Deco Style 18 Karat Yellow Gold Citrine Amethyst Cabochon Candy Cocktail Ring
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Rossella Ugolini Design Collection Deco Style 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Citrine Amethyst Cabochon Candy Cocktail Ring. The character of the Citrine Candy ring is almost tangible...
Amethyst, Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2 stones Ring natural 0.6 Sapphire Diamond solid 18K Gold Platinum Ø US6 / 2.3 g
Located in SE
Beautiful Two - stones Ring with bezel set natural Blue Sapphire stone oval cut 5.5 mm x 4.5 mm x 3.2 mm deep / ca. 0.6 ct. and square pave set old diamond cut natural Diamond Ø 2mm ...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Deco Style 18 Karat White Gold Amethyst Rubelite Cabochon Candy Cocktail Ring
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Deco Style 18 Karat White Gold Amethyst Rubelite Cabochon Candy Cocktail Ring The character of the Amethyst Candy ring is almost tangible, thanks certainly to the size of the purple ...
Amethyst, Rubelite, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Deco Style 18 Karat Gold Blue Topaz Rubelite Cabochon Blue Candy Cocktail Ring
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Every size available in three weeks by order. Details: Rossella Ugolini Design Collection Art Deco Style 18 Karat White Gold Topaz Rubelite Cabochon Cocktail Design Modern Ring
Rubelite, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Rossella Ugolini Deco Style 18K Yellow Gold 2 Carats Emerald Leafs Cocktail Ring
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Crafted in the heart of Rome, the Rossella Ugolini Art Deco-inspired ring is an exceptional creation handcrafted in 18K gold.
Agate, Tourmaline, Rock Crystal, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow G...
GIA Cert 1.01 Carat Round Cut Fancy Yellow Diamond Ring in 18KW Multi Stone Halo
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
GIA certified 1.01 carat fancy yellow round brilliant cut diamond center stone ring, set in 18k solid gold. Set with a three-tone gold setting. A white gold shank, rose gold halo, an...
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White ...
Antique 18ct White Gold and Platinum, Sapphire & Diamond Five Stone Band Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Sapphire and Diamond Ring 18ct and Platinum Circa 1920s Step into the elegance of the Art Deco era with this striking five-stone ring.
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Vintage Platinum Three-Row Band with Round & Baguette Diamonds - Size 4.5
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Stone Information - --------------------------------------------- Primary Stone(s): Diamond - Stone Grading: - Color: White - Cut: Brilliant - Clarity: VVS2 - Color Grade: F - Ston...
Diamond, Platinum
$4,320Sale Price|20% Off
1.68 Carat Baguette and Round Diamond Three-Cluster Halo Ring in 18 Karat White
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Designed as an opulent take on the classic three-stone silhouette, the ring features three prominent cushion-shaped stations.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Platinum Aquamarine Diamond Ring. 0.70ct Aquamarine Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Aquamarine Center Aquamarine Weight: 0.70 Carats Center Aquamarine Cut: Emerald Cut Secondary Stones: Diamonds Secondary Diamond Weight: 0.70 Carats T...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
$1,296Sale Price|20% Off
1.93 Carat Three Row Diamond Half Eternity Wedding Band 14K White Gold Size 13
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three Row Diamond Half Eternity Wedding Band in 14 Karat White Gold with 1.93 Carat Total Weight Natural Diamonds. This substantial 14K white gold wedding band features three rows of...
Diamond, White Gold
Old European Cut Ring. GIA 1.40ct Diamond Accent Engagement Ring Platinum I SI1
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 1.40 Carats Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Center Diamond Color: I Color Center Diamond Clarity: SI1 Clarity Certi...
Diamond, Platinum
0.80 Carat Aquamarine Engagement Ring. Old Euro Diamond Ring Platinum Engraved
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Aquamarine Center Aquamarine Weight: 0.80 Carats Center Aquamarine Cut: Round Cut Secondary Stones: Diamonds Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Stone Setti...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
3ct Engagement Ring. GIA Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Platinum Halo Ring IVS2
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 3.00 Carats Center Diamond Cut: Emerald Cut Center Diamond Color: I Color Center Diamond Clarity: VS2 Clarity Certificat...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1ct Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring. Baguette Cut Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in New York, NY
"Other Details: Primary Stone: Natural Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 1.00 Carats Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Secondary Stones: Diamonds Additional Diamond Weight: Approxi...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Engagement Ring. 2.80ct Old European Cut Diamond Accent Ring Platinum
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: Approximately 2.80 carats Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Center Diamond Color: L Color Center Diamond Clarity: VS1...
