18K Yellow Gold Natural Diamond & Yellow Sapphire Pave Dome Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Diamond Clarity: Approximately SI in clarity Diamond Color: Approximately G-H in color Design Details: Dome ring featuring pavé-set natural round brilliant cut diamonds and natural...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yell...
$1,240Sale Price / item|20% Off
14 Karat Gold Diamond Pave Elevated Bar Ring
By Chee Lee New York
Located in New York, NY
All items are made to order, please allow 10-15 business days for items to ship after the order is placed. ----- Chee Lee New York is a New York-based jewelry company that fuses t...
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
2.00 Carat White Diamond Pavé Ring in Platinum 950
By FERRUCCI
Located in New York, NY
Triple Row Diamond pave' band, G color, VS clarity, for an approximate total carat weight of 2.00 carat, made in New York with the best Italian craftsmanship conceived in Platinum 95...
White Diamond, Platinum
$8,175Sale Price / item|25% Off
Ralph Masri '1919' 18kt White Gold Diamond Pavé Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Elegant 18kt white gold ring from Ralph Masri's '1919' Bauhaus-inspired collection, set with diamonds (2.40cts).
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
14K White Gold Pave Pink Sapphire and Diamond Wave Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 14K white gold Pink Sapphire: 54 round cut= 1.18cttw Diamonds: 94 round cut= 0.89cttw Color: G-H Clarity: SI1-SI2 Dimensions: the ring measures 14.80mm wi...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
Rectangle Signet Oxidised Siver Ring with Champagne Pave Diamond
By Emre Osmanlar
Located in ISTANBUL, TR
5.18 gr Silver 0.7ct Champagne Diamonds
Diamond, Silver
Yellow & White Gold 6.53ct Brown Diamond, Pavé Diamond Statement Ring
Located in New York, NY
The diamond is set in yellow gold prongs and framed by a wide white gold pavé setting with round white diamond accents extending across the shoulders.
Diamond, Brown Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold
.54 Carat Pave Diamond Yellow Gold Dome Band Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
1960's Diamond dome band ring. 32 round brilliant cut pave diamonds in a three row 18k yellow gold band setting. 32 round brilliant cut diamonds, G-H VS approx. .54cts Size 6.75 and...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$750Sale Price / item|35% Off
18K Gold Pave Diamond Two Bar Open Ring Unique Parallel Bar Ring
By Oshi Jewels
Located in Bangkok, TH
Pave Diamond Two Bar Open Ring is made of 18k solid gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1.40 Carats IGI Certified Natural Diamond 18K White Gold Pave Ring
Located in רמת גן, IL
1.40 Carats IGI Certified Natural Diamond 18K White Gold Pave Ring Elevate your jewelry collection with this stunning 18K white gold pave ring, expertly crafted to deliver a breatht...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,500 / item
0.70 Carat Pave Diamond Wrap Ring 18K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Adorn yourself with sophistication and radiance through our 0.70 Carat Pave Diamond Wrap Ring in 18K Yellow Gold. This captivating piece features a dazzling 0.70-carat diamond expert...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pave Diamond Gold Dome Band Ring Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Pave Diamond Dome Band Ring. Securely Hand set with VS/SI Diamonds, weighing approx. 5.07tcw. Hand crafted 18K Yellow Gold mounting. Measuring approx. 1.09” w x 0.9...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Estate Pavé Diamond Cluster Ring, 18k Yellow Gold 1.03ctw, Hideko
Located in Orlando, FL
A substantial, well-made ring with genuine sparkle to spare. Specifications Metal: 18K yellow gold (K18 hallmark stamped in shank) Maker: signed "Hideko," Japan Gemstones: 20 round ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.45 Carat Diamond Pave Cluster Dome Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
1960's High domed handmade, pierced and engraved diamond cluster cocktail ring. 1 round center diamond accented with 40 round pave set diamonds. 1 round diamond approx. total weigh...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Pave Diamond Interlocking Oval Link Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 14k yellow gold Diamonds: 58 round cut: 0.20cttw Color: H Clarity: SI1 Size: 6.5 Dimensions: the ring measures 17.9mm wide Weight: 7.61 grams
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
.50 Carat Pave Diamond White Gold Wrap Snake Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Diamond white gold snake ring. 31 round brilliant cut pave diamonds set in at 14k white gold triple coil setting.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
925 Sterling Silver Drop Band Ring Pave Diamond Ring Anniversary Gift For Women.
Located in Chicago, IL
925 Sterling Silver Drop Band Ring Pave Diamond Ring Anniversary Gift For Women. Materials: Silver Stone: Diamond Silver Weight 10.00gm diamond Weight 1.00ct A P P R O X T I M...
