GIA Certified 1.5 Carat Emerald Halo Filigree Basket Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Details: Certificate: GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Shape: Emerald Carat: 1.5 Color: I Clarity: VS2 Cut/Pol/Sym: -/EX/EX Ring Details: Karat: 18K Metal: Yellow Gold...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 1.73 Carat Halo Cushion Cathedral Milgrain Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Details: Certificate: GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Shape: Cushion Carat: 1.73 Color: H Clarity: VS1 Cut/Pol/Sym: -/EX/EX Ring Details: Karat: 18K Metal: Yellow Gol...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 1.7 Carat Oval Cluster Vintage Flower Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Details: Certificate: GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Shape: Oval Carat: 1.7 Color: J Clarity: SI2 Cut/Pol/Sym: -/EX/EX Ring Details: Karat: 18K Metal: Yellow Gold D...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 0.97 Carat Halo Cushion Cathedral Milgrain Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Details: Certificate: GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Shape: Cushion Carat: 0.97 Color: J Clarity: SI1 Cut/Pol/Sym: -/VG/VG Ring Details: Karat: 18K Metal: Yellow Gol...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 0.8ct Marquise Halo & Round Brilliant Pave Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
The ring is adorned with smaller round brilliant-cut diamonds set in a radiant halo, enhancing the brilliance of the central stone.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 1.2ct Round Modern Half Bezel Solitaire Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
The ring exudes glamour with smaller round brilliant cut diamonds pave set in three elegant rows along the band.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 1.02ct Oval Solitaire & Cluster 3-Stone Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Details: Certificate: GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Shape: Oval Carat: 1.02 Color: J Clarity: SI1 Cut/Pol/Sym: -/EX/EX Ring Details: Karat: 18K Metal: Yellow Gold ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Cartier Diamond Trinity Small Model Tri-Color Gold Band Ring
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Tri-Color Gold Diamond Small Model Trinity Band Ring by Cartier.
Diamond, Gold
White Gold Ring with One Carat Diamond
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary Flower ring is crafted from 18-karat white gold with a radiant cut diamond, GIA certified.
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
GIA Certified 1.70 Carat Round Double Halo Split Shank Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in New York, a stunning diamond ring featuring a captivating round center stone weighing 1.70 is beautifully set in white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
GIA Certified 1.00 Carat Twisted Rope Oval Halo Cathedral Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
The ring is meticulously handcrafted from luxurious yellow gold , creating a warm and inviting tone that beautifully complements the exquisite diamond.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 1.81 Carat Round Double Halo Split Shank Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in New York, a stunning diamond ring featuring a captivating round center stone weighing 1.81 is beautifully set in yellow gold.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 1.52 Carat Round Double Halo Split Shank Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in New York, a stunning diamond ring featuring a captivating round center stone weighing 1.52 is beautifully set in white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
GIA Certified 1.2 Carat Radiant Hidden Halo Slim Band Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Surrounding the center stone is a hidden rectangular halo adorned with smaller round brilliant diamonds beautifully set in pavé-prong style, creating a stunning contrast and enhancin...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 2.29 Carat Princess Cut Three-Stone Tension Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Details: Certificate: GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Shape: Princess Carat: 2.29 Color: H Clarity: SI2 Cut/Pol/Sym: -/EX/EX Ring Details: Karat: 18K Metal: Yellow Go...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 1.5 Carat Emerald Hidden Halo Slim Band Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Surrounding the center stone is a hidden rectangular halo adorned with smaller round brilliant diamonds beautifully set in pave-prong style, creating a stunning contrast and enhancin...
Diamond, White Gold
GIA Certified 1.5ct Round Half Bezel Hidden Halo Pave Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
The center stone is elegantly set in a tension half-bezel that is artfully complemented by a hidden halo of smaller round brilliant cut diamonds, enhancing the ring's overall sparkle...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 1.35 Carat Round Halo Dome Filigree Trellis Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in New York, this exquisite diamond ring features a captivating centerpiece of a round diamond weighing 1.35 , set in a luxurious yellow gold band.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 0.81 Carat Emerald Hidden Halo Slim Band Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Surrounding the center stone is a hidden rectangular halo adorned with smaller round brilliant diamonds beautifully set in pave-prong style, creating a stunning contrast and enhancin...
Diamond, White Gold
GIA Certified 1.7 Carat Radiant Hidden Halo Slim Band Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Surrounding the center stone is a hidden rectangular halo adorned with smaller round brilliant diamonds beautifully set in pave-prong style, creating a stunning contrast and enhancin...
