Pearl Solitaire Ring Claw
Antique 1890s Solitaire Rings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s French Belle Époque Solitaire Rings
Emerald, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Retro Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Swiss Modern Solitaire Rings
Emerald, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Swedish Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1950s European Retro Solitaire Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Swiss Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Cluster Rings
Diamond, Rhodocrosite, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Garnet, Ruby, Star Ruby, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Wrist Watches
Gold
Antique 1890s Victorian Three-Stone Rings
Emerald, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Bridal Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Swiss Artisan Chain Bracelets
Yellow Gold
2010s French Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Swiss Aesthetic Movement Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Silver
Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century French Solitaire Rings
Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century Edwardian Solitaire Rings
Pearl, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Modern Solitaire Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Solitaire Rings
Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1930s British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1960s British Modern Solitaire Rings
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, White Gold, Gold
Vintage 1960s British Modern Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Gold
Late 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Finding the Right solitaire-rings for You
Even as jewelry trends have come and gone, antique and vintage diamond solitaire rings are a classic fashion piece. Although enduringly popular as an engagement ring style, a solitaire ring — whether it's an emerald solitaire ring, a sapphire solitaire ring or another iteration — makes a fantastic addition to any outfit with a variety of shapes and settings to explore.
Solitaire rings have a single stone setting and a minimalistic band in which pressure, bezel or prongs hold the stone in place. They have a long history in jewelry, such as an example discovered in Israel with a single amethyst that could be as old as the third century A.D.
Simple gold rings with single diamonds were prized possessions in Ancient Rome. However, it was not until the 1940s that engagement rings with a solitaire diamond setting became widely popular.
After the turmoil of the Great Depression and World War II led to a decline in diamond prices, De Beers saw an opportunity. The diamond magnate teamed up with the ad agency N.W. Ayer for the “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign. It was a sensation and cemented the solitaire diamond as the leading engagement ring. Statistics show that diamonds are the most common gemstones for engagement rings, preferred by 87 percent of people. (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.)
Today, the design of solitaire rings takes many forms, and those created by Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and other internationally celebrated jewelry houses are particularly sought-after accessories. Though the single-stone setting remains the same, bands have become more detailed, with some containing other stones or even multiple diamonds. Art Deco, Art Nouveau and other art movements have influenced the design of solitaire rings over the years. However, the simplicity of this accessory remains timeless.
Browse 1stDibs for a unique selection of antique and vintage solitaire rings to accent any fashion choice.
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