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
925 Sterling Silver Eternity Band Ring Pave Diamond Ring Beautiful Gift For Her.
Located in Chicago, IL
925 Sterling Silver Eternity Band Ring Pave Diamond Ring Beautiful Gift For Her. Silver Weight 10.00gm Diamond Weight 3.00ct Materials: Silver Stone: Diamond A P P R O X T I M...
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage Italian 18K Gold Pavé Diamond Dome Ring 1.75 Carat
Located in Miami, FL
Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Hallmark: 750, Italian Diamonds: Approx. 1.75 carats total weight Diamond Cut: Round Brilliant Setting: Pavé Weight: 14.33 grams Ring Size: 6 (resizable) Heigh...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat White Gold 4 Open Row Diamond Pave Ring
By Gabriel & Co.
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: Gabriel & Co Material: 14K White Gold Diamond: 80 Round Brilliant Cut = 0.86cttw Color: H Clarity: SI1 Ring Size: 6.25 Width: 9.75 mm Weight: 5.7 grams
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Pave Diamond Ring Rose Gold 925 Silver Fancy Diamond Ring For Special Occasions
Located in Chicago, IL
Pave Diamond Ring Rose Gold 925 Silver Fancy Diamond Ring For Special Occasions Base Metal Sterling Silver, 925 parts per 1000 Secondary Stone Diamond Metal Purity 925 parts per 1000...
Diamond, Silver
White Gold Ruby and Diamond Halo Multi Row Pavé Ring
Located in New York, NY
White Gold Ruby and Diamond Halo Multi Row Pavé Ring Description: This cocktail ring is crafted in solid 18k white gold and features a central 1.76-carat round ruby with a deep purp...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1.10 Carat Sapphire and Diamond Pave Cluster Platinum Band Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Platinum 900 set pave blue sapphire and diamond band ring. Offering a minimalist dome shape of brilliance in round cut natural gemstones.
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Cartier Panthère Half-Pavé Ring in 18K Gold with 0.68ct Diamonds
By Cartier
Located in Bethesda, MD
The panther, Cartier's iconic symbol since 1914, embodies fierce elegance and timeless sophistication. This small Panthère de Cartier ring captures the legendary spirit that Jeanne T...
Diamond
Pave Diamond Clover Ring 14k Gold Minimalist ring SI Quality G-H Color Fine ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Pave Diamond Clover Ring 14k Gold Minimalist ring SI Quality G-H Color Fine ring Diamond Weight 0.13 cts Approx Total Carat Weight 0.13 Cts Approx Gross Weight 2.14 Grams Approx Main...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
Pave Diamond Loop Ring 14k Gold Engagement Ring SI Quality diamond G-H Fine ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Pave Diamond Loop Ring 14k Gold Engagement Ring SI Quality diamond G-H Fine ring Diamond Weight 0.18 cts Approx Total Carat Weight 0.18 Cts Approx Gross Weight 1.765 Grams Approx Mai...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
2.55 Carats IGI Certified 18k White Gold Natural Diamond Pave Ring
Located in רמת גן, IL
2.55 Carats IGI Certified 18k White Gold Natural Diamond Pave Ring Exude regal elegance and spectacular contrast with this magnificent 2.55-carat natural diamond pave ring.
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
Di Modolo Triadra Pave Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold
By Di Modolo
Located in Chicago, IL
This striking Di Modolo Triadra ring is an exceptional example of contemporary Italian luxury design, beautifully crafted in polished 18K white gold. The sculptural silhouette, chara...
Diamond, White Gold
.46ct Diamond Platinum Hand Engraved Pave Set Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Simple classic six prong Diamond engagement ring with bead set diamond sides and hand engraving. EGL certified round brilliant cut center stone. 1 round brilliant cut diamond, appr...
