BVLGARI ITALY Monture Platinum & Princess Cut / Baguette Cut Diamond Ring Rare
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Bvlgari Italy Monture Platinum & Princess Cut / Baguette Cut Diamond Cocktail Ring Here is your chance to purchase a beautiful and highly collectible designer ring.
Diamond, Platinum
14 Karat White Gold and Princess Cut Diamond Wedding Band Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Wedding Band Ring Size 7- This sparkling band features 11 princess cut diamonds set in classic 14K white gold.
Diamond, White Gold
4 Prong Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k White Gold Diamond Count: 1 princess cut center and 20 princess cut on shoulders Total Diamond Carat Weight: ~1.15 carats (center stone is ~0.65 ca...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
7.92ct Princess Cut VVS2 Diamond 18K White Gold Eternity Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
Style: Eternity Band Metal: 18 Karat White Gold Gemstone 1: 0.46 Carat Diamond Number of Stones: 1 Color: G Clarity: VVS2 Shape: Princess Cut Gemstone 2: 0.47 Carat Diamond Number of...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Band Ring Size 6 #23006
Located in Washington Depot, CT
18K White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Band Ring Size 6 Sleek and sophisticated, this sparking band features 18 princess cut diamonds set in classic 18K white gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold .71ct Princess Cut Diamond Ring, 3.3g, GSL Certified
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
18K White Gold .71ct Princess Cut Diamond Ring, 3.3g, GSL Cert. Ladies princess cut diamond ring in 18k white gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
.48 Carat Square Sapphire Princess Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
This beautifully crafted ring features six richly colored square sapphires with an approximate total weight of .48 carats which are accented by on sparkling princess-cut center diamo...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Princess Trillion Diamond Engagement Ring 14K White Gold 1.95 TDW
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Princess Trillion Diamond Engagement Ring 14K White Gold 1.95 TDW This amazing estate diamond engagement or wedding ring is crafted in solid 14K White Gold.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Platinum Princess-Cut Diamond Wedding Band
Located in Seattle, WA
Era: Late 1900's Metal Type: Platinum Setting Type: Channel Ring Size: 6.75 Accent Diamonds: Natural Accent Diamonds Cut/Shape: Princess Accent Diamonds Color: J-K Accent Diamonds Cl...
Diamond, Platinum
Tiffany & Co 1.50 Carat Princess Cut F VS1 Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Designer: Tiffany & Co Title: Tiffany & Co 1.50 Carat Princess Cut F VS1 Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring Style: Engagement Metal: Platinum Gemstone 1: 1.5 Carat Diamond Number of St...
Diamond, Platinum
4 Carat Princess & Round Diamond 18K Gold Cluster Mens Statement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
18K yellow gold men's statement ring features a diamond cluster combining 2.60 carats of princess-cut diamonds and 1.40 carats of round brilliant diamonds totaling 4 carats, in G-H c...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co 1.50 Carat Princess Cut F VS1 Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Designer: Tiffany & Co Title: Tiffany & Co 1.50 Carat Princess Cut F VS1 Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring Style: Engagement Metal: Platinum Gemstone 1: 1.5 Carat Diamond Number of St...
Diamond, Platinum
$3,600Sale Price|40% Off
14k Yellow Gold Princess Cut Diamond Eternity Ring 3.50 carats
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k Yellow Gold Diamond Princess Cut Eternity Ring 3.50 carats containing 24 Princess cut diamonds of very fine quality weighing 3.50cts.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Band Ring Size 6 #23320
Located in Washington Depot, CT
18K White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Band Ring Size 6 Timeless and elegant, this sparkling band features 10 princess cut diamonds set in 14K white gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Princess Diamonds, Diamonds, 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring.
