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Gold Buckle Ring 1940

Synthetic ruby and diamond buckle ring, circa 1940.
Synthetic ruby and diamond buckle ring, circa 1940.

Synthetic ruby and diamond buckle ring, circa 1940.

Located in London, GB

Tested yellow gold and platinum, circa 1940.

Category

Vintage 1940s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Retro gold and diamond buckle ring
Retro gold and diamond buckle ring

Retro gold and diamond buckle ring

Located in New York, NY

A Retro gold and diamond cocktail ring of stylized buckled design, in 14k. Atw diamonds .77 ct. The ring is designed as a sculptural gold band forming a buckle motif, with a diamond...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold

Retro 14k Gold Diamond and Ruby Buckle Ring
Retro 14k Gold Diamond and Ruby Buckle Ring

Retro 14k Gold Diamond and Ruby Buckle Ring

Located in Venice, CA

Eleven table cut square natural rubies create the rectangular buckle; six round brilliant cut diamonds are set in white gold and cascade through the center of the buckle, offsetting ...

Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1940s Retro Gold Buckle Ring with Diamonds
Vintage 1940s Retro Gold Buckle Ring with Diamonds

Vintage 1940s Retro Gold Buckle Ring with Diamonds

Located in New York, NY

Finely crafted in 14k yellow gold featuring six Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 0.60 carat. Circa 1940s Size 5 1/2, resizable

Category

Vintage 1940s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Retro Woven Buckle Ring of 14k Rose Gold, Circa 1940s
Retro Woven Buckle Ring of 14k Rose Gold, Circa 1940s

Retro Woven Buckle Ring of 14k Rose Gold, Circa 1940s

Located in Lewisburg, PA

A distinctive Retro era ring dating to 1940–1950, designed as a sculptural woven belt motif crafted in 14 karat rose gold, accented with a contrasting 14 karat white gold buckle.

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Retro Old European Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Vintage Buckle Engagement Ring
Retro Old European Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Vintage Buckle Engagement Ring

Retro Old European Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Vintage Buckle Engagement Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.20 carat - G color with VS2 clarity Bead set in a square form head with pierced geometric profile Flanked by pierced an...

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

French Retro Buckle 18K Yellow Gold Ruby Ring
French Retro Buckle 18K Yellow Gold Ruby Ring

French Retro Buckle 18K Yellow Gold Ruby Ring

Located in London, GB

A French 18 karat (18K) yellow gold retro ring designed as a buckle with a double-level spray of pear-shaped natural rubies. Stamped with the eagles head for French manufacture and...

Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1940s 0.12ct Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Buckle Band Ring, Unisex
1940s 0.12ct Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Buckle Band Ring, Unisex

1940s 0.12ct Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Buckle Band Ring, Unisex

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

This fine and impressive vintage belt and buckle ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting.

Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1940s Ruby and Diamond Buckle Ring in 18K Yellow Gold – Art Deco Style
Vintage 1940s Ruby and Diamond Buckle Ring in 18K Yellow Gold – Art Deco Style

Vintage 1940s Ruby and Diamond Buckle Ring in 18K Yellow Gold – Art Deco Style

Located in Miami, FL

This stunning 1940s vintage buckle ring captures the bold elegance of the Art Deco era, crafted in rich 18K yellow gold. The geometric design features 22 brilliant-cut diamonds total...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany & Co ruby cocktail buckle ring, circa 1945.
Tiffany & Co ruby cocktail buckle ring, circa 1945.

Tiffany & Co ruby cocktail buckle ring, circa 1945.

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in London, GB

Tiffany & Co ruby cocktail buckle ring. Set with eight round old cut diamonds in open back grain settings with a combined approximate weight of 0.40 carats, and thirteen rectangular ...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Recent Sales

Ruby and Diamond Buckle Ring
Ruby and Diamond Buckle Ring

Ruby and Diamond Buckle Ring

Located in London, GB

A diamond set dress ring, with stylised ruby set ‘buckle’. Mounted in 18ct yellow and rose gold, topped with platinum.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

1940s Buckle Ring with Diamonds and Rubies
1940s Buckle Ring with Diamonds and Rubies

1940s Buckle Ring with Diamonds and Rubies

Located in Bellmore, NY

A wonderful piece of romantic symbolism from the 1940s. The buckle ring, along with the snake ring, were popularized by Queen Victoria as symbols of a binding romantic love and later...

Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

1940s Buckle Shaped Ring Set with Diamonds
1940s Buckle Shaped Ring Set with Diamonds

1940s Buckle Shaped Ring Set with Diamonds

Located in London, GB

1940's 3 color Gold ring set with 8 / cut Diamonds Finger size H

Category

Vintage 1940s British Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1940s Retro Citrine Ruby Gold Stylized Buckle Motif Ring
1940s Retro Citrine Ruby Gold Stylized Buckle Motif Ring

1940s Retro Citrine Ruby Gold Stylized Buckle Motif Ring

Located in Palm Beach, FL

This ring has great lines from every angle. The calibration of both the rubies and the citrines are graduated perfectly. This ring is a size 8 1/4.

