Victorian Ruby and Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a beautifully crafted Victorian double heart ring. In this case, a duo of perfectly
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Victorian Ruby and Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a beautifully crafted Victorian double heart ring. In this case, a duo of perfectly
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Victorian Pearl Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a charming double heart ring. This romantic piece has been crafted from 15ct yellow
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Double Heart Ring Diamond Victorian Style
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victorian Heart & Bow Diamond Ring – 14k Gold-Plated Silver, Raw White Diamonds — J Dauphin
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Victorian Old Cut Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
This is a lovely antique double heart ring dating back to the Victorian era. The ring features two
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Victorian Emerald and Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a delightful double heart ring taken from the Victorian era. This romantic antique
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Victorian 0.35ct Sapphire and Ruby Double Heart Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
This enchanting Victorian double heart crowned ring features a romantic design of two entwined
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian 9 Karat Rose Gold Double-Heart Hairwork Mourning Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful victorian double-heart mourning ring with braided hairwork in band. #R0018 Metal: 9K
9k Gold
Antique Victorian 18K Gold Old Mine Diamond Ruby Sapphire Double Heart Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Gold Old Mine Diamond Ruby Sapphire Double Heart Ring. This
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian Love Token Double Heart 15K Diamond Emerald Bow Gold Ring
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Two red gold hearts side by side, one is set with an emerald, the other with a diamond. They are
Diamond, Emerald, 15k Gold
Antique 18K Yellow Gold Double Heart Diamond Ring.
Located in San Francisco, CA
This Vintage Double Heart Diamond Engagement Ring is just so sweet!! Crafted in 18K Yellow Gold in
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian 0.40ct Ruby and Diamond Double Heart Cluster Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
Unique in its design, this stunning ring features a double heart cluster design. At the centre of
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Victorian Demantoid Garnet and Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
A Victorian demantoid garnet and diamond double heart ring, each heart set with a demantoid garnet
Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1.28 Carat Pear Shaped Diamond Gold Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
Royal Appointment to His Majesty King Charles III. It is inspired by Victorian double heart rings, which
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Turquoise and Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
A Victorian turquoise and diamond double heart ring, the two cabochon-cut turquoise each surrounded
Diamond, Turquoise
Victorian Double Heart Ring with Natural Pearls and Diamonds
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Converted Victorian double heart set on silver and yellow gold with two natural mabe pearls
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Silver
Victorian Double Heart Diamond & Natural Pearl Ring
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and impressive natural pearl and old mine cut diamond double heart ring which would
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Victorian Sapphire Diamond Double Heart Ring 18 Carat Gold Dated 1897
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
This lovely Antique Victorian ring has been commissioned in 18ct Yellow Gold. It features the shape
Diamond, Blue Sapphire
Rare Victorian, Burmese, Double Pink Sapphire and Diamond Heart Engagement Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
An incredible Victorian pink sapphire and diamond double heart ring, circa 1880. Set with two oval
Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Victorian Turquoise, Diamond and Gold Heart Ring
Located in Madison area, WI
- Victorian Turquoise and Diamond Double Heart Ring - c. 1880 - 18k yellow gold; 11 antique
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Antique Victorian Double Heart Ring Diamond 9 Karat Rose Gold Wide Band Vintage
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian diamond double heart band (circa 1880s to 1900s), crafted in 9
Diamond, Rose Gold
Victorian Ruby and Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a gorgeous Victorian double heart ring. This romantic piece features two heart-shaped
Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold
Victorian Emerald and Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a lovely example of a Victorian double heart ring. In this case, a vivd green pear
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
Victorian Ruby Sapphire and Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a fine example of a Victorian double heart ring. In this case, a pear cut ruby and
Diamond, 18k Gold
Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a delightful example of a Victorian double heart ring. In this case, a chunky rose cut
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Ruby Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
appearance, a double heart centerpiece is the main focal point of the ring. The centerpiece has a sterling
Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold, Sterling Silver
Victorian Double Hearts Diamond & Ruby Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
14K yellow gold Double Hearts Ring, set with Old Mine and Rose Cut Diamonds, Cushion Rubies. Finger
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Victorian Edwardian Double Heart Moonstone Sweetheart Ring
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This lovely Victorian double heart moonstone ring is set in Platinum and 18K white gold. To
Diamond, Moonstone, 18k Gold, Platinum
Victorian Pearl Ruby Diamond Gold Double Heart Ring
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Silver over 18k yellow gold ring with two hearts, side-by-side, set in the center with a pearl and
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver
Victorian Pearl and Diamond Double Heart and Bow Ring
Located in London, GB
A Victorian, double heart and bow ring, set with two natural half pearls, with old-cut diamonds set
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Victorian 1.03ct Ruby and Diamond Double Heart Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
