Antique 18k Gold and Silver Old Rose Cut Flemish Diamond Ring, Italy
Located in Firenze, IT
Centering an old rose cut flemish diamond approximately 0,50ct, mounted in silver and gold. Size 7 Weight: 4,5gr.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1.67 ct of Diamonds 18 Kt Gold Contemporary Band Ring. Made in Italy
Located in Rome, IT
18 Kt white gold band ring with diamonds on the outside and on the sides for a total weight of ct 1.67 Weight Ring: gr 9.7 Number of Diamonds: n° 112 Size: IT 13 USA 6.25 ; FR 53 It...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18kt Yellow Gold Heart Diamond Ring, Pave Set, Italy, Circa 1970
Located in Firenze, IT
Period: 1970 ca. Size: 7 Weight: 4.12 gr. An 18kt yellow gold, 18 kt white gold and pave' diamond designed as an heart.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
$3,777Sale Price|20% Off
1990s Italian Artisanal Amethyst Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Beautiful ring in yellow gold 18kt (12 grams) Large faceted amethyst stone, leaf style Italian craftsmanship Size 56 / 16 Worldwide fast shipping included in the price ! Your ques...
Amethyst, Diamond, Yellow Gold
$2,568Sale Price|36% Off
Italian Design Square Ring in 18 Karat Pink and White Gold with Diamonds
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Total weight of diamonds is 0.22 carat. This Italian design ring is a European size 53 which is a US size 6.5 This ring is in new condition and will be send beautifully packed.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Estate Italian Angel Skin Coral and Diamond Ring in 18K Yellow Gold, Size 9
Located in Miami, FL
Its refined aesthetic, quality materials, and bold silhouette make it a collectible treasure for those drawn to vintage Italian design and rare natural coral. – Origin: Italy – Perio...
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 18k Gold Two-Stone Diamond Cocktail Ring, Circa 1940, Italy
Located in Firenze, IT
The rectangular plaque set with two old brilliant-cut diamonds within rectangular borders and single-cut diamond pave', each diamond approximately 0.80 carats, ring size 7
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Italian Edwardian Verneuil Sapphire Diamond Three Stone Gent ring 18 KT
Located in Napoli, IT
This substantially gold hand made Gent ring is from the Edwardian period. Italian origin.
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Art Deco 18K White Gold Diamond Ruby Navette Ring, Italy, 1920-1940
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
This dramatic navette ring is quite the spectacular find! Sleek and slender, this romantic gem has a delightful and intriguing design. The diamond-sprinkled openwork navette shape f...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$5,033Sale Price|20% Off
Pave Diamond Flower Ring
By Garavelli
Located in Valenza, IT
Pave Diamond Flower ring in 18kt white gold, from Garavelli Minuette floral collection.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Italian Designer 18k Quartz Rhodolite Diamonds Rose Gold Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring Rose Gold 18 K Diamond 0,73 ct Quartz Rhodolite Weight 10.8 grams Different Sizes Available With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKINA is a Geneva base...
Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Rhodolite, Rose Gold
Diamond Yellow Gold Ring 1980S
Located in Geneva, CH
Step into the nostalgia of the 80s with this captivating yellow gold 18k 750 ring, adorned with a brilliant round cut diamond.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
$4,249Sale Price / item|20% Off
Fashionable Italian Black Diamond White Gold Statement Signet Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
White Gold 14K Ring (Matching Earrings Available) Diamond 1-RND 57-0,01-4/6 Diamond 25-RND 57-0,26-99 Size 17.2 Weight 11.1 gram With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry tradi...
Diamond, Black Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Italian Modern Cocktail Ring In 18Kt Yellow Gold With Diamonds And White Pearl
Located in Miami, FL
Cocktail ring with a white pearl of 11mm. Modern classic piece, crafted in Italy in solid yellow gold of 18 karat and finished with high polish.
Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Black Diamond Men's 18k Gold Engagement Ring by Oltremare Gioielli Made in Italy
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
Features: 1.2 carat natural black diamond brilliant cut 6.5 mm Available in 18k or 14k gold, yellow, rose or white gold •Ring width: 8 mm •Ring thickness : 1,9 mm Production time...
