300ct Diamond Solitaire
Antique Mid-18th Century European Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold
2010s Italian Modern Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s North American Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
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2010s Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1970s British Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s American Signet Rings
Carnelian, 18k Gold
2010s Israeli Art Deco Wedding Rings
Diamond, Pink Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1960s American Dome Rings
Gold Plate
2010s Art Deco Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Pink Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Singaporean Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Modern Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century British Belle Époque Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique 1880s European Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Engagement Rings
Emerald, Platinum
Recent Sales
Antique Early 18th Century Georgian Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold
Antique Mid-18th Century European George IV Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Finding the Right solitaire-rings for You
Even as jewelry trends have come and gone, antique and vintage diamond solitaire rings are a classic fashion piece. Although enduringly popular as an engagement ring style, a solitaire ring — whether it's an emerald solitaire ring, a sapphire solitaire ring or another iteration — makes a fantastic addition to any outfit with a variety of shapes and settings to explore.
Solitaire rings have a single stone setting and a minimalistic band in which pressure, bezel or prongs hold the stone in place. They have a long history in jewelry, such as an example discovered in Israel with a single amethyst that could be as old as the third century A.D.
Simple gold rings with single diamonds were prized possessions in Ancient Rome. However, it was not until the 1940s that engagement rings with a solitaire diamond setting became widely popular.
After the turmoil of the Great Depression and World War II led to a decline in diamond prices, De Beers saw an opportunity. The diamond magnate teamed up with the ad agency N.W. Ayer for the “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign. It was a sensation and cemented the solitaire diamond as the leading engagement ring. Statistics show that diamonds are the most common gemstones for engagement rings, preferred by 87 percent of people. (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.)
Today, the design of solitaire rings takes many forms, and those created by Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and other internationally celebrated jewelry houses are particularly sought-after accessories. Though the single-stone setting remains the same, bands have become more detailed, with some containing other stones or even multiple diamonds. Art Deco, Art Nouveau and other art movements have influenced the design of solitaire rings over the years. However, the simplicity of this accessory remains timeless.
Browse 1stDibs for a unique selection of antique and vintage solitaire rings to accent any fashion choice.
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