Engagement Rings
Shopping for the right antique, new or vintage engagement ring can prove daunting. Whether you’re looking for that perfect Art Deco engagement ring, a vintage sapphire engagement ring or a fashionable contemporary accessory, it’s important to choose a style that speaks to you.
Rings have long been signifiers of marriage and committed relationships. The modern diamond engagement ring can be traced back to 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria commissioned an expensive diamond ring for his betrothed. Diamond rings subsequently became extremely popular among the European aristocracy. Later, during the Victorian era, the popularity of diamond engagement rings had filtered down to the middle class, owing to the increasing accessibility — and affordability — of gold and diamonds.
Authentic antique Victorian-era engagement rings were frequently set in rose or yellow gold and they are highly collectible. Designs for Victorian engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal. Diamonds were likely to be small rose- or old-mine-cut (the ancestor of today’s cushion-cut) stones. The former are often associated with antique styles like Victorian or Georgian, as rose-cut diamonds are uncommon in modern jewelry. The diamonds were typically set in a group of five in a band or as a solitaire.
Victorian-era engagement rings also saw other gemstones accompanying diamonds. Small seed pearls and moonstones were popular. Other sentimental and romantic motifs such as hearts and stars took hold as well. When Prince Albert became engaged to Queen Victoria, he gave her a serpent ring with emerald eyes, her birthstone. This initiated a widespread craze for snake jewelry.
In 1886, esteemed American luxury firm Tiffany & Co. introduced its solitaire diamond design, which is still among the most popular styles of engagement rings. The Tiffany Setting raises the stone above the band on six prongs, allowing its facets to catch the light and reflect through the stone.
French jewelry house Cartier, which pioneered the use of platinum in fine jewelry and helped define Art Deco, sought to render the diamonds in their engagement rings and other rings as brilliantly as possible. The brand’s timeless Solitaire 1895 engagement ring gave the impression of delicate lace.
Edwardian engagement rings and, afterward, Art Deco engagement rings that followed in the wake of Queen Victoria’s death in 1901 would be characterized by complex geometric designs and platinum settings. Owing to the Art Nouveau movement, nature was a major theme for Edwardian jewelry, while the diamond ring designs of the Art Deco period were inspired by Cubism as well as ancient Egypt. Art Deco engagement rings are bold and colorful and feature gems cut in nontraditional ways.
Engagement rings designed during World War II were made from two-toned metals and smaller stones. Large stones were scarce, and platinum was reserved for the military. Postwar engagement rings were intended to be simpler and focused on the beauty of the diamond.
In 1947, De Beers Consolidated Mines, with the support of Philadelphia ad agency N.W. Ayer & Son, introduced the slogan “A diamond is forever” in a marketing campaign that emphasized a connection between diamonds and romance. Diamond sales skyrocketed, and diamond engagement rings became intertwined with the post–World War II marriage boom, which coincided with the ascension of specific diamond cuts.
The round brilliant cut, which consists of an astounding 58 facets, continues to be the most popular cut to this day. Jewelers such as Harry Winston had already gained a reputation for his talents by the time the De Beers campaign debuted, and he is said to have favored emerald-cut diamonds.
For everything from understanding the 4Cs to choosing between antique, vintage, contemporary and custom styles, get expert tips to help you find just the right ring. Additionally, explore our buying guides for a close look at antique engagement rings, Art Deco engagement rings and vintage engagement rings.
When you’re ready to mark your momentous occasion, find a vast collection of engagement rings on 1stDibs.
1990s British Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Italian Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s Unknown Edwardian Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
1940s Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond
1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s American Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Retro Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1940s Italian Modern Vintage Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
1990s South African Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Retro Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Retro Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Retro Vintage Engagement Rings
Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Unknown Engagement Rings
Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, Platinum
1990s Unknown Contemporary Engagement Rings
White Gold
1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
1990s English Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
1990s Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1940s Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Unknown Contemporary Engagement Rings
1990s Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1940s Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1990s English Modern Engagement Rings
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1940s French Retro Vintage Engagement Rings
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1990s Engagement Rings
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1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
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1940s Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
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1940s Unknown Edwardian Vintage Engagement Rings
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1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
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1940s Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
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1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Engagement Rings
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1990s Hong Kong Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1990s British Late Victorian Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
1990s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold
1940s Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s North American Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s British Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Modern Vintage Engagement Rings
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s Japanese Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Retro Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Artisan Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
Yellow Diamond, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Engagement Rings
Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc. engagement rings for sale on 1stDibs
Find a wide range of Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc. engagement rings available on 1stDibs. These unique items were designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc. jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc. diamond engagement rings, from our inventory of 169, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. This collection contains 170 pieces as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection represents work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed and contemporary during the 21st century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider engagement rings by and . Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc. engagement rings can vary in price depending on gemstone, time period and other attributes. Price for these items starts at $378 and tops out at $125,000, while pieces like these can sell for $3,600 on average..
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