Vintage 25.32 Carat Aquamarine and 3.40 Carat Diamond Platinum Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
The ring is supplied with two independent diamond grading certificates for the larger diamonds in addition to an independent diamond grading report card for the supporting stones.
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
3.05tcw 14K Colombian Emerald-Round Cut & Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
Located in Jupiter, FL
The emerald is set in a secure four-prong setting and is accented with brilliant round diamonds in a halo setting.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.69tcw 18K Colombian Emerald-Round Cut & Diamond Wedding Engagement Ring
Located in Jupiter, FL
Elegantly displayed is a 1.69 Carats stylish round Colombian emerald and round diamond engagement/cocktail ring yellow gold 18K.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Contemporary Sterling Silver 20.78ct Blue Topaz Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Nantucket, MA
A spectacular large oval, faceted blue topaz gemstone surrounded by two rows of round, brilliant cut diamonds in a pave` setting.
Diamond, Blue Topaz, Sterling Silver
GRS Certified 5.04 Carat Sri Lanka Vivid Blue Sapphire & Diamond 18K White Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Product Specifications: Item Type: Cocktail Halo Ring Metal: 18K White Gold Size: 7.5 (adjustable) Weight: 7.50 grams Ring Dimensions: 15.7mm x 16.5mm (total face) Shank Style: Plain...
Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
4.74ct Old Mine Brilliant Cut K-color SI2-clarity Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent solitaire engagement ring showcasing a GIA-certified 4.74-carat Old Mine Brilliant Cut diamond, graded K color and SI2 clarity, elegantly presented in a timeless four-p...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Art Deco Style 1.60 Ct Diamond Dazzling Dinner Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Spectacular mid century vintage ring very much Art Deco inspired in style Superbly hand crafted of solid 18 KT white gold in fantastic, impressive design articulated with rich Diamon...
Diamond, 18k Gold
【Crown Radiance】Orbital Grace Aurora South Sea Pearl Diamond Ring
By The Pearl Vogue
Located in New York, NY
The intricately designed ring setting ensures a perfect blend of luxury and sophistication, making this ring a statement piece that transcends time.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
$68,000Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 4 Carat Vintage Cut Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
vintage engagement ring has a classic elegance and an impressively large 4.13 carat old European cut diamond center!
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Aquamarine and emerald step diamond engagement ring in platinum.
Located in London, GB
This beautiful ring features a stunning 5.41ct aquamarine diamond in a classic solitaire setting.
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Antique Edwardian 18K Yellow Gold 1.91tgw Opal and Old Cut Diamond 7 Stone Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique opal, diamond, and yellow gold ring, comprising one round cabochon opal, two oval cabochon opals, and four old cut diamonds, in 18 karat yellow gold.
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
3.52tcw 14K Round Vivid Colombian Emerald & Diamond Double Halo Engagement Ring
Located in Jupiter, FL
Not only does this gemstone possess a unique cut but it also has a top color grade along with clarity and size. Setting Style: Prong/Pave Setting Material: 14K White Gold Setting We...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique Certified 4.97ct Fancy Light Yellow Old Cushion Cut Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
The ring is made of 18k gold and platinum. Although the diamond is over 100 years old, it has since been reset in a secure modern setting so that it can be worn and passed down for f...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$180,000Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 5 Carat Fancy Yellow Cushion Diamond Ring
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
The yellow gold setting accentuates the Fancy Yellow diamond, amplifying its warm, golden tones.
Diamond, Yellow Diamond
Superb 2.05ct 3-Stone Diamond Ring in 18K Gold. Center stone: 1.05ct, Ideal Cut.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This handmade ring is simply superb, featuring timeless & desirable "trinity" design & top quality materials, including the natural Earth-Mined diamonds (which resell value will ne...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Scarselli GIA-Certified 2 Carat Fancy Yellow Radiant Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
By SCARSELLI
Located in New York, NY
2.02 Carat Fancy Yellow GIA-Certified Radiant Cut SI1 Diamond Engagement Ring with 18 Karat White Gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gol...
