Vintage Retro Ring natural 30ct Rock Crystal / Quartz 18K Gold Ø7.75 US /14.5gr
Located in SE
Beautiful ca.1930s - 1950s Swedish Ring featuring huge natural Rock Crystal or colorless Quartz stone. The band and crown in solid 18ct Yellow Gold + bezel set natural Rock Crystal ...
Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
Antique Ring 25ct natural Blue Sapphire solid 18K Gold Ø 4.75 US /9.6gr
Located in SE
Luxurious Antique Ring in Renaissance style, band and crown tested solid 18K Gold,not hallmarked, European, ca. XVIII - early XIX centuries. Huge cabochon of natural Light - Blue Sa...
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique Ring natural Green Jade solid 10K Yellow Gold Ø US 5 / 4 gr
Located in SE
A Ring in solid 10K Yellow Gold with divided shoulders, decorated with bezel set natural untreated oval cut Jade of Green color measuring 10.5 mm x 8.5 mm x 4.35 mm / ca 3.5 ct Not...
Jade, 10k Gold
1930's German Ring solid 14K Gold 15 ct Citrine Ø6.5 US / 10.7gr
Located in SE
German Art-Deco cocktail ring from ca 1930s. Solid rosy 14K Rose Gold ornamental frame with bezel set Citrine/variety of Quartz stone measuring 15 mm x 14 mm x 9 mm /about 15 ct. Th...
Citrine, 14k Gold
1941 Art Deco Nordic Ring 15ct Jade solid 18K Gold ØUS 3.5 / 10 gr
Located in SE
Nice Art Deco Ring with bezel set plate of vibrant deep Green high grade untreated Jade Stone, faceted baguette cut 18 mm x 9 mm / ca. 15 ct . Swedish hallmarks of jewelry workshop ...
Jade, 18k Gold
GIA 2.70ct Cushion Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
This stunning cushion diamond ring features a breathtaking I VS1 center stone weighing 2.70 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Crafted with precision, the ring is set in lu...
Diamond, Platinum
$18,100Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 2.29ct Princess Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning princess diamond ring features a breathtaking H SI2 center stone weighing 2.29 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fir...
Diamond, Platinum
$9,872Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 1.5ct Cushion Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning cushion diamond ring features a breathtaking I SI2 center stone weighing 1.5 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire....
Diamond, Platinum
$7,571Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 1.2ct Oval Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning oval diamond ring features a breathtaking I SI1 center stone weighing 1.2 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Cr...
Diamond, Platinum
$7,859Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 1.01ct Emerald Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning emerald diamond ring features a breathtaking G VS1 center stone weighing 1.01 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire...
Diamond, Platinum
$16,533Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 1.5ct Emerald Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning emerald diamond ring features a breathtaking G VS1 center stone weighing 1.5 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire....
Diamond, Platinum
$13,909Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 1.81ct Oval Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning oval diamond ring features a breathtaking J SI1 center stone weighing 1.81 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. C...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA 2.00ct Emerald Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning emerald diamond ring features a breathtaking H VS1 center stone weighing 2.00 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire...
Diamond, Platinum
$5,296Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 1.01ct Cushion Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning cushion diamond ring features a breathtaking H SI1 center stone weighing 1.01 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA 2.02ct Radiant Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
This stunning radiant diamond ring features a breathtaking J SI1 center stone weighing 2.02 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Crafted with precision, the ring is set in lu...
Diamond, Platinum
$13,594Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 1.5ct Round Modern Half Bezel Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** Elevate your jewelry collection with this stunning diamond ring, featuring a captivating round diamond at its center. Weighing an excep...
