Vintage Platinum Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A striking vintage platinum cluster ring showcasing a vivid 1.45-carat emerald-cut emerald at its center, set in a four-prong yellow gold mount. The emerald is surrounded by an impre...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
$62,400Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 6 Carat Cushion-Cut Zambian Emerald and Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite platinum ring showcases a remarkable GIA-certified 6 carat cushion-cut emerald of Zambian origin, displaying a vivid, richly saturated green hue with exceptional trans...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
10 Carat Emerald Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring
By Rare Colors
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional ring centers a 10.18 carat emerald-cut light yellow diamond, celebrated for its elongated geometry and soft yet radiant hue. Graded SI1 for clarity, the center stone...
Yellow Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Faye Kim Platinum .73 Carat Emerald Cut Black Diamond Ring, Size 6.75
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Sleek and modern, this platinum ring showcases an emerald cut black diamond in Faye Kim’s signature minimalist bezel. The bold dark stone contrasts beautifully with the polished plat...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
$128,000Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 11 Cushion Emerald Set in Platinum with Pear Diamonds
Located in Chicago, IL
Presenting an extraordinary 11-carat GIA-certified emerald, elegantly fashioned into a cushion brilliant–step cut and displaying a vivid, transparent green that embodies the essence ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Emerald shield ring. Platinum Shield Ring Emerald Cabochon and Diamond wide band
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Art Deco Shield Ring. Emerald cabochon and Diamond bezel set into Platinum. Appraised at $6150. Appraisal is included. Details: 11.4grams 1ctw Natural Emerald, 1/4ctw Diamonds Size 7
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2.26ct Old Miner Cut Diamond & 2.16ct Emerald Three-Stone 18K Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Title: This exquisite three-stone ring showcases a richly colored 2.16 carat oval emerald framed by two antique Old Miner Cut diamonds, weighing 1.20 and 1.06 carats respectively. Se...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Platinum Emerald Diamond Three-Stone Ring, AGL Certified, 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Platinum Emerald Diamond 3 Stone Ring, AGL, featuring one prong set rectangular step faceted emerald weighing approx. 7.05 carats, including AGL Report # 1143203 dated 7 October 2024...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Art Deco French Platinum Ring, Emerald and Old-Cut Diamonds
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
This superb Art Deco platinum ring showcases a vibrant step-cut emerald of approximately 1.5 carats, framed by two beautifully matched old-cut diamonds totaling around 1.40 carats. T...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage Platinum 2.40ctw Vivid Green Emerald Marquise Diamond Spray Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Emerald - Emerald Cut - Prong Set - Vivid Green Color - 5.5x5.7mm - 1ct (approx.) (16) Natural Genuine Diamonds - 12 Marquise & 4 Round Brillian...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Art Deco Colombian Emerald and Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a fabulous three-stone ring crafted from platinum during the early stages of the 20th century. At the centre of the face we find a vibrant green emerald of Colombian ori...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
10.42ct Green Emerald And Half Moon Diamond Three Stone Ring
Located in New York, NY
This impressive three-stone ring showcases a vibrant 10.42-carat natural Colombian emerald, offering exceptional value for a gemstone of this size and origin. A visible inclusion run...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Sophia D Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Mosaic Platinum Ring
By Sophia D
Located in New York, NY
An architectural Art Deco mosaic design centered with a 1.52-carat natural hexagonal-cut diamond, framed by 0.38 carats of calibré-cut emeralds and 0.19 carats of natural round diamo...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Antique Art Deco French Marquise Emeralds & Diamonds Ring, 18k gold and platinum
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
Elegant marquise cluster ring crafted in 18k gold with a platinum-set top. The ring features a brilliant old-cut center diamond of approximately 0.90 carat surrounded by old-cut diam...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
