GIA Certified 1.40 Carat Round Cut Diamond Crossover Engagement Ring 14 Karat*
Located in New York, NY
GIA Certified Diamond engagement ring. Crossover Cluster Mod Classic GIA Certificate: 1192675701 .50ct.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pear Emerald and Pear Diamond Crossover Ring in 18k White Gold
Located in La Jolla, CA
Pear Emerald and Pear Diamond Crossover Ring in 18k White Gold Emerald and Diamond Ring features a Pear-shaped Natural Emerald weighing 1.00 carats and a Pear-shaped Natural Diamond...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Baguette and Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds Vintage Gold Crossover Band Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Vintage White and Yellow Baguette and Round Brilliant cut Diamond Platinum Half Eternity Gold Crossover Band Ring.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
14k Rose Gold 1ctw White & Fancy Champagne Diamond Double Crossover Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (54) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brilliant Cut - Pave Set - G/H Color - SI1-I1 Clarity (53) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brilliant Cut - Pave Set - Fancy Champ...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Platinum 1.44ctw Oval Vivid Green Tsavorite Diamond Crossover Design Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Tsavorite - Oval Cut - Prong Set - Vivid Bright Green Color - 6.8x4.7mm - 0.96ct (exact ) (8) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brilliant Cut - Prong...
Diamond, Tsavorite, Platinum
Estate 18K Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Crossover Band Ring - VHK#326A
Located in Hicksville, NY
Estate 18K Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Crossover Band Ring - VHK#326A Item Details: Year: 1990s Ring Size: 6.5 (Sizable) Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona Twiggy White Diamond 18 Karat Rose Gold Crossover Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat rose gold Twiggy diamond ring, featuring 0.24 carats of white diamonds with black rhodium setting. Size US 6 , can be siz...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Alex Jona Twiggy White Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Crossover Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold Twiggy diamond ring, featuring 0.24 carats of white diamonds with black rhodium setting. Alex Jona jewels st...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$400Sale Price / item|50% Off
Silvorra Handcrafted Channel Set Emerald & Diamond Crossover Ring in 925 Silver
Located in New York, NY
This contemporary 925 sterling silver ring showcases a sleek crossover design, beautifully accented with vivid natural emeralds and sparkling diamonds.
Diamond, Emerald, Silver, Sterling Silver
18 Karat Gold and Diamond X Crossover Ring by Campanelli & Pear
By Campanelli & Pear
Located in Troy, MI
This stylish "X" crossover ring is a stunning addition to your hand!
Diamond, 18k Gold
Diamond Ring. 18k Yellow Gold 1CTW Diamond Ring. Double C X Crossover Channel
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Vintage Size: 6 US Materials: Gold, Platinum Gemstone: Diamond Gem Color: Colorless Band Color: Gold Double C / X Diamond Channel set ring. Condition: Shows minimal signs of wear...
Yellow Gold
Piero Milano White & Black Diamond Crossover Ring 18k Rose Gold 1.04cttw
By PIERO MILANO
Located in New York, NY
18k Rose Gold white and black diamond crossover ring by Piero Milano. This beautiful piece is set with 0.53cts of white diamond and 0.51cttw of black diamond.
Black Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Leo Pizzo 18ct Gold Diamond Heart Shape Crossover Ring Set with 0.63ct Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Make your gift of love one of a kind, with this beautiful heart shaped cross over ring set with 0.63ct diamonds. The heart shaped design is made from 18ct white gold and holds a 0.63...
Diamond, Black Diamond, White Gold
$3,600Sale Price / item|20% Off
2.00 Carat Baguette & Round Cut Diamond Crossover Ring 18K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Introducing our mesmerizing 2.00 Carat Baguette & Round Cut Diamond Crossover Ring in 18K Yellow Gold. Crafted with impeccable artistry, this exquisite piece showcases 18K Yellow Gol...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pearl and Diamond 18 Carat white Gold Crossover Cocktail Ring
Located in London, GB
This impressive cocktail ring features two 13.2mm cultured pearls in the centre of a cross-over mount, pavè set with round brilliant cut diamonds with a total weight of 1.70 carats. ...
