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Antique Turkish Ring

Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Ring
Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Ring

Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

side brilliant cut diamond 0.09 ct. The diamond is has F-G color and s1 clarity. Ring size is US 6.5 We

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

14k Gold Ring with Ruby, Pearls and Diamonds. July birthstone ruby ring
14k Gold Ring with Ruby, Pearls and Diamonds. July birthstone ruby ring

14k Gold Ring with Ruby, Pearls and Diamonds. July birthstone ruby ring

By Daizy Jewellery

Located in Istanbul, TR

14 k solid gold ring with natural ruby, pearls and diamonds. July birthstone ring Metal: 14k solid

Category

2010s Turkish Aesthetic Movement Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 10k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring
Antique Circa 1900s 10k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring

Antique Circa 1900s 10k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

I color and s1 clarity. Ring size is US 5.2 We can make any size. Box is not included. Please

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring
Antique Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring

Antique Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

has H color and s1 clarity. Ring size is US 6.5 We can make any size. Acid tested to be 8k real gold

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Late Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique Ottoman Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Solitaire Ring
Antique Ottoman Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Solitaire Ring

Antique Ottoman Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Solitaire Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

brilliant cut 1.24 ct. The diamond is has generally H-I-J color and s1-s2-s3 clarity. Ring size is US 6 (We

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Rose Design Ring
Antique Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Rose Design Ring

Antique Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Rose Design Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

-I-J-K color and s1-s2-s3-Pique1 clarity. Ring size is US 7.5 We can any size. The box is not

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique Circa 1900s Handcrafted 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Strong Ring
Antique Circa 1900s Handcrafted 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Strong Ring

Antique Circa 1900s Handcrafted 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Strong Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

-I color and s1-s2 clarity. Ring size is US 5.8 We can make any size. Box is not included. Please

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Ottoman Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Enamel Ring
Antique Ottoman Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Enamel Ring

Antique Ottoman Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Enamel Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

H-I-J-K-L color and s1-s2-s3-Pique1 clarity. Ring size is US 7 (We offer free resizing) We can make

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Amethyst and Diamonds 14k gold ring
Amethyst and Diamonds 14k gold ring

Amethyst and Diamonds 14k gold ring

By Daizy Jewellery

Located in Istanbul, TR

14 kt solid white gold ring with central natural amethyst and diamonds. February birthstone ring

Category

2010s Turkish Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Antique Circa 1890s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Ruby Decorated Ring
Antique Circa 1890s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Ruby Decorated Ring

Antique Circa 1890s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Ruby Decorated Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

0.20 ct. Ring size is US 7.25 We can make any size. The box is not included. Please contact for any

Category

Antique 1890s Turkish Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Antique Seven Row Multi-Gemstone Harem Ring In 18 Karat Gold, Circa 1910
Antique Seven Row Multi-Gemstone Harem Ring In 18 Karat Gold, Circa 1910

Antique Seven Row Multi-Gemstone Harem Ring In 18 Karat Gold, Circa 1910

Located in London, GB

An antique gemstone seven row harem ring, set with amethyst, peridot, ruby, pearl, sapphire, garnet

Category

Vintage 1910s Turkish Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Multi-gemstone, Pearl, Peridot, Ruby...

Olympus Art Certified, Gold, Diamond, Black Brown Diamond, New Age Antique Ring
Olympus Art Certified, Gold, Diamond, Black Brown Diamond, New Age Antique Ring

Olympus Art Certified, Gold, Diamond, Black Brown Diamond, New Age Antique Ring

Located in Istanbul, TR

18 Carat 750 Rose Gold 0.42 Carat Diamond Round 0.92 Carat Diamond Round Black - Brown

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Turkish Classical Roman Fashion Rings

Materials

Brown Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold

Recent Sales

0.63 Carat GIA Certified Basel Setting Solitaire Ring in 18 Karat Gold
0.63 Carat GIA Certified Basel Setting Solitaire Ring in 18 Karat Gold

0.63 Carat GIA Certified Basel Setting Solitaire Ring in 18 Karat Gold

Located in Hong Kong, HK

This Ring Features 0.63 Carat Oldcut Cushion I - VVS2 Gia Certified Diamond Set in 3.25 Gram 18