$67,200Sale Price|20% Off
12.03 Carat Green Emerald Oval Cut Halo Set Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite emerald and diamond ring presents a rare opportunity to own a truly spectacular natural Colombian emerald statement piece at exceptional value. The center stone is a g...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique 18ct Yellow Gold & Platinum, Edwardian era Emerald and Diamond Halo Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Emerald Ring 18ct Yellow Gold & Platinum Circa 1910 Step into the elegance of the Edwardian era with this exquisite 18ct gold ring. At its heart lies a stunning square...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Natural 7.19 Carat Emerald & Diamond Platinum & 18-Karat Art Deco Ring In Stock
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Platinum Natural 7.19 Carat Emerald & Diamond Art Deco Ring Style: Platinum 7.19 Carat Emerald And Diamond Art Deco Ring Material: Platinum & 18k Yellow Gold Center Gemstone Details...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Rare color 2.10 carats Emerald diamond ring platinum
Located in Jupiter, FL
Stunning bluish green color on this emerald, ring is made in platinum with 2.10 carats emeralds and 0.30 carats of diamonds VS-SI clarity, G color. WHAT YOU GET AT STAMPAR JEWELER...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
$144,000Sale Price|20% Off
GRS Certified 22.64 Carat Colombian Emerald Platinum Ring with Tapered Baguette
Located in Chicago, IL
A breathtaking statement piece showcasing a magnificent 22.64-carat natural Colombian emerald, certified by GRS and displaying an exceptional, richly saturated green color. The emera...
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, Platinum
$176,000Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 5.01 Carat Emerald-Cut Diamond Ring with Tapered Baguettes
Located in Chicago, IL
This exceptional ring showcases a GIA Certified 5.01-carat emerald-cut diamond, graded F color and VS1 clarity, displaying a beautifully bright, icy-white appearance with remarkable ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
3.42 Carats Art Deco Emerald and 3.42 Carats Diamond Ring in Platinum
By Kiersten Elizabeth
Located in Southport, CT
Overall Description: Center Diamond: •6.5 x 6.5 x 4.35 mm •1.18 Carats Natural Emerald Baguetts •0.32 Carats Ring Size: 6.5 Top Measure: 17.16 mm Weight: 7...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Three Stone Old Euro Diamond Ring with Emerald Halo
Located in San Francisco, CA
Three re-purposed antique old european cut diamonds totaling 1.32 carat (H-I & VS-SI) set in an intricate platinum Edwardian style custom setting. A halo of round cut emeralds weighi...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
$112,000Sale Price|20% Off
Tiffany & Co. Victoria Collection Platinum & 18K Emerald and Diamond Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Tiffany & Co. Victoria Collection Platinum & 18K Emerald and Diamond Ring A stunning example from Tiffany & Co.’s renowned Victoria Collection, this exquisite ring featu...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, 18k Gold
Antique Emerald and Old Mine Cut Diamond Platinum Ring Circa 1915
Located in Santa Monica, CA
An antique emerald and diamond fashion ring, circa 1915, from the antique fine jewelry collection at Bracken Jewelers in Santa Monica, California. An approximately 0.90 carat square ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Colombian emerald and diamond coronet cluster, circa 1925.
Located in London, GB
Colombian emerald and diamond coronet cluster. Set with an octagonal emerald-cut natural Colombian emerald with minor oil in an open back rubover setting with an approximate weight o...
Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
$62,400Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified Colombian Emerald Diamond Platinum Ballerina Ring
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
A striking statement of refined elegance, this exquisite ballerina-style ring features a GIA-certified 3.52 carat natural Colombian emerald, cut in a classic emerald shape and displa...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$4,048Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Platinum Ring with Diamonds and Cabochon Emeralds – 7.4 g
Located in Aventura, FL
A magnificent Art Deco platinum ring, weighing 7.4 g, with a striking architectural design that combines geometry and vivid color. At its center lies a brilliant-cut diamond of appro...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
$54,400Sale Price|20% Off
AAA Emerald and Diamond Three-Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
This stunning three-stone engagement ring is crafted in luxurious platinum and showcases a vivid green natural emerald at the center, weighing 1.87 carats and measuring approximately...
