Yianni Creations Yellow Gold 18 Karat Diamond Solitaire Wide Band Ring
By Yianni Creations
Located in Astoria, NY
Yianni Creations presents a handmade artisan ring crafted from solid 18 Karat gold. This gorgeous ring features a 1.50 Carat brilliant cut Diamond. The unique look is created by anci...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
.40ct Diamond Solitaire Ring + Band 14kt Set*
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Solitaire & Band .40ct Natural Princess Cut Diamond Center & .30ct Natural Round Cut Accent Diamonds.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
.24ct Diamond Solitaire Ring + Band 14kt Set*
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Solitaire & Band .24ct Natural Round Diamond Center & .28ct Natural Round Cut Accent Diamonds.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
.68ct Diamond Solitaire Ring + Band 14kt Set*
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Solitaire & Band .68ct Natural Round Diamond Center & .60ct Natural Round Cut Accent Diamonds.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Unisex 18k Gold 1.02ct Bezel Diamond Solitaire Polished Domed Wide Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Diamond - Old European Cut - Bezel Set - L/M Color - SI2 Clarity Total Carat Weight: 1.02 (exact) Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold Weight: 12.87 Gr...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Gold Diamond and Sapphire Wide Band Ring
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
This S.Georgios gorgeous designer wide band Sapphire and Diamond Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold and all hand made. It features a stunning oval shape natural Sapphire total weight of 4....
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Blue Diamond, Yellow Di...
14 Karat Yellow Gold Leaf Motif Wide Band Ring with Solitaire Round Diamond
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Ring Size: 7 Embrace the organic elegance of nature with this stunning leaf band ring, crafted in luxurious 14 karat yellow gold. This unique piece showcases a beautifully detailed ...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
New 14k Gold GIA 0.53ctw Emerald Cut Diamond Solitaire Milgrain Wide Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have a bold and absolutely gorgeous diamond solitaire band ring that is newly crafted from solid 14k white gold.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
$1,780Sale Price|61% Off
18kt Yellow Gold Oval Sapphire and Diamond Wide Band Ring, Circa 2022
Located in Laguna Hills, CA
This ring is a wide band measuring 11 millimeters and is set in a rich 18-karat yellow gold metal. The center Oval sapphire measures 6.20-5.02 x 2.55 weighing an estimated .75 carat....
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
$1,072Sale Price|45% Off
Wide Diamond Band Ring, 18K White Gold, .55CT, SI1-2 Clarity, Size 7.5
Located in Laguna Hills, CA
The triple wide diamond band, Cluster .55CT Diamond 18Kt white gold Ring Wide 10.16 mm at the top is made from a triple band consisting of (36) pave diamonds. The total weight of .5...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Yianni Creation Gold 18 Karat Citrine and Diamond Adjustable Long Wide Band Ring
By Yianni Creations
Located in Astoria, NY
Yianni Creations 18 Karat wide band ring is all crafted by hand in Greece is featuring 1.25 Carat oval cut Citrine accompanied by 0.03 Carat brilliant cut White Diamond. Brushed text...
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Men's 18K Yellow Gold 0.94ctw Round Diamond Dual Finish Ribbed Wide Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This magnificent men's ring was crafted in solid 18k yellow gold and features a fine and super fiery round brilliant cut diamond which weighs approximaltey 0.94 carats. The diamond i...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yianni Creations Amethyst Diamond Fine Silver and 24 Karat Gold Wide Band Ring
By Yianni Creations
Located in Astoria, NY
Yianni Creations Midas Collection 100% Handmade Artisan Ring from Fine Silver with an overlay of 24 Karat Yellow Gold features 1.25 Carat Amethyst accompanied by 0.03 Carat Diamond c...
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Aquamarine, Citrine, Blue Diamond, Yel...
