3 Stone Gold Vintage Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Finely detailed Three Stone Sapphire and Diamond 3-Stone Gold Cocktail Ring.
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
TJD 1.0 Carat 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Classic 3 Stone Engagement Ring
By TJD
Located in New York, NY
This elegant diamond ring shines bright with 3 center stone and handcrafted in 18 karat Yellow gold. it features 17 diamonds 0.50ct of center stone and each side diamond is 0.19 ct a...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
5.41 Carat Vivid Green Colombian Muzo Emerald & Old Euro Diamond 3 Stone Ring
Located in Miami, FL
GRS-certified 5.41 carat cushion-cut "Vivid Green" minor oil Colombian emerald in 18K white gold three-stone ring. Flanked by two old European-cut diamonds totaling 1.50 carats. Ring...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
$14,400Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Indicolite Tourmaline Diamond Platinum 3-Stone Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
It is accented by 2 large baguette-cut diamonds set on its side in a classic 3-stone design and weigh a total of 1.08 carats.
Diamond, Tourmaline, Indicolite, Platinum
Antique Diamond & Emerald 3-Stone Edwardian Engagement Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A mesmerizing trio of diamonds and an emerald form this fabulous 3 stone antique Edwardian engagement ring.
Diamond, Emerald, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
TJD 1.0 Carat 3 Stone Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Engagement Bridal Ring
By TJD
Located in New York, NY
This dazzling ring is studded with 27 diamonds 0.47ct of center stone and each side diamond is 0.19ct is remaining diamond on shank lined diamonds secured with prong and designed in...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
TJD 1.0 Carat 3 Stone Round Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Fashion Ring
By TJD
Located in New York, NY
Ask for her hand with this exquisite diamond engagement ring crafted in 18 Karat Yellow gold, this modern design features a trio of shimmering Round diamonds. Additional diamonds lin...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mexican Fire Opal Diamond Platinum 3-Stone Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A classic 3-stone design, this lovely ring features a fine 3.65 carat fire opal with play-of-color.
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Platinum
GRS Cert. 4.37 Carat Vivid Green Muzo Colombian Emerald Diamond 3 Stone Ring
Located in Miami, FL
GRS-certified 4.37 carat octagonal step-cut natural Colombian emerald ring features a vivid "Muzo Green" center stone flanked by two GIA Certified trillion-cut diamonds. One is GIA-g...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
3.68 Carat Natural Emerald Ring for Women Engagement, 3 Stone Ring
Located in Ramat Gan, IL
18K gold, 5.15gr Natural Emerald Beryl Shape and cutting style : Emerald Measurements: 11.15mm X 8.73 mm X5.93 mm Carat weight : 3.68 Color grade : VIvid Green Cut grade : very goo...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1.09 Carat Diamonds Classic 3 Ring
Located in New York, NY
The classic 3 .58ct. center round diamond I color Vs-2 clarity side (2) diamonds: .51ct. H-color vs-2 clarity gorgeous etching, rivets detail throughout 14kt. white go...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
TJD 1.0 Carat Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold 3 Stone Vintage Engagement Ring
By TJD
Located in New York, NY
This dazzling design features 74 diamonds 0.246ct of center stone and each side diamond is 0.17 ct and remaining diamond on frame and shank lined diamonds secured in prong setting cr...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 3.2 Carat No Heat Pink Sapphire Oval and Diamond 3 Stone Ring
Located in Miami, FL
This 18K White Gold ring features a GIA Certified 3.2-carat oval cut pink sapphire of Madgascar origin. This vibrant gemstone is secured in a 4 prong setting, surrounded by 2 baguett...
18k Gold, White Gold
$66,304Sale Price|20% Off
11.24 Carat Burma No Heat Ruby Sugar Loaf & Half Moon Cut Diamond 3 Stone Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
11.24 Carat Burma No Heat Ruby Sugar Loaf & Half Moon Cut Diamond 3 Stone Ring Featuring a rare and large 11.24 carat sugar loaf ruby with gorgeous vivid red color certified by the ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
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.”
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
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Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
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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.