Unavailable|$7,009 / item
1 Carat Diamond Half Eternity Channel Set Wedding Ring
Located in London, GB
Available in 18K gold or platinum 950, this piece is ideal as a stand alone eternity ring or as a wedding ring. As this is a bespoke creation, the design can be adjusted to suit any ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Unavailable|$6,740 / item
1 Carat Diamond Half Eternity Channel Set Wedding Ring
Located in London, GB
Available in 18K gold or platinum 950, this piece is ideal as a stand alone eternity ring or as a wedding ring. As this is a bespoke creation, the design can be adjusted to suit any ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Unavailable|$3,001
Half Eternity Vintage Diamond and Emerald 18k Gold Ring
Located in Rottedam, NL
Such a striking and very LARGE statement diamond and emerald ring! This marvelous cocktail ring is made of solid 18 ct yellow and is a true show stopper! It weights whooping 6g and i...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$1,372 / item
14k Yellow Gold Half Eternity Band Ring, Natural Diamonds
Located in Toronto, ON
This is a perfect stacker for your Bellisa engagement rings, or wear it solo for a clean and minimal look. This pave band ring features 21 pieces of natural diamonds that wrap halfwa...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Unavailable|$2,444
1.11ct Baguette Diamond Half Eternity 18ct White Gold Ring
Located in Southampton, GB
Many of our items include UK VAT at 20%. This means we may be able to remove this when you are purchasing from outside of the UK. Please message us if you would like to know about a ...
Diamond, White Gold
Unavailable|$476
Diamond set Geometric Half Eternity Band Ring in Yellow Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
Introducing our Diamond set geometric half eternity band ring in Yellow Gold, a modern twist on a classic design that exudes sophistication and style.
Diamond, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Unavailable|$1,428
Estate Platinum Diamond Eternity Half Band
Located in Narberth, PA
A stunning diamond eternity band! Crafted in platinum, this stunning band features a row of 14 full cut diamonds, held within bead settings. Overall, the diamonds have an approximate...
Diamond, Platinum
Unavailable|$4,190
Estate Platinum Diamond Half Eternity Band
Located in Narberth, PA
A stunning diamond eternity band! Crafted in platinum, this stunning ring is comprised of a single row of five sparkling diamonds, which rest in a channel setting. The stones are old...
Platinum
Unavailable|$4,260
Baguette Diamond Half Eternity Platinum Band Ring, 2 Total Carats
Located in Miami, FL
Item Specifications: Style: Half Diamond Eternity Ring Ring Size: 6.75 (contact us for sizing options) Metal: Platinum Metal Purity: 950 Stones: 13 Baguette Diamonds Diamond Color: ...
Diamond, Platinum
Unavailable|$2,450
Ruby and Diamond Half-Eternity Band
Located in Carmel, CA
This radiant ruby and diamond half-eternity band features 6 rubies weighing a total of .48 carats and 5 diamonds weighing a total of .33 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Unavailable|$14,161 / item
1 Carat Pear Cut Double Halo Half Eternity Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
1 carat, pear cut, E-VS2 centre stone (or bespoke, based on request), set within a double halo mounted on a half eternity band. Available in 18K white gold/yellow gold/rose gold or p...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Unavailable|$13,616 / item
1 Carat, Pear Cut Double Halo, Half Eternity Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
1 carat, Pear cut, E-VS2 centre stone (or bespoke, based on request), set within a double halo mounted on a half eternity band. Available in 18K white gold/yellow gold/rose gold or p...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Unavailable|$3,200 / item
Art Deco Half Eternity Natural Diamond Baguette Cut Diamond Ring
Located in רמת גן, IL
**Our diamonds are 100% REAL, natural earth mined** Beautiful & unique half-eternity diamond ring, set with multiple diamonds in Baguette-cut, prongs set in 14K yellow gold.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Unavailable|$1,395
Vintage Art Deco Diamond Platinum Half Eternity Band or Wedding Ring
Located in Sydney CBD, AU
Vintage Art Deco Diamond Platinum Half Eternity Wedding Band or Wedding Ring Platinum Half Eternity Band or Wedding Ring featuring 9 single cut Diamonds on a flattened back band, sq...