Certified 15mm x 11.6mm Ceylon No Heat Star Sapphire & Diamond Cocktail Ring.
Located in Hong Kong, HK
The color combination is out of this world! Here is a large natural star Sapphire and diamond ring. The ring is set in 18k rose gold, diamonds and pink sapphires.
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Star Sapphire, Gold, 18...
Scarselli GIA-Certified 2 Carat Fancy Yellow Radiant Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
By SCARSELLI
Located in New York, NY
2.02 Carat Fancy Yellow GIA-Certified Radiant Cut SI1 Diamond Engagement Ring with 18 Karat White Gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gol...
Antique Georgian Navette Shaped Ring with Garnets & Single Cut Diamonds c1800
Located in valatie, NY
The yellow gold setting is unmarked and tests 14KT. A classic Georgian "navette" shaped ring refers to an elongated, boat-like silhouette that tapers to points at both ends.
Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold
$4,664Sale Price / item|20% Off
Made to Order GIA Certified Engagement Ring Oval Diamond Cut
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Make her dreams come true at your price. Love has no rules or boundaries * But the wedding budget does. Create a unique engagement ring at a reasonable price with NATKINA. Story: ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
11.02tcw 18K Colombian Emerald-Emerald Cut & Round Diamond Three Stone Ring
Located in Jupiter, FL
Setting: Three-Stone Metal Purity: 18K Yellow Gold Main Stone: Colombian Emerald Shape: Emerald Cut Total Emerald Weight: 10.00 Carats Clarity: Transparent Color: Green Luster: Exce...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,689Sale Price|24% Off
IGI Certified 4.8ct Oval Cabochon Tanzanite & Diamond Halo Ring - 18k YellowGold
By VimleshBadaya
Located in Jaipur, RJ
Measurements & Details Metal: 18K Yellow Gold (approx. 6.66g) Primary Stone: Natural Oval Cabochon Tanzanite (approx. 4.80 ct) Accent Stones: 54 Natural Round Diamonds (approx....
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique German Ring natural Emeralds Diamonds 14K Rose Gold Ø US 5.5/4.6g
Located in SE
Art - Deco period natural Emeralds and Diamonds Ring hand- made in Gemany, ca. 1920s - 1930s.
Emerald, Diamond, Silver, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
4.94 Carat Diamond and Platinum Cocktail Ring, circa 1950
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning large vintage 4.94 carat diamond and platinum cocktail ring; part of our diverse diamond jewelry and estate jewelry collections.
Diamond, Platinum
Contemporary Vermeil Aquamarine Diamond Dome Ring, 5.84ct Aquamarine
Located in Nantucket, MA
A large oval cabochon aquamarine gemstone bordered in black onyx and round, brilliant cut diamonds in a pave` setting.
Aquamarine, Diamond, Onyx, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
GIA Certified Ring with 2.07 Carat Fancy Brown Orange VS2 Cushion Diamond
By M&V Vanguard Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
The Micro Pave setting work is truly remarkable, very delicate yet sturdy, all handmade Setting features cathedral split shank, under gallery, double halo around center stone and sin...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
Scarselli GIA 3 Carat VVS2 Fancy Light Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring Platinum
By SCARSELLI
Located in New York, NY
A 3.01 Cushion Cut, Natural Fancy Light Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring, GIA-Certified, flanked by .43 carats of white trapezoid diamonds, on an 18k Yellow Gold and Platinum band.
Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
18.28ct Fancy Vivid Yellow Radiant Cut Three Stone Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
The stone is free of fluorescence, allowing its natural hue to radiate with unfiltered intensity. The center diamond is mounted in 18K yellow gold to enhance its warmth, while the s...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Roman Malakov 0.72 Carat Round Diamond Illusion Engagement & Wedding Ring Set
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
A well-crafted engagement ring and wedding band set. The engagement ring features round brilliant cut diamonds weighing 0.72 carat total with G-H color and VS-SI clarity, set in an i...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Kern Jewelry Set Gold Turquoise Cabochon Sapphire Diamond
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A bold and joyful Kern’s jewelry set made of 18k gold, featuring turquoise cabochon, sapphires and diamonds.
