Graff Rings
One of the earliest ventures for British jeweler Sir Laurence Graff (b. 1938) was professional ring repair. Born in the East End of London, Graff undertook his first jeweler apprenticeship at age 15 in the city’s Hatton Garden jewelry district. Graff learned to repair rings and honed his now-renowned jewelry design skills at a workbench in his bedroom. He opened a 24-hour ring-repair service with a business partner and, in 1960, founded his eponymous house, which produces a range of rings, including cocktail rings, engagement rings and more as well as stand-alone jewels and watches — all entirely in-house.
Today, Sir Laurence Graff is one of the finest diamantaires in the world and was appointed an OBE in 2013 by Queen Elizabeth for his services to the jewelry industry.
Owing to its signature jewelry collections as well as its reputation for designing enduring engagement rings and wedding bands, Graff has long been a favorite of celebrities and royalty. The house’s devoted clientele has included the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and the Sultan of Brunei over the years, and Vogue magazine featured Graff as a designer of timeless celebrity engagement rings.
In fact, the luxury brand is a celebrity in its own right — Graff has been involved in all things diamonds — from mining to designing to manufacturing — and is a leader in the jewelry industry. Its focus on diamond rings, colored and otherwise, has yielded a wide array of offerings. Sir Graff’s devotion to the precious stone and his expertise in the field have led to him handling some of the most famous diamonds on the planet.
At Christie’s Hong Kong in 2009, a Graff ring set with a cushion-cut fancy vivid pink diamond of five carats, mounted in platinum and 18-karat rose gold, sold for the record USD equivalent of $2 million per carat. In 2013 and 2017, the 24.78-carat Graff Pink and 59.6-carat Pink Star caused a frenzy when they came up at auction, selling for $83 million and $71.2 million, respectively.
Browse a variety of legendary Graff engagement rings and other Graff rings on 1stDibs, including ruby flower motif rings composed of pavé-set round brilliant-cut diamonds, 18-karat yellow-gold diamond bands and more.
1980s Vintage Graff Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
2010s English Graff Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s British Graff Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary British Graff Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Graff Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century British Artist Graff Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Modern Graff Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s British Graff Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Graff Rings
Ruby, Platinum
2010s American Graff Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Graff Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Artist Graff Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Graff Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Graff Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Graff Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Graff Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Graff Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Graff Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Graff Rings
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Graff Rings
Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary Graff Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Modern Graff Rings
Ruby, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Graff Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Graff Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
20th Century Graff Rings
Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Graff Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Graff Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
Early 2000s Graff Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
Early 2000s Graff Rings
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Graff Rings
Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Graff Rings
Diamond, White Gold
Early 2000s Graff Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Graff Rings
Yellow Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
2010s Graff Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
2010s Graff Rings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Graff Rings
Diamond, White Gold
Early 2000s Graff Rings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Graff Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Early 2000s Graff Rings
Diamond, White Gold
Early 2000s Graff Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
2010s Graff Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
20th Century Graff Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1980s American Vintage Graff Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique and Vintage Engagement Rings, Cocktail Rings and Other Rings for Sale 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 Bvlgari 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. The most collectible 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.
Creators Similar to Graff
- Is Graff high-end?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024Yes, Graff is high-end. Since its founding by Sir Laurence Graff, the British jewelry maker has become well known for carefully crafting jewelry using premium precious metals and gemstones. Graff is known for handling some of the most famous diamonds in the world, including the Windsor Yellows, the Paragon, the Lesotho Promise and the Wittelsbach-Graff. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of Graff jewelry.