2.26 Carat Emerald 10.51 Carat Ruby Diamond Colorful Ring
By Malpani Jewels
Located in Hung Hom, HK
A scintillating mix of 2.26 Colombian Emerald , 10.51 carat old mine ruby and 0.32 carats of white round brilliant diamond are set together in this eye catching ring. The details of ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2 stones Ring natural 0.6 Sapphire Diamond solid 18K Gold Platinum Ø US6 / 2.3 g
Located in SE
Beautiful Two - stones Ring with bezel set natural Blue Sapphire stone oval cut 5.5 mm x 4.5 mm x 3.2 mm deep / ca. 0.6 ct. and square pave set old diamond cut natural Diamond Ø 2mm ...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Edwardian 0.50 Carat Marquise Cut Diamond and Ruby Navette Ring
Located in London, GB
Firstly, consisting of perfectly matched rich pinky red rubies and then a single row of round faceted old mine diamonds around the outer edge. The stones are meticulously set in a co...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1920 Nordic Halo Ring 0.5 ct Sapphire Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø 5.75 US /2 gr
Located in SE
104 years old Halo Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold with natural Blue Sapphire and 8 old European cut Diamonds in Platinum or White Gold settings. Natural Sapphire of old European diam...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Amazing 3.12 Carat Natural Sapphire Diamond platinum Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
This elegant platinum ring is centered with a natural cushion cut intense blue sapphire that weighs 3.12ct. The center stone is accentuated by sparkling old mine cut diamonds weighin...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Antique Ring 0.65 ctw Diamonds solid 14K Rose Gold Silver Ø US 3.25/ 1.59 gr
Located in SE
Fine ring of design that was very popular in Europe in the late 19 - early 20 century period.Combination of Gold, Silver, and Diamonds of old European Diamond cut. Custom hand - mad...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Antique Ring 0.2 ct Diamond 0.2ct Ruby solid 14K Rose Gold Silver Ø US5.25/1.6gr
Located in SE
A Ring from ca. 1920s - 1930s with the band in solid 14K Rose Gold decorated with old European cut Diamond Ø 3.5 mm / ca.0.2 ct /color G,H/SI in Silver bezel and old cut Ruby in Rose...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
French Edwardian Untreated Ruby Diamond 18 KT/Platinum Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
This breathtaking Edwardian ring is 1900/09 circa Elegantly designed as a flat crown panel, hand crafted of solid 18 Kt gold with Platinum top French origin, hallmarked Set on one si...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Georgian Emerald Diamond Opal Ring 14K Gold Antique, c.1820s
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Georgian Emerald Diamond Opal Ring 14K Gold Antique, c.1820s This rare and highly collectible antique ring is finely crafted in solid 14K Yellow gold (carefully tested and guarantee...
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Emerald Rose Cut Diamond Ring 18K Yellow And White Gold
Located in Munich, Bavaria
The old mine diamonds are set in high claw settings made out of 18K white gold and mounted onto the yellow gold ring made out of 18K yellow gold.
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Georgian Circa 1780 18K Gold Silver Ruby Diamond Urn Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Magnificent Georgian period Urn ring set with natural untreated Ruby and Diamond, possibly Burma, in 18 KT and silver Elaborate scroll work with the Urn in the middle beautifully ado...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique Ring Diamonds solid 14K Gold Ø US9 / 2.7gr
Located in SE
Antique Halo type Ring featuring solid 14K Yellow Gold frame with 10 rose cut Diamonds /foiled under with closed backs. No hallmarks, likely German ring, ca. 1900s -1930s. The band ...
