Mens Diamond Cross and Engraved Scripture Large Signet Ring 14 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Crafted in 14 karat yellow gold, the face of the ring is engraved with a meaningful scripture and adorned with six modified square emerald-cut diamonds arranged in the shape of a cro...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.35 Carat Natural Diamond "Cuban Band" Men's Ring 18 Karat*
Located in New York, NY
Cuban Band Deco Mens Ring Diamonds set cluster square screw top. .60ct. natural round cut diamond (center).
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
.33 Carat Old European Diamond Blue Sapphire White Gold Art Deco Men's Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage Art Deco handmade 18k white gold .33 carat Old European cut diamond men's ring circa 1936.
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Men's Gold Silver Top Old Mine Cut Diamond 3 Stone Wide Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Synthetic Emerald - Square Step Cut - Pave Set - Green Color - 4.7x4.6mm (approx.) (2) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Mine Cut - Pave Set - G Color - SI1 Clarity - ...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
German Men Signet Ring 5ct. Blood stone solid 14K Gold ØUS12 / 4.55gr
Located in SE
Signet Ring in solid 14K Yellow Gold with plain divided shoulders and bezel set Blood - stone, color is dark Green color with red dots, measures 11mm x 10.5mm x 2.7mm deep / ca. 5ct ...
Other, 18k Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage Signet Men Ring 5.5ct. natural Onyx solid 18K Gold ØUS9.75 / 3.5 gr.
Located in SE
ϟiignet Ring for Men in solid 18K Yellow Gold decorated with natural black Onyx stone stone rectangular cut and polished 14 x 12 mm x 2 mm deep/ about 5.5 ct . Made ca. 1950s -1960...
Onyx, 18k Gold
Antique Vintage Men Ring solid 18K Gold 1.71 ctw Diamonds Size US 11.5 / 25gr
Located in SE
Luxurious and Massive Antique or Vintage Men's Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold with 101 diamond cut Diamonds pave set into Platinum / or white Gold clusters.
Diamond, 18k Gold
1965 Men Signet Ring Hematite solid 18K Gold Ø 9.75 US / 5.48 gr
Located in SE
Men Signet Ring in elegant design decorated with highly reflective Hematite stone. Full set of Swedish hallmarks , 18k, maker's and date code is P9 / hand - made in 1965. Radiant c...
Hematite, 18k Gold
1950 Signet Men Ring ct natural Onyx solid 18K Gold Ø 9.75 US / 5.51gr
Located in SE
ϟiignet Ring for Men in solid 18K Yellow Gold decorated with natural black Onyx stone stone rectangular cut and polished 13 x 10 mm x 2.8 mm deep/ about 4.5 ct . Swedish ring, hall...
Onyx, 18k Gold
1954 Signet Men Ring 5ct natural Onyx solid 18K Gold Ø 10.5 US / 5.38gr
Located in SE
ϟiignet Ring for Men in solid 18K Yellow Gold decorated with natural black Onyx stone stone rectangular cut and polished 15 x 12 mm x 2.56 mm deep/ about 5 ct . Swedish ring, hallm...
Onyx, 18k Gold
$1,960Sale Price / item|20% Off
Natural Emerald and Diamond Engagement Ring in 18k Yellow Gold Ring for Father
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
PRODUCT DETAILS :- Material - 18K Solid Yellow Gold Gemstone - Emerald Gemstone Weight - 0.48 cts Stone Shape - Square Gemstone Pcs - 5 Stone Size - 2.7 mm Diamond Weight - 0.21 ct...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1954 Signet Men Ring 4.5ct natural Onyx solid 18K Gold Ø 9.25 US / 4.25gr
Located in SE
ϟiignet Ring for Men in solid 18K Yellow Gold decorated with natural black Onyx stone stone transitional rectangular cut and polished 15 x 12 mm x 2.3 mm mm deep/ about 4.5 ct . Swe...
Onyx, 18k Gold
1962 Signet Men Ring 4 ct natural Onyx solid 18K Gold Ø 12.75 US / 3.52gr
Located in SE
ϟiignet Ring for Men in solid 18K Yellow Gold decorated with natural black Onyx stone stone with slightly convex rectangular cut and polished 12 mm x 10 mm x 2.75 mm deep/ about 4 c...
Onyx, 18k Gold
Vintage Men Signet Ring natural 11ct. Jade solid 18K Gold Ø 8.5US / 11.5 gr.
Located in SE
ϟignet Ring - adorned with bezel set polished natural high grade Jade stone with flat surface polished to high gloss 15 mm x 13mm x 2.7mm deep / ca 11 ct European,ca. 1960s -1970s ....
Onyx, Jade, 18k Gold, Platinum
1955 Signet Men Ring 7ct natural Blood Stone solid 18K Gold Ø 9.25 US / 5.4 gr
Located in SE
ϟiignet Ring for Men in solid 18K Yellow Gold decorated with natural Blood Stone rectangular cut and polished 15 x 11 mm x 3 mm deep/ about 7 ct . Swedish ring, hallmarked 18K, G (G...
