Yellow Gold Diamond Bypass Ring - 14k Round Brilliant .30ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 1/2 Sizing Fee: Up 2 1/2 sizes for $35 or Down 1 size for $35 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .30ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Cultured Pearl & Diamond Bypass Ring - 14k .15ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 10 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $35 or Down 2 sizes for $35 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Cultured Pearl Size: 7.1mm Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .15ctw Cut:...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k White Gold Diamond Bypass Ring, Clover Motif, 3.22ct
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A sparkly 18k white gold diamond dress ring. The bypass style ring features a clover motif at each end and is encrusted with 248 round brilliant cut diamonds with an approximate tota...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Yellow Gold Sapphire Diamond Bypass Ring - 14k Round .23ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 1/4 Sizing Fee: Up 1 size for $35 or Down 1 size for $35 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Sapphire Treatment: Heating Carat(s): .1...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Ruby & Diamond Bypass Ring - 14k Oval .14ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $35 or Down 2 sizes for $35 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Ruby Treatment: Heating Carat(s): .13ct Cut: Oval Color: Pi...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat White Gold Invisible Set Diamond Bypass Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Material: 18K white gold Diamond: 55 princess cut = 2.55cttw Color: H Clarity: SI1 – I1 Ring Size: 9.25 (please allow up to 2 additional business days for sizing requests) Weight: 19...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Diamond 4 Cluster Bypass Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Material: 14 karat white gold Diamond: 50 round brilliant= 1.00cttw Color: H-I Clarity: I1 Ring Size: 4.5 (please allow up to 2 additional business days for sizing requests) Weight: ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Yellow Gold Opal Diamond Bypass Ring - 14k Inlay Geometric
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Opal Cut: Inlay Natural Diamond Carat(s): .03ct Cut: Single Color: H Clarity: VS1 Style: Solitaire with Accent B...
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Amethyst Diamond Bypass Ring - 14k Oval 2.40ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 1/2 Sizing Fee: Up 1/2 a size for $30 or Down 1/2 a size for $30 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Amethyst Carat(s): 2.10ct Cut: Oval Color: Purple...
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Platinum Black Opal & Diamond Bypass Ring - Oval Cabochon 1.52ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 5 Sizing Fee: Up 1 size for $80 or Down 1/2 a size for $40 Metal Content: Platinum Stone Information Natural Black Opal Carat(s): .86ct Cut: Oval Cabochon Stone Note: (Austr...
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Yellow Gold Amethyst Diamond Bypass Ring - 18k Oval 8.00ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 1/2 Sizing Fee: Up 1/2 a size for $50 or Down 1/2 a size for $40 Metal Content: 18k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Amethyst Carat(s): 7.66ct Cut: Oval Color: Purple...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
White Gold Sapphire & Diamond Bypass Ring - 18k Oval 1.27ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 7 1/4 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $40 or Down 2 sizes for $30 Metal Content: 18k White Gold Stone Information Natural Sapphire Treatment: Heating Carat(s): 1.15ct Cut: Oval C...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
White Gold Tanzanite & Diamond Bypass Ring - 18k Oval .90ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 3/4 Sizing Fee: Down 1 size for $35 or up 2 sizes for $40 Metal Content: 18k White Gold Stone Information Natural Tanzanite Treatment: Routinely Enhanced Carat(s): .80ct...
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold
Yellow Gold Ruby & Diamond Bypass Ring - 10k Marquise .51ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 5 3/4 Sizing Fee: Down 2 sizes for $30 or up 2 sizes for $35 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Genuine Ruby Treatment: Heating Carat(s): .35...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
14K White Gold 2.00 Carat Diamond Bypass Ring Band
Located in New York, NY
This asymmetrically designed cocktail ring will be the most unique piece you have in your jewelry collection. Crafted in the finest 14k white gold, this ring has an overlapping band ...