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
David Yurman Sterling Silver Diamond Crossover Ring Size 7 w/Pouch #24655
By David Yurman
Located in Washington Depot, CT
David Yurman Sterling Silver and Diamond Crossover Ring Size 7 w/Pouch- This elegant David Yurman sterling silver ring features the designer's iconic cable motif intertwined with a ...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
14k Yellow Gold Natural Baguette & Round Diamond Open Crossover Ring In Stock
Located in Boca Raton, FL
14k Yellow Gold Natural Baguette & Round Diamond Open Crossover Ring Ring Material: 14k Yellow Gold Diamond Details: There are approximately 0.18 Carats of natural, Baguette Diamond...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
14K Yellow Gold Natural 0.25 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond Crossover Wide Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
14K Yellow Gold Natural 0.25 Carat Round Brilliant 4 Row Crossover Wide Ring Ring Material: 14k Yellow Gold Diamond Details: There are approximately 0.25 carats of natural round ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
White Gold Diamond Crossover Band - 14k Round Brilliant .20ctw Nautical Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 5 1/4 Sizing Fee: Up 1 1/2 sizes for $40 or Down 1/2 a size for $30 Metal Content: 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .20ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Co...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Art Nouveau 18k Gold Ruby & Diamond 5-Stone Crossover Ring, Circa, 1890
Located in Altrincham, GB
A charming bezel set Art Nouveau 5-stone ring, set with old cut diamonds and juicy red rubies.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Fine 18K White Gold & Natural Pear Cut Diamond Crossover Ring Statement Jewelry
Located in Diera, AE
Make a bold statement with this exquisite diamond wrap ring, masterfully crafted in luxurious 18K white gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Yellow Gold Diamond Crossover Band - 14k Single and Baguette .15ctw Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 1/4 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $40 or Down 1/2 a size for $40 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .15ctw Cut: Sing...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Cultured Pearl and Diamond Crossover Ring, 18k Gold, Italy, 1960s
Located in Firenze, IT
Period: 1960's. Size: 7. Pearl's measurement: 10 mm. Weight: 15.48 gr. Obliquely-set with two 10.0mm cultured pearls, one of grey tint, between bombé shoulders pavé-set with brillia...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold 0.62 Cttw Diamond Crossover X Fashion Ring
By Campanelli & Pear
Located in Troy, MI
This perfect right hand crossover ring is made of 18 karat white gold in the iconic "X" style accented with 0.62 Cttw fine diamonds diamonds in a size 6.5. but can be sized.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Victorian Diamond and Pearl Crossover Ring with Set Shoulders, circa 1890s
Located in London, GB
This tasteful diamond and pearl crossover ring was handmade in platinum and 18 carat yellow gold during the 1890s.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Yellow Gold Diamond X Men's Ring - 10k Round Brilliant .25ctw Crossover
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 10 1/4 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $30 or Down 1 size for $30 Metal Content: 10k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .25ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: K ...
Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 18k Gold Diamond Toi et Moi Crossover Engagement Ring, Circa 1920
Located in Altrincham, GB
This stunning antique "toi et moi" engagement ring dates from the 1920's and features elegantly curved crossover shoulders with two 0.45ct old cut diamonds (0.90ct total) resting at ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
TJD 0.15 Carat Round Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Crossover Band Ring
By TJD
Located in New York, NY
This crossover ring is expertly crafted in 14 Karat Yellow Gold and features a sparkling 54 single cut round diamonds beautifully set in prong setting.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
TJD 0.75 Carat Round & Baguette Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Crossover Fashion Ring
By TJD
Located in New York, NY
We only use 100% natural and conflict free diamonds which sparkles in H-I color I2 clarity. This crossover ring has high polish finish and is a valuable addition to any jewelry colle...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona Twiggy White Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Crossover Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold crossover band ring set with 0.24 carats of white diamonds, F color, VVS1 clarity, on black rhodium setting.
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 18ct Gold & Platinum Edwardian Old Cut Diamond Daisy Crossover Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Diamond Daisy Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Stamped Circa 1910 This stunning antique ring is truly a sight to behold.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
14K Two Tone Gold Natural Fancy Yellow Heart Shape Diamond Crossover Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
14K Two Tone Gold Natural Fancy Yellow Heart Shape Diamond Crossover Ring Ring Material: 14k White & Yellow Gold Diamond Details: The main stone is a natural, fancy yellow, heart ...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1.90ct + 2.09ct Old Cut Diamond Toi Et Moi Crossover Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
This Toi et Moi engagement ring is absolutely divine! A romantic treasure that celebrates the union of two hearts, it features a delicate crossover design, exquisitely crafted in lux...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
Pave Crossover Five Row Ring 18K Yellow Gold with Diamonds, 17.7mm
By David Yurman
Located in New York, NY
Brand David Yurman 18K Yellow Gold Pave-set diamonds 0.62 total carat weight Ring: 17.7mm Ring Size 9 Weight: 21.6gr Condition: New, never worn Retail Price: $5.925 Comes with David...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$7,600Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 1.05 Carat Do Amore Princess Cut Diamond Crossover Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant Do Amore engagement ring features a stunning GIA-certified princess-cut diamond as its centerpiece, beautifully set in refined 14k white gold with a modern crossover des...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
18kt White Gold Blue Sapphire and Diamond Thin Bypass Crossover Ring
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Cute, dainty, and stackable 18-karat solid white gold crossover bypass ring. Set with 10 round-cut natural Blue Sapphires and Diamonds.