Diamond, 14k Gold
1966 Ring Emerald Diamonds solid 18K Gold ØUS6 /3.9gr
Located in SE
Vintage Emerald and Diamond ring with wider band. Swedish ring, XX century.Marked 18K. Maker: JP ( Petterssons Jewelers ), city of Stockholm, existed 1913- 1973. Marks of the year...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
1929 Ring 1ct Blue Sapphire Diamonds solid 18K Gold / ØUS6.5 /1.85gr
Located in SE
Art - Deco period German Sapphire and Diamonds Ring with parts in solid 18K Gold and Platinum. Hallmarked 18K , marks of German maker, Swedish import marks, imported in 1929 ( year ...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage Ring 0.7ct. Emerald Diamonds solid 800 Platinum Ø US6/ 4.8gr
Located in SE
Vintage Ring in solid 800 Platinum alloy featuring natural emerald cut Emerald set in 18K Gold Bezel 5.5 mm x 4.5 mm x 3.3mm deep / ca. 0.7 ct accented with two brilliant cut Diam...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Platinum
Antique Ring 4 Diamonds solid 18K Gold ØUS8 / 2.9 gr
Located in SE
A Ring featuring four natural diamond cut Diamonds mounted in 18K White Gold or Platinum clusters on solid 18K Yellow Gold band.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage Ring natural 0.8ctw Sapphire Diamonds 18K Gold ØUS6.25 / 2.25gr
Located in SE
Vintage Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold and Platinum decorated with 19 natural Blue Sapphire stones and 2 Diamonds . Vintage ring , hand - made in Europe ca 1950s -1960s, band hallm...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
1932 Nordic Ring Diamonds solid 18K Gold Silver US6.75 / 3.96gr
Located in SE
Old Diamond ring with navette or boat shaped openwork crown with Silver clusters melted into solid 18K Yellow Gold base.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
1976 Ring 0.75ct Emerald Diamonds solid 18K Gold US7 / 5.5gr
Located in SE
Vintage Emerald and Diamonds Ring. 18K Yellow White Gold. Swedish hallmarks of maker, date code is C10 / made in 1976. Stamped in Swedish " Handgjord " ( English Handmade) . The w...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Antique Ring natural Diamonds solid 18K Yellow Gold US6.5 / 6.4gr
Located in SE
A ring in 18K Yellow Gold with double band and rectangular openwork ornamental crown with parts in White Gold or Platinum decorated with mix of 43 Brilliant and old European cut natu...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Ring natural 1.75ct Sapphire Diamonds solid 18K Gold / ØUS 7.75 /2.8gr
Located in SE
Art - Deco period Sapphire and Diamonds Ring made between ca. 1920 - 1940s. No hallmarks,metal tested solid 18K Gold. Crown is 10 mm x 9.6 mm x 4.25 mm deep with top in White Gold ...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1977 London Ring 4ctw Antique Diamonds solid Sterling Silver US 4.25 / 12gr
Located in SE
Fancy British Modern Ring hand - crafted in not so distant 1977. Sixteen Beautifully old Rose cut bezel set Diamonds in elegant oval frame with wide band. These glowing hand - cu...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Art Deco 2.63 CTW Ruby Diamond 18K White Gold Vintage Wheat Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a cushion cut ruby weighing approximately 0.25 carat total Transparent medium pink in color and bead set - flanked by diamonds Old mine cut and weighing approximately 2.38 ...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Ring 1ct Emerald 0.9 ctw Diamonds solid 18K Gold Silver ØUS5.5 /4.7gr
Located in SE
European Renaissance - styled cluster Ring,ca. 1900s -1930s with carved band and shoulders decorated with natural Emerald and Diamonds.
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Art Deco Certified Platinum 2.83ct Burma Sapphire Diamond Ring, Circa 1920
Located in Napoli, IT
Distinctive Art Deco period Diamond Sapphire ring, 1920 ca. Design is a triumph of beauty, skilfully and artfully hand crafted of solid Platinum French import duty, 1920 ca Centred ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Victorian 1.80 Ct Certified Purple Ceylon Sapphire 2.0 Ct Diamond Navette ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Subtle Elegance This rare authentic Victorian ring is the emblem of beauty Outstanding navette, elongated shape, boasting the finest Victorian workmanship made during 1880 Focal poin...
Diamond, Sapphire
GRS Certified 2.53 Carat Vivid Green Colombian Minor Oil Emerald & Diamond Ring
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
GRS Appendix Comments: "This vividly saturated emerald of 2.53 ct is reminiscent in hue of the varieties displaying the legendary colors found in the world renowned Muzo mines. They ...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Cabochon Cut Emerald & Diamond Halo Ring in Platinum Circa 1920's
Located in Boston, MA
A captivating art deco halo ring featuring a 1.75 carat cabochon cut emerald, exuding a vibrant green hue. The centerpiece is gracefully encircled by a double halo of old mine cut d...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1914 Halo Ring Ruby Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Ø US7 / 2.8gr
Located in SE
Old Halo Ruby and Diamonds Ring once created 111 years ago on the territory of The Grand Duchy of Finland - at that time a part of Russian Empire. Hallmarked with 750, crown of Nicho...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Ring Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø 5 US/ 2.46 gr
Located in SE
Vintage European Ring with parts in solid 18K Yellow and White Gold decorated with 6 pave set natural diamond cut Diamonds with open backs. Band hallmarked 750 for 18K Gold. Crown i...
Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage Ring natural Ruby Diamonds solid 18K Gold ØUS 6.75 / 3.37gr
Located in SE
Beautiful Vintage Ruby and Diamonds Ring hand-made in Italy ca. 1960s - 1970s. Italian hallmarks, logo of maker, 750. Three natural 4x3 mm x 2.55 mm deep / 0.25 ct each Two natural ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Art Deco 1.70 Ct Natural Untreated Sapphire 2.20 Ct Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Classy Statement This beautiful and impressive Art Deco ring is bears French import duty marks standing for solid Platinum – the ring is substantially hand constructed suitable for ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Antique Russian Lodka Ring solid 56 /14K Gold Diamonds Ø6.5US /3.2gr
Located in SE
Beautiful Antique Art Nouveau period Russian 56 Rose Gold /14K Ring featuring rose diamond cut Diamonds arranged in fancy Boat - shaped pattern with carved shank of beautiful leave...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Art Deco 2.15 Ct Sapphire 1.0 Ct Diamond 18 KT Platinum Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
This appealing Sapphire & Diamond Art Deco ring, is 1920 ca. Appealing timeless design rendered in a skilfully hand crafted mount of solid 18 kt gold and Platinum Hand crafted moun...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
1954 Nordic Ring solid 18K Gold 3ct Emerald Diamonds ØUS6/ 7.5gr
Located in SE
A ring with medium green cabochon cut natural Emerald bezel set in wired floret in solid 18K Gold accented with four diamond cut Diamonds arranged in cross formation. Crown is 20 m...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1939 Ring natural 0.6ct Emerald Diamonds solid 18K Gold ØUS9 / 2.1 gr
Located in SE
Art - Deco period Three Stones Ring decorated with natural Emerald stone and rose - cut Diamonds. Plain band, openwork bridge and part of the crown in solid 18K. Tops of crown and s...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Victorian 1863 No Heat Burma Pink Sapphire Diamond 18K Gold Antique Halo Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a mixed cushion cut sapphire weighing 1.66 carats - transparent deeply saturated vibrant pink Natural Burmese (Myanmar) in origin and displaying no indications of heat trea...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 14K Gold & Silver No Heat Ceylon Sapphire & Diamond Ring Circa 1870-1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 14K Gold & Silver No Heat Ceylon Sapphire & Diamond Ring Circa 1870-1890. Ceylon sapphire 11.57 carats Old mine cut diamonds approximately 8 ct tw Accompanied by AG...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver
1927 Halo Ring natural 0.85 ct. Sapphire 0.6ctw. Diamonds 18K Gold/ ØUS9/ 2.2gr
Located in SE
Beautiful Halo Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold with natural Blue Sapphire and 10 Diamonds in White Gold settings. Swedish hallmarks, maker's , Stockholm,18K. Year combination A8 / h...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Ring natural Emerald 1.5ctw Diamonds solid 18K / 14K Gold Ø US5 / 3.5 gr
Located in SE
Old European Halo Ring from ca. 1900s- 1920s. No hallmarks , band tested solid 18K Gold parts of crown in 14K Gold with top in White Gold or Silver. Natural diamond cut Emerald Ø 4m...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Vinaigrette Perfume Ring Amethyst Diamonds 14K Yellow Gold Ø 8US/ 5.55gr
Located in SE
Old German ca. 19th cent first half Renaissance styled Vinaigrette or Perfume Ring decorated with natural Amethyst and Diamonds featuring a hinged pierced lid that opens to house a ...
Diamond, Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Black Starr & Frost 1925 Art Deco Platinum Ring And 3.55 Ctw Sapphires & Diamond
Located in Miami, FL
An art deco ring designed by Black, Starr & Frost. Beautiful antique ring, created in America during the art deco period, back in the 1925. This ring has been crafted by the jewelry...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
1929 Nordic Ring 1ctw Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø 5.5 US /3gr
Located in SE
Art Deco period Ring featuring old diamond cut Diamonds arranged in fancy eye-shaped pattern.
Diamond, 18k Gold
1954 Ring natural 0.45ct Sapphire 0.64 ctw Diamonds 18K Gold ØUS6.75 /2.43gr
Located in SE
Vintage Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold with natural Blue Sapphire and 8 Diamonds in White Gold / or Platinum settings. Swedish hallmarks, 18K, crowned head (Stockholm). Year combina...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Halo Ring natural 1.25ct Sapphire 1ctw Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø4.5US /5gr.