Black Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage Mario Buccellati 18K Two-Tone Gold Diamond Band Ring, Italy, Size 7.25
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Firenze, IT
18-karat yellow gold ring, finely chiseled, openwork and adorned with brilliant-cut diamonds Signed and numbered Size : 7 1/4 Gross weight: 6.42 g. wide 1,1 cm.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Emerald and Diamond Ring Made in Italy in 14k Gold by Oltremare Gioielli
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
Made to order Emerald and Diamond Band, Made in Italy in 14k Gold Introducing our exquisite Italian Gold Band, a symbol of timeless elegance and everlasting love.
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
White Diamond Blue Sapphire 18 Karat Gold Fashion Ray Fish Made in Italy Ring
By Elisa Pozza by PETRONILLA
Located in Bussolengo, Verona
Ray Fish White Diamond Blue Sapphire 18 Karat Gold Ring Made in Italy I drew inspiration from the Spotted Eagle Ray which is found in tropical waters and its distinguished by its sp...
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold
Lapis Lazuli, Diamond 18K Yellow Gold U-Shaped Ring, Italy, Retro, c1960's.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Unusually U-shaped designed - good to wear with a solitaire ring & fantastic on its own – this Italian Retro Ring is featuring a Natural Lapis Lazuli of distinctive deep vi...
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Italian Yellow White Diamond Yellow Gold Band 18K Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
RING 18K TT PE 1.89 Cts/12 Pcs Yellow Diamond 3.08 Cts/26 Pcs
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Italian-Made 0.32 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring in 14k Solid Gold
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
This stunning diamond engagement ring is made in Italy and features 0.32 carats total weight of diamonds.
Diamond, 14k Gold
Adamas Milano Italian Brown Diamond 18K White Gold Pave Checkered Cocktail Ring
By Adamas
Located in Miami, FL
This Adamas Italian Made cocktail ring has an exceptionally unconventional design and dazzling diamond décor.
Diamond, Brown Diamond, White Gold
$817Sale Price|30% Off
Diamonds Sapphires 9 Karat Rose Gold Sterling Silver Dome Ring Made in Italy
By Botta gioielli
Located in Milano, IT
Stylish ring in 9 karat rose gold and sterling silver 925 handcrafted in Italy by Botta Gioielli with 13 natural brilliant cut sapphires and 6 natural brilliant cut white diamonds.
Diamond, Sapphire, Sterling Silver, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Italian Rare Black Yellow Diamond White Gold 18K Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
RING 18K White GoldY BD 3.72 Cts/150 Pcs Diamond 0.13 Cts/16 Pcs Yellow Diamond 0.83 Cts/1 Pcs
Yellow Diamond, White Gold
$934Sale Price|20% Off
Emeralds Diamonds 9 Karat Rose Gold Sterling Silver Dome Ring Made in Italy
By Botta gioielli
Located in Milano, IT
The ring is marked with the Italian gold mark 375, the sterling silver mark 925 and Botta Gioielli brandmark 716MI. 10 natural white diamonds: 0.30 ctw 9 natural emeralds: 1.50 ct...
Diamond, Emerald, Sterling Silver, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Italian Mid Century Bombe Cocktail Ring 18Kt Gold Platinum With 5.30 Ctw Diamond
Located in Miami, FL
Cocktail ring with a pave of diamonds Gorgeous cocktail ring, created during the mid-century period, circa late 1960's. This fabulous ring has been crafted with a bombe shape in sol...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage Ruby Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Geometric Cocktail Ring 1980s, Italian work
Located in Monaco, MC
A bold architectural vision realized in gold and gemstone, this extraordinary Italian cocktail ring transforms the geometry of nature into wearable sculpture.