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
$56,800Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 6 Ct. Natural Emerald and Diamond Platinum Gold Cocktail Ring
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
A striking masterpiece of fine jewelry, this cocktail ring showcases the timeless allure of a natural emerald paired with the brilliance of GIA-certified diamonds, all set within a l...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
AGL Cert. 12 Carat Colombian Emerald Art Deco Antique Platinum Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Antique AGL-certified 12 carat square emerald cut Colombian emerald in platinum Art Deco filigree setting with old mine cut diamond accents and milgrain detailing. Ring size 4.5, adj...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Hancocks 1.12ct Colombian Emerald & French Cut Diamond Halo Ring
By Hancocks
Located in London, GB
Maker: Hancocks Summary: 1.12ct Colombian Emerald & French Cut Diamond Halo Ring Description: A Colombian, no oil emerald and French cut diamond ring by Hancocks. The handcrafted rin...
White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
GIA Certified 3.07 Carat Colombian Emerald & Diamond Platinum Ballerina Ring
Located in Miami, FL
GIA certified Colombian emerald ballerina ring in platinum featuring 3.07 carat octagonal emerald with 1.50 carats of baguette diamonds. Classic ballerina design with yellow gold pro...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1.85ct Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
This beautiful emerald cluster dates to the 1970s. The natural emerald is a classically emerald cut stone weighing 1.85 carat and is rub over set into 18 carat yellow gold. A baguett...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Bora & Co GRS Certified 10.37ct Colombian Emerald & Natural Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Bora & Co GRS Certified 10.37ct Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring A masterpiece of exceptional beauty and grandeur, this Bora & Co ring features a striking 10.37-carat GRS-certifie...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Estate 7.21ct GIA Certified Pear Colombian Emerald & Diamonds Halo Cocktail Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This platinum emerald and diamond ring weighs a hefty 17 grams. Nice and sturdy, the ring has a center emerald weighing 7.21 carats (exactly). The emerald is faceted in a classy pear...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
$28,000Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco style 1.84 Carat vintage round cut diamond ring
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
This diamond and emerald ring has a stunning Art Deco style design with an eye catching 1.84ct vintage round cut diamond surrounded by ribbons of custom cut emeralds and glittering d...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Art Deco Platinum Diamond and Emerald Ring, Circa 1920, Italy
Located in Firenze, IT
An Art Déco diamond and emerald geometrical ring, with Platinum millegrain set with approximately 0,50ct square step cut diamond and two baguette brillant cut, and eight calibré cut ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
$78,400Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 7.72 Carat Colombian Emerald and Diamond Three-Stone Ring in 18K
Located in Chicago, IL
A timeless three-stone design featuring a natural Colombian emerald of exceptional color and presence. This ring centers a Square Step Cut Emerald weighing 7.72 carats, exhibiting a...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
$70,400Sale Price|20% Off
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold 6.86 Carat Emerald and Diamond Ring
By David Webb
Located in Chicago, IL
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold 6.86 Carat Emerald and Diamond Ring An exquisite estate ring by David Webb, crafted in platinum and 18K yellow gold, showcasing a magnificent 6...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 0.80ct Emerald and Diamond Three Stone Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
Dating to the Art Deco era, this trilogy ring features a central emerald flanked by sparkling old cut diamonds. The bright green emerald weighs 0.80 carat and is a square stone, The ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late Victorian 2.40ct Emerald and Diamond cluster Ring, c.1900s
Located in London, GB
This beautiful cluster ring dates to the later Victorian era and centres around a stunning, vivid green emerald. The 2.40 carat emerald is a cabochon cut stone, set within 18 carat y...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1.55 Natural Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring Made in Platinum
Located in Tokyo, JP
A stunning ring featuring a 1.55 Carats Natural Colombian Emerald and 0.87 Carats of Diamond Accents set in Platinum. People have admired emerald’s green for thousands of years. Emer...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage GIA 1.00 carat emerald diamond platinum cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vivid and sophisticated this vintage platinum cocktail ring showcases a striking 1.00 carat GIA-certified Zambian emerald glowing with deep lush green color. The marquise cut gem is ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
$22,400Sale Price|20% Off
Platinum Emerald Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
An exquisite and luminous statement piece showcasing the breathtaking brilliance of emerald and diamond. The centerpiece is a 1.40-carat emerald-cut emerald of vivid green hue, frame...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
$68,800Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
This magnificent vintage ring showcases the timeless beauty of a natural Colombian emerald weighing 4.93 carats, presented in an elegant emerald cut. The gem displays an enchanting, ...