Located in Napoli, Campania
Elegant ring in 18 kt rose gold structure mounted with diamonds on the structure in white gold and pricess diamonds on the other side.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
14K Yellow Gold Princess Cut Diamond Band Ring Size 6.5 #23152
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14K Yellow Gold Princess Cut Diamond Band Ring Size 6.5 Sophisticated and timeless, this sparkling 14K yellow gold band features a row of 11 princess cut diamonds channel set for a ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Princess Cut Diamond Band Ring Size 4.75 #23111
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14K Yellow Gold Princess Cut Diamond Band Ring Size 4.75 This sparkling band features 21 princess cut diamond set in classic 14K yellow gold.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Princess Cut Prong Set Diamond Ring Solid 18k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 18k White Gold Diamond Count: 7 princess cut Total Diamond Carat Weight: 0.58 carats Diamond Color: G Diamond Clarity: SI1-SI2 Ring Size: 5.75 Tot...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Estate 18K Yellow Gold Square Princess Round Cut Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Winter Springs, FL
Details: • Metal: 18K yellow gold • Total Weight: 5.7 grams • Diamond Total Weight: Approximately 1.20 carats total weight • Center Diamonds: Princess-cut diamonds averaging app...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Ring Size 7 #21927
Located in Washington Depot, CT
18 Karat White Gold and Princess Cut Diamond Ring Size 7 Sophisticated and striking, this bold ring showcases 64 princess cut diamonds set in rich 18K white gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Princess Cut Diamond and Baguette Engagement Ring 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k White Gold Diamond Count: 3 princess cut and 4 baguette Diamond Carat Weight: ~0.70 carats Diamond Color: G-H Diamond Clarity: SI2 Ring Size:...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
White Gold Diamond Halo Engagement Ring & Wedding Band, 14k Princess 1.72ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
"Give your princess the bridal set of her dreams! Created by Sylvie in 14k white gold, this halo engagement ring and matching enhancer-style wedding band sparkle with a brilliant col...
Diamond, White Gold
Elegant 14K White Gold Halo Ring with Princess & Round Diamonds – 1.01 tcw
Located in Miami, FL
Radiating brilliance from every angle, this 1.01 tcw diamond halo ring is a masterclass in timeless elegance.
Diamond, White Gold
Princess Cut Diamond Cluster Center Engagement Ring 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k White Gold Diamond Count: 9 princess cut, 50 brilliant cut and 18 baguette Diamond Carat Weight: ~0.40 carats Diamond Color: G-J Diamond Clarity...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Marchesa Princess Cut Diamond Halo Engagement Ring 18K White Gold
By Marchesa
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: IGI REPORT #: 410611291U Metal: 18k White Gold Diamond Count: 1 princess cut and 77 brilliant cut Total Diamond Carat Weight: ~1.19 carats (center stone is...
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
3 Princess Cut Diamond Band Ring Two Toned 18k Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 18k Gold Diamond Count: 3 princess cut Total Diamond Carat Weight: ~0.45 carats Diamond Color: I-K Diamond Clarity: VS Ring Size: 7.5 Total Weight...
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Princess Cut Channel Set Diamond Band Ring 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k White Gold Diamond Count: 23 princess cut Total Diamond Carat Weight: ~0.50 carats Diamond Color: H-I Diamond Clarity: SI1-SI2 Ring Size: 7.5 ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,170Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Princess Cut Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 2.9 grams. Totally is diamond about 0.25 carat. The diamond is has H color and vs-s1. Ring size is US 6.2 We can make any size. Box is not in...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$4,586Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Princess Cut Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 12 grams. Totally is diamond about 1.75 ct. The diamond is has F-G color and vvs-vs clarity. Ring size is US 8.5 We can make any size. Box is ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
14k White Gold Three-Stone Princess Cut Diamond Ring – 2.05ct Center
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sleek and contemporary 14k white gold ring featuring a stunning 2.05ct princess-cut center diamond, flanked by two smaller princess-cut diamonds totaling 0.46ct.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Tolkowsky Princess Cut Diamond 3 Stone Ring 14k White Gold
By Tolkowsky
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: GSI REPORT #: 4434600103 Metal: 14k White Gold Center Diamond Carat Weight: 0.96 carats Center Diamond Cut Grade: Ideal Center Diamond Color: H Center Di...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Princess Cut Diamond and Platinum Three Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The sparkle of this ring is absolutely stunning! It holds three larger and more prominent princess diamonds which measure a total of 90pts and the shoulders also hold four smaller pr...