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Citrine, Ruby, 14k Gold

Retro Era Ruby and Diamond Handmade Buckle Cocktail Ring
Retro Era Ruby and Diamond Handmade Buckle Cocktail Ring

Retro Era Ruby and Diamond Handmade Buckle Cocktail Ring

Located in Seattle, WA

This unique buckle ring is composed of 14KT white and rose gold.

Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage 1940’s 9ct Yellow Gold Buckle / Belt Ring
Vintage 1940’s 9ct Yellow Gold Buckle / Belt Ring

Vintage 1940’s 9ct Yellow Gold Buckle / Belt Ring

Located in Brighton, GB

Vintage Buckle Ring 9ct Yellow Gold Hallmarked London 1977 Makers Mark L W & G Lovely, Vintage buckle ring with beautiful paisley design detailing. The buckle has long been a ...

Category

Late 20th Century English Band Rings

Materials

9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier 1940's Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Retro Adjustable Buckle Ring
Cartier 1940's Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Retro Adjustable Buckle Ring

Cartier 1940's Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Retro Adjustable Buckle Ring

By Cartier

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Ring is comprised of malleable brick links - polished yellow gold Terminating as white gold buckle mechanisms - functional Bead set with round brilliant cut diamonds Weighing in t...

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Retro Emerald Diamond Gold Buckle Ring
Retro Emerald Diamond Gold Buckle Ring

Retro Emerald Diamond Gold Buckle Ring

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

As the name of the period suggests, these designs reflect an infusion of futuristic vision with elements inspired by preceding periods, encompassing a variety of gemstones, shapes, a...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Gold and Diamond Buckle Ring
Gold and Diamond Buckle Ring

Gold and Diamond Buckle Ring

Located in New York, NY

This splashy European Retro gold ring with diamonds re-imagines the buckle ring as a chic abstraction. The polished scrolling shank centers on a stylized depiction of a buckle strap ...

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold

Retro Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Enamel Buckle Ring
Retro Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Enamel Buckle Ring

Retro Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Enamel Buckle Ring

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Circa 1940s buckle ring made of 14k (tested) yellow gold. Featuring diamond, ruby and enamel. Total diamond weight is 0.32 points. Measurements: 3 1/4" L x 3/8 W. The size of the rin...

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Retro Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Gold Buckle Ring
Retro Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Gold Buckle Ring

Retro Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Gold Buckle Ring

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Have fun with it. This awesome retro gold ring features 7 french cut rubies approximately 0.30 carats.

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Retro 14 Karat Yellow Gold Meshed Vintage Belt Buckle Ring
Retro 14 Karat Yellow Gold Meshed Vintage Belt Buckle Ring

Retro 14 Karat Yellow Gold Meshed Vintage Belt Buckle Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Comprised of a flexible meshed gold panther link chain with buckle motif terminals Featuring a hinged fastener and chevron tail Tail secures in fastener completed by hinged closure S...

Category

Vintage 1940s Fashion Rings

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14Y White & Chocolate Diamond Buckle Ring
14Y White & Chocolate Diamond Buckle Ring

14Y White & Chocolate Diamond Buckle Ring

Located in McLeansville, NC

An estate 14 karat yellow and white gold diamond buckle band ring. This ring features a buckle motif design with a white gold clasp set with colorless diamonds and with pavé set ligh...

Category

Vintage 1940s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14k Gold Platinum Diamond Sapphire Buckle Ring
Vintage 14k Gold Platinum Diamond Sapphire Buckle Ring

Vintage 14k Gold Platinum Diamond Sapphire Buckle Ring

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

A striking example of Retro-era design, this circa 1940s buckle ring combines functionality with bold visual appeal. Crafted in 14k yellow gold with a platinum-topped buckle motif, t...

Category

Vintage 1940s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Retro Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Adjustable Vintage Buckle Ring
Retro Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Adjustable Vintage Buckle Ring

Retro Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Adjustable Vintage Buckle Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Band ring is designed as a malleable oyster link strap terminating with buckle motif clasp and tail Strap is rose gold with white gold center segments and clasp - high polished Buckl...

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold

Retro 0.56 CTW Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Vintage Mesh Buckle Ring
Retro 0.56 CTW Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Vintage Mesh Buckle Ring

Retro 0.56 CTW Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Vintage Mesh Buckle Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Designed as a belt and buckle comprised of yellow gold panther link mesh Terminating with a white gold buckle and chevron-shaped tail Accented by single and baguette cut diamonds We...

Category

Vintage 1940s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Retro Vintage Tiffany Belt & Buckle Ring of 14k Gold Sapphire and Diamond
Retro Vintage Tiffany Belt & Buckle Ring of 14k Gold Sapphire and Diamond

Retro Vintage Tiffany Belt & Buckle Ring of 14k Gold Sapphire and Diamond

Located in Lewisburg, PA

A refined and historically significant jewel, this 1940s Tiffany & Co. belt ring is an exquisite example of wartime-era craftsmanship. Rendered in solid 14k gold and accented wit...