Diamond, Turquoise, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
Joke Quick White Diamond Paraiba Tourmaline No Heat sapphire Pink Spinel Ring
By Joke Quick
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed to follow your finger’s natural curve, this ring offers an exceptional, comfortable fit. The setting of these stones on a blackened silver base creates a contrasting dark b...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Spinel, White Diamond, Tourmaline, Par...
Mid Century Lightning Ridge 5 Carat Black Opal Diamond Halo Cocktail Ring
Located in Tucson, AZ
This Lightning Ridge opal and diamond cocktail ring is an extraordinary statement piece, showcasing a large oval opal alive with iridescent flashes of green, blue, and turquoise. The...
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
Contemporary 0.66 Carat Solitaire 14k White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Towson, MD
This 14 karat white gold diamond solitaire engagement ring centers a beautifully brilliant round brilliant cut diamond weighing 0.66 carats, graded G color and I1 clarity.
14k Gold, White Gold
$21,200Sale Price|20% Off
Jade & Diamond Ring GIA Certified Untreated, Size 9.5, 18k, New, Spectacular
Located in Northampton, MA
The fine grain and rich, even, emerald-green tone make this stone incredibly rare and impressive. The solid 18K white gold mounting was made by hand just for this ring and features ...
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold
2.28tcw 14K Men's Colombian Emerald Round Cut & Diamond Cluster Two-Toned Ring
Located in Jupiter, FL
Six, large. brilliant round diamonds highlight the sides of the ring and create an eye-catching design.
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1.95tcw Men's 14K Gold Natural Emerald Oval & Diamond Halo
Located in Jupiter, FL
The men's ring is made in solid 14K yellow gold and is accented by brilliant round diamonds.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified Fancy Light Pink Diamond Elongated Halo Cluster Ring
Located in Miami, FL
GIA-certified 0.82 carat fancy light pink radiant cut VS1 diamond three-stone 18K white and rose gold cocktail ring, set vertically within an elongated navette frame with two half-mo...
Diamond, Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
$41,020Sale Price|30% Off
GRS & GIA Cert. NO HEAT 4.92ct Royal Blue Sapphire Ring with Diamonds
Located in Irvine, CA
Key Features: * Royal Blue Color Sapphire (Madagascar Origin) – Rich, vivid color with excellent clarity * Unheated Treatment - rare natural and unheated large carat sapphire * GRS &...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
$21,120Sale Price|20% Off
David Webb Carved Smooth Purple Amethyst, Green Enamel And Diamond Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
This ring features a smooth to the touch large spheric purple fluted amethyst that is mounted in a tapering gold mounting.
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
18K White Gold Diamond Eternity Band, 5.00ct Floral Motifs Cigar Band
Located in Great Neck, NY
An extraordinary diamond eternity band of sculptural elegance, meticulously handcrafted in 18K white gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Scarselli GIA 3 Carat VVS2 Fancy Light Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring Platinum
By SCARSELLI
Located in New York, NY
A 3.01 Cushion Cut, Natural Fancy Light Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring, GIA-Certified, flanked by .43 carats of white trapezoid diamonds, on an 18k Yellow Gold and Platinum band.
Yellow Diamond, Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold
1933 Wedding Ring 3 diamonds 0.6ctw solid 23K Gold Platinum Ø 5.75 US/ 4.7gr
Located in SE
Fine 23K and Platinum Wedding Diamond Ring handmade in Sweden in 1933. Larger Old European diamond cut Diamond Ø 5 mm / ca. 0.56 ct. + 2 minors Ø 2 mm / 0.04 ct. each of the same c...
Diamond, Gold, 22k Gold, Platinum
Louis Newman & Co 4.27 carat Elongated Cushion GIA Cert Diamond Three Stone Ring
By Louis Newman & Company
Located in New York, NY
Like all our diamonds, we can recreate any setting for any diamond.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Suzy Levian 18K White Gold Cabochon-Cut Citrine and Tsavorite Cocktail Ring
By Suzy Levian
Located in Great Neck, NY
This elegant designer ring features a large checkered oval cabochon citrine center stone weighing 12.70ct, surrounded by 120 white pave diamonds totaling 1.20ct TDW.