Category

2010s Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

2.1 Carat Oldcut and Stepcut Diamond Ring in 18 Karat White Gold
2.1 Carat Oldcut and Stepcut Diamond Ring in 18 Karat White Gold

2.1 Carat Oldcut and Stepcut Diamond Ring in 18 Karat White Gold

Located in Hong Kong, HK

This Beautiful Ring is Set with 0.70 Carat - 1 Oldcut Cushion Diamond in Center and 1.40 Carat - 4

Category

2010s Turkish Art Deco Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Ottoman Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring
Antique Ottoman Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring

Antique Ottoman Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

color and s3 clarity. Ring size is US 7.5 (We offer free resizing) We can make any size. Box is not

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Late Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Ring
Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Ring

Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

is has J-K-L color and s1-s2-s3-Pique 1 clarity. Ring size is US 8.5 . We can make any size. Box is

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Diamond Ring
Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Diamond Ring

Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Diamond Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

has is H-I-J color and s1-s2-s3-Pique clarity. Ring size is US 8.5 (We offer free resizing) We can

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Ring
Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Ring

Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

has H-I-J color and vs-s1-s2 clarity. Ring size is US 6 (We offer free resizing) We can make any size

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman  8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Ring
Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman  8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Ring

Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

has H-I color and s1-s2 clarity. Ring size is US 6 (We offer free resizing) We can make any size. Acid

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Late Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique Ottoman Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Ring
Antique Ottoman Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Ring

Antique Ottoman Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

has H-I color and s1-s2-s3 clarity. Ring size is us 6.2 (We offer free resizing) Acid tested to be 8k

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Solitaire Ring
Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Solitaire Ring

Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Solitaire Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

color s1 clarity. Ring size is US 7 (We offer free resizing) Box is not included. Acid tested to be 14k

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Late Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman 18k Gold Top 14k Gold Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman 18k Gold Top 14k Gold Rose Cut Diamond Ring

Antique Circa 1900s Ottoman 18k Gold Top 14k Gold Rose Cut Diamond Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

-J color and s1-s2-s3-Pique 1-2 clarity. Top part 14k Gold. The shank of the ring is 18 carat gold

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Sapphire Emerald Ring
Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Sapphire Emerald Ring

Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Sapphire Emerald Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

sapphire and emerald 0.75 ct. Ring size is US 6 (We offer free resizing) We can make any size. Acid tested

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Late Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 14k Gold

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Antique Rose Cut Diamond Russian Gold Ring
Antique Rose Cut Diamond Russian Gold Ring

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Russian Gold Ring

Located in Cairo, EG

Antique Russian rose cut diamond 14k gold ring centered with single cut rose diamond flanked with several small rose cut diamonds with an estimate diamond weight of 1.5 carats with d...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

14k gold ring with pink sapphire. Marquise sapphire ring
14k gold ring with pink sapphire. Marquise sapphire ring

14k gold ring with pink sapphire. Marquise sapphire ring

By Daizy Jewellery

Located in Istanbul, TR

14 k solid gold ring with natuaral sapphire, side diamond and sapphires. September birthstone ring. Metal: 14k solid gold Total weight 3 g. depends from size Gemstones (all are tes...

Category

2010s Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold

New Georgian Style Old Cut Diamond Gold And Platinum Solitaire Ring, 2.72 Carat
New Georgian Style Old Cut Diamond Gold And Platinum Solitaire Ring, 2.72 Carat

New Georgian Style Old Cut Diamond Gold And Platinum Solitaire Ring, 2.72 Carat

By Moira Fine Jewellery

Located in London, GB

A new Georgian style diamond, gold and platinum solitaire ring, set with a 2.72 carat, J colour, VS2 clarity, cushion shaped old-cut diamond, in a platinum topped, cut down setting, ...

Category

2010s British Georgian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

1920s Rose Cut Diamond White Gold Ring
1920s Rose Cut Diamond White Gold Ring

1920s Rose Cut Diamond White Gold Ring

Located in Como, IT

Vintage white gold ring with a light brown 0,25 carat rose cut diamond and 10 white rose cut diamond total weight around 0,20 ct. handcrafted lovely ring from early twentieth centur...