Diamond, Platinum
Roman Malakov 3.75 Carats Total Brilliant Round Diamond Micro-Pave Wedding Band
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
This stunning and exquisite wedding band showcasing round brilliant diamonds weighing 3.75 carats total, micro-pave set in a concave dome design made in 18k white gold. Size 7.5 US r...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Rectangle Signet Oxidised Silver Ring with Champagne Pave Diamond
By Emre Osmanlar
Located in ISTANBUL, TR
5,35 g Silver 0.70 ct Brown Diamond
Brown Diamond, Silver
Natural Pave Diamond Full Finger Knuckle Ring in 925 Silver
Located in Chicago, IL
Country/Region of Manufacture: India Style: Tea Ring Base Metal: Sterling Silver, 925 parts per 1000 Secondary Stone: Diamond Ring Shape: Knuckle Main Stone Treatment: Not Enhanced S...
Diamond, Sterling Silver, Silver
14k Yellow Gold 1.92tcw H Si1 Diamond Overlap Pave Ring
Located in New York, NY
This vintage ring is crafted in 14k yellow gold and features diamonds totaling approximately 1.92 carats, graded H color with SI1 clarity. The overlap pavé design creates a sophistic...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold 0.17 Cttw. Diamond Pave' Ring
By Campanelli & Pear
Located in Troy, MI
Reminiscent of spun silk & feeling just as luxurious on your finger, this royal 18 karat yellow gold ring is perfectly accented with 0.17 Cttw of fine, white diamonds pave set in c...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14k White Gold Pave Diamond Cross Charm Delicate Ring Jewelry
Located in Jaipur, IN
Gemstone Setting: Shimmering round brilliant-cut diamonds are pavé-set across the top half of the band.
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Platinum Holly Twist Pave Diamond Ring '1/4 Carat'
Located in San Francisco, CA
This ring features waves of metal & pav diamonds twist throughout three-fourths of the band. Experience the difference! Product details: Center Gemstone Color: WHITE Side Gemstone...
Diamond, Platinum
Hammerman Brothers 18K Gold Pavé Diamond Bombé Ring, 3.00 Carats
By Hammeran Brothes
Located in Miami, FL
The design centers a luminous pavé-set bombé dome composed of thirty-five round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 3.00 carats.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
.60ct Diamond Pave Heart and Star Ring 14 Karat Handset*
Located in New York, NY
Magnificent Jewels Prime Ring is all hand set and made with graver tool .60ct. diamonds, All natural. H-color, Vs-2 clarity. Heart in the middle and 4 stars on the sides- please ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Pave Diamond Pearl Cocktail Ring 6cttw Sz 5.25
Located in Winter Springs, FL
A vintage ring done in 18K yellow gold and set with a approximately 6cttw in F-G color Vs1-2 clarity diamonds and topped with a 13.2mm cream colored South Sea pearl. Dimensions/Weig...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Natural Pave Diamond Full Finger Handmade 925 Silver Ring NS87
Located in Chicago, IL
Country/Region of Manufacture: India Style: Statement Base Metal: Sterling Silver, 925 parts per 1000 Ring Shape: Wide Diamond Color: Fancy Color Fancy Diamond Color: White Cut: Exce...
Diamond, Sterling Silver, Silver
18K White Gold Diamond Pave Square Ring – 5.55 Carats Total
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Details: Metal: 18K White Gold Weight: 27 grams Diamonds: 240 Round Brilliant Cuts Total Diamond Weight: Approx. 5.55 carats Style: Pave Square Statement Ring Condition: Excell...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Exquisite 0.90ct Natural Diamonds Pave Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in רמת גן, IL
This exceptional pave ring exudes grace and sophistication, crafted from luxurious 18K white gold for a sleek and elegant finish.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Contemporary 1.20ct Pave Diamond Wrap Band Ring in Sterling Silver
Located in Nantucket, MA
A lovely diamond multi-banded ring comprised of round, brilliant cut diamonds in a pave` setting in sterling silver.
Alexandrite, Diamond, Sterling Silver
Vitolo 18 Karat Gold Double Halo Pave Diamond Ring
By Stefano Vitolo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by award winning Italian designer Stefano Vitolo. Stefano creates custom artisanal one of a kind jewelry with excellent gemstones in a truly old world Italian craftmanship. ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Dazzling 1.01ct Natural Diamond 18K White Gold Halo Pave Ring
Located in רמת גן, IL
This new 18K white gold ring features seven magnificent round brilliant diamonds, totaling 0.69ct, boasting G-H color and VS-SI clarity, forming a captivating central cluster.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Leon Megé 413 Platinum Solitaire with a Round Diamond with Micro Pave Shank
By Leon Mege
Located in New York, NY
Leon Megé bespoke 413™ solitaire featuring a GIA certified 2.29-carat H/SI1 round diamond on a skinny shank with three rows of micro pave. Ideal-cut diamonds Single-claw prongs Role...
