David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Turquoise And Diamond Cocktail Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
This spectacular David Webb Platinum & 18k Yellow Gold Ring is a vintage masterpiece of timeless elegance and bold design. The centerpiece is an impressive oval cabochon-cut turquois...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage Oval Cabochon Green Turquoise & Diamond Halo Cocktail Ring 14K Rose Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This classic ring showcases a rich green oval cabochon set at the center of a bright diamond halo. The smooth, domed gemstone displays a soft, glowing translucence that gives the rin...
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
$1,836Sale Price|20% Off
Adolfo Courrier Pave Turquoise Diamond Stacking Ring 18 Karat Gold Jewelry
By Adolfo Courrier
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant Adolfo Courrier stacking ring, crafted in 18 karat white gold. One estimated 0.05 carat turquoise, accented with 36 estimated 0.01 carat round brilliant cut diamonds totali...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
Byzantine Granulation Ring with Cabochon Turquoise & Diamonds 22kt Yellow Gold
By Nicofilimon the Jewelry Designer
Located in Athens, GR
Byzantine Granulation ring handcrafted in 22Kt yellow gold, featuring a Cabochon Turquoise center and two brilliant cut diamonds. The double base of the ring, the blue of the Turquoi...
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,650
Turquoise Gold Ring
Located in Berkeley, CA
Turquoise and gold are a luxurious combination and this ring speaks luxury but is understated. The green blue hue of the turquoise speaks of ancient camel treks across the Sahara.......
Turquoise, 18k Gold
13.00 Carats Impressive Natural Turquoise and Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
13.00 Carats Impressive Natural Turquoise and Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Ring Suggested Replacement Value $7,400.00 Total Natural Oval Turquoise Weight is: Approx. 11.00 Carats Turq...
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Turquoise Diamonds 14 Karat Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
Beautiful ring made of 14 karat yellow gold in the shape of a shuttle depicting two butterflies embracing each other drawn with cathedral enamel, at its center a natural oval cut tur...
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Handcraft Turquoise 14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds Sapphires Cocktail Ring
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping and require specific documents that require a particular period, please contact the selle...
Diamond, Turquoise, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 6.41Ct Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Diamond Ring in 14K White Solid Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
This elegant 14 Karat White Solid Gold Ring features a beautiful 6.41-carat Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, prized for its rich blue color and smooth, lustrous surface. Surrounding the sl...
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, White Gold
Gin & Grace 14K Yellow Gold Natural Turquoise and Diamond (I1) Ring For Women
Located in New York, NY
Decorate yourself in elegance with this Ring is crafted from 14-karat yellow Gold by Gin & Grace. This Ring is made up of 10*14 turquoise oval-cut (1 pcs) 5.95 carat and Round-cut Di...
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Hyper-Modern Turquoise Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1990s, 14k, American. This hyper-modern ring features an organo chic landscape, psychedelically dotted with gold and turquoise bubbles. The perfect summer accessory, this Ameri...
Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Turquoise Hexagon 18K Yellow Gold Ring
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
The serene cyan shade of turquoise is showcased in this ring. The gem is cut into a hexagon shaped cut, allowing the light to highlight its singular tone. 18k yellow gold forms the b...
Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Edwardian Turquoise Diamond Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Three sky blue, oval Persian turquoise gems are separated by nine diamonds set in a stunning 18 Kt ring made c.1900 in one original piece, The shoulders are two pronged holding stone...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
3.50 Carats Impressive Natural Turquoise and Diamond 14K White Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
3.50 Carats Impressive Natural Turquoise and Diamond 14K White Gold Ring Suggested Replacement Value $7,400.00 Total Natural Oval Turquoise Weight is: Approx. 2.20 Carats Turquois...
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, White Gold
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Natural Turquoise, Onyx & Diamonds Art Deco Style Victorian Cocktail/ Dome Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very beautiful Turquoise, Onyx & Diamonds Art Deco style, Victorian Cocktail/ Dome Ring set in 14K Gold & Silver 925. The weight of the Turquoise is 1.14 carats. The weight of Blac...
