Boregaard GIA 2.35 Carat Fancy Brownish Yellow Hexagon Diamond Solitaire Ring
By Pedro Boregaard
Located in New York, NY
Key Details - 2.35 carat hexagon cut diamond, GIA certified fancy brownish yellow, SI1 - Unique 20k yellow gold alloy - Open-bezel solitaire design - Signed Boregaard - Ring size 5....
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 4.12 Carat Fancy Yellow Radiant Cut Diamond Solitaire Unisex Ring
Located in Miami, FL
GIA certified 4.12 carat natural fancy yellow radiant cut diamond solitaire bezel set unisex ring in 18K two-tone gold.
Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
J. Birnbach 2.01ct GIA L SI1 Button Back Cushion Diamond Solitaire Ring
By J. Birnbach
Located in New York, NY
Key Details - 2.01 carat cushion brilliant center diamond, GIA Certified L SI1 - Platinum and 18K yellow gold mounting with black rhodium bezel - US ring size 6 Purchase includes r...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Rare Bvlgari Amethyst Emerald Cut 18k Yellow Gold Signet Bezel Rubover Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Birmingham, GB
Beautifully rub over bezel set in this signet style solitaire ring. In excellent condition, has been professionally polished and cleaned.
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2.14tcw 14K Asscher Cut Emerald & Diamond Ring - Rich Green Bezel Set Unisex
Located in Jupiter, FL
Experience timeless elegance with our exquisite emerald and diamond ring, featuring a stunning 1.98-carat Asscher cut Colombian emerald. The medium rich green color of the emerald is...
Diamond, Emerald
Angara Natural Emerald-Cut Ruby Solitaire Engagement Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Description: Make it a grand proposal with this 14k white gold solitaire engagement ring. It features an emerald-cut ruby, secured in a bezel setting on a stylish criss cross...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
"Circovette" Three Diamond Solitaires (2.70 Carats TDW) in 18K Gold Stacker Set
By Eytan Brandes
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Each stone is set in a hand-crafted bezel solitaire ring of 18 karat yellow gold. As a finishing tough, Eytan gave the rings a warm and lustrous satin finish.
Diamond, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA 2.01 carat Diamond Art Deco Style Solitaire in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Nashville, TN
A 2.01 ct natural round brilliant diamond is prong set in this gorgeous 18K yellow gold Art Deco style mounting. This contemporary reproduction is one of our favorite settings. The b...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Louis Newman & Co 5.09 Carat Emerald Cut Emerald Cut Bezel Set Yellow Gold Ring
By Louis Newman & Company
Located in New York, NY
5.09 carat GIA certified Emerald Cut. VS2 Clarity. 64% Depth, 1.56 length to width ratio and 12.69 millimeters in length. A properly cut and amazing looking emerald cut. Now for the ...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angara Natural Cushion Emerald Solitaire Engagement Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Description: Make your proposal magical with this 14k white gold vintage-inspired ring. The cushion emerald, held in a bezel setting, exudes a refreshing green hue.
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold
14k LEO Diamond Ring. Princess cut Diamond Halo Infinity shank solitaire engagem
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Vintage Size: 7 US Materials: Gold Gemstone: Diamond Gem color: Colorless Band color: Gold Stunning Princess cut Diamond halo ring. Infinity diamond encrusted shank. Just an overal...
Angara Natural Cushion Aquamarine Solitaire Engagement Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Description: Make your proposal magical with this 14k yellow gold vintage-inspired ring. The cushion aquamarine, held in a bezel setting, exudes an alluring cool blue hue.
Aquamarine, Gold
GIA White Diamond Pear Shape in Black Rhodium Bezel and 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous 3.20 ct. K VS2 white diamond pear shape. Handmade in 18k yellow gold and black rhodium. GIA certificate included. Ring size 6.5.
White Diamond, Yellow Gold, Rhodium
Annellino Italian Fine Jewellery Tanzanite Bezel Set 18kt Stacking Ring
By Annellino Fine Jewellery
Located in London, GB
A 0.17ct Brilliant cut Tanzanite has been hand set in a 18kt Yellow Gold bezel setting to create this pretty ring. It can be worn on its own or combined with others to create a chic ...