Chalcedony, 18k Gold
GIA Certified 3.01 Carat E/VS1 Cushion Cut Diamond Mens Solitaire Bezel Ring
Located in Miami, FL
GIA certified 3.01 carat natural cushion cut diamond solitaire bezel set unisex ring in 18K white gold.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1953 Signet Men Ring natural 4.5ct Onyx solid 18K Gold Ø 10.5 US / 5 gr
Located in SE
ϟiignet Ring for Men in solid 18K Yellow Gold decorated with natural black Onyx stone stone rectangular cut and polished 15.5 x 11,5 mm x 2.4 mm mm deep/ about 4.5 ct . Crown part is...
Onyx, 18k Gold
1949 Signet Men Ring 5.5 ct natural Jade solid 18K Gold Ø 10.75 US / 10 gr
Located in SE
ϟiignet Ring for Men Art Deco styled in solid 18K Yellow Gold decorated with natural Jade stone stone rectangular cut and polished 16 x 12 mm x 2.6 mm deep/ about 5.5 ct . Swedish...
Jade, 18k Gold
14K Yellow Gold Diamond Basketweave Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
Metal: 14K Yellow Gold Diamonds: 0.75 ct total weight (Round Brilliant) Diamond Color/Clarity: G–H / SI Design: Basketweave Pattern Setting: Cushion-Shaped Cluster Style: Men's Band ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,900Sale Price|24% Off
Three-Stone Engagement Ring Tri-Color Platinum, 18kt Yellow and Rose, New, 10.8g
By Rock N Gold Creations
Located in San Diego, CA
Three Stone Engagement Ring Tri-Color Platinum, 18tk Yellow Gold and 18kt Rose Gold Round Diamond.
Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold
2.02 Carat Radiant Diamond Ring Fancy pink Gold Rare Fancy-Color Diamond Ring
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
$2,574,000 / item
20.03 Carat Radiant Diamond Ring Ring 18K Gold Iconic Presence
Located in Mumbai, IN
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser · Many historic treaties were signed by hands wearing a single disciplined radiant ring in an exact brilliant white tone; this gia platinum 20.03ct square ra...
White Diamond, 18k Gold
$2,440Sale Price / item|20% Off
Cluster Blue Sapphire and Diamond Band Ring in 18K Solid White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
PRODUCT DETAILS :- Material - 18K Solid White Gold Gemstone - Blue Sapphire Gemstone Weight - 1.08 cts Gemstone pcs - 24 Gemstone Shape - Square Gemstone size - 2 mm Diamond Weig...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$1,440Sale Price / item|20% Off
Greek Style Blue Sapphire and Diamond Band Ring 14k Solid Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Greek Style Blue Sapphire and Diamond Band Ring in 14K Gold featuring natural blue sapphire of 1.18 carats and diamonds of 0.23 carats.
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$1,168Sale Price|20% Off
Nugget Style 10K Gold Diamond Ring, 1.55ct Round Diamonds, Unisex
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Crafted in 10K yellow gold, this bold men's ring features a distinctive square nugget-style design that exudes vintage charm and masculine elegance.
Diamond, 10k Gold
$21,450 / item
Emerald Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Pure Sophistication
Located in Mumbai, IN
We begin with your preferred ring size and refine the inner architecture in 14K White Gold so the band follows the natural oval of your finger, distributing the weight of approximate...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
8.11 Carat Round Brilliant Statement Brilliant Gold Diamond Ring
Located in Mumbai, IN
We recommend removing the ring for gym sessions, spa treatments, household chemicals and impact-heavy activities so the diamonds and 14K Yellow Gold finish remain pristine.
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ring: Band Ring Black Ceramic 0.06 carat Diamonds Brilliant Cut 18k White Gold
Located in CAPRINO VERONESE, Veneto
Atop the ceramic band, two interlocking open square motifs create a captivating visual contrast: one is pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds, adding sparkle and refined luxury, while...
Diamond, White Gold
2 Carat Emerald Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Effortless Elegance
Located in Mumbai, IN
We recommend removing the ring for gym sessions, spa treatments, household chemicals and impact-heavy activities so the diamonds and gemstones and 14K White Gold finish remain pristi...
