Cartier Nigeria Diamond Wide Yellow Gold Band Ring
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Nigeria Diamond Wide Band Ring by Cartier. With 125 round brilliant cut diamonds VVS1 clarity, F-H color total weight approximately 5.65ct Details: Ring Size: European...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
$2,150 / item
18k Wide Yellow Gold Diamond Band Cocktail Ring
Located in Webster, NY
Wide diamond cocktail ring made with 1.12CTW of diamonds in 18k yellow gold. Gemstone: Earth Mined Diamond Diamond Carat Weight: 1.12ctw Diamond Cut: Round Brilliant Cut Color: F-H...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
22.15cts Wide 6-Row Diamond Gold Eternity Wide Band Ring – Size 5.25
By Tallarico
Located in Miami, FL
18K Yellow Gold Wide 6-Row Diamond Eternity Band Ring 22.15 Carats Size 5.25 This luxurious 18K yellow gold wide diamond eternity band ring features a bold five-row design set wit...
Diamond, Gold
Chopard Diamond Amethyst White Gold Wide Band Ring
By Chopard
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond Amethyst Wide Band Ring by Chopard. With 72 round brilliant cut diamonds VVS1 clarity, E color total weight approximately .40ct 1 round amethyst stone 10mm De...
Amethyst, Diamond, White Gold
$38,400Sale Price|20% Off
Cartier Nigeria 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Wide Band Ring
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Cartier Nigeria 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Wide Band Ring This authentic Cartier Nigeria collection ring is crafted in 18K yellow gold and set with a stunning array of round brilliant ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Natural Diamond Ring 18K Gold Wide Band Round Princess
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Natural Diamond Ring 18K Gold Wide Band Round Princess This unusual vintage ring is crafted in solid 18K Yellow Gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Gold Diamond Band Ring Two Tone Wide Design
Located in Hallandale Beach, FL
Elegant 14K two-tone gold diamond band featuring bezel-set brilliant round diamonds. A modern and versatile design with subtle sparkle, perfect for everyday wear or stacking. Specif...
Diamond, 14k Gold
$1,840Sale Price|20% Off
14k White Gold 1.25ctw Diamond Wide Stack Style Look Wide Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
–Stone(s)– (48) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brilliant Cut - Channel Set - H/I Color - SI1-I2 Clarity - 1.25ctw (approx.) Material: Solid 14k White Gold Weight: 11.09 Grams Ring...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Estate Pomellato Brera Ring Wide White Gold Diamond Band
By Pomellato
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Named for the Brera district of Milan—the bohemian quarter of artists, actresses and free thinkers that inspired Pino Rabolini when he founded Pomellato—this signed Brera ring captur...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Stacking band wide diamond ring 14KT yellow gold 0.60ct diamond ring
Located in Jupiter, FL
Fantastic workmanship on this lovely stacking ring, the ring is made of 3 rings and is very unique! The rings cannot go apart, they are put together! GOLD: 14KT gold NATURAL DIAMOND...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K White Gold Champagne Diamond Wide Bridge Band Ring
Located in Hallandale Beach, FL
Elegant 14K White Gold Diamond Bridge Ring featuring 26 champagne diamonds and 16 white diamonds 0.9 carats total in a sophisticated bridge-style design. Specifications: Material: 14...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Cartier Entrelaces C de Cartier Diamond Ring Wide Band
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Cartier Entrelaces C de Cartier Diamond Ring is an exquisite wide band ring featuring distinctive design elements and luxurious materials.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vitolo 18K White Gold Diamond Floral Wide Band Ring
By Stefano Vitolo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elegant 18K white gold wide band ring features an intricate floral motif composed of round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 3.34 carats.
Diamond, 18k Gold
18K White Gold Baguette Cut Diamond Wide Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold Baguette Cut Diamond Wide Band Ring Condition: In good condition with some minor surface wear consistent with age.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18k White Gold Baguette Cut Diamond Wide Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
18k White Gold Baguette Cut Diamond Wide Band Ring Condition: In good condition with some minor surface wear consistent with age.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Baguette Cut Diamond Wide Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold Baguette Cut Diamond Wide Band Ring Condition: In good condition with some minor surface wear consistent with age.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Marquise Cut Diamond Wide Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold Marquise Cut Diamond Wide Band Ring \Condition: In good condition with some minor surface wear consistent with age.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Tiffany & Co Diamond Eternal Wide Link Platinum Band Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
Tiffany & Co Platinum Diamond Eternal Wide Link Band Ring. With 72 Round Brilliant Cut Diamond VS1 clarity, G color, Total weight Approximately 1.70ct Measurements: Ring Size: 5.5 ...
Diamond, Platinum
18K White Gold Marquise Cut Diamond Wide Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold Diamond Wide Band Ring Condition: In good condition with some minor surface wear consistent with age.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Tiffany & Co Diamond Enchant Scroll Wide Platinum Band Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
Tiffany & Co Platinum Diamond Enchant Scroll Wide Band Ring. With 218 Round Brilliant Cut Diamond VS1 clarity, G color, Total weight Approx 1.70ctw The Authentic Tiffany & Co Platin...