Diamond, Platinum
9 Carat Kunzite Ring. Emerald Cut Natural Kunzite 0.70TWC Diamond Ring Platinum
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Kunzite Center Kunzite Weight: 9.00 Carats Center Kunzite Cut: Emerald Cut Center Kunzite Color: Vivid Pink Center Kunzite Type: Natural Secondary Sto...
Diamond, Kunzite, Platinum
Van Cleef Arpels Diamond Wedding Ring. 3 Round Brilliant Platinum Band Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Secondary Stones: Diamond Secondary Stone Weight: Approximately 0.05 carats total Secondary Stone Cut: Round Brilliant Cut Jewelry Type: Band Style: Wedding Band, Ha...
Diamond, Platinum
2 Carat Diamond and Sapphire Engagement Ring. Old Euro Diamond Ring Platinum
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 2.00 Carats Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Center Diamond Color: J Color Center Diamond Clarity: VS2 Clarity Seco...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Aquamarine and Sapphire Engagement Ring. 1.70ct Round Cut Aquamarine Ring Accent
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Aquamarine Center Aquamarine Weight: 1.70 Carats Center Aquamarine Cut: Round Cut Secondary Stones: Sapphires, Diamonds Sapphire Weight: 0.60 Carats T...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Antique Diamond Platinum Ring. Old Euro Cut Diamond Ring. Engraving Filigree
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: Approximately 0.40 carats total Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Center Diamond Color: H Color Overall Center Diamon...
Diamond, Platinum
Aquamarine and Sapphire Halo Ring. 7.6ct Aquamarine Diamond Accent Platinum Ring
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Aquamarine Center Aquamarine Weight: 7.60 carats Center Aquamarine Cut: Emerald Cut Secondary Stones: Sapphires and diamonds Sapphire Weight: Approxim...
Diamond, Sapphire, Aquamarine, Platinum
Aquamarine Diamond Engagement Ring. 0.8ct Round Aquamarine Diamond Ring Platinum
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Aquamarine Center Aquamarine Weight: 0.80 carats Center Aquamarine Cut: Round Cut Center Aquamarine Setting: Prong Set Secondary Stones: Diamond Secon...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
2.50 Carat Cushion Cut Peridot Ring. Baguette Aquamarine 18K Yellow Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Peridot Center Peridot Weight: 2.50 carats Center Peridot Cut: Cushion Cut Center Peridot Setting: Prong Set Secondary Stones: Aquamarine Aquamarine W...
Aquamarine, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.55 Carat Old European Cut Platinum Ring. Diamond Accents Engagement Ring K VS1
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: Approx 1.55 Carats Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Center Diamond Color: K Color Center Diamond Clarity: VS1 Secon...
Diamond, Platinum
Cushion Cut Aquamarine Ring. 1.95ct Aquamarine Engagement Ring 18k Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Aquamarine Center Aquamarine Weight: 1.95 Carats Center Aquamarine Cut: Cushion Cut Secondary Stones: Aquamarine Secondary Weight: 0.15 carats Aquamar...
Aquamarine, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
3.80ct Old European Cut Diamond Ring. Accent Halo Engagement Ring Platinum K VS2
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 3.80 Carats Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Center Diamond Color: K-L Color Center Diamond Clarity: SI1-SI2 Clarity...
Diamond, Platinum
Pink Kunzite Ring. 2.80ct Emerald Cut Natural Kunzite Diamond Ring Platinum
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Kunzite Center Kunzite Weight: Approximately 2.80 Carats Center Kunzite Cut: Emerald Cut Secondary Stones: Diamonds Secondary Stone Weight: 0.40 Carat...
Kunzite, Diamond, Platinum
Antique 4 Carat Engagement Ring. GIA Old European Cut Diamond Platinum Ring KSI1
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 4.30 carats Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Center Diamond Color: K Color Center Diamond Clarity: SI1 Certification...
Diamond, Platinum
Platinum and Amethyst Diamond Ring. 5.80ct Cushion Cut Amethyst Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Amethyst Center Amethyst Weight: 5.80ct Center Amethyst Cut: Cushion Cut Secondary Stones: Amethysts and diamonds Secondary Stone Weight: Amethysts Ap...