Diamond, Platinum
Unavailable|$6,750
Emerald and Diamond Half-Eternity Band
Located in Carmel, CA
A stunning emerald and diamond band featuring 3 emeralds weighing a total of 1.24 carats. The ring also includes 10 baguette diamonds for a total of .18 carats and 20 round diamonds ...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Unavailable|$950
Vintage Style Half Eternity Diamond Ring in 18 Karat White Gold
By Shimansky
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Style Half Eternity Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold Frour Prong Set Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds total carat weight 0.25 ct H-I Color and SI Clarity Perfect for special occass...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$750
Vintage Style Half Eternity Diamond Ring in 18 Karat White Gold
By Shimansky
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Style Half Eternity Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold Four Prong Set Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds total carat weight 0.26 ct H-I Color and SI Clarity Perfect for special occasio...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$2,300
Lizunova White Gold Half Circle Diamond Eternity Ring; Made to Order
By Lizunova Fine Jewels
Located in Sydney, NSW
This timeless diamond eternity ring is handcrafted to order in our Sydney studios in 18 karat white gold and set with a half circle of diamonds.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Milena Kovanovic Spinel 18 Karat Rose Gold Half Eternity Band Ring
By Milena Kovanovic
Located in London, GB
Bring a subtle hit of colour to everyday looks with this fine hammered band, pavé set with twelve brilliant cut red spinels. The half eternity design is contemporary yet timeless, be...
Spinel, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Certified 1.41 Carat Natural Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring Half Eternity Band
Located in Orlando, Florida
Certified 1.41 Carat Natural Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring Half Eternity Band A stunning ring featuring IGI/GIA Certified 1.41 Carat Natural Emerald and 0.10 Carat of Diamond Acce...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 2 Carat Natural Emerald Diamond Half Eternity Engagement Band Ring
Located in Orlando, Florida
Antique 2 Carat Natural Emerald Diamond Half Eternity Engagement Band Ring A stunning ring featuring IGI/GIA Certified 1.82 Carat Natural Emerald and 0.018 Carat of Diamond Accents ...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Unavailable|$34,400 / item
GIA Certified 3.28 Carat Natural Diamond Half Eternity Engagement Band Ring
Located in Orlando, Florida
GIA Certified 3.28 Carat Natural Diamond Half Eternity Engagement Band Ring ********E-Copy of the GIA Certificate is Available Upon Request.********** A stunning ring featuring IGI...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Platinum
Unavailable|$8,240 / item
Vintage Half Eternity Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring, White Gold Emerald Band
Located in Orlando, Florida
Vintage Half Eternity Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring, White Gold Emerald Band A stunning ring featuring IGI/GIA Certified Natural Emerald and Diamond Accents set in 18K Solid Gold.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Mozafarian Half Eternity 0.16 Carat Marquise Cut Center Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in London, England
Elegant and modern, this ring is crafted in 18k white gold and features a marquise-cut diamond set at the center of a fine diamond-set band. The elongated silhouette of the marquise ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mozafarian Half Eternity 0.23 Carat Pear Cut Center Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in London, England
This elegant ring is crafted in 18k white gold and features a pear-cut diamond at its center, set on a fine diamond-set band for added brilliance. The teardrop silhouette adds a touc...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mozafarian Half Eternity 0.16 Carat Oval Cut Center Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in London, England
Refined and timeless, this ring is crafted in 18k white gold and features an oval-cut diamond set at its center, complemented by a slim diamond-set band that enhances its graceful sp...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Unavailable|$13,440 / item
Certified 3.67 Carat Halo Emerald Diamond Half Eternity Engagement Band Ring
Located in Orlando, Florida
Certified 3.67 Carat Halo Emerald Diamond Half Eternity Engagement Band Ring A stunning ring featuring IGI/GIA Certified 3.67 Carat Natural Emerald and 0.83 Carat of Diamond Accent...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Mozafarian Half Eternity 0.16 Carat Emerald Cut Center Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in London, England
Crafted in 18k white gold, this ring features a sleek emerald-cut diamond set on a fine diamond-set band. The clean lines of the step-cut stone bring an architectural elegance, while...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mozafarian Half Eternity 0.16 Carat Princess Cut Center Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in London, England
This delicate diamond ring is crafted in 18k white gold and features a refined silhouette designed for effortless elegance. A princess-cut diamond sits at the center, elevated on a f...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Unavailable|$4,500
Eternity Band Half with Baguettes, 2.06 Carat
Located in Mumbai, IN
An eternity or Infinity ring, comprises a continuous line of identically cut & calibrated diamonds symbolising never ending love. Such calibration of diamonds is very difficult in ye...