Emerald, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
$2,000,000Sale Price|20% Off
Extraordinary Legacy in Diamond Form Harry Winston 28.13ct Masterpiece
By Harry Winston
Located in Chicago, IL
An Extraordinary Legacy in Diamond Form: The Harry Winston 28.13ct Masterpiece When rarity meets refinement, the result is nothing short of legendary. This original Harry Winston cre...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
$54,400Sale Price|20% Off
Tiffany & Co. Certified Emerald and Diamond Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Tiffany & Co. Certified Emerald and Diamond Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Ring, AGL Report, 1.75 Total Carat Weight, Size 3.5 A truly exquisite vintage Tiffany & Co. emerald and diamon...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$71,200Sale Price|20% Off
C. Dunaigre 7 Carat Colombian Pear-Cut Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
7 Carat Colombian Pear-Cut Emerald and Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold A striking ring centered with a natural Colombian emerald The gem displays a beautiful medium green color, live...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
0.64 Carat Natural Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring Made in Platinum
Located in Tokyo, JP
A stunning ring featuring a 0.64 Carats Natural Colombian Emerald and 0.72 Carats of Diamond Accents set in Platinum. People have admired emerald’s green for thousands of years. Emer...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
GIA Certified 0.41 Carat Natural "No Oil" Emerald & Diamond Ring set in Platinum
Located in Tokyo, JP
A stunning ring featuring a GIA Certified 0.42 Carats Natural No Oil Emeralds and 0.48 Carats of Diamond Accents set in Platinum. People have admired emerald’s green for thousands of...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
0.58 Carat Natural Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring Made in Platinum
Located in Tokyo, JP
A stunning ring featuring a0.58 Carats Natural Colombian Emerald and 0.72 Carats of Diamond Accents set in Platinum. People have admired emerald’s green for thousands of years. Emera...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a stunning emerald and diamond cluster ring. At the centre of the face, a wonderfully vibrant green emerald takes prominence, cut in an oval shape. This principal stone ...
Emerald, Platinum
4.95 Carat Round Cut Emerald and Diamond 3 Stone Halo Ring in Platinum
Located in NEW YORK, NY
A stunning ring showcasing a rich, intense, brilliant round cut Emerald weighing 4.95 carats surrounded by a row of diamonds. Flanking the center stone are two pear-shaped diamonds, ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Antique Columbian Emerald and Diamond Ring of 18k Gold and Platinum - GIA Cert
Located in Lewisburg, PA
A luminous example of Belle Époque refinement, this antique ring (circa 1900–1915) dazzles with a vibrant arrangement of vivid slight bluish green natural emeralds paired with sparkl...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Platinum Emerald and Diamond Full Eternity Band Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Antique Platinum Emerald and Diamond Full Eternity Band Ring delightful full eternity band ring, simple but beautiful! The item comes without the box in the photos but will be pre...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
13.65 Carat Cushion Cut Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring in Platinum
Located in NEW YORK, NY
A stunning, well-crafted engagement ring showcasing a 13.65-carat cushion-cut vivid green emerald. Flanking the center diamond are perfectly matched oval-cut 12 diamonds weighing 5.5...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Colombian 6.07 carats Emerald and Diamond Ring in Platinum
Located in La Jolla, CA
AIGS Certified 6.07 carats Colombian Emerald & Diamond Ring in Platinum Colombian Emerald Ring features a 6.07 carat Vivid Green color Colombian Emerald with minor treatment certifi...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
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.