Diamond Solitaire Rings
18th Century Georgian Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Late 18th Century European Rococo Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver
18th Century Dutch Georgian Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 10k Gold, Silver
Late 18th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver, Enamel
Mid-18th Century European Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold
18th Century Victorian Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, Platinum
18th Century British Rococo Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
17th Century Unknown Renaissance Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, Enamel
Early 18th Century British George IV Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
15th Century and Earlier Turkish Byzantine Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 17th Century Dutch Renaissance Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold
17th Century Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
1770s Italian Art Deco Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Late 18th Century Victorian Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Spinel, Diamond, Platinum
16th Century Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
16th Century Unknown Renaissance Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1890s European Late Victorian Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Diamond Solitaire Rings
Turquoise, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
1890s American Victorian Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Star Sapphire, 14k Gold
Early 1900s Turkish Retro Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold
Mid-20th Century Diamond Solitaire Rings
Turquoise, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
1910s Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Turquoise, Yellow Gold
1820s British Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 15k Gold
Early 1900s Turkish Late Victorian Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
19th Century British Georgian Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Early 1900s Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Mid-18th Century French Baroque Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1660s French Retro Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
15th Century and Earlier Turkish Byzantine Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
15th Century and Earlier Turkish Byzantine Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
17th Century Unknown Georgian Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 1600s Dutch Renaissance Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, 22k Gold
Mid-18th Century British George III Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 15k Gold
1760s Georgian Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Extraordinary Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings for Sale 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 makes a fantastic addition to any outfit with a variety of shapes and settings to explore.
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 seeking an antique engagement ring, vintage engagement ring or Art Deco engagement ring.)
During the late 19th century, Cartier sought to render the diamonds in their engagement rings and other rings as brilliantly as possible, initially sourcing platinum specifically from Russian mines and matching the durable metal with an equally robust precious stone. These shimmering rings, such as the timeless Solitaire 1895 engagement ring, gave the impression of delicate lace.
Tiffany & Co. broadly helped put diamonds on the map in 1886 by introducing the American marketplace to the diamond solitaire design, which is still the quintessential engagement ring style. Designed to maximize a diamond’s sparkle, the trademark Tiffany Setting elevated the stone on six prongs (in contrast to the bezel setting, which was common at the time). This setting raises the stone above the band, allowing its facets to catch the light.
Today, the design of diamond 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 diamond solitaire rings over the years. However, the simplicity of this accessory remains timeless.
Find antique and vintage diamond solitaire rings on 1stDibs.