18 Karat White Gold Bezel Set Emerald Cut Diamond Band
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: Custom Material: 18K white gold Diamond: 5 emerald cut = 1.90cttw Color: H Clarity: SI1 Diamond: 4 princess cut = 0.20cttw Color: H Clarity: SI1 Size: 7.25 (complimentary s...
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
4.26 Carat Emerald Cut Diamond Three-Stone Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Step cut trapezoids work great with Emerald or Asscher cut, while Brilliant cut trapezoids are usually matched with radiant or princess cuts, as well as with colored diamonds and gem...
Diamond, Platinum
LB Exclusive Platinum 0.27 Carat Diamond and 0.75 Carat Emerald Ring
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
This lovely LB Exclusive Platinum 0.27 ct Diamond 0.75 ct Emerald Ring is beautiful and classy. The band is made with platinum and set with two emerald cut diamonds totaling 0.27 car...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
LB Exclusive Platinum 0.64 Ct Diamond and 0.31 Ct Emerald Ring
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
This LB Exclusive Platinum 0.64 ct Diamond 0.31 ct Emerald Ring is classy and understated. The band is crafted from platinum and set with three rows of emeralds totaling 0.31 carats ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
LB Exclusive Platinum 0.34 Ct Diamond and 0.33 Ct Emerald Ring
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
This gorgeous LB Exclusive Platinum 0.34 ct Diamond 0.33 ct Emerald Ring is a classic. The band is made with platinum and set with 0.34 carats of princess cut diamonds, one on either...
Emerald, Diamond, Platinum
Contemporary 0.50 carat Emerald & 1.06 carat Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in MADRID, ES
Modern 18k yellow gold ring featuring a vivid square-cut emerald and a total of 37 high-quality diamonds in brilliant and princess cuts.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
LB Exclusive Platinum 0.49 Carat Diamond and 0.70 Carat Emerald Ring
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
This classy LB Exclusive Platinum 0.49 ct Diamond 0.70 ct Emerald Ring is made with a platinum band and set with a princess cut 0.70 carat emerald surrounded by a halo of round and b...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Platinum 3ctw GIA Emerald Cut Diamond Solitaire Princess Sides Engagement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
It features an absolutely breathtaking, GIA certified, elongated emerald cut diamond solitaire neatly set with sturdy prongs at its center and is adorned with 8 princess cut diamonds...
Diamond, Platinum
.30 Carat Emerald, Diamond Princess Yellow White Gold Stacking Band Rings
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The princess cut diamond solitares are set in high polished 18k white gold.
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
French 1.29 Carat Emerald and Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This vintage emerald ring is further ornamented with ten very high clarity graded, well color matched, princess cut diamonds tension set to the upper border and sides of the integrat...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold 6.85 Carat Emerald with 1.19 Carat in Diamond Ladies Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Material-14k White Gold Gemstone Details-Emerald Cut Emerald 6.85ctw , Measuring at 12.4mm x 11.2mm Diamond Details-Princess cut diamonds 1.19ctw ; Diamonds are G/H in color and VS ...
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Emerald Diamond 18 Karat Gold Channel Band Ring, circa 1990
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Band ring channel set to front with alternating square cut emerald and princess cut diamonds Diamonds weigh approximately 0.50 carat total with F/G color and VS clarity Emeralds are...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Modern Emerald and Diamond 14 Carat White Gold Three Stone
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous three stone holds two bright emeralds and a sparkling diamond. The stones are princess cut and measures 50pts each.
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
H & H 2.27 Carat Colombian Emerald Diamond Gold Platinum Ring
By H & H Jewels
Located in Miami, FL
18 karat yellow gold prongs accentuate the hue of emerald green as two 1.42 carat princess cut diamond (F/G/VS1) side stones embellish the pristine platinum ring.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
LB Exclusive Platinum 2.03 Carat Diamond and 6.10 Carat Columbian Emerald Ring
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
The emerald is flanked on either side by a larger princess cut diamond. .The ring has a band thickness of 2 mm, a top height of 9 mm, and top dimensions of 21 by 18 mm, with a total ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Contemporary Emerald Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Wide Band Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
The 24 princess cut diamonds (G-H color and VS clarity) weigh 2.00 CTW and alternate rows with 18 square cut emeralds weighing 1.80 CTW.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Emerald and Diamond Ring Size 6.75 GAI Certified - This lovely ring features seven princess cut emeralds and six princess cut diamonds set in ...
