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Diamond Gold Bypass Ring
Located in Berlin, DE
, clarity: VS2 16 brilliant-cut diamonds weighing circa 1,46 ct. and 22 small brilliant-cut diamonds
Category

Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Gold South Sea Pearl, Ruby Diamond Ring In 14 Karat Solid Yellow Gold
Located in Manhattan Beach, CA
15.15 mm Gold South Sea Pearl, Ruby 14K Solid Yellow Gold Diamond Ring Item Type: Ring Item Style
Category

2010s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Mixed Gold Diamond Ring - c. 1920s
Located in Madison area, WI
- 14k yellow gold band; 14k white gold face, .25 carat Old European-cut diamond, 2 diamond accents
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Magnificent Vintage Marquee Shaped Rare Fire Opal 2.60 Carat Diamond Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Be unique! Magnificent mid century -1950 – Diamond and natural Opal cocktail ring For sure a one
Category

Vintage 1950s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

18K Yellow Gold Tourmaline Diamond Band
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Tourmaline Diamond Band in 18K Yellow Gold. Princess Cut Tourmaline weighing 2.0 carats and Round
Category

2010s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

.51 Carat GIA Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring Halo Art Deco Style, 18Kt Gold
By Andrew Glassford
Located in Dallas, TX
Exquisite Art Deco inspired ring, set in 18 Karat Yellow Gold with a .51 Carat GIA Marquise Diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold

Cober Jewellery “Purple unique sparkling Amethist” of 13.3 Carat YellowGold Ring
By Vincent Cober
Located in OSS, NH
cherish. In short, this 18K yellow gold ring with its Amethist and sparkling diamonds is a stunning piece
Category

2010s Dutch Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Geometric Petal 18k Two-Tone Gold Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Diamond Geometric Petal Ring in 18k Two-Tone Gold. 212 Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds weighing 1.03
Category

2010s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Richard Krementz Gemstones Platinum/18 Karat 5.4 Carat Blue Zircon Diamond Ring
By Krementz Co
Located in Mansfield, OH
Richard Krementz Gemstones Platinum, 18 karat and 5.48 carat Blue Zircon and Diamond cocktail ring
Category

1990s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Zircon, 18k Gold, Platinum

Diana Kim England 4.13 carat Blue Sapphire, Diamond and Platinum Cocktail Ring
By Diana Kim England
Located in Red Hook, NY
sapphire is 4.13 carats and has a wreath of 16 diamonds encircling it. The height of the ring is confident
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Art Deco 1.30 Carat Old Mine Diamond Trilogy Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Diamonds Crown is 7 mm. X 16 mm.- The ring is in fantastic condition Further Details Below Metal: 18 Kt
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Diamond and Sapphire Art Deco Engagement Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
cadre with 16 old European cut diamonds in a platinum mille-grain setting offers the framework in which
Category

Vintage 1920s Belgian Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, ...

Unique Late Victorian Antique Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
Ring size Continental: 52 & 16½ , Size US 6 , Size UK: L - Free resizing (only for extreme resizing we
Category

Antique Early 1900s Belgian Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

GIA Certified 1.0 Natural Fancy-Green Yellow Cushion-Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Lewes, DE
Beautiful natural fancy-green yellow cushion-cut diamond engagement ring. GIA certificate included
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Diamond and Sapphire Engagement Ring, 1940s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Ring size Continental: 51 & 16¼ , Size US 5½ , Size UK: K½ - Free resizing (only for extreme resizing
Category

Vintage 1940s Belgian Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White G...

Brazilian Opal Ring in White and Yellow Gold
By The Golden Eye
Located in Santa Fe, NM
edge the lip of the setting in 18 karat yellow gold. The shanks and body of this ring are carved and
Category

2010s American Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Garnet, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold

Turquoise Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Portland, ME
turquoise measuring 16 X 11 mm and 21 round diamonds weighing approximately 1.00 carat total. The ring
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Blue Sapphire Diamond 18K Bypass Ring
Located in Fuquay Varina, NC
Diamonds: 16 Total Carat Weight: 0.68 ctw Diamond Shape: Round Brilliant Diamond Clarity: VVS-VS Diamond
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Cluster Cocktail Ring
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cluster Ring featuring 16 Round Brilliant Diamonds 2.00 Carat Total
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Rubellite and Diamond Ring
Located in Dallas, TX
Classic 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ring Featuring 1 Cushion Cut Rubellite 3.81 Carat, 16 Round Brilliant
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rubelite, 14k Gold

Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Approximately 1.00 Carat Oval Shaped, Blue Sapphire is set in Yellow Gold Mounting. The Sapphire
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold

Large Circular Sapphire Cabochon Yellow Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
This bold and large 1980s 14 karat Yellow Gold dome ring features 16 diamonds totaling 0.50 carats
Category

Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Ruby Diamond 14K Square Halo Ring
Located in Fuquay Varina, NC
man. Hallmarks: 14KP, T&C Total Diamonds: 16 Total Carat Weight: 0.48 ctw Diamond Shape: Round
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Sapphire and Diamond Wide Gold Ring
Located in Pikesville, MD
8 round diamonds at approximately .16 carats total weight. Diamonds are approximately G color, SI1
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Fashion Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bespoke 5.79 Carat Pink Pear Cut Cabochon Tourmaline and Diamond Ring
By DesignsOnDiamonds
Located in Chislehurst, Kent
, making it unique. It is a very feminine ring that could be worn day or night time. The accent diamonds
Category

2010s British Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Tourmaline, 18k Gold

Vintage Art Deco Engagement Ring with Sapphires and Diamonds
Located in Antwerp, BE
of ± 0.17ct. Six Swiss brilliant cut diamonds (also called 16/16) with an estimated weight of
Category

Vintage 1920s Belgian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yello...

Sapphire Rose Cut Diamond Open Star Ring
By Valentina Fine Jewellery
Located in Sai Kung District, HK
beautiful diamond star ring out there. Ring shown in photos features a 0.36 carat Ceylon blue sapphire
Category

2010s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

18k Diamond Pave Signet Ring Two-Tone Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Diamond Pave Signet Ring in 18K Two-Tone Gold. (25) Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds weighing 1.25
Category

2010s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Georgian Goddess Chrysoberyl Diamond Ring
Located in Wimberley, TX
culet. In all, the diamond surround has an estimated total diamond weight of .45 carats. As is typical
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Georgian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold Plate

Mid-18th Century Antique Engagement Ring with Old Mine Cut Diamonds, 1750s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique jewelry object group: ring Condition: excellent condition Ring size Continental: 51 & 16
Category

Antique 1750s Unknown Rococo Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

11.82cts Parabolic Diamond Eternity Ring (GIA)
By Kaufmann de Suisse
Located in Montréal, CA
ring showcases 16 GIA-certified emerald cut diamonds, totaling an impressive 11.29 carats. Each diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

H. Stern Iris Diamond Ring 0.76 Carat 18 Karat Noble and 18 Karat Rose Gold New
By H. Stern
Located in Houston, TX
This new H. Stern Iris ring features diamonds totaling 0.76 ct. set in 18K rose gold and noble gold
Category

2010s Brazilian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Multi Shape Diamonds Made in Italy
Located in MIlan, IT
0.62 carats of diamonds color G clarity VS, made in Italy, comes in a box, size 16 italian size
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Rich Golden South Sea Pearl Diamonds Gold Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This ring is one of our gorgeous pieces and features a gorgeous south sea Vivid Deep Yellow Golden
Category

20th Century Philippine Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Natural 7.02 Carat Oval Diamond Eternity Band
Located in LA, CA
Extraordinary 7.02 Carat Oval Diamond Eternity Band Setting: Platinum Center Stones: 7.02 Ctw
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Fire Opal Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
By Shreve, Crump Low
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
18 karat white gold jelly opal and diamond cluster ring consisting of one cabochon cut jelly opal
Category

20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian Opal Diamond Cluster Ring in 10ct Opal
Located in Kendal, GB
A spectacular antique Edwardian cluster ring exhibiting a spellbinding natural cabochon opal
Category

20th Century European Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold

18ct White Gold Bow Diamond Sapphire Ring
Located in Cape Town, ZA
Stone Attributes Number of Stones: 16 x Diamond Cut: Round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold

Gents Stately 14 Karat Gold Diamond and Ceylon Sapphire Ring
Located in Metairie, LA
. Circa 1950-1980. This majestic custom-made gentlemen’s ring has been hand crafted in solid 14k yellow
Category

Mid-20th Century More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

J. E. CALDWELL Retro Citrine Diamond Ring
By J.E. Caldwell Co.
Located in Wimberley, TX
) set in 14k white gold for an estimated total diamond weight of .35 carats. Date: Circa 1970
Category

Vintage 1970s American More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

GIA Yellow Diamond Eternity Band Set in 18 Karat
Located in Atlanta, GA
band made of 18 karat yellow gold is a ring size 6.5. All 16 diamonds are beautifully matched. Cut
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

14 Karat White Gold 2.95ct Fancy-cut Natural Diamond Open Cuff Ring (Size 6.5)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14 Karat White Gold Fancy Cut Natural Diamond Open Cuff Flower Ring with 16 fancy cut natural
Category