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Round and Princess Cut Diamond Crossover Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 14K white gold Diamond: 60 round brilliant cut = 0.60cttw Color: I Clarity: SI2 Diamond: 11 princess cut = 1.10cttw Color: I Clarity: SI2 Ring size: 7 (ple...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
$12,000Sale Price|52% Off
Gabriel & Co. 1.55 Carat Pear-Shaped Diamond Crossover Engagement Ring in 14K
By Gabriel & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite Gabriel & Co. engagement ring showcases a beautifully proportioned pear-shaped natural diamond as its centerpiece, elegantly elevated by the brand’s signature cros...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco Inspired Emerald & Diamond Crossover Cocktail Ring in 18K White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
The center stone is accented by 0.35 carats of pave-set diamonds, adding brilliance and enhancing the ring's graceful crossover design.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Rare Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Crossover Ribbon Bow Yellow Gold Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Bow Ribbon Crossover Ring.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Diamond Crossover Band - 10k Single Cut .15ctw Wave Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 7 1/4 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $35 or Down 1 size for $25 Metal Content: 10k Yellow Gold & 10k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .15ctw Cut: Single C...
Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian Belle Epoque Natural Pearl Diamonds White Gold Platinum Crossover Ring
Located in London, GB
This ring is made in 18kt white gold and platinum. It has a ravishing twisted design. It is set with a natural creamy (with a touch of pink) pearl of 5,79 mm of diameter, and with 2...
Diamond, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
$210Sale Price / item|50% Off
Silvorra Emerald and Diamond Pavé Crossover Bypass Swirl Ring in Sterling Silver
Located in New York, NY
This striking emerald and diamond openwork ring is crafted in 925 sterling silver.
Diamond, Emerald, Silver, Sterling Silver
14K Two-Tone Gold and Diamond Crossover Band Ring Size 7.5 #23023
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14K Two-Tone Gold and Diamond Crossover Band Ring Size 7.5 This sparkling ring is crafted in 14K yellow and white gold in an interwoven crossover design and is accented with 46 roun...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,224Sale Price|20% Off
Crossover Halo Diamond Engagement Ring Made in 14 Karat White Gold
Located in Webster, NY
Twisted cross over diamond ring featuring an approximately .79CT Round Brilliant Cut Diamond. Center Diamond Carat Weight: .79CT Center Diamond Cut: Round Brilliant Cut Center Diamo...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Crossover Ring Size 7.25-7.5 #22422
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14K White Gold and Diamond Crossover Ring Size 7.25-7.5 Modern elegance meets timeless sparkle in this striking 14K white gold ring.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Le Vian Brown & White Diamond Crossover Sculptural Band Ring in 14K Yellow Gold
By Le Vian
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This elegant Le Vian diamond band ring features a graceful crossover design that wraps fluidly around the finger.
Diamond, Brown Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Effy 14k Rose Gold 0.66ctw Chocolate Brown & White Diamond Wide Crossover Ring
By Effy
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (11) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brilliant Cut - Prong Set - Fancy Chocolate Brown Color - 0.56ctw (approx.) (30) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brilliant Cut - ...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
14 Karat White Gold Round Ruby and Round Diamond Crossover Halo Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Material: 14k white gold Rubies: 7 round cut = 0.48cttw Diamonds: round brilliant cut = 0.27cttw Color: G-H Clarity: SI1 Ring Size: 6.0 (please allow up to 2 additional business days...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Round Ruby and Round Diamond Crossover Halo Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Material: 14k white gold Rubies: 5 round cut = 0.78cttw Diamonds: round brilliant cut = 0.26cttw Color: G-H Clarity: SI1 Ring Size: 6.5 (please allow up to 2 additional business days...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 18ct White Gold, Diamond Three Stone Crossover Engagement Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
The centrepiece of this ring is its beautiful three-stone configuration, elegantly showcased in a crossover setting that symbolises unity and everlasting love.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Alex Jona Black & White Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Crossover Ring Band
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 Karat white gold double crossover ring band, set with two black diamonds weighing 1.40 carats.
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Alex Jona Black & White Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Crossover Ring Band
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 Karat white gold double crossover ring band, set with two black diamonds weighing 2.70 carats.
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Alex Jona Ruby White Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Crossover Ring Band
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 Karat yellow gold crossover ring band, set with a square cut Burmese ruby weighing 0.67 carats and a square cut white diamond w...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.5 Carat Sapphire & Ruby with Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Crossover Statement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
This stunning 18K yellow gold crossover ring features a sophisticated blend of vibrant gemstones and brilliant diamonds, making it a timeless piece of art.
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
White Gold Diamond Crossover Band - 18k Round Brilliant .66ctw Ring Sz 6
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 Metal Content: 18k White Gold & 18k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .66ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: H - I Clarity: VS1 - VS2 Total Carats: .66...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Natural Round and Baguette Diamond Crossover Ring 3.02 cttw in 18k White Gold
Located in La Jolla, CA
Natural Round and Baguette Diamond Ring 3.02 ctw in 18k White Gold Diamond Ring features 3.02 cttw of Natural Baguette Diamonds and Round Brilliant Diamonds set in a Crossover Styl...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.
From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!
There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.
Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.
In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).
When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And on 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.
Ancient Egyptians referred to the vibrant stone as the “gem of the sun.”
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