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1.82 Carat Zambian Emerald Gemstone Ring 0.7 Ct SI/H Diamond 18 Karat White Gold
1.82 Carat Zambian Emerald Gemstone Ring 0.7 Ct SI/H Diamond 18 Karat White Gold

1.82 Carat Zambian Emerald Gemstone Ring 0.7 Ct SI/H Diamond 18 Karat White Gold

By Spectrum Jewels

Located in Deira, Dubai

1.82 Carat Zambian Emerald Gemstone Ring 0.7 Ct SI/H Diamond 18 Karat White Gold This ring is masterfully set with pear cut emerald in center with three pear cut diamonds set each si...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

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

Natural 1 Carat Zambian Emerald 0.56 Carat SI/H Diamond Ring 14 Karat White Gold
Natural 1 Carat Zambian Emerald 0.56 Carat SI/H Diamond Ring 14 Karat White Gold

Natural 1 Carat Zambian Emerald 0.56 Carat SI/H Diamond Ring 14 Karat White Gold

By Spectrum Jewels

Located in Deira, Dubai

Natural 1 Carat Zambian Emerald 0.56 Carat SI/H Diamond Ring 14 Karat White Gold This ring is designed to dazzle with classic elegance and refined sophistication. This ring features ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Real 1 Carat Zambian Emerald 0.56 Carat SI/H Diamond Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Real 1 Carat Zambian Emerald 0.56 Carat SI/H Diamond Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold

Real 1 Carat Zambian Emerald 0.56 Carat SI/H Diamond Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold

By Spectrum Jewels

Located in Deira, Dubai

Real 1 Carat Zambian Emerald 0.56 Carat SI/H Diamond Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold This ring is designed to dazzle with classic elegance and refined sophistication. This ring features a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

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

Natural 3.76 Carat SI/H Oval Emerald Cut Diamond Spiral Ring 14 Karat White Gold
Natural 3.76 Carat SI/H Oval Emerald Cut Diamond Spiral Ring 14 Karat White Gold

Natural 3.76 Carat SI/H Oval Emerald Cut Diamond Spiral Ring 14 Karat White Gold

By Spectrum Jewels

Located in Deira, Dubai

Natural 3.76 Carat SI/H Oval Emerald Cut Diamond Spiral Ring 14 Karat White Gold This ring features oval and emerald cut diamonds set in a spiral making a four row wrap ring for cock...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold, White Gold

Spectrum 18K White Gold 4.6-Ct Heart-Shaped Blue Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring
Spectrum 18K White Gold 4.6-Ct Heart-Shaped Blue Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring

Spectrum 18K White Gold 4.6-Ct Heart-Shaped Blue Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring

By Spectrum Jewels

Located in Deira, Dubai

Express timeless affection with the Spectrum Heart-Shaped Blue Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring. This enchanting piece centers on a bold 4.6-carat heart-shaped blue sapphire, celebrate...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Wedding Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold

5.11 Ct Zambian Emerald Cocktail Ring 0.53 Ct SI/H Diamond 14 Karat White Gold
5.11 Ct Zambian Emerald Cocktail Ring 0.53 Ct SI/H Diamond 14 Karat White Gold

5.11 Ct Zambian Emerald Cocktail Ring 0.53 Ct SI/H Diamond 14 Karat White Gold

By Spectrum Jewels

Located in Deira, Dubai

5.11 Ct Zambian Emerald Cocktail Ring 0.53 Ct SI/H Diamond 14 Karat White Gold This ring is masterfully set with octagon cut emerald in center with round cut diamonds halo around mak...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Emerald, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold, White Gold

7.4Ct Octagon Zambian Emerald Gemstone Diamond Three Stone Ring 14k White Gold
7.4Ct Octagon Zambian Emerald Gemstone Diamond Three Stone Ring 14k White Gold

7.4Ct Octagon Zambian Emerald Gemstone Diamond Three Stone Ring 14k White Gold

By Spectrum Jewels

Located in Deira, Dubai

7.4Ct Octagon Zambian Emerald Gemstone Diamond Three Stone Ring 14k White Gold This ring features octagon cut emerald gemstone set in center with two diamonds set beside the diamond....