A masterpiece of Victorian craftsmanship, this enchanting double heart ring is a rare truly rare
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Victorian 15K Yellow Gold Rose Cut Diamond Turquoise Double Heart Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 15K Yellow Gold Rose Cut Diamond Turquoise Double Heart Ring. This
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sapphire Ruby Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
A Victorian sapphire, ruby and diamond set double heart ring, with an oval faceted sapphire set in
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Double Heart Ring L. Tassara
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering two overlapping polished gold hearts With highly detailed floral and foliate motif
14k Gold
Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Double Heart Ring L. Tassara
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering two overlapping polished gold hearts With highly detailed floral and foliate motif
14k Gold
Hallmarked 1892 Double Heart Mizpah Ring with Star Diamonds
Located in Baltimore, MD
large modern block letters set on a polished gold band and the cute double gold hearts that separate the
Diamond, 18k Gold
Victorian Diamond and Tourmaline 15 Carat Gold Double Heart Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
hearts. The band has intricate engraving all the way around and the inside of the ring has the
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 15k Gold
Antique Garnet and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Double Heart Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The design of this ring is just lovely with two hearts encrusted with rose cut diamonds and Garnets
Diamond, Garnet, Gold
Victorian Double Heart Moonstone Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
A Victorian moonstone and diamond double heart ring, the two cabochon-cut moonstones estimated to
Diamond, Moonstone, Silver, Yellow Gold
Victorian Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
A Victorian ruby, sapphire and diamond double heart ring, set with a round-shaped ruby weighing
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire
Late Victorian Amethyst and Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
A late Victorian amethyst and diamond double heart ring, the two faceted heart-shape amethysts
Amethyst, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
Victorian Silver Double Heart Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
An unusual Victorian double heart ring in Sterling silver. The shoulders feature pretty floral
Sterling Silver
Victorian Ruby Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A stunning ruby and diamond double heart ring dating from the late Victorian era. The pear shaped
Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold
Victorian Sapphire Diamond Bowed Double Heart Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A stunning Victorian sapphire and diamond double heart ring dating from the latter half of the 19th
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique Victorian Sapphire Pearl Double Heart Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A beautiful antique double heart ring set with vibrant blue sapphires and split pearls. It's a
Natural Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Victorian Gold Ruby Sapphire Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in Boston, Lincolnshire
A Lovely Antique Victorian 15 carat gold, Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond Double Heart love ring on
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 15k Gold
Antique Victorian Sapphire Ruby Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A sweet Victorian ring, fully charged with romantic sentiment. The head is modelled as a double
White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Ruby Sapphire and Diamond Bowed Double Heart Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A particularly lovely bowed double heart ring dating from the late 19th Century. It was a popular
White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique Victorian Amethyst Diamond gold Bowed Double Heart Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This magical ring is set with two oval-shaped amethyst cabochon stones, topped with a rose cut
Amethyst, Diamond, 15k Gold, Silver
Romantic Georgian Double Heart Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Such a romantic and stunning ring! This sweetheart is made of Silver and 18k gold with rose cut
Diamond, 18k Gold
Victorian 18 Carat Gold Garnet Cabochon and Diamond Double Heart Cluster Ring
Located in St Helens, GB
A stunning quality double heart design cluster ring. SIZE ; Q UK, 8 US Mid to late Victorian period
Diamond, Garnet, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold English Ruby Sapphire and Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in QLD , AU
The true lovers ring - two hearts together encrusted with diamonds, it doesn't get any more
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Hand-Carved Natural Agate Butterfly Diamond Ring
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
This 18K gold natural agate butterfly diamond ring is a symbol of transformation and grace. This exquisite ring captures the delicate elegance of a butterfly in flight, a reminder of...
Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,300Sale Price|50% Off
18K Gold 1.06ct Heart Pigeon's Blood Ruby & 0.58ct Diamond Fine Ring
Located in เกาะสมุย, TH
Top color ruby with romantic heart shape to make you want to call the dibs! The glorious ruby is surrounded by tapered baguette and brilliant diamonds split on either side making 2 s...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Very Fine Heart Shaped 10.5 TCW Peridot Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful, estate 10.5 TCW heart shaped peridot, diamond and 14K yellow gold ring 20th Century The heart shaped peridot of very fine quality- excellent color, cut, clarity and substa...
Peridot, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique 14k gold old mine cut diamond ring in floral head designe with estimate diamond weight of 1.4 carats H colour vs clearity centered with large old mine cut diamond 0.42 ct pin...
Antique Ring Garnet Diamonds solid 18K Gold Silver ØUS6 / 3.28gr
Located in SE
Nordic Renaissance-styled ring with carved band in solid 18K Yellow Gold. Claw set Natural oval rose cut Garnet with open back 8mm x 5.5mm x 3.3 mm deep / ca. 1.5 ct and flanked with...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
$1,776 / item
Heart garnet Eternity Ring in 14k gold
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14k gold ring with heart natural garnets. Heart garnet eternity ring band. Valentines gift jewelry. Full circle of hearts. January birthstone ring. Heart Garnet gold ring. Love ring....