Diamond, White Gold
Edwardian 18 Karat Gold Sapphire Rose Cut Diamond Small Cluster Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an Edwardian small cluster ring crafted in 18K gold. The piece features sapphire and rose cut diamonds.
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
GIA Certified 2.20 Carat Round Double Halo Split Shank Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** Handcrafted in New York, a stunning diamond ring featuring a captivating round center stone weighing 2.20 is beautifully set in yellow ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 1.01 Carat Round Halo Scrolling Ribbon Dome Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Details: Certificate: GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Shape: Round Carat: 1.01 Color: F Clarity: VS1 Cut/Pol/Sym: EX/EX/EX Ring Details: Karat: 18K Metal: Yellow Gold...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Cartier 18K White Gold Love Ring Small Model 1 Diamond Band
By Cartier
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Cartier Gender: Unisex Metal Type: 18K White Gold Ring Size: 5 Width: 4.00 mm Weight: 4.33 grams CARTIER designer made polished 18K white gold, diamond wedding band with...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
GIA Certified 2 Carat Radiant Three-Stone Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, this piece is elegantly set in lustrous platinum, providing a warm, classic feel that enhances the ring's overall allure. The center ...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 1.31 Carat Emerald Three-Stone Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, this piece is elegantly set in lustrous platinum , providing a warm, classic feel that enhances the ring's overall allure. The center...
Diamond, Platinum
Gold Entourage Ring with Brilliant Cut Diamonds
Located in AMSTELVEEN, NH
A yellow gold entourage ring with diamonds is a breathtaking piece of jewelry that features a center diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds, set in a band of lustrous yellow gold.
Diamond, Gold
18K Yellow Gold Ring with Diamonds and Rubies
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
At the front, a floral motif is formed by four pear-shaped rubies arranged as petals, their red tones contrasting against the warm gold. A small round diamond sits at the center, add...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 1.4 Carat East-West Oval Halo Double Pave Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Surrounding the central stone is a delicate halo formed by small round brilliant cut diamonds artfully arranged in petal shapes, enhancing the ring's timeless beauty.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
GIA 2.01 Carat Round Curved Bypass Pave Shank Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Graced with a delightful G and VS2 , this ring radiates an extraordinary brilliance. Its design showcases a captivating wave of small round brilliant-cut side diamonds, set exquisite...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA 1.51 Carat Princess Curved Bypass Pave Shank Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Graced with a delightful J and VS1 , this ring radiates an extraordinary brilliance. Its design showcases a captivating wave of small round brilliant-cut side diamonds, set exquisite...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA 1.32 Carat Princess Curved Bypass Pave Shank Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Graced with a delightful I and SI1 , this ring radiates an extraordinary brilliance. Its design showcases a captivating wave of small round brilliant-cut side diamonds, set exquisite...
Diamond, Platinum
18 Karat Textured Gold Three Stone Brown and White Diamonds Ring, Small
By Keiko Mita
Located in Washington, DC
Keiko Mita’s Small 3 Stone Ring from her Sand Dune Collection is handmade from 18 Karat Yellow Gold.
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA 0.8ct Oval Twisted Rope Split Shank Halo Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** Handcrafted in New York, this exquisite diamond ring features a captivating prong set oval center diamond of 0.8 , graded I and I1 , en...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA 1.2 Carat Radiant Curved Bypass Pave Shank Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Graced with a delightful G and SI2 , this ring radiates an extraordinary brilliance. Its design showcases a captivating wave of small round brilliant-cut side diamonds, set exquisite...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 1.2 Carat Oval & Round Three-Stone Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
The design is accentuated by two smaller diamonds, meticulously set in four-prong double basket settings, which enhance the ring's overall allure.
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 1.2 Carat Pave Hidden Halo Radiant Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** Showcasing a stunning 1.23 radiant diamond, this diamond ring captivates with exceptional brilliance and clarity.
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 1.2 Carat Pave Hidden Halo Emerald Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** Showcasing a stunning 1.2 emerald diamond, this diamond ring captivates with exceptional brilliance and clarity.
Diamond, Platinum
GIA 1.52 Carat Oval Curved Bypass Pave Shank Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Graced with a delightful G and SI1 , this ring radiates an extraordinary brilliance. Its design showcases a captivating wave of small round brilliant-cut side diamonds, set exquisite...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 1.71 Carat Pave Hidden Halo Emerald Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
***Save this item ❤️ to get availability & price updates*** Showcasing a stunning 1.71 emerald diamond, this diamond ring captivates with exceptional brilliance and clarity.