Diamond, White Gold
GIA 2.00ct Radiant Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning, radiant diamond ring features a breathtaking I SI1 center stone weighing 2.00 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fir...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA 1.00ct Oval Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
This stunning oval diamond ring features a breathtaking J SI2 center stone weighing 1.00ct, radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Crafted with precision, the ring is set in luxu...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 1.2ct Round Modern Half Bezel Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** Elevate your jewelry collection with this stunning diamond ring, featuring a captivating round diamond at its center. Weighing an excep...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Solitaire Bezel-Set Diamond Men’s Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
Solitaire Bezel-Set Diamond Men’s Band Ring Description: This refined men’s ring is crafted in 18 karat white gold and features a single round diamond bezel-set flush into a gently ...
Old European Cut Diamond Solitaire Bezel Set Ring
Located in New York, NY
Old European Cut Diamond Solitaire Bezel Set Ring Description: This ring features a round old European cut diamond in the center.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$30,028Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 2.02ct Round Modern Half Bezel Solitaire Platinum Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** Elevate your jewelry collection with this stunning diamond ring, featuring a captivating round diamond at its center. Weighing an excep...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA 0.73ct Round Solitaire Bezel Engraved Dome 18K White Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in New York, a stunning diamond ring radiates elegance and sophistication, featuring a masterfully crafted design that showcases a remarkable round diamond weighing 0.73....
Diamond, White Gold
GIA 1.30ct Cushion Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning cushion diamond ring features a breathtaking I VS1 center stone weighing 1.30 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA 1.06ct Round Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
This stunning round diamond ring features a breathtaking I SI2 center stone weighing 1.06 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Crafted with precision, the ring is set in luxu...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA 2ct Radiant Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire White Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
This stunning radiant diamond ring features a breathtaking I SI1 center stone weighing 2 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Crafted with precision, the ring is set in luxur...
Diamond, White Gold
$5,036Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 0.8ct Emerald Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire White Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning emerald diamond ring features a breathtaking H VS1 center stone weighing 0.8 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire....
Diamond, White Gold
$8,059Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 1.51ct Princess Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning princess diamond ring features a breathtaking I SI1 center stone weighing 1.51 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fir...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
$13,262Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 2.01ct Princess Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire White Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning princess diamond ring features a breathtaking I SI2 center stone weighing 2.01 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fir...
Diamond, White Gold
$6,318Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 1ct Oval Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning oval diamond ring features a breathtaking I SI1 center stone weighing 1 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Craf...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
$10,569Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 1.52ct Cushion Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire White Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning cushion diamond ring features a breathtaking I SI1 center stone weighing 1.52 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire...
Diamond, White Gold
$5,449Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 0.7ct Oval Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire White Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning oval diamond ring features a breathtaking D VS2 center stone weighing 0.7 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Cr...
Diamond, White Gold
$32,742Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 2.5ct Cushion Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning cushion diamond ring features a breathtaking H SI1 center stone weighing 2.5 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire....
Diamond, Yellow Gold
$20,968Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 2.01ct Oval Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire White Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning oval diamond ring features a breathtaking H SI2 center stone weighing 2.01 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. C...
Diamond, White Gold
$18,664Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 2.01ct Cushion Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire White Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning cushion diamond ring features a breathtaking I SI1 center stone weighing 2.01 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire...
Diamond, White Gold
$10,878Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 1.8ct Cushion Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning cushion diamond ring features a breathtaking I SI1 center stone weighing 1.8 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire....
Diamond, Yellow Gold
$6,663Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 1ct Oval Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning oval diamond ring features a breathtaking H SI1 center stone weighing 1 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Craf...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
$7,880Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 1.18ct Emerald Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire White Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning emerald diamond ring features a breathtaking I VS1 center stone weighing 1.18 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire...
Diamond, White Gold
$8,091Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 1.3ct Pear Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning pear diamond ring features a breathtaking J VS2 center stone weighing 1.3 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Cr...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA 1.51ct Round Solitaire Bezel Engraved Dome 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in New York, a stunning diamond ring radiates elegance and sophistication, featuring a masterfully crafted design that showcases a remarkable round diamond weighing 1.51....
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA 1.52ct Radiant Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire White Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** This stunning, radiant diamond ring features a breathtaking J SI1 center stone weighing 1.52, radiating exceptional brilliance and fire...