Amethyst, Diamond, Platinum
Round Cut Aquamarine Engagement Ring. Aquamarine Diamond Ring 18k White Gold
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Aquamarine Center Aquamarine Weight: 1.10 Carats Center Aquamarine Cut: Round Cut Secondary Stones: Diamonds Diamond Cut: Round Brilliant Cut Diamond ...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
Mid Century 2 Carat Engagement Ring. Old European Cut Diamond Ring Platinum KVS1
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 2.00 Carats Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Center Diamond Color: K Center Diamond Clarity: VS1 Secondary Stones: ...
Diamond, Platinum
Natural Burma Ruby Ring. AGL 12.90ct Cushion Cut Rare Ruby Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Ruby Center Ruby Weight: 12.90 Carats Center Ruby Cut: Cushion Cut Certification: AGL Certified Gemstone Origin: Burma Treatment: Heated Secondary Sto...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Aquamarine Diamond Ring. 3ct Santa Maria Aquamarine Geometric Ring Platinum
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Aquamarine Center Aquamarine Weight: 3.00 carats Center Aquamarine Color: Strong saturation comparable with Santa Maria color Secondary Stones: Sapphi...
Sapphire, Diamond, Aquamarine, Platinum
Platinum Round Brilliant Wedding Ring. 1.50TWC Diamond Eternity Band Ring H VS1
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 1.50 Carats Total Center Diamond Cut: Brilliant Cut Center Diamond Color: H Color Center Diamond Clarity: VS1 Clarity J...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA 2ct Old European Cut Diamond Ring. Diamond Engagement Ring Platinum H VVS2
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 2.00ct Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Center Diamond Color: H Center Diamond Clarity: VVS2 Certification: GIA Cert...
Diamond, Platinum
2 Carat Fancy Chameleon Diamond Ring. GIA Cushion Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Chameleon Diamond Center Chameleon Diamond Weight: 2.00 carats Center Chameleon Diamond Cut: Antique Cushion Cut Center Chameleon Diamond Color: Fancy ...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Antique GIA 2.30 Carat Old European Cut Ring. Diamond Accent Ring Platinum JSI2
Located in New York, NY
Making this an exceptional antique engagement ring for a collector or admirer of early Art Deco jewelry.
Diamond, Platinum
GIA 1.40 Carat Diamond Ring. Old European Diamond Engagement Ring Platinum I SI1
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 1.40 carats Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Center Diamond Color: I Center Diamond Clarity: SI1 Center Diamond Sett...
Diamond, Platinum
Genuine H/Si White Diamond Ring Solid 14k Rose Gold Jewelry Designer Gift Ring
Located in Jaipur, IN
This item is a three-stone pear diamond cluster ring set in a rose gold band. It is an elegant variation of the classic trilogy ring, utilizing tightly packed multi-stone arrangement...
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
GIA 1.30 Carat Old European Cut Ring. Diamond with Accent Ring Platinum K SI1
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 1.30 carats Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Center Diamond Color: K Center Diamond Clarity: SI1 Certification: GIA ...
Diamond, Platinum
Retro 19 Carat Emerald Cut Amethyst Ring. Diamond Accent 18K Rose Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Amethyst Center Amethyst Weight: Approximately 19.00 carats Center Amethyst Cut: Emerald Cut Center Amethyst Setting: Prong Set Secondary Stones: Diamo...
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 2.15 Carats Old European Cut Diamond & Emerald Five-Stone Wedding Band
Located in New York, NY
A vintage wedding band, featuring three old European cut diamonds weighing 2.15 carats total, elegantly alternating with square cut emeralds weighing 0.97 carat total. Accented by a ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage Diamond Engagement Ring. 2.10ct Old European Diamond Ring Platinum K VS1
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 2.10 carats Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Center Diamond Color: K Center Diamond Clarity: VS1 Center Diamond Sett...