Diamond, Platinum
Yellow Diamond with Diamond Ring Set in 18K Gold Settings
Located in Bangkok, TH
Yellow Diamond 0.63 carat with Diamond 0.02 carat Ring set in 18K Gold Settings Width: 0.8 cm Length: 0.8 cm Ring Size: 52 Total Weight: 2.27 grams "We first opened doors in 1980...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
GIA 2.01 Carat Twisted Rope Split Shank Oval Halo Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
The ring's design showcases a twisted rope split shank, offering a sophisticated yet playful texture, while the oval-shaped halo, adorned with prong-set small round brilliant cut dia...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 1.00 Carat Oval Hidden Halo Slim Band Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** Handcrafted in New York, this stunning diamond ring features a captivating center stone of oval 1.00 diamond, radiating with exceptiona...
Diamond, Platinum
Diamond with Brown Diamond Ring set in 18K Gold Settings
Located in Bangkok, TH
Diamond 1.32 carats with Brown Diamond 1.55 carats Ring set in 18K Gold Settings Width: 2.1 cm Length: 2.1 cm Ring Size: 54 Total Weight: 18.93 grams "We first opened doors in 19...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
Diamond Engagement Ring with Matching Ring Jacket, 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
This elegant 14k white gold engagement ring with matching ring jacket. This halo ring features a 4 square diamond center totaling approximately 0.40 carats and is surrounded by a 16 ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
GIA Certified 1.21 Carat Oval Hidden Halo Slim Band Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
**Save this ring ❤️ to receive price updates** Handcrafted in New York, this stunning diamond ring features a captivating center stone of oval 1.21 diamond, radiating with exceptiona...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 1.8 Carat Radiant Halo Curved Bypass Platinum Diamond Ring
By EMD Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in New York, this exquisite diamond ring features a central stone of radiant brilliance, weighing 1.80ct and graded I and VS1.
Diamond, Platinum
White Gold Drop-Shaped Entourage Ring with Diamonds
Located in AMSTELVEEN, NH
Surrounding the center diamond are several smaller brilliant cut diamonds that add extra sparkle and shine to the piece.
Diamond, Gold, White Gold
HRD Certified White Gold Fashion Ring with Diamonds
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
The HRD Certified White Gold Fashion Ring with Diamonds is a stunning testament to Italian craftsmanship and contemporary style.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
T ring pinky ring small ring Alphabet letter T ring diamond ring 14KT gold
Located in Jupiter, FL
Letter T ring in 14KT gold, beautiful classical diamond ring, size is 3 can be resized. GOLD: 14KT gold NATURAL DIAMOND(S) Clarity/Color: SI/G Carat:0.04ct Cut:Round Grams:2.70 Ite...
Cartier Love Collection Small Model Pavé Diamond Band Ring 18 Karat White Gold
By Cartier
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Ring size: 50 (U.S 5.25) Iconic diamond 'Love' wedding band ring from Cartier is the perfect way to say 'I do'. Cartier is a French high-end luxury goods company that designs, manuf...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Yellow Gold Daffodil Floral Ring with Amethyst and Diamond
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary Daffodil ring is in 18 karat yellow or rose gold with natural oval cut amethyst.
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gol...
14 Karat White Gold Ring with Solitaire Diamonds
Located in Berlin, DE
Fantastic 14K White Gold Ring with Solitaire Diamonds. Large solitaire approx. 0.4 carat 8 smaller solitaires: each approx. 0.12 carat.
White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Rose Gold Cocktail Ring with Diamonds
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
18 karat rose gold entourage ring set with 24 brilliant cut diamonds with a total weight of approx. 0.30 ct H/VS.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Boucheron Small Flower Diamond 18k White Gold Cocktail Ring Sz 6 3/4
By Boucheron
Located in Feasterville, PA
A Boucheron floral ring, crafted in 18k white gold. Features a mesmerizing floral design with brilliant-cut diamonds forming delicate petals, creating a breathtaking display of light...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
3 Carat GIA Certificate G Color Cushion Diamond Platinum Bespoke Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Whether adorned with a halo of smaller diamonds or set in a solitaire design, a cushion-shaped engagement ring is sure to make a striking statement.
Diamond, Platinum
3 Carat GIA Certificate E Color Cushion Diamond Platinum Bespoke Engagement Ring
By Hasbani Diamonds
Located in London, GB
Whether adorned with a halo of smaller diamonds or set in a solitaire design, a cushion-shaped engagement ring is sure to make a striking statement.
Diamond, 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.
Ancient Egyptians referred to the vibrant stone as the “gem of the sun.”
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.