Diamond Solitaire Rings
1940s American Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold
1930s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s Turkish Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
1960s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 9k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1940s Swedish Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 1900s Turkish Retro Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold
1960s Turkish Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Palladium
1970s British Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1970s Australian Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold
1920s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Swedish Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Early 2000s Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1960s British Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Asian Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
1970s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1960s Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
1970s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1970s British Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Turkish Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
1960s Asian Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold
1990s Asian Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1970s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
1960s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century French Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
1990s European Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century British Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 9k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Garnet, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, Base Metal, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1940s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1930s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, Platinum
1940s European Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1950s Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Gold
1950s Unknown Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
1950s Unknown Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1950s French Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1940s French Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
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.