Diamond, Onyx, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Silver
Natural Kunzite & Turquoise & Blue Sapphire Ring in 18k Gold
Located in jaipur, IN
You don't have to pay any tax to release the shipment. We pay tax and shipping expenses. This stunning, designer-made ring is crafted from 18-carat gold and features a kunzite, blue...
Kunzite, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Vintage Persian turquoise diamond 18k yellow gold cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage cocktail ring is a striking interplay of color, texture, and confident design. At its center rests a cabochon cut Persian turquoise, prized for its distinctive hue and s...
White Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage turquoise diamond 18k yellow gold cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage cocktail ring is a commanding expression of scale, color, and confident design. At its center rests an impressive sugar loaf cabochon turquoise, sculptural in form and r...
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lapis, Turquoise, Diamonds , Rose Gold and Silver Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Amazing ring in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure mounted with turquoises and lapis surrounded by diamonds. This elegant object combines solid 9 kt gold and solid 800 silver in a s...
Diamond, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Turquoise, Spinel, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Fantastic ring in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure mounted with a central turquoise surrounded by diamonds and two hydrothermal spinel. This elegant object combines solid 9 kt gol...
Diamond, Spinel, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
5.3ct Turquoise Ring with Earth Mined Diamond Accents: in Solid 14K Gold 16x12mm
Located in Columbus, OH
This beautiful ring features a 5.34 carat Turquoise gemstone with natural earth mined diamonds set in solid 14K gold. This Turquoise ring makes a lovely December birthstone gift for ...
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Style Turquoise Onyx 0.18 Carat White Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping, please contact the seller with a private message to solve the problem. We can ship every...
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany White Gold Diamond & Turquoise T Wire Ring sz 7
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany White Gold Diamond & Turquoise T Wire Ring sz 7. This bold T design features diamonds and turquoise, a favorite stone of Tiffany designers for over a century. The natural...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Turquoise and 9 Carat Gold Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This glossy 9ct gold ring holds beautifully bright natural turquoise cabochon stones. The stones are bright and beautiful and complimented by the yellow gold perfectly. Fully hallmar...
Turquoise, Gold
Vintage Turquoise and 9 Carat Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This glossy 9ct gold band holds a beautifully bright turquoise cabochon stone. The stone is bright and beautiful and complimented by the yellow gold perfectly. Fully hallmarked Birmi...
Turquoise, Gold
Circa 1890 Art Nouveau Era Oval Cut Turquoise Elongated Ring 18k Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Radiating the organic elegance and artistic spirit of the Art Nouveau era, this circa 1890 turquoise and diamond ring centers on a striking oval-cut turquoise gemstone embraced by an...
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian Brilliant Turquoise Diamond Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Three sky blue, oval Persian turquoise gems are separated by nine diamonds set in a stunning 18 Kt ring made c.1900 in one original piece, The shoulders are two pronged holding stone...
Turquoise, 18k Gold
Calvin Begay Turquoise and Gold Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1980s, 14k, Calvin Begay, Navajo. This heavy gold ring is set with brilliant blue turquoise. Made in the eighties by Navajo goldsmith Calvin Begay, the look is unique, modern, ...
Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold
10.27 Carat Amethyst Diamond Turquoise Cocktail Ring in 14 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Indulge in the beauty of timeless elegance with this 14K Yellow Gold Statement Ring, showcasing a mesmerizing sugarloaf cabochon amethyst weighing 10.27 carats. The sugarloaf cut's s...
Turquoise, Diamond, Amethyst, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Pat Honanie Ring 14K Gold Turquoise Native American Indian Rare
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning and rare Native American ring signed Pat Honanie in 14K Gold with a gorgeous Turquoise cabochon in a leaf motif design. The Honanie family are renowned Native Ame...
