Solitaire Rings
1940s Art Deco Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond
20th Century Unknown Retro Solitaire Rings
Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century German Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
20th Century Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Ruby, Diamond, Star Ruby, Platinum, White Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1920s Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Gold, Platinum
20th Century Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s Unknown Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Gold
1940s Unknown Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century British Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Aesthetic Movement Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Early 20th Century Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Shop Antique and Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings and Other Solitaire Rings on 1stDibs
Even as jewelry trends have come and gone, antique and vintage diamond solitaire rings are a classic fashion piece. Although enduringly popular as an engagement ring style, a solitaire ring — whether it's an emerald solitaire ring, a sapphire solitaire ring or another iteration — makes a fantastic addition to any outfit with a variety of shapes and settings to explore.
Solitaire rings have a single stone setting and a minimalistic band in which pressure, bezel or prongs hold the stone in place. They have a long history in jewelry, such as an example discovered in Israel with a single amethyst that could be as old as the third century A.D.
Simple gold rings with single diamonds were prized possessions in Ancient Rome. However, it was not until the 1940s that engagement rings with a solitaire diamond setting became widely popular.
After the turmoil of the Great Depression and World War II led to a decline in diamond prices, De Beers saw an opportunity. The diamond magnate teamed up with the ad agency N.W. Ayer for the “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign. It was a sensation and cemented the solitaire diamond as the leading engagement ring. Statistics show that diamonds are the most common gemstones for engagement rings, preferred by 87 percent of people. (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.)
Today, the design of solitaire rings takes many forms, and those created by Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and other internationally celebrated jewelry houses are particularly sought-after accessories. Though the single-stone setting remains the same, bands have become more detailed, with some containing other stones or even multiple diamonds. Art Deco, Art Nouveau and other art movements have influenced the design of solitaire rings over the years. However, the simplicity of this accessory remains timeless.
Browse 1stDibs for a unique selection of antique and vintage solitaire rings to accent any fashion choice.