Garnet, 14k Gold
Antique Victorian 1880s Rose Cut Diamond Heart Pendant
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique victorian era rose cut diamond peandant in heart designe topped with a swallow bird and a ruby stone with engraved detailed work on the back estimate diamond weight 1.5 carat...
From $574Sale Price / item|22% Off
Dainty Heart Cut Ruby Unisex Ring in 18k Solid Yellow Gold, Signet Ring for Her
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Dainty Heart Cut Ruby Unisex Ring, Signet Ring for Her in 18K Gold featuring natural ruby of 0.25 carats. The gorgeous handcrafted ring goes with every style, every occasion or any o...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Sapphire and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous ring holds five deep blue sapphires. The central sapphire measures 30pts, the next largest are 20pts each and the smaller sapphires measure 15pts. There are also pairs ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Original Art Deco Natural Aquamarine and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in OVIEDO, AS
Original Art Deco Natural Aquamarine and Diamond Cluster Ring mounted in Platinum. A refreshingly cool light blue hue colors the billowy cushion-cut aquamarine that glistens. The gem...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Black Opal and Diamonds Ring in 14k Gold. Gold Ring with Opal
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Black opal and diamonds ring in 14k gold. Genuine opal ring. Gold ring with opal Metal: 14k solid gold Weight: 2.4 g (depends from size) Main stone - opal, black with color play, o...
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold
GIA Certified 7.0 Carat Heart Shape Pink Diamond Cocktail Ring
By GEMME
Located in New York, NY
Heart Shape Diamond weighing 7.0 Carat with GIA certificate stating the Diamond is of Fancy Pink color and VS2 Clarity. Surrounded by reverse set White Diamonds weighing 5.02 Carats....
Pink Diamond, Platinum
Antique Nordic Ring 1.5 ct Natural Cornflower Sapphire Diamonds solid 18K Gold S
Located in SE
This Renaissance-styled ring has a flower-shaped composite Silver on an 18K Gold crown measuring 16 mm x 13 mm x 3.5 mm. The central stone is oval cut natural Ceylon Sapphire of Ligh...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
$11,996Sale Price|20% Off
Magnificent GIA 4.63 Natural Black Opal Diamond Estate Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Conroe, TX
Magnificent GIA 4.63 Natural Black Opal Diamond Estate Ring in 18K White Gold Material: 18K Gold Ring Size: 7.50 Hallmarks: 18K Ther Total Weight (grams): 8.00 PRIMARY STONE Type: ...
Black Opal, White Gold
French Edwardian Untreated Ruby Diamond 18 KT/Platinum Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
This breathtaking Edwardian ring is 1900/09 circa Elegantly designed as a flat crown panel, hand crafted of solid 18 Kt gold with Platinum top French origin, hallmarked Set on one si...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Georgian Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in New Orleans, LA
A Georgian Period cluster ring containing approximately 1.55 carats total weight old mine and rose cut diamonds and approximately 1.50 carats total weight emeralds set in 14K gold to...
The reign of Queen Victoria encapsulates a quickly evolving period of history — and jewelry styles were no exception. No single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Today, there is a vast collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.
Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. (She was surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.) During this time, different styles of fashion and jewelry came and went. Thanks to our fascination with royalty and swoon-worthy melodramas like Netflix’s The Crown — which is rife with evocative fashion, jewelry and interiors — and the 2017 feature film Victoria & Abdul, we are all familiar with her story. After the death of Victoria’s father and three childless uncles, she ascended to the throne at age 18. In 1840, Queen Victoria married the love of her life, her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and she had even more power to shape trends than Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle do today. The British monarch’s best-known piece in this mold is the gold coiled-snake engagement ring she received from Prince Albert — the sinuous reptile was considered a symbol of everlasting love.
The Queen's 63-year reign has been divided by historians into the Romantic period, the early happy years, circa 1837–60; the Grand period, marked by the deaths of the Queen’s mother and husband, circa 1860–80; and the late Victorian or Aesthetic period, which lasted from about 1880 until 1901 and ushered in the Belle Époque. Queen Victoria wore her heart on her sleeve, and her fashion and jewelry reflected her emotions.
Romantic period jewelry, which featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise, was a celebration of the young monarch’s love. Everything changed with the death of Prince Albert, and the Grand period is most often associated with mourning jewelry. Jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty during the late Victorian period. During this era, diamonds came into fashion, and semiprecious gems such as amethysts and opals became prevalent, too. Using gemstones for their natural beauty and not their worth was something that jewelers of the era felt passionate about, and this ideology would really become relevant in Art Nouveau jewelry.
Find a collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry — from rings, necklaces and brooches to a range of other accessories — on 1stDibs.
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.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Will your beloved be enchanted by an Edwardian ring or a trendy Art Deco piece? We clue you into period styles and tips for finding the perfect ring.