Diamond, Platinum
18K White Gold Emerald Cut Diamond Wide Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold Emerald Cut Diamond Wide Band Ring Condition: In good condition with some minor surface wear consistent with age.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
11.40 Carat Diamond Wide Band
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with 4 rows of Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 11.40 carats, E-F color, VVS-VS clarity. Size 5 1/4
Diamond, Platinum
18k Diamond Wide Band Ring with Pear Shape Accents
Located in New York, NY
Experience luxury and elegance with our 18k Diamond Wide Band Ring. Featuring 2.21 carats of sparkling round and pear shaped diamonds, this ring is perfect for adding an extra detail...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Cartier Yellow Gold Nigeria Sapphire Diamond Wide Band Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Diamond and sapphire 'Nigeria' ring, Cartier, France. The band ring set with round diamonds weighing approximately 5.60 carats, with buff-top sapphire accents, Ring size is 6.5 to 6....
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
18k Pear and Marquise Cut Diamond Wide Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
Capture timeless elegance with our 18k Pear and Marquise Cut Diamond Wide Band Ring. Crafted in 18k white gold, this stunning piece features a total of 1.22 carats of sparkling round...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold Hexagon Pavé Diamond Wide Band Ring
Located in Miami, FL
A bold expression of modern elegance, this 18K yellow gold wide band ring showcases a striking hexagonal lattice design, pavé-set with approximately 1.5 carats of brilliant-cut diamo...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$75,000 / set
Set of 4 Diamond and Enamel Wide Band Rings
Located in New York, NY
Enamel and Diamond Wide Band Rings Each Ring consists of 220 Round Brilliant Diamonds weighing 2.44 Carats Set in 18 Karat White Gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Diamond 18 Carat White Gold Saddle Wide Band Ring
Located in London, GB
This gorgeous 18 carat white gold saddle ring showcases a wide classic design that is lightly contoured to create a flattering curved shape. The beautiful ring is turned into a chic ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
14k White Gold Baguette Diamonds & Sapphire Wide Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
–Stone(s)– (32) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Baguette Cut - Chanel Set - G/H Color - SI2-I2 Clarity - 0.45ctw (approx.) (9) Natural Genuine Sapphires - Baguette Cut - Chanel Set - Deep...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Cutout Heart Wide Band Ring 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Ring Size: 6.5 Ring Height: 13 mm tall Total Weight: 4.8 Grams Diamond Count: 21 brilliant cut diamonds Diamond Carat Weight: ~0.10...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
SI/H 1.7 Carat Diamond Wide Band Band Ring 14k White Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Deira, Dubai
SI/H 1.7 Carat Diamond Wide Band Band Ring 14k White Gold features mixed cut diamonds set in the triple row in the half making an half band ring for wedding.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
SI/H 1.7 Carat Diamond Wide Band Band Ring 18k White Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Deira, Dubai
SI/H 1.7 Carat Diamond Wide Band Band Ring 18k White Gold features mixed cut diamonds set in the triple row in the half making an half band ring for wedding.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White & Pink Gold Designer Diamond Pave Wide Band Ring
Located in Hallandale Beach, FL
18K white and pink gold designer ring featuring 3 fine diamonds (0.6 ct) and 129 pave--set diamonds (0.7ct) in a bold wide band design.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Opulent 0.36ct Natural Diamond Quad-Cluster Filigree Wide Band Ring
Located in רמת גן, IL
This opulent 18K white gold statement ring features an extraordinary, vintage-inspired wide cigar band design of magnificent romance.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Ring Eternity Wide Band 14K White Gold 1.68 TDW
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Ring Eternity Wide Band 14K White Gold 1.68 TDW This gorgeous estate eternity band ring is finely crafted in solid 14K White Gold and hallmarked VJ.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Tiffany & Co. Victoria Mixed Cluster Diamond Platinum Wide Band Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite Tiffany & Co. Victoria Wide Band Ring is a masterful celebration of brilliant light and romantic artistry, brilliantly rendered in enduring, heavy-gauge PT950 plat...
Diamond, Platinum
14K Yellow Gold Diamond Wide Band Ring Size 7 #26214
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14K Yellow Gold and Diamond Wide Band Ring Size 7 This striking ring features an intricate openwork design accented with 110 round single cut diamonds set in beautifully detailed 14...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s SANZ 18k Gold Open Diamond Wide Band Ring
By Sanz
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Condition: Good, wear consistent with age Era: Mid Century Year: 1970s Metal: 18k yellow gold (XRF Tested) along with hallmark Diamonds: 12 Carat Weight: 0.04 Cut: Round single Colo...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold White and Yellow Diamond Wide Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
This bold wide band ring is crafted in 18K white gold and set with 0.68 carats of brilliant white diamonds and 0.47 carats of fancy yellow diamonds.
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
10K White Gold Wide Diamond Band Ring Size 9.25 #25743
Located in Washington Depot, CT
10K White Gold Wide Diamond Band Ring Size 9.25 This stunning 10K white gold band features 288 round brilliant cut diamond set in a geometric grid design, creating sparkle from ever...
Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold 2.45ct Diamond Wide Band Ring MF40-122325
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
At 9.5 grams and with a domed profile, the ring feels substantial while remaining easy to wear.This 18K Yellow Gold 2.45 ct Diamond Wide Band Ring is offered in estate condition and ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Pink Gold Pave Diamond Wide Designer Enamel Band Ring
Located in Hallandale Beach, FL
Elegant 18K Rose Gold Enamel Diamond Band featuring 0.8 carats of brilliant round diamonds and a sleek modern enamel design. Expandable from size 7 to 8.75 for a perfect fit. Specifi...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
Pavé Diamond 18 Carat White Gold Wide Band Ring
Located in London, GB
This modern waved design 18 carat white gold mount is beautifully set with a row of 55 pavé set round brilliant cut diamonds totalling to approximately 0.60ct. The band weighs 10.67g...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Diamond Wide Band Ring Size 6.75 #23753
Located in Washington Depot, CT
18K White Gold and Diamond Wide Band Ring Size 6.75 This striking band features four princess cut diamond at its center surrounded by intricate filigree scrollwork and 33 round bril...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Emerald, Sapphire and Diamond Wide Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
The bold profile and colors make this an eye-catching statement piece that wears beautifully on the hand. 18K White Gold Emerald, Sapphire and Diamond Wide Band Ring Condition: In g...
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Wide 5 Round Cut 0.15ctw Diamond Platinum X Band Ring
Located in Sewickley, PA
This elegant wide platinum band showcases a refined X-design motif accented with five sparkling round-cut H color & SI1 clarity diamonds totaling 0.15 carats.
Diamond, Platinum
Sapphire and Diamond Wide Band Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in La Jolla, CA
Sapphire and Diamond Wide Band Ring in 18k Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond Wide Band Ring features 4.10 carats of Round Blue Sapphire and 1.47 carats of Round Brilliant cut Diamond...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow Gold Wide Diamond Band Ring
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
S.Georgios designer 18 Karat Yellow Gold Wide Band Ring is all hand made and has Byzantine granulation beads and wires from 22 Karat gold and a unique velvet look on the background d...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Emerald & Diamond Edwardian Style Wide Band Two Tone Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Make a bold statement with this stunning wide Edwardian Style Wide Band Ring. where vintage charm meets modern elegance.
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1.18cttw Round Diamond Ladies Wide Band Ring 14k Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Sparkle with this diamond wide band ring. This ring showcases a polished look with its round-cut diamond stones in pave setting.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Baguette Diamond Wide Band Ring 18ct Yellow Gold Zig Zag Statement Ring
Located in London, GB
This striking baguette diamond ring crafted in rich 18ct yellow gold. Designed as a wide band, it features a rhythmic zig-zag formation of vertically set baguette-cut diamonds, each ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Wide Brilliant and Baguette Diamond Band Ring 14K White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k White Gold Diamond Count: 64 brilliant cut, 50-54 baguette diamonds Total Diamond Carat Weight: ~1.13 carats Ring Height: 9.7 mm tall Diamond Co...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Natural Diamond Ruby Ring 18K White Gold Wide Band Bow
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Natural Diamond Ruby Ring 18K White Gold Wide Band Bow This high-end estate ring is finely crafted in solid 18K White gold and set with the highest quality Earth-mined French-cut Ru...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Natural Diamond Sapphire Ring 14K Gold Wide Band Estate BH
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
This estate ring is crafted in solid 14K Yellow gold. Hallmarked BH inside of the shank. 96 natural Earth mined blue Sapphires measure 1.8mm each = 3.84 carats. These gems are very c...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$7,700Sale Price|20% Off
Fancy Pink and White Diamond 18k Rose Gold Wide Band Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite wide band ring is a true statement piece, showcasing a sophisticated blend of 18k rose gold and high-quality diamonds.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
18K White & Blackened Gold Designer Champagne Diamond Sapphire Wide Band Ring
Located in Hallandale Beach, FL
18K white and blackened gold designer ring featuring brilliant round champagne diamonds and natural sapphires in a bold wide band design.
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
$1,358Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Platinum 1.09ctw Baguette Ruby & Round Diamond Wide Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
-- Stone(s):-- (4) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brilliant Cut - Channel Set - White Color - 0.09ctw (exact - stamped) (5) Natural Genuine Rubies - Straight Baguette Cut - Channel...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
$1,198Sale Price|20% Off
Solid Platinum 1.80ctw Oval Sapphire & Diamond 12.9mm Wide Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Sapphires - Oval Cut - Prong Set - Medium Slightly Greenish Blue Color - 8.1x5.8mm - 1.50ctw (exact) Numerous Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brill...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Diamond Blue Chalcedony Ring Wide Band Vintage 14k Gold Statement
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Blue Chalcedony Ring Wide Band Vintage 14K Gold Statement This vintage circa 1930s ring is crafted in solid 14K Yellow Gold.
Chalcedony, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vitolo 18K White and Rose Gold Diamond Wide Band Ring
By Stefano Vitolo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exquisite creation by Vitolo Jewelry Artisans, this wide band ring showcases the harmonious blend of 18K white and rose gold with a hand-engraved Florentine finish on the white go...
Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k 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.