Blue Diamond Engagement Rings

Given that fancy-colored diamonds aren’t exactly budget-priced, the desire for an antique or vintage blue diamond engagement ring must be deep and enduring.

An engagement ring set with a blue diamond, the ne plus ultra of aqueous-hued gemstones, checks off a bride’s “something blue” in the most luxurious way imaginable. 

Created by traces of boron in the carbon structure, the color of a blue diamond can manifest as anything from a very faint ice blue to a deep rich cerulean to the velvety, mysterious shade of a darkening sky.

“Less than 0.02 percent of mined diamonds are blue, and as we move up the color chart, from light blue to vivid blue, the rarity increases,” says diamond expert and blogger Tracey Ellison (a.k.a. @thediamondsgirl).

The cool tone of a blue diamond, which may display secondary hues of gray, green or violet, is enhanced by a white-metal setting. “I’ve only ever seen blue diamonds set in platinum,” Ellison says. “The color perfectly accentuates the stone, and it would definitely be my recommendation.”

But her number-one piece of advice? “Ensure that you are buying a natural blue diamond. Checking the GIA certificate for origin is a must. Technology today uses a high-pressure heat technique to treat diamonds and create an artificial color. There is a huge price difference between natural and artificially treated blue diamonds, and while it may be tempting to go for a blue, or any color, diamond at a lower price, it defeats the object of owning a rare, one-of-a-kind stone.”

Find antique, new and vintage blue diamond engagement rings on 1stDibs, and explore our buying guides for a close look at antique engagement rings, Art Deco engagement rings and vintage engagement rings.