Tanzanite, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sa...
Annellino Italian Fine Jewellery Topaz Bezel Set 18kt Stacking Ring
By Annellino Fine Jewellery
Located in London, GB
A 0.17ct Brilliant cut Topaz has been hand set in a 18kt Yellow Gold bezel setting to create this pretty ring. It can be worn on its own or combined with others to create a chic stac...
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, Pin...
Angara Natural GIA Certified Solitaire Round Blue Sapphire Ring in 14K Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Description: Bezel-Set GIA Certified Solitaire Round Blue Sapphire Twisted Shank RingSeptember Birthstone Ring for Women: Blue Sapphire is the September birthstone and the tr...
Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
Angara Natural GIA Certified Round 2.39 ct Opal Solitaire Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Details:Metal and Purity: 14K Solid GoldMain Stone: OpalMain Stone Color: Milky with medium Play of ColourMain Stone Shape: RoundMain Stone Creation:NaturalMain Stone Size: 1...
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Angara Natural Cushion London Blue Topaz Solitaire Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Description: The cushion London blue topaz looks fascinating in a 14k white gold bezel setting. Exuding regal elegance, this vintage style solitaire ring is designed with int...
Blue Topaz, Topaz, Gold, 14k Gold
18K White Gold Antique Sapphire & Diamond Ring
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
This beautiful, antique 18 karat white gold ring weighs 2.40 grams. It contains four small round diamonds on each side, with a carat weight of 0.02, and a 3mm round brilliant diamond...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Angara Natural Vintage Style Cushion Peridot Solitaire Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
About Angara:
At Angara, every piece of jewellery is a handcrafted expression of love and individuality. We design with intention—using vivid coloured gemstones and ethically...
Peridot, Gold, 14k Gold
Angara Natural Round 1.1ct Turquoise Solitaire Engagement Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This simple and stunning solitaire ring is designed in 14k rose gold.December Birthstone Ring for Women: Turquoise is the December birthstone and the traditional gemstone gift for th...
Turquoise, Gold
14k Pink Tourmaline Ring. prong set OVAL Tourmaline solitaire with diamond
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Vintage from the 1970s Materials: Gold Gemstone: Tourmaline Gem color: Pink Band color: Gold Stunning TOURMALINE ring. Pink Tourmaline set into an 18k bezel and ribbed shank. Will wo...
Angara Natural Vintage Style Cushion Sapphire Solitaire Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impeccably crafted in 14k yellow gold, this vintage solitaire ring exudes an aura of regal elegance.
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold
Annellino Italian Fine Jewellery Pink Sapphire Bezel Set 18K Stacking Ring
By Annellino Fine Jewellery
Located in London, GB
A 0.17ct Brilliant cut Pink Sapphire has been hand set in a 18kt Yellow Gold bezel setting to create this pretty ring. It can be worn on its own or combined with others to create a c...
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, Pin...
0.55 Carat Princess Cut Diamond Solitaire Wedding Band
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
A simple and modern ring style showcasing a solitaire princess cut diamond weighing 0.55 carats, certified as J color and VVS2 clarity.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angara Natural GIA Certified Solitaire Round 4.08 ct Aquamarine Ring in 14K Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Description: Bezel-Set GIA Certified Solitaire Round Aquamarine Twisted Shank RingMarch Birthstone Ring for Women: Aquamarine is the March birthstone and the traditional gems...
Aquamarine, Gold, 14k Gold
Angara Natural Pear-Shaped Opal Solitaire Ring in 14K Solid Gold for Women
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Crafted in lustrous 14k white gold, this classic solitaire opal ring is a sight to behold.
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
14K Rose Gold .39ct Champagne Diamond Ring
Located in Big Bend, WI
14K rose gold ring featuring a bezel set rose cut pear shape diamond. The diamond has light champagne color and measures about 6.1mm x 4.5mm. The ring fits a size 6.25 finger and wei...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Angara Natural Solitaire Round London Blue Topaz Bypass Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Description: Exhibiting refined elegance, this round London blue topaz solitaire ring is crafted in 14k rose gold. The greenish blue topaz is mounted in a sophisticated semi ...
