Skip to main content

18k Gold Ring Mounts

to
53
582
68
507
134
134
61
43
23
16
11
11
9
8
7
7
7
6
6
6
5
5
5
5
4
4
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
141
27
21
11
9
Sort By
Very Large Shell Cameo Ring
Located in Palm Beach, FL
diamonds weighing approximately 1.00ct total. Set in a handsome, well crafted, handmade 18k gold mounting
Estate Yellow Diamond Radiant and White Diamond Ring in 18 Karat Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
quality white, and bright diamond rounds and trillions. Handmade 18k white and yellow gold mounting
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold

Pink Tourmaline, Blue Sapphire, and Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18 Karat Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
quality blue sapphire and white diamond rounds in a handmade 18k yellow gold mounting. Size of ring is
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

1 Carat Solitaire Asscher Cut Diamond with Baguette Ruby Mount in 18 Karat
Located in Miami, FL
The Asscher cut Solitaire diamond is centered on a mounting featuring step cut rubies and set in 18
Category

20th Century American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Signed Pomi Designer Resin and Diamond Gold Dome Ring Italy Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
. 4.81tcw. Approx. dimensions: 1.20" w x 1.17" h x 1.54" d. Beautifully Hand crafted 18K Yellow Gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

.38 Carat European Cut Diamond Art Deco Ring, 18 Karat White Gold Vintage
Located in Greensboro, NC
-adorned 18k white gold mount. This ring is a size 5 3/4, but it can be re-sized up 2 sizes for a $30
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

.38 Carat European Cut Diamond Art Deco Ring, 18 Karat White Gold Vintage
Located in Greensboro, NC
-adorned 18k white gold mount. This ring is a size 5 3/4, but it can be re-sized up 2 sizes for a $30
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Multi-Gemstone Ring in 18 Karat Gold Adjustable, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, 18kt
Located in Austin, TX
this original piece! 18k yellow gold ring weighs 2.19 grams (mounted) Unique upside-down set gemstones
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Multi-gemstone, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold

David Webb Jade Diamond Ring
By David Webb
Located in San Antonio, TX
18 K gold and platinum ring mounted with 3 pieces of jade and flanked by diamonds.Signed DAVID WEBB
Category

Vintage 1970s American Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Jade, Platinum, 18k Gold

Rainbow Gemstone Ring in 18 Karat Gold Adjustable, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald 18kt
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
comfortable to wear, don't miss out on this original piece! 18k yellow gold ring weighs 2.19 grams (mounted
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, ...

Gold and Sapphire Ring by Dinh Van for Cartier
By Dinh Van for Cartier
Located in Cincinnati, OH
sapphire of medium -light blue color with a faint star in the center. The 18k yellow gold ring is mounted
Opal Oval and White Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
rounds in a handmade 18k yellow gold mounting. Ring size is 7.5. Estate piece in excellent condition.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold

Black and White Diamond Pave Bypass Ring in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18k white gold mounting. Ring size is 7.5. Perfect for any occasion and comfortable to wear. This
Category

21st Century and Contemporary More Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Black Diamond, White Gold

Poniros White Diamond and Black Diamond Pave Ring in 18 Karat White Gold
By Poniros
Located in Los Angeles, CA
in a handmade 18k white gold mounting. Ring size 7. Excellent condition. Perfect stacked look in one
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Black Diamond, White Gold

Moonstone Oval Cabochon and White Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
in a handmade 18k yellow gold mounting. This ring has a strong presence not only because of size but
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Moonstone, Yellow Gold

Estate Emerald Oval and White Diamond Round Cocktail Ring in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
rounds in a handmade 18k white gold mounting. Ring size is 6.25. This ring is perfect for day or night
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, White Gold

Green Beryl Emerald Cut and White Diamond Round Cocktail Ring in 18 Karat Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
in a handmade 18k white gold mounting. Ring size 8.5. This piece has a substantial look and can be
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Beryl, White Diamond, White Gold

Michael Kneebone Amethyst Rhodolite Garnet Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
garnets and white diamonds. All the gems are set in a hand fabricated and one-of-a-kind 18k yellow gold
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, White Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold

Michael Kneebone Pink Ruby White Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
in a handmade, 18k karat yellow gold mounting. The ring is size seven and may be sized.
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Michael Kneebone Paspaley South Seas Pearl Gray Spinel Leah Ring
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
). The gems are mounted in a hand fabricated 18k gold mount. The ring is a size 7 and may be sized.
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

South Sea Pearl, Spinel, 18k Gold

2 Carat Cushion Cut Diamond Fancy Intense Yellow GIA Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
. Crafted in 18K yellow gold this ring is mounted with a 2.15 carat Cushion Cut Fancy Yellow Intense diamond
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