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

7.4Ct Octagon Zambian Emerald Gemstone Diamond Three Stone Ring 18k White Gold
7.4Ct Octagon Zambian Emerald Gemstone Diamond Three Stone Ring 18k White Gold

7.4Ct Octagon Zambian Emerald Gemstone Diamond Three Stone Ring 18k White Gold

By Spectrum Jewels

Located in Deira, Dubai

7.4Ct Octagon Zambian Emerald Gemstone Diamond Three Stone Ring 18k White Gold This ring features octagon cut emerald gemstone set in center with two diamonds set beside the diamond....

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Marquise Pear SI/H Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring 14 Karat White Gold
Marquise Pear SI/H Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring 14 Karat White Gold

Marquise Pear SI/H Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring 14 Karat White Gold

By Spectrum Jewels

Located in Deira, Dubai

Marquise Pear SI/H Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring 14 Karat White Gold This ring features marquise cut diamond in center with pear cut diamonds flanked making a three stone ring....

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

4.53Ct SI Clarity HI Color Princess Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring 14k White Gold
4.53Ct SI Clarity HI Color Princess Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring 14k White Gold

4.53Ct SI Clarity HI Color Princess Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring 14k White Gold

By Spectrum Jewels

Located in Deira, Dubai

4.53Ct SI Clarity HI Color Princess Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring 14k White Gold With three striking princess-cut diamonds set side-by-side in a bold prong setting, this ring represe...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

4.53Ct SI Clarity HI Color Princess Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring 18k White Gold
4.53Ct SI Clarity HI Color Princess Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring 18k White Gold

4.53Ct SI Clarity HI Color Princess Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring 18k White Gold

By Spectrum Jewels

Located in Deira, Dubai

4.53Ct SI Clarity HI Color Princess Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring 18k White Gold With three striking princess-cut diamonds set side-by-side in a bold prong setting, this ring represe...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold

2 Carat Halo Style Engagement Ring
2 Carat Halo Style Engagement Ring

2 Carat Halo Style Engagement Ring

Located in Boca Raton, FL

2 Carat Halo Style Engagement Ring This stunning 2ctw Halo Engagement Ring is in excellent condition and is ready to ship! Style: Art Deco Style Engagement Ring 2 Carat Light Fancy...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage 18 Karat Gold Multi-colour Gem Wide Band Ring
Vintage 18 Karat Gold Multi-colour Gem Wide Band Ring

Vintage 18 Karat Gold Multi-colour Gem Wide Band Ring

Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.

We offer a huge collection of vintage and antique jewellery pieces, including Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Georgian, Victorian styles, from engagement rings to rose-cut diamond ...

Category

Vintage 1980s Retro Band Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Citrine, Emerald, Peridot, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline, Gold, 1...

Set in 18K Gold, Art Deco Morganite, Ruby, Black Onyx & Diamonds Dangle Earrings
Set in 18K Gold, Art Deco Morganite, Ruby, Black Onyx & Diamonds Dangle Earrings

Set in 18K Gold, Art Deco Morganite, Ruby, Black Onyx & Diamonds Dangle Earrings

By JEWEL HUB

Located in Hong Kong, HK

A very gorgeous and beautiful, art deco style, Morganite, Ruby & Black Onyx Dangle Earrings set in 18K Rose Gold & natural Diamonds.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Morganite, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold

French 1925s Art Deco Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Line Brooch
French 1925s Art Deco Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Line Brooch

French 1925s Art Deco Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Line Brooch

Located in Poitiers, FR

Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle's head and owl hallmarks and and silver, crab hallmark. In the shape of a curved bar with typical Art Deco lines, the top of the brooch is set w...

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterl...

Contemporary Baguette Ruby & Diamond Ballerina Halo Pendant in 18K White Gold
Contemporary Baguette Ruby & Diamond Ballerina Halo Pendant in 18K White Gold

Contemporary Baguette Ruby & Diamond Ballerina Halo Pendant in 18K White Gold

By Gems Paradise

Located in Jaipur, IN

PRODUCT SPECIFICATION Metal: 18K White Gold Design: Layered Cushion Pendant with Illusion Diamond Center and Ruby Halo Center Stones: Natural Diamonds Center Setting: Illusion Set Ba...