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
GIA Certified Art Deco Inspired Emerald Cut Diamond Halo Ring Set in Platinum
Located in London, England
A beautiful GIA certified Art Deco inspired emerald cut diamond halo ring set in platinum. The ring is centrally set with a sparkly certified 1.08 carat emerald cut diamond which is...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Art Deco Inspired 1.45 Carat Emerald with Diamond Ring 18 Karat White Gold
By Alexander Beverly Hills
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Lovely Art Deco style emerald with diamond halo ring. 1.45 carat oval emerald complimented with 1.89 carats of round and princess cut diamonds. 3.34ct total gemstone weight, in 18k w...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
GIA Certified 5 Carat Colombian Emerald and Diamond 18 Karat Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Premier quality natural Emerald. Center stone is mounted in a textured 18k yellow gold ring setting and princess cut diamonds.
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Set in 18K Gold, 11.08 carats, Zambian Emerald & Yellow Diamonds Cocktail Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
The weight of the Emerald is 11.08 carats. The Emerald is completely natural, without any treatment and is of Zambian origin.
Yellow Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Platinum 18k Gold 2.58ct GIA Fancy Yellow Princess Diamond Trillion Emerald Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
It features a truly gorgeous GIA certified, princess cut, fancy yellow diamond solitaire prong set in the solid yellow gold basket and flanked on either side with a very fine quality...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Modern Emerald and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
An exquisite five-stone ring set with beautiful princess cut diamonds and a step cut emerald. The central emerald measures 15pts and the diamond total is 40pts.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
4.16 Carat Emerald Diamond 18 Karat Two Tone Gold Cocktail Ring AGL Certified
Located in Boca Raton, FL
The emerald is flanked by two princess cut diamonds weighing .50 carat total weight and graded H-I color and SI clarity.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Quadrillion 18k Gold Emerald Cut Diamond Solitaire & Princess Pyramid Sides Ring
By Quadrillion Diamond Company
Located in Montclair, NJ
Enjoy :) --Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Diamond - Emerald Cut - Channel Set - F/G Color - VVS2 Clarity - 6x4mm / 0.50ct (approx.) (32) Natural Genuine Diamonds - (26) Princess Cu...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
4.95tcw Natural Emerald Cushion Cut and Tapered Baguette Diamond Ring Platinum
Located in Jupiter, FL
Setting Style: Prong/Channel Setting Material: Platinum Setting Weight: 12.1 Grams Main Stone: Emerald Shape: Cushion Cut Weight: 4.23-Carats Clarity: Semi-Transparent Color: Green ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Emerald and Diamond Cocktail Ring set in Yellow Gold
By Rosior
Located in Porto, PT
Rosior Contemporary Cocktail Ring set in Yellow Gold with: - 1 Oval Cut Emerald weighing 0,73 ct; - 8 Princess Cut Diamonds weighing 1,12 ct.
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold
LB Exclusive 18k Yellow Gold 1.50 Ct Diamond and 0.75 Ct Emerald Ring
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
This unique LB Exclusive 18K Yellow Gold 1.50 ct Diamond 0.75 ct Emerald Ring was made with 18K yellow gold and set with a cluster of glittering round cut diamonds totaling 1.50 cara...
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Retro Gold 1.3 Carat Natural Green Emerald and Colorless Diamond Band Circa 1980
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Retro 14k Yellow Gold 1.3 Carat Natural Green Emerald and Colorless Diamond Band Circa 1980 The Natural colorless princess cut diamonds weigh approximately 0.40 carat and the natura...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold
Ritani Emerald Cut Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Engagement Ring GIA Certified
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Gorgeous emerald cut diamond engagement ring set in an 18 karat white gold Ritani mounting.