Diamond, Platinum
Impressive 18-karat gold ring with princess-cut diamonds 1.98 ct, France.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Impressive 18-karat gold ring with princess-cut diamonds, France. This unique vintage ring is crafted from 18-karat yellow gold (0.750 fineness).
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Modern Princess Cut Diamond and 18 Carat White Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The design of the ring is so simple and beautiful. The princess cut diamond measures 35pts and is set in a rub over setting.
Diamond, White Gold
Double Row 5.06ct Sapphire and 1.67ct Princess Cut Diamond Concave Ring
Located in New York, NY
The brilliant cut princess cut diamonds are flanked by 2 rows of baguette cut sapphires, set in 18 karat gold.
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
18K White Gold Band Ring with 3.95ct Princess Cut Diamonds, Italy
Located in Marcianise, IT
18-karat white gold band rings with diamonds Princess cut, entirely handmade by expert Italian goldsmiths.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Princess Cut Diamond Halo Engagement Ring and Matching Band 10K Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 10K White and Rose Gold Ring Size: 7 Total Weight: 4.3 grams (1.8 grams band and 2.5 grams engagement ring) Diamond Specifications: Center Diamond: ~...
Diamond, Rose Gold, 10k Gold, White Gold
Retro Gold Cocktail Ring 2 Carat Natural Colorless Princess Diamond, circa 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning 14k Yellow Gold Cocktail ring set with 16 colorless natural princess cut diamonds weighing an approximate total of over 2 carats.
Diamond, Gold
Square Princess Diamond Colombian Emerald Ring 14K White Gold Band Engagement
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Square Princess Diamond Colombian Emerald Ring 14K White Gold Band Engagement This estate ring is crafted in solid 14K White Gold and set with genuine Earth mined Emerald and Diamon...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
Invisible Set Princess Cut Baguette Diamond Statement Ring 18 Karat 4.00 Carat
Located in Great Neck, NY
18 Karat 4.00 Carat Invisible Set Princess Cut and Baguette Diamond Ring This glorious ring handcrafted with empowering 18k yellow gold makes a bold statement on any finger.
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage Diamond 7-Stone Princess Gold 4.5mm Band Ring Fine Estate Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Finely detailed Vintage 7-Stone Diamond Princess Gold 4.5mm Band Ring. Hand set with securely nestled Princess Diamonds, weighing approx. .98tcw.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold Engagement Ring 1.50ctw, Princess-Cut Diamonds, Size 7
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This beautiful engagement ring has been crafted in 18 karat white gold. In the center of this ring in a high square setting is a princess-cut diamond measuring 5.4mm x 5.4mm for a to...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
10 Karat White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Band Ring Size 7 #21238
Located in Washington Depot, CT
10 Karat White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Band Ring Size 7 This sparkling band features 11 princess cut diamonds set in classic 14K white gold.
Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold
Princess Cut Diamond and Blue Sapphire Pinky Ring, 14K Gold, 1980s
Located in Palm Desert, CA
At its center, a single princess-cut diamond is channel-set on a diagonal, creating a dynamic focal point that feels both modern and timeless.