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
2.02 Carat Rubellite Diamond 18K Rose Gold Made in Italy Cosmic Empowerment Ring
By Beatrice Barzaghi Milano
Located in Milan, IT
2.02 Carat Rubellite Diamond 18K Rose Gold Made in Italy Cosmic Empowerment Ring.
Diamond, Rubelite, Gold, 18k Gold
1.77 cts total Diamonds Made in Italy Rotating Head Essence Gold Engagement Ring
By Beatrice Barzaghi Milano
Located in Milan, IT
The Essence Ring: 18K Gold with Rotating Diamond-Studded Head – A Symbol of Enlightenment and Personal Transformation.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 18ct White Gold Italian Pasquale Bruni Sapphire & Diamond Heart Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Sapphire & Diamond Heart Ring 18ct White Gold French Stamped 750 with Paris Owl 75 Hallmark Circa 1980’s Makers Mark P B Beautiful, Vintage White Gold Sapphire & Diamo...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, 18k Gold
$4,343Sale Price / item|20% Off
Fashionable Italian Diamond White Rose Gold Statement Signet Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
White Rose Gold 14K Ring (Matching Earrings Available) Diamond 2-RND57-0,02-4/6 Diamond 55-RND57-0,65-7/7 US SIZE 6.5 Weight 6.71 gram With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelr...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1.06 Ct GIA Round Diamond Round Emeralds Rubies Italian Flag Platinum Ring
By FERRUCCI
Located in New York, NY
Italian Flag Lover GIA Certified 1.06 Round diamond, G color, IF clarity, Internally Flawless with Triple Excellent Specs. a stunning classic, incredibly beautiful diamond set in a ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Platinum
$4,249Sale Price|20% Off
1990s Italian Artisanal Garnet Stone Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Beautiful ring in yellow gold 18kt Large garnet oval stone Diamonds (0.10 ct approx) Floral decoration Italian craftsmanship Size 55 / 15 Total weight approx 20 grams Note: last pi...
Diamond, Garnet, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Italy Unisex Huge 3.40 Carat Diamonds Ruby Lioness Ring 18 Karat*
Located in New York, NY
Prime Deco Lioness Ring Mens / Ladies 2.00ct. White diamonds, F-G color Vs-1 Vs-2 clarity. 1.00ct. Natural Fancy yellow diamonds. .40ct. Natural rubies (in eyes and mouth) ...
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Tri-Color Gold Trinity Diamond Dome Cocktail Ring, Italian Statement Design
Located in Great Neck, NY
Handcrafted in Italy, the bombe dome silhouette is accented with spiraling trinity motifs, each fully set with brilliant pavé round diamonds totaling approximately 3.00 carats.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Tourmaline, Diamonds, Platinum Ring.
Located in Napoli, Campania
Fantastic ring in platinum structure mounted with a central tourmaline surrounded by diamonds.This ring was totally handmade by Italian master goldsmiths and it is in perfect conditi...
Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum
Amethyst Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Vitale 1913
Located in Monte-Carlo, MC
As in the Baroque art, the jewellery is an elaborate and highly detailed work of art representing the company’s heritage and celebrating the history of the country where it all start...
Diamond, White Diamond, Amethyst, 18k Gold, White Gold
Estate SOHO Italian 18K Diamond Black Enamel Yin Yang Paisley Cocktail Ring Sz 7
By SOHO
Located in Winter Springs, FL
A well done ring by maker SOHO of Italy crafted in 18K white gold and finished with flawless black enamel.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
20 carat Aquamarine Diamonds 18K Gold Made in Italy Grounding Bold Cocktail Ring
By Beatrice Barzaghi Milano
Located in Milan, IT
20 carat Aquamarine Diamonds 18K Gold Made in Italy Grounding Bold Cocktail Ring.
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Platinum Ring With Clusters of Diamonds
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Platinum Ring circa 1940's. Curved shape with 2 flower shaped clusters of diamonds separated by one .80 carat round brilliant cut diamond size 5.81 x 5.87 x 3.41 mm. VS2 clarity. On...
White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
K di Kuore Italian Designer Flexo System 18k Yellow Gold Ring with Diamond Cente
By K Di Kuore
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
K di Kuore Italian based jeweller that has a unique flexo system for its jewels The jeweler uses a Concentric and ondulatory method that combines rigid, solid movement with flexibl...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
$3,304Sale Price / item|20% Off
Italian Three in One Cluster Ruby Diamond White Gold Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
White Gold 14K Ring (Blue Sapphire Ring Available) Diamond 11-RND 57-0,09-4/5 Diamond 1-RND 57-0,09-4/5 Ruby11-RND-0,3 Т(3)/3 Weight 6.2 gram Size US 7 With a heritage of ancient...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Aquamarine, Diamonds, Platinum Ring.
