IGI Certified 7.77 Carat Natural Emerald and Diamond Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 7.77 Carat Natural Emerald and Diamond Statement Ring 8K Gold This extraordinary statement ring showcases the luxurious harmony of vivid natural emeralds and brilliant...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
IGI Certified 11.53 Carat Natural Emerald and Diamond Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 11.53 Carat Natural Emerald and Diamond Statement Ring 8K Gold This extraordinary statement ring showcases the luxurious harmony of vivid natural emeralds and brillian...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
IGI Certified 2.32 Carat Natural Diamond and Ruby Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 2.32 Carat Natural Diamond and Ruby Statement Ring 8K Gold This extraordinary statement ring showcases the elegant harmony of natural diamonds and vivid ruby gemstones...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
IGI Certified 6.22 Carat Natural Diamond and Ruby Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 6.22 Carat Natural Diamond and Ruby Statement Ring 8K Gold This extraordinary statement ring showcases the captivating harmony of natural diamonds and vivid ruby gemst...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
IGI Certified 8.28 Carat Natural Diamond and Ruby Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 8.28 Carat Natural Diamond and Ruby Statement Ring 8K Gold This extraordinary statement ring showcases a luxurious combination of natural diamonds and vivid ruby gemst...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
IGI Certified 2.18 Carat Natural Diamond Hand Motif Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 2.18 Carat Natural Diamond Hand Motif Statement Ring 8K Gold Created as a one-of-a-kind jewel, this exceptional ring is the only example ever produced, and no identica...
Diamond, Gold
IGI Certified 5.50 Carat Natural Diamond and Emerald Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 5.50 Carat Natural Diamond and Emerald Statement Ring 8K Gold This extraordinary statement ring showcases the elegant harmony of natural diamonds and vivid emerald gem...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
IGI Certified 8.60 Carat Natural Diamond and Emerald Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 8.60 Carat Natural Diamond and Emerald Statement Ring 8K Gold This extraordinary statement ring showcases the luxurious harmony of natural diamonds and vivid emerald g...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
IGI Certified 5.20 Carat Natural Diamond and Emerald Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 5.20 Carat Natural Diamond and Emerald Statement Ring 8K Gold Created as a one-of-a-kind jewel, this exceptional ring is the only example ever produced, and no identic...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
IGI Certified 3.87 Carat Diamond, Sapphire and Citrine Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 3.87 Carat Diamond, Sapphire and Citrine Statement Ring 8K Gold Created as a one-of-a-kind jewel, this exceptional ring is the only example ever produced, and no ident...
Citrine, Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
IGI Certified 5.20 Carat Natural Sapphire and Diamond Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 5.20 Carat Natural Sapphire and Diamond Statement Ring 8K Gold Created as a one-of-a-kind jewel, this exceptional ring is the only example ever produced, and no identi...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
IGI Certified 8.80 Carat Natural Diamond and Sapphire Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Diamond: 4.57 Carats — H Color — VS1 Clarity Sapphire: 4.23 Carats — Natural Blue Sapphire — AA Quality Ring Weight: 0.73 t oz (22.66 grams) Metal: 8K Gold
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
IGI Certified 2.79 Carat Diamond, Ruby and Garnet Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Diamond: 1.20 Carats — H Color — VS1 Clarity Ruby: 0.24 Carat — Natural Red Ruby Garnet: 1.35 Carats — Natural Deep Red Garnet Ring Weight: 0.73 t oz (22.72 grams) Metal: 8K Gold
Diamond, Garnet, Ruby, Gold
IGI Certified 0.40 Carat Diamond and Ruby Serpent Motif Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 0.40 Carat Diamond Natural Ruby Serpent Ring – 8K Gold, 11.96g / 0.38 t oz Ancient, enigmatic, and laden with symbolic power, the serpent has captivated jewelry design...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
IGI Certified 2.60 Carat Diamond and Emerald Leaf Motif Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 2.60 Carat Diamond Natural Emerald Leaf Ring – 8K Gold, 4.53g / 0.15 t oz The eternal elegance of leaf forms in fine jewelry finds fresh expression in this ring, where...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
Antique Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Pretty Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
Antique Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Pretty Ring In very good condition.