Turquoise, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold, Sterling Silver, Silver
Victorian Turquoise and Diamond Victorian Turquoise and Diamond Ring of 18k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
A delicate and elegant Victorian ring from 1890–1900, centered with a vibrant turquoise cabochon surrounded by a finely proportioned halo of antique diamonds, all set in 18k gold. Th...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
David Webb 18k Platinum Bold Turquoise and Diamond Statement Ring Beaded Design
By David Webb
Located in Great Neck, NY
An iconic David Webb creation, this bold and sculptural ring exemplifies the house’s signature aesthetic dramatic scale, rich materials, and masterful hand crafted detail. Executed i...
Turquoise, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, Gold
Monumental Scale Vintage Persian Turquoise & Gold Statement Ring For Him or Her
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This truly colossal 18K yellow gold vintage Persian turquoise statement ring is both simple in design and formidable to behold. The center oval, natural Persian Turquoise cabochon w...
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
$1,424Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage6.56Ct Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Enamel Diamond Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Bold and serene, this exquisite ring is a celebration of modern elegance and natural beauty. Crafted in 18K yellow gold weighing 3.62 grams, the design centers around a smooth and vi...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Turquoise Cherub Ring of 14k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
A Victorian era ring (circa 1870-1890), featuring a turquoise cabochon set in 14k gold, with the shoulders sculpted as figural cherubs. Cherub imagery was especially popular in late ...
Turquoise, 14k Gold
18k Turquoise ring, carved charioteer intaglio
By Diane Griswold Johnston
Located in Cohasset, MA
Turquoise oval Intaglio ring. A charioteer with horses
Turquoise, 18k Gold
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Turquoise & Tanzanite Ring Set In 18K White Gold &
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Turquoise & Tanzanite Ring Set In 18K White Gold & Silver Natural Pear Shape Turquoise 9 carat Natural Tanzanite 4 carat This Ring is from the "O...
Tanzanite, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Silver
David Yurman Turquoise Bead Ring, 18k Yellow Gold, Ring Size 5.5
By David Yurman
Located in McLeansville, NC
Stones: turquoise, 2 round bead 8 mm Ring Size 5.5 Rise Off Of Finger: 8 mm Length: 15.8 mm Weight: 2 dwts. / 3.1 grams Stamps: "750 DY" Solari Collection SKU: R4099 A Couple ...
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dreamy Mid Century 14k Yellow Gold Turquoise Ring, 9.65ct Robin's Egg Blue
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This dreamy, mid century turquoise ring is centered by a purely-colored robin's egg blue gemstone nestled in a classic, rope-twist bezel in a lush 14 karat yellow gold setting.The me...
Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Retro Gold 1.1 CT Natural Diamond & Turquoise Cocktail Ring Circa 1960
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Slightly dome-shaped turquoise & diamond cluster cocktail ring crafted in yellow gold. The top of the mounting measures approximately 26 × 23 mm and rises approximately 14 mm off...
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold
Jude Frances Lisse Diamond Turquoise Band Ring 18k Yellow Gold 2.1g sz 6.5
By Jude Frances
Located in Northbrook, IL
Presenting a captivating Lisse band ring by Jude Frances, meticulously crafted in 18k yellow gold. This exquisite piece features a row of vibrant turquoise stones, beautifully comple...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Turquoise Ring in 14K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Turquoise Ring Material: 14K Yellow Gold Condition: Pre-Owned Turquoise: 1.90ctw Ring Dimension: Size: 7.25 Width: 17.0 - 17.2mm Thickness: 1.3mm Weight: 6.3grm Comes with...
Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,100
Hopi Modernist Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, 14k, Hopi. Featuring the distinctive Hopi cobblestone motif, this fabulous seventies ring is all about color, form, and the Post-Modern aesthetic. The design is visually...
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian turquoise diamond 18k yellow gold cluster ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Edwardian turquoise and diamond cluster ring is a graceful expression of early 20th-century elegance, blending soft color with antique brilliance. At its center rests a smooth c...