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
4.5 Carat Emerald Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Everyday Royalty
Located in Mumbai, IN
Emily Blunt · Hollywood’s taste-making circle tends to approve pieces that combine impeccable emerald cut work with unforced emerald green brilliance; this 000 4.5ct emerald cut diam...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1.3 Carat Emerald Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Pure Sophistication
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
3.5 Carat Emerald Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Effortless Elegance
Located in Mumbai, IN
We recommend removing the ring for gym sessions, spa treatments, household chemicals and impact-heavy activities so the diamonds and gemstones and 14K White Gold finish remain pristi...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1.2 Carat Emerald Diamond Ring 18K White Gold Graceful Brilliance
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$134,750 / item
8.25 Carat Cushion Diamond Ring Fancy Yellow 14K White Gold
Located in Mumbai, IN
Prince William · Many historic treaties were signed by hands wearing a single disciplined cushion ring in an exact fancy yellow tone; this gold and 8.25ct cushion cut fancy yellow di...
Yellow Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
6.89 Carat Radiant Diamond Ring Brilliant White 18K White Gold
Located in Mumbai, IN
Vince Vaughn · The quiet confidence of a well-made radiant jewel in a refined brilliant white shade is a recurring theme in Hollywood wardrobes; this gia 18k white gold 5.20ct square...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1.5 Carat Marquise Statement Brilliant Gold Classic Charm Diamond Ring
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
$137,500 / item
6.72 Carat Radiant Diamond Ring Fancy Yellow 14K White Gold
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
Yellow Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
5.19 Carat Emerald Diamond Ring 18K Yellow Gold Refined Grandeur
Located in Mumbai, IN
Jason Statham · Serious Hollywood collectors treat emerald cut and Brilliant White as the two pillars of their diamond decisions; this 18k yellow gold 5.19ct emerald cut diamond enga...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
5.42 Carat Asscher Diamond Ring Brilliant White 18K White Gold
Located in Mumbai, IN
Tomohisa Yamashita · Global pop icons often rely on one striking asscher piece in a vivid brilliant white palette to anchor a look; this gia 18k white gold 5.06ct triple asscher cut ...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,750,000 / item
22.35 Carat Radiant Diamond Ring Brilliant White 18K White Gold
Located in Mumbai, IN
Brad Pitt · Hollywood’s taste-making circle tends to approve pieces that combine impeccable radiant work with unforced brilliant white brilliance; this gia 18k white gold 20.01ct rad...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1.04 Carat Asscher Statement Brilliant Gold Graceful Brilliance Diamond Ring
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
8.13 Carat Emerald Diamond Ring 18K Gold Heirloom-Worthy Glow
Located in Mumbai, IN
The specification is tuned for clients who value nuance – the kind of cut, colour and clarity harmony that reveals itself more with every glance. Diamond shape & cut: Emerald Cut...
Diamond, 18k Gold
4.63 Carat Emerald Diamond Ring 18K Gold Modern Nobility Heirloom
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$126,500 / item
4.01 Carat Emerald Diamond Ring SI 18K Gold Modern Nobility
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
10.06 Carat Marquise Diamond Ring Brilliant White SI 18K Gold
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
White Diamond, 18k Gold
10.61 Carat Emerald Diamond Ring 18K Gold Grand Palais Radiance
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
White Diamond, 18k Gold
11.46 Carat Heart Shape Diamond Ring Brilliant White 18K Gold
Located in Mumbai, IN
Rania Fawaz · Fashion’s quiet luxury movement is defined by impeccable materials and restraint; this platinum 11.46ct heart cut diamond engagement ring, through its precise heart and...
White Diamond, 18k Gold
1.5 Carat Emerald Diamond Ring SI 14K White Gold Graceful Brilliance
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
2.4 Carat Emerald Toi Et Moi Diamond Ring 14K White Gold
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1.5 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond Ring Brilliant White 14K White Gold
Located in Mumbai, IN
We begin with your preferred ring size and refine the inner architecture in 14K White Gold so the band follows the natural oval of your finger, distributing the weight of approximate...
White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
3.83 Carat Radiant Statement Fancy Yellow Gold Royal Radiance Diamond Ring
Located in Mumbai, IN
Robin Wright · When jewellery houses lend to major productions, they favour radiant diamonds in versatile fancy yellow hues that can work across scenes; this 18k white gold 3.32ct ra...
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
3.32 Carat Cushion Halo Diamond Ring Fancy Yellow 14K White Gold
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
Yellow Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2.51 Carat Radiant Halo Diamond Ring Fancy Yellow 14K White Gold
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
Yellow Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
10.4 Carat Oval Band Gold Iconic Presence Heirloom Eternity Diamond ring
Located in Mumbai, IN
We begin with your preferred ring size and refine the inner architecture in 18K White Gold so the band follows the natural oval of your finger, distributing the weight of approximate...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond Ring Brilliant White 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
6.5 Carat Radiant Brilliant Diamond Ring Fancy Yellow 14K White Gold
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
Yellow Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
20 Carat Pear Statement VS 14K Gold Unparalleled Brilliance Diamond Ring
Located in Mumbai, IN
Customisation & gender fit: Designed as a unisex piece, easily customised for men’s or women’s proportions / Fully bespoke sizing; all standard and custom ring sizes available / ...
White Diamond, 14k 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.”
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.