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
0.96 Carats Princess Cut Sapphire Half Eternity Bezel Ring Band with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Introducing our enchanting 0.96 Carats Princess Cut Sapphire Half Eternity Bezel Setting Ring Band, embellished with delicate diamonds, designed to be stacked for a personalized touc...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$2,528
14K Yellow Gold 1.75ctw Multi-Sapphire Half Eternity Band Ring, Size 6.5
Located in Holtsville, NY
This elegant 14K yellow gold half eternity band ring showcases an array of vibrant sapphires in various colors, totaling 1.75 carats.
Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Half Carat .50ct Genuine Diamond Wedding Band Eternity Ring 18ct Yellow Gold
Located in Mona Vale, NSW
The sides of this ring are flat so it would happily pair with a regular engagement ring as either a diamond wedding band or eternity ring.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Antique Georgian Ring 18 Karat Gold Turquoise Eternity Band Half Hoop Collet
Located in London, GB
Turquoise is one of the oldest stones and has been used in jewellery throughout history. This delicate half eternity band ring is a lovely example that dates from the Georgian era.
Turquoise, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$2,500
Messika, "Alliance Joy" Diamond Half Eternity Band
By Messika
Located in London, GB
This beautiful wedding ring is fully handmade. The seven central brilliant cut diamonds are enhanced by a precious pavé set in 18 carat white gold. Thus giving a dazzling effect. To ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Milena Kovanovic Spinel 18 Karat Rose Gold Half Eternity Engagement Band Ring
By Milena Kovanovic
Located in London, GB
Bring a subtle hit of colour to everyday looks with this fine hammered band, pavé set with twelve brilliant cut red spinels. The half eternity design is contemporary yet timeless, be...
Spinel, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Unavailable|$9,700 / item
Certified Natural Ruby Diamond Engagement Ring, 18K Gold Half Eternity Gold Band
Located in Orlando, Florida
Certified Natural Ruby Diamond Engagement Ring, 18K Gold Half Eternity Gold Band A stunning ring featuring IGI/GIA Certified 1.02 Carat Natural Ruby and 0.18 Carat of Diamond Accent...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
White Gold Pave Set White Diamond Brilliant Half Eternity Wedding Band Ring
Located in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
The regal heritage surrounding the van Oranje family inspired the classic lines, delicate diamond detailing and flawless mirror finish on each timeless band. Designed in the Amsterda...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Unavailable|$27,800
3 Carat Emerald Diamond Wedding Band Emerald Diamond Half Eternity Gold Ring
Located in Orlando, Florida
18K Gold Emerald Cut Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring, Antique Emerald Diamond Bridal Promise Ring, Emerald Wedding Ring, Gift for Mom Product Details ↣ Jewelry Type - Rings ↣ Styl...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Unavailable|$10,300 / item
Half Eternity Emerald Wedding Band, Art Deco Emerald Yellow Gold Bridal Ring
Located in Orlando, Florida
Product Details ↣ Jewelry Type - Rings ↣ Style - Vintage Mid Century ↣ Jewelry Main Material - 18K Yellow Gold Stone Details ↣ Primary Stone Type: Emerald ↣ Primary Stone Sha...
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Unavailable|$3,850 / item
Half Eternity Marquise Wedding Band Ring, 0.5CT Natural Diamond, 18k White Gold
Located in Ramat Gan, IL
Jewelry Material: White Gold 18k (the gold has been tested by a professional) Total Carat Weight: 1.10-1.20ct (Approx.) - the carat might change slightly depending on the size Stone...
Diamond, White Gold
Unavailable|$11,573
18 Carat Gold Triple Row Baguette and Round Diamond Half Eternity Band Ring
Located in Oxted, Surrey
18ct White Gold Triple Row Baguette and Round Diamond Half Eternity Band Ring. Set with a central row of Tapered Baguette Diamonds, and two rows of Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds eith...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
White Gold Baguette White Diamond Half Eternity Channel Set Wedding Band Ring
Located in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
A sense of decadence and beauty surrounds the Bartolotti family of wedding bands. Featuring House of Eléonore 1.87 tct baguette cut diamonds (horizontally) that reflect glorious shaf...