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
14 Karat Yellow Gold Turquoise & Amethyst Heart Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 14K yellow gold Amethyst: 5.00cttw Ring Size: 5.25 (please allow up to 2 additional business days for sizing requests) Weight: 57.9 grams
Amethyst, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Large Diamond Turquoise Lapis Cocktail Ring c. 1960s
Located in New York, NY
This stunning turquoise lapis lazuli diamond cocktail ring, finely crafted in 14 karat yellow gold. The centerpiece features a large cabochon turquoise approximate 13.7 carats in pro...
Diamond, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Steven Battelle Arizona Sleeping Beauty Turquoise 18K Gold/Oxidized Silver Ring
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
A beautiful 16 x 21 mm semi triangular cabochon of sleeping beauty turquoise is set within and 18K bezel surrounded by a "line texture" 18K double bezel, all above a wide deeply text...
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Silver
White Gold Ring with Pearl, Turquoise, and Diamonds
Located in Warszawa, PL
This distinctive ring from the Alghero Collection is crafted in white gold and reflects the expressive character of Italian jewelry design inspired by the Mediterranean. The centerpi...
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, White Gold
$2,720Sale Price|20% Off
Set in 18K Gold, 8.65 carats Turquoise, Blue Sapphires & Diamonds Cocktail Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very beautiful and unique, Turquoise & Blue Sapphire Cocktail Ring set in 18K White Gold & Diamonds. The weight of the Turquoise is 8.65 carats. The Blue Sapphires weight is 2.75 c...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Antique Early-Victorian 9k Rose Gold Polki Diamond Turquoise Ring
Located in New York, NY
This antique ring is crafted in 9k rose gold and features a striking combination of polki diamonds and turquoise. The polki diamonds offer a soft, reflective glow that highlights the...
Diamond, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Turquoise and Pearl Vintage Style Floral Ring in Solid 9K Yellow Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
A stunning piece inspired by the beauty of nature. At its center, a vibrant turquoise gemstone symbolizes tranquility and protection, while lustrous pearls beside it, adding a touch ...
Pearl, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K YG Carnelian, Turquoise and Diamond Silk Road Ring by Silvia Furmanovich
By Silvia Furmanovich
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Vibrant and richly detailed, this exquisite ring by renowned designer Silvia Furmanovich captures her signature fusion of global inspiration and refined artistry. From her celebrated...
Carnelian, Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Turquoise and Pearl Ring - Birmingham Circa 1910
Located in Brighton, GB
Turquoise & Pearl Ring 15ct Gold Hallmarked Birmingham Date Letter worn Makers Mark W.B A rectangular panel ring set with four natural seed pearls in a square formation, flan...
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 15k Gold
Antique Turquoise Snake Ring of 14k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
A striking ring featuring a beautifully sculpted 14k gold snake coiled around a natural green turquoise cabochon, crowned with a sparkling old mine cut diamond set at the serpent’s h...
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold
Victorian 10K Gold Five-Stone Turquoise Ring
Located in Venice, CA
This is a classic 10k gold Victorian five-stone ring that features a row of turquoise cabochons. The well-matched stones are in excellent condition, with almost no wear to their surf...
Turquoise, Gold, 10k Gold
Antique 18K Gold Persian Turquoise and Diamond Halo Ring, Europe, c.1900
Located in Miami, FL
An important antique ring crafted in 18K yellow gold, centered with a magnificent 14-carat oval cabochon Persian turquoise, distinguished by its saturated robin’s-egg blue color and ...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
10.57 Carat Turquoise Sapphire Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By Roshe Jewels
Located in Los Angeles, CA
10.57 Carat Turquoise Sapphire Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring This Ring has a 9.67 Carat Pear Cut Turquoise and is surrounded by 6 Round Cut Orange Sapphires that weigh 0.38 Carats and 6...
Diamond, Sapphire, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow 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.