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Gold Square Emerald and Round Diamond Channel Set Band Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Expertly placed between the rows of diamonds sit 20 princess-cut emeralds. Like the impeccably matched diamonds, these exquisite emeralds are channel-set, totaling 0.97 carats.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold 2.66ct FINE Emerald Cut Green Tourmaline & Princess Diamond Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Enjoy :) --Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Tourmaline - Emerald Cut - Claw-Prong Set - Finest, Rich Green Color - 6.9x5.2mm - 1.06ct (approx.) (16) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Prince...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
French Art Deco 2.00 Carat Emerald and Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
An emphatic square shaped emerald of Colombian origin sits slightly risen at the centre of the face in a four clawed setting.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Natural Emerald and Diamond Ring Size 5.5 #16993
Located in Washington Depot, CT
18 Karat Yellow Gold Natural Emerald and Diamond Ring Size 5.5 This lovely ring features one genuine emerald (approx. 5 mm x 4 mm) and two princess cut diamonds set in classic 18K y...
White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$3,000
Retro Emerald Cut Diamond Bow Ring
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Retro bow 3 stone diamond ring containing an .88c emerald cut diamond center and 2 - .20c each princess cut side stones.
Diamond, 14k Gold
GIA Certified 4.29 Carat F1 Emerald Fancy Yellow Diamond Ruby Ring 18 Karat
Located in New York, NY
GIA Certified Emerald diamonds ring. 4.29ct Emerald Report: 2201320289 (to accompany) Transparent, even green Classic emerald brilliant cut 10.07 x 8.41 x 6.36mm "F1" Rating ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Tiffany & Co Fine Emerald & Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Three Stone Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Birmingham, GB
A top quality square princess cut emerald with fine colour and excellent cut and clarity.
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Emerald Cut Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Modern Engagement Ring GIA E/SI2
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Beautiful modern emerald cut diamond engagement ring fashioned in 18 karat white gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco Style 3.30 Carat Emerald 0.90 Carat White Diamond White Cocktail Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
This Ring has 0.90 Carats of White Modern Round Cut, Baguette Cut and Princess Cut Diamonds. This Ring has a 3.30 Carats Brazilian Oval Cut Emerald (10.80mm x 8.30mm).
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Rosior one-off Diamond, Emerald and Sapphire Contemporary "Serpent" Ring
By Rosior
Located in Porto, PT
Rosior Contemporary "Serpent" Ring set in 19.2 Karat Gold with: - 10 Oval, Round and "Princess" Cut Yellow Sapphires with 1,48 ct, - 2 "Navette" Cut Pink Sapphires (Eyes) with 0,18 c...
Diamond, Black Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphir...
5.05 Carat Emerald Cabochon, Spinel and Diamond Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This one-of-a-kind, original handmade ring features a gorgeous 5.05 carat cabochon emerald in a regal setting adorned with princess-cut spinels and brilliant white diamonds!
Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Spinel, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$35,096
2.19 Carat Emerald-Cut Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in London, GB
Single stone emerald cut diamond ring, weighing 2.19ct, of F Colour and VVS2 clarity with four princess-cut diamonds each shoulder, mounted in platinum, accompanied by Anchorcert ce...
Diamond, Platinum
7.81 Carat Emerald Step Cut London Blue Topaz and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Here is a super nice Emerald step cut London blue Topaz and diamond ring.
Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Exceptional 31.46ct Emerald-Cut Kunzite Ring with Fancy Yellow Diamonds in 14K
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An eye-catching fusion of color and craftsmanship, this extraordinary cocktail ring showcases a striking 31.46-carat emerald-cut Kunzite—celebrated for its vibrant pink-lavender hue ...
