Solitaire Rings
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Solitaire Rings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
1960s Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Modern Solitaire Rings
Cultured Pearl, Gold
1950s Art Deco Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1960s Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Solitaire Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s Vintage Solitaire Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Solitaire Rings
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
1930s Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1950s American Native American Vintage Solitaire Rings
Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
1940s Italian Modern Vintage Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
1960s Unknown Retro Vintage Solitaire Rings
Moonstone, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Gold
1950s French Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Art Deco Vintage Solitaire Rings
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
1930s Vintage Solitaire Rings
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Solitaire Rings
Morganite, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1970s Austrian Modern Vintage Solitaire Rings
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
1940s Vintage Solitaire Rings
Tourmaline, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Dutch Solitaire Rings
Blue Topaz, 14k Gold
1930s British Art Deco Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Zircon, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Unknown Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century British Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1950s American Vintage Solitaire Rings
Tanzanite, Platinum
1940s Italian Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold
1960s Swedish Modern Vintage Solitaire Rings
Sterling Silver
1940s Vintage Solitaire Rings
1940s Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1940s British Modern Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Solitaire Rings
Emerald, 14k Gold
1960s British Modern Vintage Solitaire Rings
Opal, Gold
1940s Vintage Solitaire Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
1970s French Retro Vintage Solitaire Rings
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s North American Modern Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1960s Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Solitaire Rings
Ruby
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1970s British Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold
1950s Vintage Solitaire Rings
Emerald, Platinum
1940s Modern Vintage Solitaire Rings
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1930s Art Deco Vintage Solitaire Rings
Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1930s Unknown Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1960s Unknown Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1970s Unknown Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Solitaire Rings
Quartz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s Art Deco Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1930s Art Deco Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
1950s Retro Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
1930s Swedish Vintage Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Swedish Modern Solitaire Rings
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.