Category

2010s Indian Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, White Gold

Victorian 14 Karat Gold 0.55 Carat Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Pearl Snake Bar Brooch
Victorian 14 Karat Gold 0.55 Carat Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Pearl Snake Bar Brooch

Victorian 14 Karat Gold 0.55 Carat Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Pearl Snake Bar Brooch

Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.

We offer a huge collection of vintage and antique jewellery pieces, including Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Georgian, Victorian styles, from engagement rings to rose-cut diamond ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

14K Rose Gold 5.51 CT Pink Sapphire & 1.52 CT Diamond Pear Fringe Drop Necklace
14K Rose Gold 5.51 CT Pink Sapphire & 1.52 CT Diamond Pear Fringe Drop Necklace

14K Rose Gold 5.51 CT Pink Sapphire & 1.52 CT Diamond Pear Fringe Drop Necklace

Located in Jaipur, IN

Eleven pear-cut pink sapphires, each crowned with a diamond pavé halo, cascade in a graduating fringe from 14K solid rose gold. 5.51 carats of natural pink sapphire, 1.52 carats of d...

Category

2010s Indian Art Deco Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Art Deco 14K Gold and Platinum Diamond and Gem Set Charm Bracelet
Art Deco 14K Gold and Platinum Diamond and Gem Set Charm Bracelet

Art Deco 14K Gold and Platinum Diamond and Gem Set Charm Bracelet

Located in Venice, CA

Swallow jewelry was often given as a gift to a loved one who was setting off on a long journey, or worn by lovers who were forced to be apart. The charm has a gold back and silver fr...

Category

Vintage 1920s Charm Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum

Victorian 18 Karat Gold Blue Enamel Pearl Ruby Drop Collier Necklace
Victorian 18 Karat Gold Blue Enamel Pearl Ruby Drop Collier Necklace

Victorian 18 Karat Gold Blue Enamel Pearl Ruby Drop Collier Necklace

Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.

We offer a huge collection of vintage and antique jewellery pieces, including Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Georgian, Victorian styles, from engagement rings to rose-cut diamond ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Enamel

18K Yellow Gold Polki Diamond Meenakari Pendant Necklace, 2.68cts  Bridal Gifts
18K Yellow Gold Polki Diamond Meenakari Pendant Necklace, 2.68cts  Bridal Gifts

18K Yellow Gold Polki Diamond Meenakari Pendant Necklace, 2.68cts Bridal Gifts

By Jewel Palate

Located in Deira, AE

A double-strand gold bead chain carries a square meenakari and polki diamond pendant, enamel-worked on both faces. Every diamond is natural polki, uncut and rose-set: 2.68ct total. 1...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

1 Carat SI/HI Diamond Wedding Clip-On Earrings 14 Karat White Gold Fine Jewelry
1 Carat SI/HI Diamond Wedding Clip-On Earrings 14 Karat White Gold Fine Jewelry

1 Carat SI/HI Diamond Wedding Clip-On Earrings 14 Karat White Gold Fine Jewelry

By Spectrum Jewels

Located in Deira, Dubai

1 Carat SI/HI Diamond Wedding Clip-On Earrings 14 Karat White Gold Fine Jewelry These earrings feature a modern hourglass shape, crafted with meticulous detail. The design is enhance...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold

1 Carat SI/HI Diamond Wedding Clip-On Earrings 18 Karat White Gold Fine Jewelry
1 Carat SI/HI Diamond Wedding Clip-On Earrings 18 Karat White Gold Fine Jewelry

1 Carat SI/HI Diamond Wedding Clip-On Earrings 18 Karat White Gold Fine Jewelry

By Spectrum Jewels

Located in Deira, Dubai

1 Carat SI/HI Diamond Wedding Clip-On Earrings 18 Karat White Gold Fine Jewelry These earrings feature a modern hourglass shape, crafted with meticulous detail. The design is enhance...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Natural Rubellite Tourmaline Pear Cut  Vivid Red Teardrop Fine Loose Gemstone
Natural Rubellite Tourmaline Pear Cut  Vivid Red Teardrop Fine Loose Gemstone

Natural Rubellite Tourmaline Pear Cut Vivid Red Teardrop Fine Loose Gemstone

Located in Peshawar, PK

Ideal for Fine Jewelry This pear-shaped rubellite is perfectly suited for: • Luxury engagement ring center stone • Statement cocktail ring • High jewelry pendant • Drop earrings...