Blue Topaz, Topaz, Gold, 14k Gold
GIA 2 Carat Old Mine Prong Bezel Ring in Black Silver Top & 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 2.21 ct. UV VS2 old mine diamond. Handmade in black silver top and 18k yellow gold. Ring size 6.5. Comes with GIA certificate.
Silver, Yellow Gold
Boulder Opal Diamond Ring. 18k Gold Genuine Opal Diamond Set Ring.
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Stunning Australian Boulder Opal Cabochon Bezel set. Accented with Diamonds. Stunning for any occasion - Unisex. Will work great on Women and Men. 18k Yellow Gold Details: 9mm b...
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Antique 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Gypsy Ring
Located in Denver, CO
This antique gypsy-set ring centers an Old European-cut diamond weighing approximately 0.35 carats, I color and SI2 clarity. The diamond is flush-set within a smooth bezel mounting. ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angara Natural Round 2.2 ct Garnet Solitaire Engagement Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Description: A round garnet is mounted in a bezel setting on a plain 14k yellow gold shank. With its mesmerizingly deep red allure, this simple and elegant garnet solitaire e...
Garnet, Gold
Angara Natural Solitaire 1.5 ct Emerald Bypass Engagement Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Description: Pop the question in style with this 14k yellow gold solitaire engagement ring. It features a round emerald, mounted in a sophisticated semi-bezel setting.
Emerald, Gold
$1,280Sale Price|34% Off
Orloff of Denmark, Triple Bezel 6.12 ct Blue Zircon Ring set in 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Hua Hin, TH
Orloff of Denmark; 14 Karat Triple Bezel Solitaire Ring, set with an astonishing 6.12 carat Ocean Blue Zircon from Ratanakiri, Cambodia.
Zircon, Blue Zircon, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angara Natural GIA Certified Solitaire Round 2.08 ct Opal Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Description: GIA Certified Bezel-Set Solitaire Round Opal Knife-Edged Shank RingOctober Birthstone Ring for Women: Opal is the October birthstone and the traditional gemstone...
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Angara Natural GIA Certified Round 1.62 ct Opal Solitaire ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Description: GIA Certified Nature Inspired Bezel-Set Round Opal Solitaire RingOctober Birthstone Ring for Women: Opal is the October birthstone and the traditional gemstone g...
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Deco 1915 Engagement Ring in 18kt Gold with Diamond
Located in Aventura, FL
This exquisite Art Deco engagement ring represents the beautiful elegance and craftsmanship of early 20th-century jewelry artistry, expertly crafted in the 1910s in lustrous 18kt yel...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Beauvince Chunky Chocolate Colored Diamond Ring in White Gold
By Beauvince Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
The Chunky Chocolate Colored Diamond Halo Ring is both cute and classy. Center Diamond Shape: Round Center Diamond Weight: 0.84 ct Diamond Color: Fancy Brown (Chocolate) Side Diam...
Diamond, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Angara Natural Round 1 ct Teal Montana Sapphire Solitaire Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Product Description: This solitaire ring crafted in 14k rose gold will enchant you with its minimalistic style.
Sapphire, Gold
Vintage 0.41 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring in Yellow Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine vintage European 0.41 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold ladies cocktail ring: part of our vintage jewelry and jewelry collections. This fine vintage band ring of European o...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold Diamond Checkerboard Citrine Twist Ring
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
A lustrous cushion cut citrine is heightened with four bezel set brilliant cut diamonds on each corner. An 18k yellow gold band is oblique as the finishing touch. The weight of the c...
Citrine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18KT Gold Green Tourmaline Ring with Diamonds, Circa 1990s
Located in Braintree, GB
A bold vintage ring set with a vivid oval green tourmaline of impressive size, framed by a polished 18KT gold bezel. The shoulders are finished with diamond-set pavé panels, adding s...