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

14 Karat Rose Cut .90 Carat Diamond Ring
14 Karat Rose Cut .90 Carat Diamond Ring

14 Karat Rose Cut .90 Carat Diamond Ring

Located in Firenze, FI

Low profile rose cut diamond set on 14k gold . Cut : Rose cut Metal : 14k gold Carat Weight : 0.90 ct Natural Diamond color : I Clarity : vs

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond

14k Gold Ring with Cabochon Ruby
14k Gold Ring with Cabochon Ruby

14k Gold Ring with Cabochon Ruby

By Daizy Jewellery

Located in Istanbul, TR

14 k gold ring with cabochon riby. July birthstone ruby ring. Ruby cocktail ring. Red ruby ring/ Metal: 14k solid gold Weight: 3 gr depends from size Set with ruby, color -red Ov...

Category

2010s Asian Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Antique Rose Cut Diamond Ring

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Ring

Located in New York, NY

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Ring An antique ring with a central rose-cut diamond. Made circa 1900 Ring Size: 7.25 Resizable free of charge Metal types: 18K Gold and Silver

Category

20th Century Unknown Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

New Made 18k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Solitaire Ring
New Made 18k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Solitaire Ring

New Made 18k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Solitaire Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

In very good condition. Total weight is 4 grams. Totally is diamond 0.90 ct. The diamond is has G color and s1 clarity. Ring size is US 7 We can make any size. The box is not include...

Category

2010s European Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian 1.16 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring
Victorian 1.16 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring

Victorian 1.16 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring

Located in London, GB

Here we have a beautifully assembled diamond cluster ring dating back to the Victorian period. A single oval shaped old mine cut diamond sits proud at the centre of the face in a sil...

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Rose-Cut Diamond, Silver-Topped Yellow Gold Ring
Antique Rose-Cut Diamond, Silver-Topped Yellow Gold Ring

Antique Rose-Cut Diamond, Silver-Topped Yellow Gold Ring

Located in Wheaton, IL

This alluring antique late Georgian early Victorian diamond ring is handcrafted in silver over yellow gold. Set with seven (7) crimped collet and prong closed-back majestic rose-cut ...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver

Vintage Rose-Cut Diamond Ring.
Vintage Rose-Cut Diamond Ring.

Vintage Rose-Cut Diamond Ring.

Located in Firenze, FI

Elevate your style with this vintage Rose-Cut diamond ring, a perfect blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication. Crafted in luxurious yellow gold with a contrasting white ...

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Rose Cut Diamond Ring set in 18K White Gold Settings
Rose Cut Diamond Ring set in 18K White Gold Settings

Rose Cut Diamond Ring set in 18K White Gold Settings

Located in Bangkok, TH

Diamond 0.97 carat with Diamond 0.29 carat Ring set in 18K White Gold Settings Width: 0.9 cm Length: 0.9 cm Ring Size: 54 Total Weight: 2.67 grams "We first opened doors in 1980 ...

Category

2010s Thai Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Top Silver Natural Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Top Silver Natural Rose Cut Diamond Ring

Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Top Silver Natural Rose Cut Diamond Ring

Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34

In very good condition. Total weight is 7.2 grams. Totally is diamond 0.50 ct. The diamond is has H color and s2 clarity. Ring size is US 6.5 We can make any size. Please contact for...

Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

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Antique Turkish Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact antique turkish ring you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from gold, 14k gold and white gold — can elevate any look. Our collection of these items for sale includes 89 vintage editions and 14 modern creations to choose from as well. Making the right choice when shopping for an antique turkish ring may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 18th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. Creating an antique turkish ring has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Daizy Jewellery, Alberto and Melie Jewelry are consistently popular. Take a look at an antique turkish ring featuring diamond from our inventory today to add the perfect touch to your look. Today, if you’re looking for a rose cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes oval cut and antique cushion cut alternatives. When shopping for an antique turkish ring, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a Antique Turkish Ring?

On average, an antique turkish ring at 1stDibs sells for $1,349, while they’re typically $133 on the low end and $45,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

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.

The Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design

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 ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.  

Finding the Right Rings for You

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 ringsvintage 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.