Yellow Diamond, Kunzite, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Retro Cabochon Emerald, Ruby and Diamond Three Stone Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in London, England
Siding the emerald are two perfectly matched princess cut rubies.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Three Stone Princess and Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
By MJ Gabel
Located in Webster, NY
Classic three stone diamond engagement ring featuring a center Princess cut diamonds, flanked by two Emerald cut diamonds.
Diamond, 14k Gold
Platinum Princess & Emerald Cut 2.25 TCW Diamond Eternity Wedding Band
Located in New York, NY
Weight: 6.3 Grams Stone: 2.25 TCW Diamond - Princess Cut (3 mm, 0.134 ct.), Emerald Cut (3.25 x 2.5 mm, 0.117 ct.)
Diamond, Palladium, Platinum, Rhodium
1.92 Carat Princess Emerald Cut Diamond White Gold Band Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Not easily sizable. 21 Princess cut diamonds approx. total weight 1.20cts, E-F, VVS2, 2mm 6 emerald cut diamonds 4.5mm long, 2mm wide, E-F, VVS2, approx. total weight .72cts Size 6 ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Sold|$6,000
Platinum Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: Platinum Diamonds: 1 Rectangular Modified Brilliant Cut = 1.09cttw GIA: 523261346 Color: J Clarity: SI1 Diamonds: 2 Emerald Cut = 2.50cttw Color: G Clarity...
Diamond, Platinum
Sold|$1,053
Emeraldring diamond 14 k
Located in Bad Kissingen, DE
14 k yellow gold 0,36 ct emerald 0,06 ct diamond size 55 2,5 gram this is a beautiful ring with one emerald in princess cut on the side diamonds
Emerald, 14k Gold
Sophisticated 1.37ct Diamonds 7-Stone Ring in 18k Yellow Gold - IGI Certified
Located in רמת גן, IL
Showcasing a stunning 0.55-carat emerald-cut center diamond. Surrounding the center stone is a dazzling halo of six princess-cut diamonds, creating a dazzling display of diamonds.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Magnificent 1.21ct Diamonds Halo Ring in 18k Yellow Gold - IGI Certified
Located in רמת גן, IL
Magnificent 1.21ct Diamonds Halo Ring in 18k Yellow Gold - IGI Certified This elegant 18k yellow gold ring showcases a captivating 0.61-carat emerald cut diamond as the centerpiece,...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Style 2.40 ct Diamonds 5.5 ct Aquamarine Platinum Chevalier Sign Ring
Located in MADRID, ES
Technical Details: Style: Chevalier Ring Metal: Platinum 950 Weight: 20.53 g Main Stone: Aquamarine, emerald cut. Width: 9.5 mm Length: 13 mm Height: 6.5 mm Weight: 5.50 ct Accent S...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
18k White Gold Pave Band Ring 2.00 ct Natural Tourmaline and Diamonds IGI Cert
Located in רמת גן, IL
It comes with an IGI certificate and a fancy jewelry box. 1 tourmaline main stone of 1.15 carat cut: emerald cut color: Vivid Pink clarity: Transparent sku: SWG-R5-19 Online verifi...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
18k White Gold Pave Band Ring 3.0ct Natural Tourmaline and Diamonds IGI Cert
Located in רמת גן, IL
It comes with IGI certificate and a fancy jewelry box. 1 tourmaline main stone of 1.5 carat cut: emerald cut color: Intense Orangy Pink clarity: Transparent sku: RS-05 Online verif...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
DCLA 18ct White Gold and Platinum Diamond Engagement Ring 1.94ct
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
Metal: 18ct White Gold & Platinum Carat: 1.94ct (1.44ct DCLA) Colour: F Clarity: VS2/VS Cut: Emerald Step & Princess Cut Weight: 3.6 grams Engravings/Markings: Signed K18 Pt Size/Me...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
18 Karat White Gold 12.50 Carat Aquamarine and Diamond Large Cocktail Ring
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
This Cocktail Ring features an emerald cut Aquamarine of 12.50ct with 8 princess cut Diamonds of approximately 0.80ct total, made in 18k White Gold.
Aquamarine, White Diamond, 18k 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.”
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Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
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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.