GIA Certified .51 Carat Natural Round Diamond Solitaire Ring E/I2 + Band*
Located in New York, NY
GIA certified .51 carat diamond ring. Report number [phone removed by eBay] Stating E color I2 clarity & fair cut. No fluorescence. Total weight of all side round diamonds 0...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a striking solitaire ring featuring a centralised round faceted old European cut diamond.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold 2.01ct Diamond Solitaire Ring MF04-020526
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
This exquisite Diamond solitaire ring is meant to make a statement.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Solid 10K White Gold Emerald Contemporary Split Band Solitaire Ring Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
One round cut 3.75mm (0.15" inches) Vibrant Emerald set in this Solid 10K White Gold modern Solitaire band setting. This is a Genuine Natural Emerald.
Emerald, 10k Gold, White Gold
18ky Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This ring sparkles from across the room! A true classic. 18 karat yellow gold band with beautiful prong set round diamond. Diamond is approximately .36tdw. G-H color, VS2-SI1 clar...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Yianni Creations London Blue Topaz Fine Silver and 24 Karat Gold Wide Band Ring
By Yianni Creations
Located in Astoria, NY
Yianni Creations Midas Collection 100% Handmade Artisan Ring from Fine Silver with a layover of 24 Karat Yellow Gold features a 1.60 Carat London Blue Topaz complimented by unique te...
Topaz, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Topaz, Gold, 24k Gold, Gold Plate, Y...
Bezel Set Diamond Solitaire 18 Karat Yellow Gold Estate Ring
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Custom made eighteen karat 18K yellow gold estate ring with attractive step style wide band leading to one full cut round faceted .94 carat H/VS diamond solitaire in a rhodium setting.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Men's Solid 18k Yellow Gold 0.87ctw Brilliant Diamond Wide Band Pinky Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This men's geometric ring is crafted in solid 18k yellow gold and features a wide rectangular top adorned with 28 round brilliant cut diamonds across its top & part of the shoulders....
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
0.65ct Princess Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring 18ct White Gold
Located in London, GB
0.65ct Princess Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring 18ct White Gold 0.65ct Princess Diamond Engagement Ring With Diamond Halo In 18k White Gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
0.46ct Fancy yellow diamond IGI solitaire engagement ring 18ct white gold
Located in London, GB
0.46ct Fancy yellow diamond IGI solitaire engagement ring 18ct white gold 0.81ct IGI certified Fancy Vivid Yellow round diamond engagement ring in 18 gold.
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Victorian 18K Gold 0.35ct Old European Cut Diamond Solitaire Belcher Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique diamond, and yellow gold ring, comprising one old European cut diamond, in 18 karat yellow gold. My favourite thing about this Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Ring, is...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 18K Gold Old European Cut Diamond Solitaire Belcher Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique diamond, and yellow gold ring, comprising one old European cut diamond, in 18 karat yellow gold. My favourite thing about this Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Ring, is...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 0.94 Carat Round Diamond Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
GIA Certified Round Brilliant 0.94CT I I1 14K Yellow Gold Natural Diamond Engagement Ring Size 6 GIA Report Number: 2205807509 (Note original certificate pictured for details) Carat...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Geometric Round Solitaire Natural Diamond Men Ring in 14k Solid Gold (Certified)
Located in New Delhi, DL
All our jewelry pieces are certified by a third-party laboratory such as IGI, HRD, IDGL, GIN, or SGL. This geometric diamond ring showcases a round natural diamond bezel set at the ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Antique Victorian 18K Gold 0.54ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Solitaire Belcher Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A Victorian diamond, and yellow gold ring, comprising one cushion-shaped old mine cut diamond, set in 18 karat yellow gold, to an 18 karat yellow gold band. This arresting ring is ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 1.03ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring in 18K Gold
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
The center stone is mounted in an 18K yellow gold band with a white gold head, a typical construction of the period, designed to highlight the brilliance of the diamond while maintai...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Minimal Oval Natural Ruby & Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring in 14K Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Delicate 6 round diamonds totaling 0.06 carats, each about 1.25 mm, accent the band in a refined pave setting, adding a subtle sparkle to its timeless design.