Diamond, Gold
Vintage Circa 1980s 8k Gold Natural Cabochon Cut Emerald And Diamond Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
Totally is emerald 0.70 carat. Acid tested to be 8k real gold. Ring size is US 6.2 We can make any size.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
Vintage 8k Gold Top Silver Natural Diamond And Ruby Decorated Tank Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
Totally is ruby 0.10 carat. Ring size is US 7.75 (We offer free resizing) Box is not included.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver
IGI Certified 0.63 Carat Natural Emerald and Diamond Leaf Ring in 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 0.63 Carat Diamond Emerald Leaf Ring 8K Gold This leaf ring combines diamond, emerald for a total gemstone weight of 0.63 carats.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
IGI Certified 0.72 Carat Natural Emerald and Diamond Statement Ring in 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 0.72 Carat Diamond Emerald Ring 8K Gold This ring combines diamond, emerald for a total gemstone weight of 0.72 carats.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
IGI Certified 2 Carat Natural Sapphire and Diamond Statement Ring in 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 2 Carat Sapphire Diamond Ring 8K Gold This ring combines diamond, sapphire for a total gemstone weight of 2 carats.
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
IGI Certified 0.77 Carat Natural Emerald and Diamond Statement Ring in 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 0.77 Carat Diamond Emerald Ring 8K Gold This ring is built around a 0.50 carat natural emerald green, complemented by diamond accents for a total gemstone weight of 0.7...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
IGI Certified 2.76 Carat Diamond and Black Diamond Bird Motif Statement Ring 8K
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 2.76 Carat Diamond and Black Diamond Bird Motif Statement Ring 8K Gold This extraordinary statement ring showcases an elegant bird motif adorned with natural diamonds ...
Diamond, Black Diamond
IGI Certified 3.78 Carat Diamond, Emerald and Ruby Snake Motif Statement Ring 8K
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 3.78 Carat Diamond, Emerald and Ruby Snake Motif Statement Ring 8K Gold This extraordinary statement ring showcases an elegant snake motif adorned with natural diamond...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby
8k yellow gold ring with coral - ring size U.S. 7.5 - EU. 17.75(56) - 3.5 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
8k yellow ring set with coral - ring size U.S. 7.5 - EU. 17.75(56) detailed description: The top of the ring is oval in shape, measuring 1.9 cm by 7.6 mm high.
Coral, Gold, Yellow Gold
IGI Certified 4.00 Carat Natural Emerald, Ruby and Diamond Statement Ring 8K Gol
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 4.00 Carat Natural Emerald, Ruby and Diamond Statement Ring 8K Gold This extraordinary statement ring showcases the luxurious harmony of natural emeralds, vivid rubies...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby
IGI Certified 3.61 Carat Diamond, Emerald and Ruby Snake Motif Statement Ring 8K
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 3.61 Carat Diamond, Emerald and Ruby Snake Motif Statement Ring 8K Gold Created as a one-of-a-kind jewel, this exceptional ring is the only example ever produced, and ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby
IGI Certified 0.76 Carat Diamond and Ruby Serpent Motif Ring in 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
0.76 Carat Diamond and Ruby Serpent Motif Statement Ring in 8K Gold A distinctive serpent motif ring designed with bold presence, symbolic character, and refined gemstone detail.
Diamond, Ruby
8k Gold and Silver Cocktail Ring with Brilliant Diamond Rose Cut Diamond
By Emre Osmanlar
Located in ISTANBUL, TR
7g 8K gold and 15 g silver ring with 3.2 ct brilliant diamonds and 2.5 ct rose cut diamonds
Diamond, Gold, Silver
IGI Certified 11.67 Carat Ruby, Citrine and Black Diamond Statement Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Ruby: 9.65 Carats — Natural Red Ruby Citrine and Black Diamond Accents: 4.02 Carats Total Gemstone Weight: 11.67 Carats Ring Weight: 0.62 t oz (19.32 grams) Metal: 8K Gold
Citrine, Black Diamond, Ruby, Gold
IGI Certified 0.44 Carat Diamond and Black Diamond Serpent Motif Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 0.44 Carat Black Diamond Diamond Serpent Ring – 8K Gold, 12.06g / 0.39 t oz Sleek, symbolic, and effortlessly bold, this serpent ring delivers a masterclass in high-co...