Located in Napoli, Campania
Amazing ring in platinum structure mounted with a central aquamarine surrounded by a frame of diamonds.
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
$3,257Sale Price|20% Off
1990s Italian Artisanal Amethyst Stone White Gold Ring
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Beautiful ring in white gold 750 (11,50 grams) Large faceted amethyst stone of 4,40 g Diamonds (0.26 cts) Italian craftsmanship Size 55 / 15 Comes with certificate of Moraglione It...
Diamond, Amethyst, White Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold and Black Enamel and Diamond Adjustable Ring Made in Italy
By Campanelli & Pear
Located in Troy, MI
This contemporary enamel ring is hand-crafted in Italy for Campanelli & Pear.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
$16,000
Gucci Diamond Tiger Ring
By Gucci
Located in San Antonio, TX
Gucci Le Marche des Merveilles Diamond/Emerald Tiger Ring set in 18k rose gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold
18K White Gold Made in Italy Diamond Rodolite Garnet Vogue Awarded Cocktail Ring
By Beatrice Barzaghi Milano
Located in Milan, IT
18K White Gold Made in Italy Diamond Rodolite Garnet Vogue Awarded Cocktail Ring.
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 18kt White Gold Diamond Trilogy Ring, 0.95ct, Italy 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage trilogy ring with 18 karat white gold band and brilliant diamonds for a total of 0.95 karats, Italy 1980s Ring size US 6.5
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$3,304Sale Price / item|20% Off
Italian Three in One Blue Sapphire Diamond White Gold Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
White Gold 14K Ring (Blue Sapphire Ring Available) Diamond 11-RND 57-0,2-4/5 Diamond 1-RND 57-0,09-4/5 Blue Sapphire 11-RND-0,26 Т(3)/3 Weight 5.63 gram Size US 7.3 With a heritage...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold, White Gold
$5,656Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Designer 18K London Blue Topaz Diamonds Rose Gold Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring Rose Gold 18 K Diamond 0,73 ct London Blue Topaz Weight 11 grams Different Sizes Available With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKINA is a Geneva base...
Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Rose Gold
Italian 18k Opal Brown Diamonds Rose Elegant Gold Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring Rose Gold 18 K (Matching Necklace and Earrings Available) Diamond Brown 1,08 ct Opal Weight 5 grams Different Sizes Available With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry tra...
Diamond, Opal, Rose Gold
Bulgari Turquoise & Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari Turquoise & Diamond Cocktail Ring Bulgari flower-shaped ring set with sculpted petal-shaped turquoise, accented with brilliant-cut diamonds. Approximate Weight: 7 grams...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Italian Breathtaking 18k Quartz Rhodolite Brown Diamonds Rose Gold Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring Rose Gold 18 K (Matching Necklace and Earrings Available) Diamond Brown 0,26 ct Quartz Rhodolite Weight 6.30 grams Size 14 With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry tradi...
Diamond, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Quartz, Rhodolite, Rose Gold
Ancient Style 18k Gold Ring with Natural Diamonds, Large Gold Band Made in Italy
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
Made to order Ring. Oltremare Gioielli Ancient style 18k gold ring with natural diamonds, large gold band made in Italy.
Diamond, 18k Gold
iO Si Italy Citrine and Diamond Sculpture Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
By io Si
Located in La Jolla, CA
iO Si Italy Citrine and Diamond Sculpture Ring in 18k Yellow Gold Unique Citrine and Diamond Ring features an 11.00 carat Faceted Citrine Briolette set in 18k Yellow Gold with Roun...
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Rose Gold Made in Italy F Vs Diamond Pave Cosmic Empowerment Ring
By Beatrice Barzaghi Milano
Located in Milan, IT
18K Rose Gold Made in Italy F Vs Diamond Pave Cosmic Empowerment Ring.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Florentine Finished Diamond Ring
By Stefano Vitolo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This handcrafted ring has 0.74 total carat weight of F/G color and VS clarity diamonds.
Diamond, 18k 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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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.