9.39 Carat Sugarloaf Rubelite Tourmaline and Diamond Ring Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Hand engraved and Hand crafted 18K Yellow Gold mounting. Ring size 6.25. More Beautiful in real time
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

GIA Estate Fancy Intense Yellow Radiant Diamond and White Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
platinum and 18k yellow gold mounting. Ring size 6. Mint condition. Comes with GIA certificate.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Estate GIA Fancy Green Diamond Radiant and Natural Pink Diamond Round Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
rows of 0.25 ct. of natural bright pink diamond rounds in a handmade platinum and 18k rose gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum

GIA Certified 10.69 ct Fancy Yellow VVS2 Radiant Diamond Ring in Platinum/18KYG
Located in La Jolla, CA
shield cut Diamonds weighing 2.11 carats in total. Platinum and 18k Yellow Gold mounting Ring size is 7.5
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Michael Kneebone Black Opal Tsavorite Garnet Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
fabricated, 18k yellow gold mounting. The ring is a size 7. Complimentary sizing available.
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Michael Kneebone Yellow Blue Silver Sapphires Diamond Double "Leah" Ring
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
a one-of-a-kind, hand fabricated 18k yellow gold mounting. The ring is a size 7 3/4 and may be
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary More Rings

Materials

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

GIA No Heat Estate Sri Lanka Purple Sapphire Emerald Cut and White Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
and cut. 0.35 ct. of good quality, white, and bright diamond baguettes in a handmade 18k white gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Purple Sapphire, 18k Gold

Michael Kneebone South Seas Pearl Tahitian Pearl Diamond Spinel Stacking Rings
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
within the gray Tahitian pearl. Both pearls are set in 18k yellow gold mounts. The rings are a size
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Spinel, 18k Gold

J. Birnbach GIA Certified 1.68 Carat Old European Cut and Sapphire Vintage Ring
By J. Birnbach
Located in New York, NY
diamond of M color and SI2 clarity. Set in a handmade, platinum & 18K yellow gold ring, this mounting
Category

20th Century American Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Michael Kneebone Rubellite Sapphire Three Stone Ring
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
perfectly matched and oval cut white sapphires (origin: Thailand). The gems are set in an 18k yellow gold
Category

2010s American Contemporary Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Rubelite, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold

Michael Kneebone Green Zircon White Sapphire Three-Stone Leah Ring
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
18k yellow gold mounting. The ring is a size 6 1/2 and may be sized.
Category

2010s American Contemporary Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Zircon, 18k Gold

Pink Sapphire 2.61 Carat and Diamond Three-Stone Ring 18 Karat White Gold
Located in New York, NY
cut diamonds 0.66 cttw. The hand fabricated 18K white gold mounting makes this ring look far more
Category

2010s American Modern Three-Stone Rings

Cartier 6.95 Ct Oval Brilliant Cut Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond Three-Stone Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
the United States. Set in a signed, platinum and 18K yellow gold, three-stone ring mounting flanked by
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Natalie K Women s 18 Karat White Gold Diamond Ring Mounting SM8-051564W
By Natalie K
Located in Southampton, PA
Majestic in its simplicity, this Natalie K semi mount engagement ring is magnificent. 18K white
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Ladies 18k White Gold Semi Mount Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Houston, TX
diameter. Weight: 3.28 grams Ladies 18K white gold diamond engagement semi-mount ring with a half round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold

18K Gold and Old European Cut Diamond Signature Flush Mount Ring
Located in Venice, CA
Part of Kirsten’s Corner Signature Collection, this 18k gold and Old European cut diamond ring is a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

18K White Gold Halo Three Stone Diamond Rectangular Semi Mount Engagement Ring
Located in Houston, TX
: 4.92 grams Ladies 18K White Gold diamond engagement semi-mount, halo, accented three-stone ring with a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Salmon Coral Diamond Ring Estate 18k Yellow Gold East West Mount Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage coral & diamond cocktail ring crafted in 18 karat yellow gold. Coral cabochon
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Custom Order — Whispering Petals · Conchéa Ring Mounting (18K White Gold + Diamo
Located in New York, NY
structure designed for comfort and long-term wear. Crafted in approximately 5.2g of 18K white gold and set
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Cocktail Rings

Materials

Pearl, Diamond, White Gold

Ring Cabochon Lapis-Lazuli Mounted on a Yellow Gold
Located in Vannes, FR
Lapis Lazuli ring with gold nugget plated gold reflections... that Stone is mounted on a yellow
Category