Category

2010s Contemporary Loose Gemstones

Materials

Tourmaline

An early 20th century Burmese ruby and diamond cluster ring
An early 20th century Burmese ruby and diamond cluster ring

An early 20th century Burmese ruby and diamond cluster ring

Located in London, GB

An early 20th century Burmese ruby and diamond cluster ring, to the centre an oval faceted ruby weighing 1.01 carats, accompanied by The Gem & Pearl Laboratory report, stating to...

Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Platinum

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Art Deco Rose Gold Diamond Ruby Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact art deco rose gold diamond ruby ring you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Frequently made of Gold, Rose Gold and 18k Gold, this item was constructed with great care. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. Finding the perfect art deco rose gold diamond ruby ring may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 20th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. Creating an art deco rose gold diamond ruby ring has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Luigi Ferrara, Gregory Mikaelian & Sons, Inc. and Royaal Stones Ltd are consistently popular. An art deco rose gold diamond ruby ring can make for a versatile accessory, but a selection from our variety of 37 Diamond versions can add an especially stylish touch. A rose cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also round cut and oval cut versions for sale. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking an art deco rose gold diamond ruby ring, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a Art Deco Rose Gold Diamond Ruby Ring?

The price for an art deco rose gold diamond ruby ring starts at $376 and tops out at $55,000 with these rings, on average, selling for $2,807.

A Close Look at Art-deco Jewelry

Fascination with the Jazz Age is endless, and even today jewelry designers continue to be inspired by authentic Art Deco jewelry and watches.

The Art Deco period, encompassing the 1920s and ’30s, ushered in a very distinct look in the design of jewelry. There were many influences on the jewelry of the era that actually began to take shape prior to the 1920s. In 1909, Serge Diaghilev brought the Ballet Russes to Paris, and women went wild for the company’s exotic and vibrant costumes It’s no wonder, then, that jade, lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise and other bright gemstones became all the rage. There already existed a fascination with the East, particularly China and Japan, and motifs consisting of fans and masks started to show up in Art Deco jewelry.

However, the event that had the greatest influence on Deco was the excavation of the tomb of King Tut in 1922. When the world saw what was hidden in Tut’s burial chamber, it sent just about everyone into a frenzy. Pierre Cartier wrote in 1923 that “the discovery of the tomb will bring some sweeping changes in fashion jewelry.” And he couldn’t have been more right. “Egyptomania” left an indelible mark on all of the major jewelry houses, from Cartier to Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and Georges Fouquet. (Cartier created some of the most iconic jewelry designs that defined this era.)

While a lot of Art Deco jewelry was black and white — the black coming from the use of onyx or black enamel and the white from rock crystal and diamonds — there is plenty of color in jewelry of the era. A perfect accent to diamonds in platinum settings were blue sapphires, emeralds and rubies, and these stones were also used in combination with each other.

Many designers employed coral, jade and lapis lazuli, too. In fact, some of the most important avant-garde jewelers of the period, like Jean Després and Jean Fouquet (son of Georges), would combine white gold with ebony and malachite for a jolt of color.

A lot of the jewelry produced during this time nodded to current fashion trends, and women often accessorized their accessories. The cloche hat was often accented with geometric diamond brooches or double-clip brooches. Backless evening dresses looked fabulous with sautoir necklaces, and long pearl necklaces that ended with tassels, popular during the Edwardian period, were favored by women everywhere, including Coco Chanel.

Find unique Art Deco necklaces, earrings, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.

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 rings, vintage 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 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.