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage Pave Diamond Twisted Design Platinum 900 European Shank Cocktail Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Finely Detailed Pave Vintage Diamond Twisted European Shank Platinum Ring.
Diamond, Platinum
18 K rose Gold Pave Band Ring fancy Sapphire Diamond
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
A sophisticated band ring crafted in 18 K rose Gold, featuring 191 round fancy Sapphires in various pastel sahdes of pink weighing approximately 8 ct, and 10 round brilliant cut Dia...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Pave Diamond Two Finger Ring Solid 925 Silver Handmade Fine Ring Jewelry Gift.
Located in Chicago, IL
Pave Diamond Two Finger Ring Solid 925 Silver Handmade Fine Ring Jewelry Gift. Metal Sterling Silver Main Stone Diamond Ring Size 8 Base Metal Sterling Silver, 925 parts per 1000 To...
Diamond, Sterling Silver, Silver
Luminous 0.81ct Natural Diamond Pave Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in רמת גן, IL
Get ready to stop traffic with this spicy 18K yellow gold showstopper that serves pure, persuasive elegance. Featuring a creative 0.55ct round brilliant center stone flanked by a shi...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rhombus Shape Pave Diamond Full Finger 14k Gold Long Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Country/Region of Manufacture: India Style: Band Secondary Stone: Diamond Ring Shape: Band Main Stone Treatment: Not Enhanced Fine_Fashion: Fine Diamond Weight: 1.00 cts Approx Metal...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
18 Karat White Gold Black Enamel Swirl Diamond Pave Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This stunning ring features a bombé design, pavé-set with brilliant white diamonds and accented with bold, curving black enamel patterns. Approximately 3.00 carats of diamonds; they...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Pave Diamond Cuff Ring 925 Sterling Silver Open Ring For Women Minimalist Gift.
Located in Chicago, IL
Pave Diamond Cuff Ring 925 Sterling Silver Open Ring For Women Minimalist Gift. Cut Very Good Metal Sterling Silver Main Stone Diamond Total Carat Weight 0.24 & Under Metal Purity ...
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
Sophisticated 0.79ct Diamond Pave Split Shank Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in רמת גן, IL
Crafted in 18K white gold, this ring features a dazzling 0.65ct round brilliant diamond (F color, SI1 clarity) at its center.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bulgari B.zero1 18kt White Gold Diamond Pavé Ring, Circa 2000
By Bulgari
Located in Lisboa, PT
This Bulgari B.zero1 18 kt White Gold 2.40 ct Diamond Pavé Ring is an iconic expression of contemporary Italian design. Crafted in 18 kt white gold, the ring belongs to the celebrate...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
5 Stone Micro Pave Set Minimalist Diamond Ring 14k Gold Ring Minimalist Jewelry
Located in Chicago, IL
5 Stone Micro Pave Set Minimalist Diamond Ring 14k Gold Ring Minimalist Jewelry Diamond weight: 0.03 CT Number Of Diamonds: 5 A P P R O X T I M E All items are custom made to ord...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Brilliant 0.79ct Natural Diamond Halo Pave Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in רמת גן, IL
A timeless icon of sparkle, this ring features a 0.43ct round brilliant natural diamond at its center, encircled by a dazzling halo that amplifies its presence and fire.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pave Diamond Victorian 14k Gold & Silver Rosecut Diamond Filigree Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Gross Weight: 13.920 Grams Approx Fancy Diamond Color: White Occasion: Wedding Size: 35x8mm Approx Main Stone Color: Gold Metal: Yellow Gold Secondary Stone: Diamond Fine_Fashion: Fi...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Silver
14K Rose Gold Pave Diamond Triple Spiral Cage Statement Ring
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Deira, Dubai
14K Rose Gold Pave Diamond Triple Spiral Cage Statement Ring features pave set round diamonds studded over a spiral shaped ring making three round over the finger in a gap making a f...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
18K Rose Gold Pave Diamond Triple Spiral Cage Statement Ring
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Deira, Dubai
18K Rose Gold Pave Diamond Triple Spiral Cage Statement Ring features pave set round diamonds studded over a spiral shaped ring making three round over the finger in a gap making a f...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose 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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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.