Located in SE
Halo Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold with natural Blue Sapphire and 8 old European cut Diamonds set in Platinum settings. Hallmarked 18K, tested 18K Yellow Gold, European made ca 1930...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique German Ring natural Emerald Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø US7.5/ 2 gr
Located in SE
German Halo Ring from ca. 1900s- 1920s , crown with White Gold or Platinum top claws holds a natural princess cut Emerald 3.75mm x 2.5mm x 2mm mm ca. 0.3 ct with natural internal fla...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1948 Halo Ring natural 2ct Rubellite 0.8ctw Diamonds 18K GoldSilver Ø8US /5.35gr
Located in SE
76-year-old Halo Ring decorated with a Rubellite of fancy square cabochon cut and Diamonds.
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique German Ring natural 1 ctw. Sapphire 0.5ctw. Diamond 14K ØUS6.75 /6.6gr
Located in SE
WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are usually of older mine or European and because of their deeper culets, off-round s...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Antique Ring Blue Spinel 0.5ctw Diamonds solid 14K Gold Ø 8US / 5.7gr
Located in SE
WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are usually of older mine or European and because of their deeper culets, off-round s...
Diamond, Spinel, 14k Gold, Silver
1920 Estonian Ring 0.8 ct Ruby Diamonds 56/14K Gold ØUS7.75 / 4.3gr
Located in SE
Old Estonian cluster natural Ruby and Diamonds Ring made between 1919 -1924.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Vintage Ring natural 2ct Blue Sapphire Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø7US /5.8gr
Located in SE
Ring with beautiful natural Blue Sapphire accented with old diamond cut diamonds. Vintage Everyday type ring, hallmarked 18K and 756. The band is 8 mm at its widest, made of solid ...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique Ring Diamonds Red Enamel 18K Gold Silver Ø 6.25 US/ 7.7gr
Located in SE
This ring has a silver flower cluster with Diamonds, it was designed to be highly decorative !
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver, Enamel
Halo Ring 1.25ct Bi-color Sapphire 0.8ctw Diamonds 18K Platinum Ø4.5US / 5.3gr
Located in SE
WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are usually of older mine or European and because of their deeper culets, off-round s...
Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold
Antique Ring 1.25ct natural Sapphire Diamonds solid 18K Gold Silver Ø7.5US/2.5gr
Located in SE
Late XIX - early XX century. European Ring with Silver on 18K Gold openwork crown with natural Blue Sapphire and 8 rose cut Diamonds. Not hallmarked, band tested solid 18K . Medium...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage Ring natural 20ct Chrysoberyl Diamonds solid 9K Gold Ø 7.5US / 7.4 gr
Located in SE
Beautiful Ring decorated with large claw set natural Chrysoberyl stone and prong set Diamonds on openwork shoulders lined with White Gold . European, hand - made ca. 1950s -1960, ba...
Diamond, Chrysoberyl, 9k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Ring 2 ctw. Diamonds solid 14K Gold Silver US 6.5/ 10 gr
Located in SE
Old Diamond Ring with octagonal open work crown with top in Silver. European, likely German or Russian. No hallmarks, ca. late 19th - early 20th cent. Gold parts tested solid 14K Ro...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Antique Ring natural Emerald Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø US 5.5 / 3.4 gr
Located in SE
Nice cluster Ring with the carved band and shoulders. Top parts of openwork crown in White Gold or Platinum holding bezel set natural Emerald stone and twenty diamonds, both of old ...
Diamond, Emerald, 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 cluster rings are timeless accessories. While they might have been considered more popular in certain eras than in others, they’re versatile and belong in any jewelry box.
Featuring a diamond or other central gemstone surrounded by smaller stones, the cluster rings’ distinguished look makes them a popular choice for engagement rings or, for a fancy night out, an accent piece for jewelry lovers everywhere.
The style of cluster rings has changed over time even if the defining attributes have remained intact.
Georgian-era jewelry — named for the monarchies of the four King Georges — features cluster rings that are often characterized by a grouping of central stones into rose-like shapes. (The stones are set off by the setting’s blackened metal.) Diamonds came into fashion during the late Victorian period, and late Victorian cluster rings were most often set in yellow gold. Jewelers of the Art Deco period embraced geometric shapes, and Art Deco cluster rings feature emeralds, sapphires and other colorful stones.
Cluster rings for future brides have been in and out of the spotlight, but cluster-style engagement rings have been experiencing a consistent revival of sorts since at least 2011, when Kate Middleton began wearing Princess Diana’s sapphire and diamond ring, which was made by Garrard in the 1980s. For your special day, whether you prefer vintage engagement rings or contemporary pieces, a cluster ring can deliver some sparkle if a diamond solitaire is out of your budget. (See our engagement ring buying guide for insight and expert tips to help you find the perfect ring.)
On 1stDibs, find many ruby cluster rings, gold cluster rings and an extraordinary range of other antique and vintage rings today.
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.