2010s American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

1.82 ct Natural Royal Blue Sapphire Ring with Diamonds 18k White Gold
Located in KAATSHEUVEL, NL
-VVS/VS diamonds, totalling 3.37 carats. Based on a unique design, the ring is entirely bespoke
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Furrer Jacot 18 Karat White and Yellow Gold Two-Tone Diamond Band
By Furrer-Jacot
Located in New York, NY
5.5mm wide 18k white gold 18k yellow gold edge Half set with 16 brilliant-cut round diamonds F-G
Category

2010s Swiss Contemporary Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Stephen Webster Vertigo Losing Perspective 18 Carat Gold and Spinel Signet Ring
By Stephen Webster
Located in London, GB
All is not as it first seems with the Vertigo Losing Perspective Large Ring. Designed to create an
Category

2010s British Contemporary Signet Rings

Materials

Spinel, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Stephen Webster Vertigo Losing Perspective 18 Carat Gold and Spinel Pinky Ring
By Stephen Webster
Located in London, GB
All is not as it first seems with the Vertigo Losing Perspective Ring. Designed to create an
Category

2010s British Contemporary Signet Rings

Materials

Spinel, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Kian Design Platinum Gold Cushion Cut Ruby and Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring
By Kian Design
Located in South Perth, AU
Rubino Ring This stunning platinum and 18 carat yellow gold ring is set with an extraordinary
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Australian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Gold

Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Vintage 14 k Gold Ring
Located in Jerusalem, IL
5 points each. 16 stones of 2.5 points each. The face of the ring is made in yellow gold , the shank
Category

Late 20th Century Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold

Articulate Your One of a Kind with Contemporary White Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
By ROHIT JAIN
Located in NEW DELHI, IN
White Diamonds: 0.45 carats Ring Size: 16 mm US Size: 5 1/2 About Rohit : “Can we imagine an Art world
Category

2010s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Free Formed Design with Diamonds Ring.
Located in New York, NY
This is a Contemporary Yellow Gold Free Formed Design Ring set with 4 Round Brilliant cut Diamonds
Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby and 18 Karat Gold Swivel Ring
Located in London, GB
An unusual ruby, sapphire and diamond swivel ring set in 18K yellow gold. The middle section
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Spectacular Victorian Shaped Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Wimberley, TX
Cluster rings are a staple of any good jewelry wardrobe and this 14k yellow gold one from the
9.21CT Yellow 1.10CT white diamond eternity band Platinum/18K size-7
Located in Chicago, IL
cut natural Yellow diamonds - that makes every stone to way over half a carat each 9.21CT (Light
Category

2010s North American Modern Band Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Platinum

Vintage Art Deco 0.50ct Old European Cut Diamond Estate Engagement Ring 1930
Located in Rottedam, NL
transitional cut diamonds, weighing approximately 1.14 carats in total. Platinum is one of the most durable
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1990s Albert Sous Unique Postmodernist Emerald Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Dusseldorf, NRW
1990s Albert Sous Unique Postmodernist Emerald Diamond Gold Ring 18k yellow gold, emerald, diamond
Category

Late 20th Century German Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Art Nouveau ruby ring in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum, pigeon s blood ruby
Located in PARIS, FR
Art Nouveau ruby ring in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum. Antique ring of the Art Nouveau period
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Robin Woolard Burmese Ruby Diamond Platinum 18 Karat Yellow Red Gold Band
Located in San Francisco, CA
Burmese Rubies 1.40 carat t.w. -4 Oval Cut Diamonds 1.30 carat t.w. G color, VS clarity -16 Round
Category

2010s American Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

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16 Carat Yellow Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact 16 carat yellow diamond ring you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, Yellow Gold and 14k Gold — can elevate any look. Find an antique version now, or shop for 38 vintage or 134 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. If you’re looking for a 16 carat yellow diamond ring from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 19th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. Creating a 16 carat yellow diamond ring has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Sarosi By Timeless Gems, Roshe Jewels and LB Exclusive are consistently popular. A 16 carat yellow diamond ring of any era or style can lend versatility to your look, but a version featuring Diamond, from our inventory of 144, is particularly popular. Today, if you’re looking for a round cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes oval cut and cushion cut alternatives. When shopping for a 16 carat yellow diamond ring, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a 16 Carat Yellow Diamond Ring?

The price for a 16 carat yellow diamond ring starts at $290 and tops out at $450,000 with these rings, on average, selling for $5,583.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

The Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design

Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.

From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!

There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.

Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.

In the 1950s, 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 (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). 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).

When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And on 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.  

Finding the Right Rings for You

Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.

No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.

Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.

Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry

The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.

Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.