Kwiat Diamond Ring

For over a century, Kwiat has been a pioneer in the world of exquisite diamond jewelry. This family-run business was founded in 1907 and has been helmed by four generations, each setting consecutively higher standards of craftsmanship, design and beauty.

Kwiat started with Polish immigrant Sam Kwiat opening a small shop selling vintage diamonds on New York’s Canal Street, the city’s diamond district in the early 1900s. By 1962, the shop had already built a following and a distinct brand identity and, in a pioneering move, became one of the first diamond dealers to relocate to the now-bustling 47th Street diamond district. In 1955, Kwiat introduced its first jewelry catalogue. Kwiat is now a global leader in exquisitely cut, crafted and sourced diamonds, and it has some of the world’s strictest standards for diamond quality. Kwiat jewelry is regularly spotted on celebrities walking the red carpet, from the Grammys to the Oscars. The house’s timeless diamond rings, which the company began focusing on in the early 2000s, are now a leading choice for engagement rings, especially their bespoke designs.

What makes a Kwiat diamond engagement ring special are the open and airy settings — a design trick intended to make the diamond appear as if it is an ethereal gem floating over the skin. The precision and expertise with which a Kwiat diamond is cut are most visible in its signature Kwiat Star collection, introduced in 1957 and reissued in 2002: The range of jewelry is made with glinting marquise-cut diamonds arranged in radiant clusters.

To promote more ethical conditions in the jewelry industry, Kwiat uses diamonds sourced from conflict-free regions. The brand has also perfected its trademarked Kwiat Tiara cut, which makes diamonds appear bigger and more brilliant, as well as the dazzling Ashoka cut, which was introduced by diamond dealer William Goldberg in 1999 and is now available exclusively from Kwiat in the United States. In 2008, Kwiat marked its centennial by opening a new flagship on Madison Avenue. In 2020, it announced the new Fred Leighton round cut based on Old European designs, which followed the company’s acquisition of the Fred Leighton vintage jewelry retailer in 2009. A century after opening its first store, Kwiat continues to be a global leader in reimagining the future of diamond jewelry.

Find a collection of Kwiat rings, bracelets, necklaces and other 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.