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mystery Set Diamond Dome Ring, 18K Gold Invisible Set Princess Cut 4.96ct
Located in Great Neck, NY
Invisible Set Princess Cut Diamond Dome Ring 18K Yellow Gold Exceptional princess cut diamond dome ring crafted in heavy solid 18K yellow gold, featuring a bold wide cigar band desi...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Princess Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring Size 7 #23805
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14K Yellow Gold Princess Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring Size 7 Classic and timeless, this 14K yellow gold solitaire features a sparkling princess cut diamond in a sleek, four...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18ct Yellow Gold, Princess Cut Diamond Single Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Crafted from 18ct yellow gold and stamped for authenticity, this piece is both durable and luxurious. At the heart of the ring is a dazzling princess-cut natural diamond, with a kno...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18ct White Gold, Princess Cut Diamond Single Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Crafted from 18ct white gold and stamped for authenticity, this piece is both durable and luxurious. At the heart of the ring is a dazzling princess-cut natural diamond, estimated t...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
CARTIER Platinum Princess Cut Diamond Wedding Band
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A timeless and sophisticated CARTIER wedding band crafted in luxurious platinum and set with an elegant line of invisibly set princess-cut diamonds. Dating to the 1980s, this refined...
Diamond, Platinum
Ambrosi 18 Karat Gold Three Princess Diamond Ring with Pink and White Diamonds
By Ambrosi
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in 18 karat rose and white gold, this Ambrosi design ring features three bezel set Princess cut diamonds totaling .60 carats, surrounded by pave pink diamonds totaling .4...
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Men’s Vintage Bolt Design 0.18 Carat Princess Cut Diamonds Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Men’s Vintage Bolt Design 0.18 Carat Princess Cut Diamonds Ring 14k Gold. Very unique ring featuring x3 princess cut diamonds each weighting approx 0.06 carat for a total of 0.18 car...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.59 Carat Princess Diamond Engagement 18K White Gold Ring EGL, USA
Located in New York, NY
A Timeless Estate Vintage 18k White Gold (stamped) Engagement ring with EGL USA Certified 1.14ct PRINCESS Cut Center Diamond in I-J color SI1 clarity (Appears White, eye clear) set w...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1.50 Carat Princess & Round Cut Diamonds Cluster Ring 14k White Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1.50 Carat Diamonds Ring 14k White Gold. The ring features princess cut diamonds in the center illusion set to make it look like one center stone.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2 Princess Cut Diamond Open Band Ring Solid 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14K Yellow Gold Total Weight: 5.9 Grams Ring Size: 7 Diamond Count: 2 princess cut diamonds Diamond Carat Weight: ~0.40 Carats Diamond Color: H-I D...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,152Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Circa 1990s 14k Gold Natural Princess Cut And Baguette Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
💎 Vintage Circa 1990s 14k Gold Natural Princess Cut And Baguette Cut Diamond Ring In very good condition.
Diamond, 14k Gold
Princess Cut Blue Sapphire and Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Set in 18K Yellow Gold, adorned by Princess-Cut Blue Sapphires and Round-Brilliant Cut White Diamonds, and totaling 9.5 grams, this lovely cluster ring is a must for Sapphire aficion...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow ...
14K White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Wedding Band Ring Size 7.25 #22290
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Princess Cut Diamond Wedding Band Ring Size 7.25 This sparkling band features 15 princess cut diamonds set in classic 14K white gold.
White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
9.50ct Princess Cut Amethyst & Diamond Retro Cocktail Ring in 9K Yellow Gold
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Solid shoulders are adorned with 6 round sparkling diamonds, pave set, of excellent colour & clarity 9K yellow gold shank measures solid 3 – 4mm & is easily re-sizable Yellow gold...
Diamond, Amethyst, Yellow Gold
Wide Princess cut diamond stack style ring in 18 karat white gold
Located in Coral Gables, FL
18 Karat White Gold Ring Featuring 12 Elongated Princess Cut Diamonds Totaling 1.80 Carats and 84 Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds Totaling 0.42 Carats, All of VS Clarity and G Color.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Men’s Princess Cut Diamond and Tsavorite Garnet Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
Era: Modern Composition: 18K Yellow Gold Primary Stone: Princess Cut Diamonds Carat Weight: Approximately 5 Carats Total Color/Clarity: G-H / VS1-2 Accent Stone: Tsavorite Garn...
Diamond, Garnet, Tsavorite, 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.”
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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.