Diamond Rings
1940s Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s North American Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
1940s American Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1940s American Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
1940s American Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 14k Gold
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Rubelite, Platinum
1940s Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s British Modern Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s European Art Deco Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1940s Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Platinum
1940s Unknown Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
1940s American Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
1940s Unknown Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s Unknown Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Unknown Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s French Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
1940s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Star Sapphire, Platinum
1940s American Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Diamond Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique Diamond Rings for Sale on 1stDibs
Even as jewelry trends have come and gone, antique diamond rings are a classic fashion piece.
While solitaire diamond rings are enduringly popular as an engagement ring style, a vintage diamond ring in general — whether it’s a diamond cocktail ring, a diamond three-stone ring or other iteration — makes a fantastic addition to any outfit with a variety of shapes and settings to explore. Statistics show that diamonds are the most common gemstones for engagement rings, preferred by 87 percent of people. And old diamonds have become a gem of choice for millennials — for many jewelry lovers, designs set with diamonds that were cut by hand decades ago are rapidly gaining in popularity.
Thousands of gem cutters worked in the city to process the diamonds that streamed in after the 1867 discovery of the Kimberley Mine, in South Africa. The way they hand cut and shaped the stones was distinctly different from what modern lapidaries do.
“The best old diamonds have high crowns [the top section of the stone] that release a spectrum of colors,” says Guy Burton, bespoke director at the esteemed vintage jeweler Hancocks, in London. “Some really nice Late Victorian gems are chunky, and there were really beautiful Asscher cuts done during the 1930s that display amazing angles a gem cutter would not work in today.” Late Victorian-era diamond rings are considered antique, while an Asscher cut is a step cut that was popularized during the Art Deco era. Other popular Art Deco step cuts include the emerald cut and the baguette cut. (While there are many different gemstone cuts, the main categories of cuts are brilliant, step and mixed.)
The Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal.
The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade, cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).
Shop an extraordinary collection of antique and vintage diamond rings on 1stDibs. And explore our buying guides for a close look at antique engagement rings, Art Deco engagement rings and vintage engagement rings.
Read More
Our Guide to Engagement Ring Settings – And How to Choose One
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
Nothing Says Summer Heat Like This Ruby-Red Cartier Stunner
The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon Rings: Our Guide to a Uniquely Colorful Natural Gemstone
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
[Survey] Two-Thirds of Jewelry Gift Recipients Don’t Want to Be Surprised
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
Colorful Gemstones Are a Brilliant Choice for Engagement Rings
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
Our Guide to Fancy-Colored Diamond Engagement Rings
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Talking Diamonds with the Jeweler Behind J. Lo’s Engagement Ring
Alon Ruschin, of Vivid Diamonds & Jewelry, channels his passion for gems into helping clients find just the right ring.