2010s French Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold

Ring Cabochon Lapis-Lazuli Mounted on a Yellow Gold
Located in Vannes, FR
Lapis Lazuli ring with gold nugget plated gold reflections... that Stone is mounted on a yellow
Category

2010s French Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ring Cabochon Lapis-Lazuli Mounted on a Yellow Gold
Located in Vannes, FR
Lapis Lazuli ring with gold nugget plated gold reflections... that Stone is mounted on a yellow
Category

2010s French Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ring Cabochon Lapis-Lazuli Mounted on a Yellow Gold
Located in Vannes, FR
Lapis Lazuli ring with gold nugget plated gold reflections... that Stone is mounted on a yellow
Category

2010s French Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ring Cabochon Lapis-Lazuli Mounted on a Yellow Gold
Located in Vannes, FR
Lapis Lazuli ring with gold nugget plated gold reflections... that Stone is mounted on a yellow
Category

2010s French Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold

Ring Cabochon Lapis-Lazuli Mounted on a Yellow Gold
Located in Vannes, FR
Lapis Lazuli ring with gold nugget plated gold reflections... that Stone is mounted on a yellow
Category

2010s French Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold

18K Rose Semi Mount Hand Engraved Ring with Round Diamonds Estimated 1.20 Carat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a 18K rose gold semi mounted ring with round diamonds estimated 1.20ct total weight. You
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Jade Ring Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold Navette Mount Small Cocktail Ring
Located in Torrance, CA
gold. The ring is hallmarked "18k”.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

LB Exclusive 18 Karat White Gold 0.36 Carat Diamond Marquise Mounting Ring
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
This LB Exclusive mounting ring is made out of 18K white gold and diamonds that total 0.36 carats
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat Gold Mounting Ring with Baguette Diamonds Carat Total Weight: 1.20
By Gregory Mikaelian Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a 18K yellow gold mounting ring with baguette diamonds. You can set any stone as a center
Category

Early 2000s American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Estate Garavelli Design Pave Ring in 18k Two Tone Gold
By Garavelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
handmade 18k white and yellow gold mounting. Ring size 5.75.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Fashion Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

"Jumbow" Bow Ring Mounted on Ribbon Band of Satiny 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
. Signed by Eytan with the 18K purity mark. 15.5 grams of 18k yellow gold.
Category

2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Michael Kneebone Labradorite White Diamond 18k Gold Archaic Style Ring
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
diamonds accent the hand fabricated 18k yellow gold mount. The ring is size 8 and is easily sized.
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Labradorite, 18k Gold

Ruby Diamond Ring with Deco Mount 14 Karat
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This Ruby Diamond ring is circa 1930 with bullet mounts in Rubies and Diamonds.  There is a large
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

GIA Certified 41.52 Carat Natural Purple Amethyst Ring 18 Karat A+Mount
Located in New York, NY
diamonds G-color Vs-2 clarity. 18kt. white gold 20.7 grams. Deck of Ring: 27 x 27mm Depth: 17mm
Category

2010s American Solitaire Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1.02 Carat Radiant Cut Diamond in Custom 18 Karat Yellow Gold Mounting
Located in San Francisco, CA
masterfully set in an original 18 karat yellow gold bezel mounting with cut corners. The diamond boasts VVS
Category

2010s American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Tassie Intaglio With Antique Mount
Located in New York, NY
. In 19th Century ornate Antique 19th Mounting. Size 6+
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

18k Gold

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "18 K Gold Ring Mounts", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

18k Gold Ring Mounts For Sale on 1stDibs

Browse a vast assortment of 18k gold ring mounts for sale on 1stDibs. These distinct designs — crafted with great care and often made from gold, 18k gold and yellow gold — can elevate any look. Our collection of these items for sale includes 3986 vintage editions and 3555 modern creations to choose from as well. Our inventory has long been popular, and it includes earlier versions that date to the 18th Century and newer variations that were made as recently as the 21st Century. There are many different pieces in our collection of 18k gold ring mounts to choose from, but contemporary and modern 18k gold ring mounts are of considerable interest. There have been many well-made iterations of these items over the years, but those made by Single Stone, Roman Malakov and Cartier are often thought to be among the most beautiful. Lovers of these pieces agree that it’s a versatile accessory, but a selection from our variety of 5017 diamond versions can add an especially stylish touch. A selection of round cut, oval cut and brilliant cut can be found today on these pages. There aren’t many items for men in our collection of 18k gold ring mounts, as most of the options available are for women.

How Much are 18k Gold Ring Mounts?

On average, 18k gold ring mounts at 1stDibs sell for $5,965, while they’re typically $1 on the low end and $2,200,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

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.