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
$1,948Sale Price / item|20% Off
Substantial 18K White Gold Emerald Bypass Ring with Diamonds
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Emerald open ring in 18K gold with diamonds which perfectly goes with your personality and also helps you to improve your creativity. Designed with oval cut emerald and diamonds stud...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
White Gold Amethyst & Diamond Bypass Ring - 14k Round 1.27ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 1/2 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $35 Metal Content: 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Amethyst Carat(s): 1.12ct Cut: Round Color: Purple Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .1...
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
0.45 Carat Mixed Shape Diamond Open Bypass Ring in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Deira, AE
Expressive and unexpectedly balanced, this open bypass ring pairs contrasting diamond clusters within a graceful asymmetrical composition.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
$7,032 / item
14K White Gold 2.0 Carat Diamond Bypass Ring Band
Located in New York, NY
This asymmetrically designed cocktail ring will be the most unique piece you have in your jewelry collection. Crafted in the finest 14k white gold, this ring has an overlapping band ...
White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
$1,172Sale Price / item|20% Off
Modern Toi et Moi Natural Multi Sapphire Open Bypass Ring in 14K White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This Toi et Moi open bypass ring showcases 0.8 carats of two vibrant natural sapphires set in 14k white gold.
Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
$1,495 / item
Pear Shaped Blue Topaz Bypass Ring 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Sugar Land, TX
♥ Product Summary ♥ Main Stone: Blue Topaz Stone Cut: Pear Material: 14k Yellow Gold Dimensions: 16MM x 9MM Weight: 6 grams Gemstones are Natural. Not enhanced, simulated or lab cr...
Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
RUCHI Blue Sapphire & Brilliant Diamond White Gold Bypass Ring
By Ruchi New York
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold Sapphire- 2.88ct Total Weight Diamond- 0.22ct Total Weight All Diamonds are G - H/ SI stones.
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
RUCHI Brilliant Diamond Heart Two-Tone Gold Bypass Ring
By Ruchi New York
Located in New York, NY
18K Rose and White Gold Diamonds: 0.93 carats
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
RUCHI Mixed-Shape Diamond Illusion White Gold Bypass Ring
By Ruchi New York
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold Diamond: 1.52ct total weight. All diamonds are G-H/SI stones. Size 7 U.S.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
10 Karat White Gold Diamond Bypass Ring with Stations
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 10K white gold Diamond: 43 round cut = 0.65cttw Color: H/I Clarity: I2 Size: 6 sizing available Weight: 4.36 grams
Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold
$1,332Sale Price / item|20% Off
Emerald Cut Red Ruby Diamond Bypass Ring 1.25ct in 14K Yellow Gold Prong Set
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This bypass ring features a 1.25 carat emerald-cut ruby, set in 14K yellow gold.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond .20ctw Bypass Ring, 18k White Gold, Ring Size 5.5
Located in McLeansville, NC
Stones: diamond, 1 round brilliant cut 4 mm approximately .20 total carats FG color/ VS2 clarity Ring Size 5.5 Rise Off Of Finger: 3.1 mm Length: 6.6 mm Weight: 1.8 dwts. / 2.8 g...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
$399Sale Price|20% Off
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
Marquise-Cut Natural Diamond Double Chevron Bypass Ring 0.79 Ct 18K Open Gold
Located in Deira, AE
Design Architecture The ring is built as a double-arm bypass with each arm carrying a graduated diagonal row of marquise-cut diamonds.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
$2,100Sale Price / item|20% Off
Spectrum 14k White Gold Marquise and Pear-Cut Diamond Spiral Bypass Ring
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Deira, Dubai
Embrace the art of fluid design with the Spectrum Multi-Row Diamond Spiral Ring. This statement piece features a dynamic, multi-row spiral bypass silhouette, meticulously set with a ...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
$399Sale Price|33% Off
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
$399Sale Price|33% Off
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
$399Sale Price|33% Off
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
Natural Red Garnet Bypass Ring 0.75 Carats Sterling Silver
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
It comes with the Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP 3 Red Garnets = 0.75 Carats Metal: Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 13 US Resizing is available upon request
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
$720Sale Price / item|20% Off
Pear Cut Natural Emerald and Diamond Bypass Ring in 14K Yellow Gold Fine Jewelry
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This elegant bypass ring showcases two natural pear-cut emeralds totaling approximately 0.87 carats, beautifully set in 14K yellow gold.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
.925 Sterling Silver 1.0 Cttw Channel Set Diamond Bypass Ring
Located in New York, NY
This ring is glamorous and has a beautiful bypass design that is everlasting.