Diamond, Black Diamond, Gold
IGI Certified 0.49 Carat Diamond and Black Diamond Serpent Motif Ring 8K Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Diamond: 0.39 ct Color: H Clarity: VS1 Black Diamond: 0.10 ct Ring Weight: 0.41 t oz / 12.72 g Metal: 8K Gold
Diamond, Black Diamond, Gold
Antique 8K Yellow Gold Sapphire Round Cabochon Opal Cluster Swirl Cocktail Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Total Carat Weight: 0.80 (approx.) Material: 8K Solid Yellow Gold (tested) - (stamped 14K) Weight: 4.85 Grams Ring Size: 7.5 (We can custom size this ring.
Opal, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Antique 8k Yellow Gold 0.36tcw Old Mine Cut Diamond and Opal Filigree Ring
Located in New York, NY
This antique ring is crafted in 8k yellow gold and features a beautifully detailed filigree setting centered with an opal and accented by approximately 0.36tcw of old mine cut diamon...
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
New Made 8k Gold Top Silver Natural Diamond And Caliber Ruby Navette Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
Totally is ruby 0.40 ct. Ring size is US 7.8 (We offer free resizing) Acid tested to be 8k real gold.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver
Antique Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond And Ruby Navette Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
The diamond is has H-I-J color and s1-s2-s3 clarity. Ring size is US 7.8 Acid tested to be 8k real gold.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Pave Cube 8k Gold and Oxidised Silver Ring with Champagne Diamonds
By Emre Osmanlar
Located in ISTANBUL, TR
‘Cubicist’ is a bold vision of contemporary, industrial design that is edgy, elegant and luxurious. Here, Emre stages a meeting of contrasts to create jewellery that are as modern an...
Diamond, Gold, Silver
New Made 8k Rose Gold Natural Diamond And Caliber Cut Emerald Drop Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
Acid tested to be real 8k gold. Please contact for any questions.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
Antique Circa 1900s 8k Gold Top Silver Natural Diamond Sapphire And Ruby Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
Totally is sapphire 0.24 ct. Acid tested to be 8k real gold. Ring size is US 6 (We offer free resizing) We can make any size.
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Silver
8k Rose Gold New Made Natural Diamond And Caliber Cut Sapphire Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
Totally is caliber sapphire 0.80 carat. Ring size is US 7.5 We can make any size. Acid tested to be 8k real gold.
Diamond, Sapphire, Rose Gold
Vintage Circa 1970s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Emerald Navette Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 8 grams. Totally is diamond 0.95 ct. The diamond is has H-I-J-K-L-M color and s2-s3-Pique 1-2 clarity.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
RETRO ring with rose cut diamonds up to 0.20ct 8k gold 8.1 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k bicolour gold ring set with rose-cut diamonds totaling 0.20ct – G/H - SI - ring size U.S. 7.5 - EU. 17.75 (56) Detailed description the top of the ring is 1.8 cm wide and 8.2 m...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Ottoman Circa 1900s 8k Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Emerald Ruby Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 3 grams. Totally is diamond 0.65 ct. Totally is ruby 0.18 ct. Totally is emerald 0.18 ct. Ring size is US 6.5 (We can make any size) Box is no...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby
Antique Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Rose Design Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 3.6 grams. Totally is diamond 0.80 ct. The diamond is has H-I-J-K color and s1-s2-s3-Pique1 clarity. Ring size is US 7.5 We can any size. The ...