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Retro Black Opal Diamond 14 Karat Gold Platinum Buckle Ring
Retro Black Opal Diamond 14 Karat Gold Platinum Buckle Ring

Retro Black Opal Diamond 14 Karat Gold Platinum Buckle Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Centering a bezel set black opal oval cabochon measuring approximately 18.0 x 12.5 mm Opaque with strong spectral play-of-color. especially flashes of red and blue Flanked by a buc...

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1940s Retro 1.20 Carat Diamond Ruby 14 Karat Rose Gold Buckle Ring
1940s Retro 1.20 Carat Diamond Ruby 14 Karat Rose Gold Buckle Ring

1940s Retro 1.20 Carat Diamond Ruby 14 Karat Rose Gold Buckle Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Band style ring designed as a buckle with round cut rubies weighing approximately 0.50 carat, violetish-red in color as well as old mine, old European, and single cut diamonds, weigh...

Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Band Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Bailey Banks & Biddle Retro 0.60 Carat Ruby Diamond 14 Karat Gold Buckle Ring
Bailey Banks & Biddle Retro 0.60 Carat Ruby Diamond 14 Karat Gold Buckle Ring

Bailey Banks & Biddle Retro 0.60 Carat Ruby Diamond 14 Karat Gold Buckle Ring

By Bailey, Banks & Biddle

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Band ring is designed as a high polished gold malleable strap with a stylized buckle clasp Bead set with round cut ruby weighing approximately 0.55 carat; translucent pinkish-red to...

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Retro 0.54 Carats Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Vintage Buckle Ring
Retro 0.54 Carats Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Vintage Buckle Ring

Retro 0.54 Carats Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Vintage Buckle Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Stamped 14 for 14 karat gold. Circa: 1940's. Ring size: adjustable from 4 1/4 to 7 and not sizable.

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White G...

Retro Diamond Ruby Platinum 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Vintage Buckle Mesh Ring
Retro Diamond Ruby Platinum 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Vintage Buckle Mesh Ring

Retro Diamond Ruby Platinum 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Vintage Buckle Mesh Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Designed as a yellow and rose gold panther link mesh band Featuring a dimensional platinum and rose gold buckle Platinum is bead set with round brilliant cut diamonds Weighing appr...

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Cartier Ruby Gold Buckle Ring

Cartier Ruby Gold Buckle Ring

Located in Greenwich, CT

"Buckle Up" in style with this Cartier, circa 1945, buckle ring. Designed with a 14 karat yellow gold stacked mesh pattern, the ring is movable and adjustable in size. Buckle loop ...

Category

Vintage 1940s French Fashion Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Tiffany & Co. Retro, Gold, Diamond, and Ruby Buckle Ring
Tiffany & Co. Retro, Gold, Diamond, and Ruby Buckle Ring

Tiffany & Co. Retro, Gold, Diamond, and Ruby Buckle Ring

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Palm Beach, FL

This lovely 14K yellow gold buckle ring was made by Tiffany & Co in the 1940s. The six diamonds set into the buckle weigh an approximate total of .20CT. The natural rubies add a won...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Vintage Retro 14k Gold & Platinum 32ct Diamond Adjustable Mesh Buckle Band Ring
Vintage Retro 14k Gold & Platinum 32ct Diamond Adjustable Mesh Buckle Band Ring

Vintage Retro 14k Gold & Platinum 32ct Diamond Adjustable Mesh Buckle Band Ring

Located in Montclair, NJ

This incredible vintage buckle band ring is crafted from solid 14k yellow gold with solid platinum at the "V" part of the buckle in which is neatly set with very quality diamonds. Th...

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Retro 0.45 Carat Ruby Diamond 14 Karat Tri-Colored Gold Buckle Ring
Retro 0.45 Carat Ruby Diamond 14 Karat Tri-Colored Gold Buckle Ring

Retro 0.45 Carat Ruby Diamond 14 Karat Tri-Colored Gold Buckle Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Band ring is designed as intersecting brick links that alternate between rose and yellow gold with a white gold buckle bar Ring is malleable and completes as a functional white gold...

Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yel...

18k Gold Mesh Flexible Belt Buckle Ring
18k Gold Mesh Flexible Belt Buckle Ring

18k Gold Mesh Flexible Belt Buckle Ring

Located in Sausalito, CA

This lovely 18k gold mesh buckle ring has a slight rose gold tint. Size: 0.27" (7 mm) width X 3" long. Ring size: Adjusts to two sizes: 6 and 8. Weight: 5.2 grams. Markings: 18k wit...

Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Band Rings

Materials

18k Gold

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Gold Buckle Ring 1940 For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate gold buckle ring 1940 for your needs in our varied inventory. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, 14k Gold and Yellow Gold — can elevate any look. For this particular piece, are consistently popular carat weights. Creating a gold buckle ring 1940 has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Tiffany & Co., Bailey, Banks & Biddle and Cartier are consistently popular. A round cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also baguette cut and cabochon versions for sale. When shopping for a gold buckle ring 1940, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a Gold Buckle Ring 1940?

The price for a gold buckle ring 1940 starts at $985 and tops out at $21,775 with these rings, on average, selling for $2,533.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

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.

The Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design

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 ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.  

Finding the Right Rings for You

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 ringsvintage 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.