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 18K Gold 0.61ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Belcher Solitaire Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique diamond and yellow gold ring, comprising one old mine cut diamond, set in 18 karat yellow gold, to a band of 18 karat yellow gold. This striking ring is set to the centre...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold 0.61ct Old Cut Diamond Belcher Solitaire Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique diamond and yellow gold ring, comprising one large old mine cut diamond, set in 18 karat yellow gold, to a band of 18 karat yellow gold. The ring is set to the centre wi...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Gold 1.80ct Pear Cut Emerald Solitaire & Pave Round Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This stone stands out with its attractive size and deep, vibrant, green color that gives this ring such an attractive and desirable look. The wide shoulders of the band are covered w...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$7,840Sale Price|28% Off
18kt White Gold Pave Diamond & Tanzanite Band Ring, 8.90 TCW
Located in Laguna Hills, CA
Contemporary Pave Diamond Ring with Tanzanite, Center Stone, 8.90 TCW, 18KT The center Blue Tanzanite is measured as 9.31-11.27 x 6.80 mm with estimated weight of 5.10 carat. The tan...
Tanzanite, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
Certified 0.36 Carat Diamond Set in 18 Karat Yellow Gold "Comet" Solitaire Ring
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Like a comet with a diamond head and a golden tail, this sleek and modern ring features a bright white brilliant cut diamond in a clever single-prong setting. The "tail" swooping al...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Fancy Colored Diamond Ring Sz 7 Stacking Band 18k Yellow Gold Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish contemporary fancy colored diamond band crafted in 18 karat yellow gold. Fancy colored pear shaped yellow diamond is estimated at 0.20 carats (estimated at I2 clarity). ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.50ct Natural Rubies and Diamonds Band Ring Channel Wave*
Located in New York, NY
1ct natural baguette Ruby band. Dome mounted single stripe, wave pattern. Clean clarity vivid red and transparent. .50 carat natural round side diamonds H color vs2 clarity Ring ...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yianni Creations Topaz and Diamond Silver and 24 Karat Gold Adjustable Band Ring
By Yianni Creations
Located in Astoria, NY
Yianni Creations adjustable ring all handmade in Greece for an international jewelry show. This artisan ring is a modern variation on the classic diamond rosetta ring. This geometric...
Topaz, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 24k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, ...
22k Tiffany and Co. Diamond solitaire. Diamond rated at 0.50ct. Extremely rare.
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Vintage from the 1950s Size: 6 1/2 US Gemstone: Diamond Gem color: Colorless Band color: Gold Extremely Rare Tiffany and Co. 22k Gold solitaire.
Diamond
J. Birnbach Certified GIA 1.51 L SI1 Cushion Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring
By J. Birnbach
Located in New York, NY
Its understated elegance makes it easy to pair with a wide range of wedding bands, from classic gold to diamond-accented styles.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2.50 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring and Matching Band 14 Karat*
Located in New York, NY
Suite of (2) Rings. .80ct. Center round diamond. Brilliant cut, full of sparkles. G-color, Si-1 clarity. Both rings are with princess cut diamonds. Total: 1.70ct. H-color Vs-2...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 4.12 Carat Fancy Yellow Radiant Cut Diamond Solitaire Unisex Ring
Located in Miami, FL
GIA certified 4.12 carat natural fancy yellow radiant cut diamond solitaire bezel set unisex ring in 18K two-tone gold.
Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
5.01 Carat Round Cut J/VS1 Diamond in 14K White Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Details: Type: Engagement Ring Metal: 14K White Gold Size: 5.5 Setting: Solitaire Weight: 6.20 grams Center Stone Details: Type: Natural Round Brilliant Diamond Carat: 5.01 Color: J...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
GIA Certified 3.01 Carat E/VS1 Cushion Cut Diamond Mens Solitaire Bezel Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Product Specifications: Item Type: Solitaire Ring Metal: 18K White Gold Ring Size: 8 (adjustable, sizes 6-12) Setting Style: Full Bezel Band Width: 5.0mm Face Measurements: 10.5 - 10...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
5.01 Carat Round Cut J/VS1 Diamond in 14K White Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Details: Type: Engagement Ring Metal: 14K White Gold Size: 5.5 Setting: Solitaire Weight: 6.20 grams Center Stone Details: Type: Natural Round Brilliant Diamond Carat: 5.01 Color: J...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
GIA Certified 4.65 Carat Fancy Deep Yellow Diamond Solitaire Bezel Set Mens Ring
Located in Miami, FL
GIA certified 4.65 carat natural fancy deep yellow round cut diamond solitaire bezel set unisex ring in 18K white gold.
Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
14k Yellow Gold 0.93ct Round Brilliant Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
14k Yellow Gold 0.93ct Round Brilliant Diamond Solitaire Ring Style: 14k Yellow Gold Round Brilliant Diamond Solitaire Ring Material: 14K Yellow Gold Center Diamond: Round Brilliant...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
ALGT Certified 1.65 Ct Brilliant cut Salt and Pepper Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
On offer is an 18 carat white black rhodinated gold solitaire ring in the center with 1 brilliant cut salt and pepper diamond 1.66 ct.
Diamond, 18k Gold
GIA Certified 2ct Pear-Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring in Two-Tone 18KGold
By VimleshBadaya
Located in Jaipur, RJ
The setting marries 18K white gold around the diamond for maximum luminosity with a sleek 18K yellow-gold straight band—an architectural nod to Art-Deco two-tone elegance.
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
GIA 3.95 Carat F/VS2 Round Brilliant Diamond Ring, Matching Band Princess*
Located in New York, NY
Flush Mounted, Princess' & Rounds Suite. 1.15ct. Round brilliant diamond Report: 16826018 (please see certificate scan in photo menu) F-color, Vs-2 clarity. Side diamonds:...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1.20 Carat Pear Shape Diamond Band Ring 14 Karat Durable
Located in New York, NY
The anti-catch for those whom like smooth finish Durable, wear this anywhere and enjoy class! .50ct. pear shape diamond J-color Vs-2 clarity Side diamonds: I-color, Vs-2 ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA 3.02 Carat Cushion Brilliant Diamond Ring and Matching Band Suite 14 Karat*
Located in New York, NY
The Suite. (Matching engagement ring + Band) GIA 1.02ct. Cushion cut diamond. J-color VVS-2 clarity. Report: 1142782101 (please see certificate scan in photo menu) Side diamo...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
14k Diamond trio ring. 3 stone Diamond .36tcws Ring. Engagement Ring. Solitaire
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Vintage from the 1980s Materials: Stone Gemstone: Diamond Gem color: Colorless Band color: Gold Style: Minimalist Beautiful 3 stone Diamond ring Sparkles from all directions. Make ...
14k TRAUB Orange Blossom Ring. Diamond Solitaire Claw Set. Antique ORANGE
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Vintage from the 1920s Materials: Gold Gemstone: Diamond Band color: Gold Beautiful Antique Diamond Solitaire Ring.
GIA Certified .74 Carat Round Cut Diamond and 1.00 Carat Ring 14 Karat and Band*
Located in New York, NY
Engagement ring & Band. GIA Certified .74ct. Round cut diamond ring. Report: 1172155328 H-color, Vs-2 Clarity (GIA Report attached) .80ct. Side round Accent diamonds G-c...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Platinum TRAUB Orange Blossom Ring. Diamond Solitaire Claw Set. Antique Platinum
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Vintage from the 1920s Materials: Gold Gemstone: Diamond Band color: Gold Beautiful Antique Diamond Solitaire Ring.
14K Yellow Gold Contoured Wedding Band With Diamonds
Located in Venice, CA
There is a total carat weight of approximately .2 of a carat. The diamonds are SI1 in clarity and H-J in color. The band can accommodate up to a 1.25 carat round solitaire stone, o...
Diamond, Yellow 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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Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.