Diamond, White Gold
GIA 1.21ct Round Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
This stunning round diamond ring features a breathtaking J SI2 center stone weighing 1.21 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Crafted with precision, the ring is set in luxu...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA 1.72ct Pear Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
This stunning pear diamond ring features a breathtaking I SI1 center stone weighing 1.72 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Crafted with precision, the ring is set in luxur...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA 2.20ct Radiant Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire White Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
This stunning radiant diamond ring features a breathtaking J SI2 center stone weighing 2.20 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Crafted with precision, the ring is set in lu...
Diamond, White Gold
GIA 2.51ct Radiant Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
This stunning radiant diamond ring features a breathtaking I SI2 center stone weighing 2.51 , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Crafted with precision, the ring is set in lu...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA 1.70ct Oval Side Stone Bezel Band Solitaire Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
This stunning oval diamond ring features a breathtaking J SI2 center stone weighing 1.70ct , radiating exceptional brilliance and fire. Crafted with precision, the ring is set in lux...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
$78,800Sale Price|20% Off
Tiffany & Co. Platinum Bezel Set 2.31 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
A timeless expression of elegance and sophistication, this Tiffany & Co. diamond engagement ring showcases the renowned craftsmanship and refined aesthetic that have made the hou...
Diamond, Platinum
Large 3.50 Carat Tanzanite and Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18K White Gold
By Solitaire Jewelers
Located in Honolulu, HI
This magnificent natural Tanzanite ring in 18k white gold is a real beauty. Featuring a large cushion shape Tanzanite with checker faceting, measuring approximately 10.17 mm x 7.76 m...
Diamond, Tanzanite, Paraiba, 18k Gold, White Gold
0.10 CTW Baguette Diamond Ring in 14K Gold, SI+ Bezel Set Solitaire
Located in New York, NY
Elegant in its simplicity, this 14K gold baguette diamond ring showcases a single natural baguette-cut diamond in a sleek bezel setting that highlights the stone’s clean lines and so...
Diamond, 14k Gold
GIA 1.52 Carat Round Solitaire & Secret Diamond Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** Elevate your jewelry collection with This exquisite diamond ring that features a captivating GIA-certified round diamond weighing 1.52....
Diamond, Platinum
3.09 Carat Diamond Pear-Cut Bezel Set White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Simplistic and conspicuously valuable. This natural diamond of 3.09 carat is securely bezel set with a straight shank solitaire setting.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Roman Malakov 0.81 Carat Round Cut Diamond Bezel-Set Solitaire Engagement Ring
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
A chic engagement ring, showcasing a 0.81 carat round brilliant cut diamond with approximately F color and SI1 clarity, bezel-set on a thick band made of 18K white gold. Size 6.5 US,...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18k Yellow & White Gold Bezel Set Solitaire Ring with Diamond Band - Size 5.75
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This is an 18k Yellow & White Gold bezel set solitaire ring with a row of diamond accents going down either side of the band.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$6,513Sale Price|20% Off
GIA 1.01ct Round Decorated Bamboo Band Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** Sophistication meets artistry in this stunning diamond ring, featuring a breathtaking round diamond center stone weighing 1.01. Graded ...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA 1.2ct Round Solitaire Swirl Scalloped Band Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in New York, this exquisite diamond ring features a breathtaking round diamond at its center, weighing 1.2 and exhibiting a pristine H with SI2. The exquisite craftsmansh...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA 1.3ct Round Solitaire Double Channel Chevron Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in New York, a stunning statement of luxury, this diamond ring features a captivating center stone of round brilliance weighing 1.3 , accompanied by side stones that coll...
Diamond, Platinum
0.50 carat oval Diamond tapered half bezel Solitaire ring
Located in New York, NY
Make a statement with this chunky half-bezel band set with an east-west, oval-shaped diamond Product Details: Center oval diamond (6X4mm ) 0.50ct total weight GHSI quality (natur...
Diamond, 14k 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.