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
AGL Colombian Green 13.03ctw Emerald & Diamond 18K White Vintage Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous Rare Important 18k White Gold Green Emerald and Diamond Ring. The Center Stone is AGL Certified 10ct (9.98ct) Natural COLOMBIAN Emerald Step cut Green Emerald.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Natural 47.01 Carat Blue Lapis Lazuli in 18K Rose & White Gold Oval Bezel Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Product Specifications: Item Type: Cocktail Ring Metal: 18K Rose Gold and 18K White Gold Size: 7.5 (adjustable) Weight: 18.88 grams Setting: Bezel Style: Contemporary Cocktail Lapis...
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
14k White Gold Central Ruby Surrounded by a Cluster of Smaller Diamonds
Located in Boca Raton, FL
14k White Gold Central Ruby Surrounded by a Cluster of Smaller Diamonds Material: 14k White Gold Diamond Details: This Ring is Featuring a Central Ruby Surrounded by a Cluster of Sm...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Certified Natural Nephrite Jade and gemstones Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in KOWLOON, HK
This exquisite ring showcases a stunning piece of natural nephrite jade, a gemstone revered for its beauty and durability. The jade is set in a classic cabochon cut, allowing its nat...
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
4.01ct GIA Certified Pear Shape Solitaire Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Aventura, FL
Details: GIA Report: 5211688866 Shape and Cutting Style: Pear Brilliant Measurements: 13.40 × 9.06 × 5.39 mm Carat Weight: 4.01 Carat Color Grade: J Clarity Grade: I1 Polish: Good Sy...
Diamond, Platinum
$2,840Sale Price|41% Off
18kt Halo Tanzanite and Diamond Ring, 2.70 Carat VS Quality 18 Karat
Located in Laguna Hills, CA
Hexagon style setting of halo diamond bezel accents round and princess cut diamonds The weight of the diamonds is .35 carat (64 diamonds, 1 mm each) and two larger baguette diamonds ...
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold
Victorian 10.95 CT Untreated Magenta Rubellite or Red Tourmaline Diamond Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Victorian Rarity This out of this world, spectacular, Victorian period ring is a proud prize of any collector of exceptional things of beauty Rare example to please ahead with its u...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
Vintage “Canary” GIA 7.02ctw Natural Fancy YELLOW Radiant Cut Diamond 18KW Ring
Located in New York, NY
This spectacular modern setting is masterly handmade of lustrous 18k White & Yellow Gold ( tested) with highly polished finish, and features impressive rows of 70 natural white round...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1.45tcw Genuine Colombian Emerald & Diamond Halo Engagement Ring - 14K
Located in Jupiter, FL
The emerald is set in a secure four-prong setting and is accented with brilliant round diamonds in a halo setting.
Emerald, 14k Gold
Antique Art Deco Ring Mabe Pearl 1 ctw Diamonds solid 14K Gold ØUS 6.5/ 4gr
Located in SE
Top of crown in 14K White Gold or Platinum. Large Pearl Ø 7mm in finest condition with silky luster is flanked with two natural old European cut Diamonds, each Diamond stone ca.
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Marquise Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring in Sterling Silver, 2.06ct
Located in Nantucket, MA
A ring of clustered marquise emeralds graduating down from a larger center gemstone.
Diamond, Emerald, Sterling Silver
J. Birnbach 1.82 Carat J SAntique European Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
By J. Birnbach
Located in New York, NY
Key Details - 1.82 carat antique European cut diamond, GIA J SI1 - Eye-clean with no visible inclusions to the naked eye - 18K yellow gold and platinum setting - Fine band with deli...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
1900s GIA 2.87ctw Antique Edwardian OLD EUROPEAN Diamond Cluster 14KYG Pl Ring
Located in New York, NY
Antique Edwardian GIA 2.87ctw OLD EUROPEAN Diamond Cocktail Cluster 14K Gold Platinum Ring, Circa 1900s.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum
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.
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