White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Rhodium
Platinum Bypass Ring with 3.40ct Tapered Baguette Diamonds, Size 7
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Crafted in platinum, this striking bypass-style ring features approximately 200 tapered baguette diamonds totaling 3.40 carats.
Diamond, Platinum
0.20 Ct Pear Cut Diamond Promise Ring 18K White Gold Bypass Ring Gift for Her
By Jewel Palate
Located in Deira, AE
A single pear-cut diamond appears suspended within the flowing curve of this sculptural bypass ring. Light moves freely across the open silhouette, emphasizing the diamond’s distinct...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
4.46 cts. Diamond Spiral Bypass Ring with Jagged Arrow Design
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Presenting a high fashion bypass spiral diamond ring with 4.46 carats of rounds and emerald cuts.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 14k Yellow Gold 2.01ct Blue Star Sapphire Bypass Ring
Located in New York, NY
This vintage ring is crafted in 14k yellow gold and features a star sapphire set in a graceful bypass design.
Sapphire, 14k Gold
$447Sale Price|20% Off
14K Pink Gold Round Cut Diamond Twisted Rope Bypass Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
This delicate 14K pink gold ring features a charming twisted rope-texture band that gives it a vintage-inspired yet modern feel.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-Century 18K Yellow Gold Coral and Diamond Bypass Ring
Located in Denver, CO
A striking mid-century ring, circa 1950s, features two natural pear-shaped cabochon salmon-skin coral gemstones in an east-west orientation.
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$483Sale Price|20% Off
14K Pink Gold Round Cut Diamond Double Heart Bypass Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
This charming ring features a romantic double heart bypass design, crafted in polished 14K pink gold.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
$483Sale Price|20% Off
14K White Gold Round Cut Diamond Double Heart Bypass Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
This charming ring features a romantic double heart bypass design, crafted in polished 14K white gold.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
$575Sale Price|20% Off
14K Yellow Gold Round Cut Diamond Multi-Star Bypass Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
This whimsical 14K yellow gold ring features a celestial-inspired bypass design adorned with four radiant stars of varying sizes.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$410Sale Price|20% Off
14K White Gold Round Cut Solitaire Diamond Wave Bypass Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
Complete with a subtle internal "585" gold purity stamp, this understated, minimalist ring is a beautiful option for a modern promise ring, contemporary engagement look, or a daily f...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
$410Sale Price|20% Off
14K Two-Tone Gold Round Cut Diamond Wave Bypass Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
Complete with a subtle internal "585" gold purity stamp, this understated, minimalist ring is a beautiful option for a modern promise ring, contemporary engagement look, or a daily f...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Marquise Opal and Diamond Bypass Ring
Located in Sewickley, PA
The ring features a marquise-shaped opal as its centerpiece.
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold Bypass Ring with Heart-Cut Diamond, 0.67ct
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your style with this exquisite 18k yellow gold ring. Featuring a captivating bypass design, it showcases a stunning heart-cut diamond center stone (0.20cts) surrounded by a s...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow & White Gold Diamond Arrow Two-Tone Bypass Ring
Located in Seattle, WA
Popularized during the Victorian Era and this bypass style is a wonderful addition to any collector's ring box.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow 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.”
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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.