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold
11.33 Carat Boho Inspired Colombian Emerald Round Bezel Statement Ring 18K
Located in Jupiter, FL
Setting Style: Bezel - Solitaire Setting Material: 18K Yellow Gold Setting Weight: 12.2 Grams Main Stone: Emerald Shape: Round Cut Weight: 11.33-Carats Clarity: Semi-Transparent Col...
Emerald, 18k Gold
Marco Bicego, 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Jaipur Ring
By Marco Bicego
Located in Chicago, IL
This gorgeous ring by Italian designer Marco Bicego and from their Jaipur Collection, contains a a cluster of round brilliant cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.06 carat total, el...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Aletto and Co. Tourmaline and Diamond Gold Ring
By Aletto Brothers
Located in Darnestown, MD
Simple but dressy tourmaline and diamond 14 karat gold ring by Aletto Brothers. The central oval tourmaline measures 1/2" x 7/8". It is surrounded by four round diamonds on either si...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
Dinh Van Cube White Gold Ring with Natural Diamond
By Jean Dinh Van
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
Dinh Van size 52 The Dinh Van Cube Ring in 18-karat white gold is a sleek and modern creation that embodies the minimalist elegance for which the iconic French jeweler is known. At ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diana M. Custom Bazel Set Diamond Ring 18K White Gold
By Diana M. Jewels
Located in New York, NY
18kt white gold bezel set diamond ring containing 0.26 cts tw
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diana M. Custom Bazel Set Diamond Ring 18K White Gold
By Diana M. Jewels
Located in New York, NY
18kt white gold bezel set diamond ring containing 0.25 cts tw (GH VS SI)
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
HRD Certified Ring Yellow and White Gold with 1.30ct Diamond
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
Dimensions: Top Height: 0.6 cm Top Length: 0.9 cm Top Width: 0.7 cm This sophisticated solitaire ring exemplifies the elegance of Italian craftsmanship and timeless design.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$20,000Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 1.00 Ct E-F Color VS Clarity Solitary Round Diamond Bezel Triump
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
This GIA Certified 1.00 Ct E-F Color VS Clarity Solitaire Round Diamond Bezel Triumph Ring is more than just jewelry; it's a celebration of enduring love and contemporary sophisticat...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$20,000Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 1.00 Ct E-F Color VS Clarity Solitary Round Diamond Halo Bezel
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
Elevate your style with the enchanting allure of the GIA Certified 1.00 Ct E-F Color VS Clarity Solitaire Round Diamond Halo Bezel Ring—a captivating blend of timeless elegance and c...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$20,000Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 1.00 Ct E-F Color VS Clarity Solitary Round Diamond Bezel Classic
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
Introducing the timeless allure of the GIA Certified 1.00 Ct E-F Color VS Clarity Solitaire Round Diamond Bezel Classic Ring—an emblem of refined elegance and enduring sophistication.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Modern Diamond Ring Side Tear Drop 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Berkeley, CA
This stunning and classic diamond ring is set in 18K yellow gold and the diamond size is approx. 0.62 carats. The side setting of the tear drop diamond is elegant and artistic as it ...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Gold 1.0 ct. tw. Lab Grown Tear-Drop Diamond Cocktail Ring
By I. Reiss
Located in Great Neck, NY
14 Karat Yellow Gold Polish-Finished Wrap Around Diamond Ring, Centered with 1.0 ct. tw. of a Bezel-Set Brilliant-Cut Tear-Drop Lab Grown Diamonds
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Effy 14k Yellow Gold Cushion Cut Amethyst & Diamond Ring, Circa 2010
By Effy
Located in Sewickley, PA
Crafted in 14k yellow gold this ring features a cushion cut amethyst set in a smooth bezel setting that frames the stone cleanly while enhancing its rich violet hue. The cushion shap...
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Ring with Diamonds and Green Enamel by Korloff
By Korloff
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
This exquisite Yellow Gold Ring by Korloff is a perfect blend of luxury and elegance, showcasing the renowned craftsmanship of the French jewelry house. Made from 18-karat yellow gol...
Diamond, 18k 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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