White Diamond, 18k Gold
14k Yellow Gold Dune Ring Studded with Brilliant-Cut Rubies Curved Half Eternity
Located in New York, NY
Eleven tiny brilliant-cut ruby gems are gracefully set against a 14k yellow gold landscape. This curved half eternity band will bring a certain balance and harmony to your daily stac...
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 2 Ct Natural Emerald Diamond Half Eternity Band Emerald Engagement Ring
Located in Orlando, Florida
Certified 2 Natural Emerald Diamond White Gold Half Eternity Engagement Band A stunning ring featuring IGI/GIA Certified 2.12 Carat Natural Emerald and 0.68 Carat of Diamond Accents...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Unavailable|$26,599 / item
9 Carat Half Emerald Half Round Natural Diamond Eternity Band 18k White Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This one of a kind ring is perfect for those special occasions in your life! Metal: 18k Gold Diamond Carat Total Weight: 9 Carats (4.5 Round 4.5 Emerald) Diamond Cut: Round & Emeral...
Diamond, White Gold
18 Karat Rose Gold Eternity Ring Band Half Set with Princess Cut Diamonds
Located in Antwerpen, BE
beautiful and elegant eternity band set with princess cut diamonds, perfect for everyday use, to stack with your engagement ring, wear alone or as we like to suggest the idea to our ...
White Diamond, 18k Gold
Alluring Half Eternity Marquise Dress Ring Set in 18 Karat White and Yellow Gold
By Shimansky
Located in New York, NY
Alluring Half Eternity Marquise Dress Ring Set in 18K White and Yellow Gold.
Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Unavailable|$1,278 / item
14k Yellow Gold Zoey Half Pave Chevron Eternity Ring, Diamond Pavé '0.1t.C.W, Si'
Located in Toronto, ON
This minimalist & modern curved eternity band is for all the elegant ladies in the house. Our Zoey Chevron Eternity Ring features natural white diamonds in pave setting that sparkles...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Unavailable|$1,218
Baguette and Brilliant Cut Diamond Half Eternity Band in Platinum
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
Experience timeless elegance with this Baguette and Brilliant Cut Diamond half eternity band, exquisitely crafted in sleek platinum.
Diamond, Platinum
Unavailable|$2,436
14K Yellow Gold 1.05ctw Emerald Half Eternity Band, Size 6.75
Located in Holtsville, NY
This elegant 14K yellow gold half eternity band showcases a total of 1.05 carats of stunning emeralds.
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Unavailable|$3,503
14K Yellow Gold 1.92ctw Emerald Half Eternity Band, Size 6.75
Located in Holtsville, NY
This elegant 14K yellow gold half eternity band features a striking 1.92 carat total weight of round modified brilliant emeralds.
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Unavailable|$1,412
Eternity Half Band Diamond Baguette Cut White Gold 18 Karat
Located in Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana
Tradicional and bulky eternity half band ring in White Gold 18 Karat weight 7.70 grams with 20 Diamonds baguette cut size 3x1x0.60milimeters total weight 0.40 carats.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Unavailable|$13,800
8mm Wide Half-Eternity Band with 2.33 Carats of Diamond
Located in Carmel, CA
This stunning diamond band is 8mm wide with a slight taped towards the underside of the shank. The ring has a "half-eternity" design, with 7 pear cut diamonds (1.16ctw) and 13 round ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Unavailable|$1,728
14K Rose Gold 1.48ctw Sapphire Diamond Half Eternity Band, Size 7
Located in Holtsville, NY
This elegant 14K Rose Gold Half Eternity Band features 1.48 carats of stunning blue sapphires, expertly set to create a dazzling display of brilliance.
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Unavailable|$3,490 / item
18k White Gold Half-Way Eternity Band with 1.75ct of TDW
Located in New York, NY
· Half-Way Eternity band · Crafted in 18k White Gold · 1.75 ct. total diamond weight · Diamond Shape: Round · Natural Diamonds
White Gold
Unavailable|$6,995
Alessa 3mm Eternity Half Stack 18 Karat White Gold Essentials Collection
By Alessa
Located in London, GB
Worn stacked on their own they add the sparkle and define elegance. The eternity collection is iconic and essential. Product name: 3mm Eternity Half Stack Diamonds: Colorless 1.15 c...
White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.
From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!
There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.
Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.
In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).
When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And on 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.
Ancient Egyptians referred to the vibrant stone as the “gem of the sun.”
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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.