Vintage 10k Filigree Amethyst Solitaire Ring
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Amethyst, 10k Gold
2010s Solitaire Rings
Amethyst, Yellow Gold
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1990s European Retro Band Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Artisan Band Rings
Sapphire, Tourmaline, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Signet Rings
Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Modern Cufflinks
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Black Diamond, Emerald...
2010s British Victorian Three-Stone Rings
Opal, Peridot, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Engagement Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Deco Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century Indian Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Silver, 14k Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Sapphire, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Fashion Rings
Citrine, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Amethyst, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Band Rings
Yellow Gold
2010s Asian Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Tanzanite, Sterling Silver
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Finding the Right solitaire-rings for You
Even as jewelry trends have come and gone, antique and vintage diamond solitaire rings are a classic fashion piece. Although enduringly popular as an engagement ring style, a solitaire ring — whether it's an emerald solitaire ring, a sapphire solitaire ring or another iteration — makes a fantastic addition to any outfit with a variety of shapes and settings to explore.
Solitaire rings have a single stone setting and a minimalistic band in which pressure, bezel or prongs hold the stone in place. They have a long history in jewelry, such as an example discovered in Israel with a single amethyst that could be as old as the third century A.D.
Simple gold rings with single diamonds were prized possessions in Ancient Rome. However, it was not until the 1940s that engagement rings with a solitaire diamond setting became widely popular.
After the turmoil of the Great Depression and World War II led to a decline in diamond prices, De Beers saw an opportunity. The diamond magnate teamed up with the ad agency N.W. Ayer for the “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign. It was a sensation and cemented the solitaire diamond as the leading engagement ring. Statistics show that diamonds are the most common gemstones for engagement rings, preferred by 87 percent of people. (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.)
Today, the design of solitaire rings takes many forms, and those created by Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and other internationally celebrated jewelry houses are particularly sought-after accessories. Though the single-stone setting remains the same, bands have become more detailed, with some containing other stones or even multiple diamonds. Art Deco, Art Nouveau and other art movements have influenced the design of solitaire rings over the years. However, the simplicity of this accessory remains timeless.
Browse 1stDibs for a unique selection of antique and vintage solitaire rings to accent any fashion choice.
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