Diamond, Platinum
2.50 Carat Engagement Ring. GIA Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Ring Platinum I VS2
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 2.50 carats Center Diamond Cut: Round Brilliant Cut Center Diamond Color: I Center Diamond Clarity: VS2 Center Diamond S...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA 3 Carat Diamond Ring. Emerald Cut Diamond Platinum Halo Engagement Ring IVS2
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 3.00 carats Center Diamond Cut: Emerald Cut Center Diamond Color: I Center Diamond Clarity: VS2 Center Diamond Setting: ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Pear & Marquise Diamond Scatter Bypass Wrap Ring 1.62 Ct 18K Gold Open Ring
By Jewel Palate
Located in Deira, AE
Pear and marquise-cut diamonds disperse across a wide, multi-row bypass face in a deliberately unstructured scatter — no two stones share the same axis, ensuring that light enters an...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 0.90 Carat Round Pink Sapphire Ring. Diamond Accent 14k White Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
"Other Details: Primary Stone: Pink Sapphire Pink Sapphire Weight: Approx 0.90 Carats Pink Sapphire Cut: Round Cut Secondary Stones: Diamonds Total Diamond Weight: Approx 0.15 Cara...
Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Antique Ring natural Diamond Ruby 14K Yellow Gold Ring 8.75US / 3.8gr
Located in SE
Old Classic German cluster Ring decorated with three natural old European Diamond cut Diamonds and two natural Rubies. Band with engraved shoulders , clusters in Platinum. Ca. 1920s...
Ruby, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 3 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring. GIA Round Brilliant Diamond Ring I SI2
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 3.00 carats Center Diamond Cut: Round Brilliant Cut Center Diamond Color: I Center Diamond Clarity: SI2 Center Diamond S...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
14K Yellow Gold Round Chrome Diopside & Diamond Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
About : This elegant 14K yellow gold solitaire ring features a vivid, round-cut forest green gemstone—likely chrome diopside, tourmaline, or emerald—held securely in a classic four-p...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.10 Carat Aquamarine Engagement Ring. Round Aquamarine Diamond Ring 18k Gold
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Aquamarine Center Aquamarine Weight: 1.10 carats Center Aquamarine Cut: Round Cut Center Aquamarine Setting: Prong Set Secondary Stones: Diamond Secon...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
5 carat Diamond and Sapphire Ring. Cushion Cut Diamond Halo Platinum Ring M VS1
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 5.20 carats Center Diamond Cut: Antique Cushion Cut Center Diamond Color: M Center Diamond Clarity: VS1 Secondary Stone...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
3 Carat Diamond Ring. Old European Cut Diamond Halo Engagement Ring K VS2
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 3.80 carats Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Center Diamond Color: K–L Center Diamond Clarity: SI1–SI2 Certification...
Diamond, Platinum
1950s Vintage Diamond and Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive Art Deco style 0.88 carat diamond and 14k yellow gold, 14k white gold set cocktail ring; part of our diverse diamond jewelry collections.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
12.50 Carat Burma Ruby Ring. Rare Natural Cushion Cut Ruby Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Ruby Center Ruby Weight: 12.50 carats Center Ruby Cut: Cushion Cut Center Ruby Type: Natural, Heated Center Ruby Origin: Burma Certification: AGL Certi...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Peridot Ring. 3.40ct Oval Cut Peridot Cluster Diamond Ring 18K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Peridot Center Peridot Weight: 3.40ct Total Center Peridot Cut: Oval Cut Secondary Stones: Peridot and diamonds Diamond Weight: ~0.05ct Total Diamond ...
Diamond, Peridot, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
GIA 2.10 Carat Old European Ring. Diamond Double Halo Engagement Ring I SI1 Plat
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: 2.10ct Center Diamond Cut: Old European Cut Center Diamond Color: I Center Diamond Clarity: SI1 Certification: GIA Certi...
Diamond, Platinum
Emerald and Diamond Engagement Ring. 2.20ct Emerald Diamond Halo Ring Platinum
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Emerald Center Emerald Weight: 2.20ct Center Emerald Cut: Emerald Cut Secondary Stones: Diamonds Secondary Stone Weight: ~0.40ct Total Diamond Cut: Ol...
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage Asscher Cut Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring GIA 5.51ct G VS1
Located in Fairfield, CT
Inspired by the timeless elegance of Art Deco design, the ring offers a refined and enduring aesthetic.
Diamond, Platinum
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.
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.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Ready to rock? Some of our favorite jewelry designers and dealers share indispensable advice for choosing that most important ring.
Will your beloved be enchanted by an Edwardian ring or a trendy Art Deco piece? We clue you into period styles and tips for finding the perfect ring.