Diamond, Gold
8k Gold Top Silver Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Cabochon Sapphire Navette Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 7.3 grams. Totally is diamond 0.60 ct. The diamond is has H-I-J color and s1-s2-s3 clarity. Totally is sapphire 0.25 ct. Ring size is US 7 We ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Silver
8k White Gold Pear-Shaped Orangy-Red Ruby Cts 3.40 Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hong Kong, HK
At its heart lies a breathtaking 3.40 ct pear-shaped ruby, showcasing a vibrant orangy-red hue, sourced from the world-renowned ruby mines of Mozambique, and accompanied by a GRS cer...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
8k Gold and Silver Cocktail Ring with Black Brilliant Cut Diamonds and Quartz
By Emre Osmanlar
Located in ISTANBUL, TR
5.5 ct Black Brilliant Cut Diamond 18 ct Smoky Quartz 7 g 8 K Gold 19 g 925 Silver
Cone Cube 8k Gold and Oxidised Silver Ring with Pave Black Diamonds
By Emre Osmanlar
Located in ISTANBUL, TR
‘Cubicist’ is a bold vision of contemporary, industrial design that is edgy, elegant and luxurious. Here, Emre stages a meeting of contrasts to create jewellery that are as modern an...
Black Diamond, Gold, Silver
Pave Circular Cube 8k Gold and Oxidised Silver Ring with Black Diamonds
By Emre Osmanlar
Located in ISTANBUL, TR
‘Cubicist’ is a bold vision of contemporary, industrial design that is edgy, elegant and luxurious. Here, Emre stages a meeting of contrasts to create jewellery that are as modern an...
Black Diamond, Gold, Silver
Pave Circular Cube 8K Gold and Oxidised Silver Ring with Champagne Diamonds
By Emre Osmanlar
Located in ISTANBUL, TR
‘Cubicist’ is a bold vision of contemporary, industrial design that is edgy, elegant and luxurious. Here, Emre stages a meeting of contrasts to create jewellery that are as modern an...
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Cushion Signet Ring, 8k Yellow Gold, Niccolo Onyx 12.0 x 10.5 mm with Engraving
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer Cushion Signet Ring 8k Yellow, Niccolo Onyx approx. 12.0 x 10.5 mm with heraldic engraving About the creator Victor Mayer Victor Mayer is internationally renowned for e...
Onyx, Gold, Yellow Gold
8K Gold and Silver Cocktail Ring with a Sapphire and White Rose Cut Diamonds
By Emre Osmanlar
Located in ISTANBUL, TR
Davies rose nile 8K gold and fine silver ring with a sapphire (16ct) and white rose cut dimaonds (4.10ct)
White Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Silver
Antique Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Ruby There Stone Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 2.5 grams. Totally is diamond 0.15 carat. The diamond is has I color and Pique clarity. Ruby totally 0.25 carat. Ring size is US 7.5 We can...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Rose Quartz & Light Blue Topaz Ring - 8K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Rose Quartz & Light Blue Topaz Ring Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Rose Quartz - 4.50 carats Natural Light Blue Topaz - 2.50 carats This Ring is from...
Quartz, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 6 Carat Boulder Opal Gold Solitaire Halo Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Hand crafted Diamond Cut 8K White Gold mounting. Ring size 6.75, we offer ring resizing.
Opal, Gold, White Gold
Gold and Silver Cocktail Ring with Man Made Sapphire and Diamonds
By Emre Osmanlar
Located in ISTANBUL, TR
8k gold and silver ring with a manmade sapphire (13.50ct), white diamonds (2.00ct) and champagne diamonds (1.8ct).
Ring with ruby and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.82ct 18k gold 7.4 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
- 2 x 2.6 mm brilliant-cut diamonds, totaling approximately 0.14 carats Color: F-G Clarity: VS-SI - 32 x 1.5 mm - 1.7 mm brilliant-cut diamonds, totaling approximately 0.68 carat...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
6.5 Carat Green Tourmaline & 4.2 Carat Diamond Cocktail Ring 18 Karat White Gold
Located in New York, NY
The Green Tourmaline is surrounded by approximately 2.5 Carats of brilliant cut round diamonds and Baguettes very clean Stone no inclusion Oval shape , full of luster and shin...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White 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.”
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
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.