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Victorian 18kt Gold Locket Ring with Diamond Accents
Located in Braintree, GB
personal tokens. Made in Circa 1880s. Specifications: Metal: 18K Gold & Platinum Gemstones: Diamonds: 3
Category

Antique 1880s European Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

18k Gold

Hancocks 0.92ct Vivid Red Burmese Spinel Ring with Diamond Surround Rose Gold
By Hancocks
Located in London, GB
round brilliant cut diamonds weighing a total of 0.2cts Setting 18ct rose gold and platinum with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Engagement Rings

Materials

Spinel, Rose Gold, Platinum

Edwardian 0.75ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
tapering band of 18 carat yellow gold completes this timeless ring. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old Cut
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
(3mm), 4 (1.5mm) Rose Cut Diamond Dimensions: 12 (1mm) Tested As: 18ct Gold Period: Circa. 1930 Box
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Cartier Diamond Double C Ring
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
crafted from 18ct yellow gold whilst the front of the face plays host to the double C symbol in platinum
Category

Late 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian 0.56ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
shoulders are crafted in platinum enhancing the diamond’s whiteness, whilst a contrasting band of 18 carat
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Edwardian 0.68ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
: Diamond Stone Shape: Old Cut Carat Weight: 0.68 Colour: H Clarity: VS2 Metal: 18ct Yellow Gold, Platinum
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 0.46Ct Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Trilogy Engagement Ring Circa 1930
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.46 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, platinum set trilogy
Category

Vintage 1930s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Edwardian 1.01ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
ring, is an 18ct yellow gold band. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old Cut Carat Weight: 1.01 Colour: J
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Diamond Three-Stone 18 Carat Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Three sparkling diamonds held in 18ct gold and platinum. The total weight of the three old cut
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.65ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
. elegantly carved with two additional diamond as details. The ring is then finished with an 18 carat yellow
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Vintage 1950s Diamond and Yellow Gold Trilogy Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond trilogy ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting. The pierced decorated
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold

David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Carnelian Shield Frame Diamond Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Carnelian Shield Frame Diamond Ring. 18K yellow gold, stamped
Category

20th Century American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Carnelian, Diamond, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 0.92ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
eight cut diamonds are sat totalling a further 0.06 carat, with a band of 18 carat white gold completes
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Edwardian 1.50ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old Cut Carat Weight: 1.50 Colour: G Clarity: VS1 Metal: 18ct Yellow Gold
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Late Deco 1.37ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
colour and SI1 in clarity. Platinum sits atop each shoulder with A simple band of 18 carat yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique 0.78 Carat Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive antique diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting. The millegrain
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Victorian 0.65 Carat Old Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
has been crafted in 18ct yellow gold and platinum. Condition: Used (Very Good) Weight: 1.9 grams Size
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Burmese Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
. 0.80ct Diamond Details: Approx. Colour: H-I, Clarity: SI-I Tested As: 18ct Gold & Platinum Box: The
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian Diamond and 18 Carat Double Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
ring is modelled in 18ct gold and the stones set in platinum. Ring Size: P 1/2 or 7 3/4 Cluster
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian 0.90ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
diamond has an estimated grading of H to I in colour and VS1 in clarity. Crafted from 18 carat yellow gold
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique French gold ring with rose cut diamonds and a pearl
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique ring made of 18-karat yellow gold and platinum, set with 2 main rose-cut diamonds weighing
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Cartier Diamond Double C Ring
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
crafted from 18ct yellow gold whilst the front of the face plays host to the double C symbol in platinum
Category

Late 20th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 2.09ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
in quality. The ring is then finished with a simple band, hand shaped in 18 carat white gold
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Star Ring
Located in London, GB
rose cut diamonds in platinum and square calibrated rubies in 18ct yellow gold. A single round faceted
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 2.75ct Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1950s
Located in London, GB
platinum, whilst the band is in 18 carat white gold. Gemstone: Sapphire Stone Shape: Oval Cut Carat Weight
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Late Deco 0.95ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
tapering band of contrasting 18 carat yellow gold completes this timeless piece. Gemstone: Diamond Stone
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 1.80 Carat Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
, Clarity: VS-SI Tested As: 18ct Gold Platinum Box: The Vintage Jeweller Ring Box Comments: As this is
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Vintage 0.40 Carat Two-Stone Diamond Crossover Ring
Located in London, GB
platinum shoulders with an 18ct yellow gold shank completing the piece. Condition: Used (Very Good
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Vintage Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Triple Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
ring itself is modelled in 18ct yellow gold. Ring Size: N 1/2 or 6 3/4 Weight: 2.4g
Category

Vintage 1970s British Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Victorian 0.85ct Diamond Five Stone Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
. Between each stone a fine layer of platinum helps each stone look its best. The ring is crafted in 18
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
square calibrated rubies in yellow gold and rose cut diamonds in platinum around the outer edge. A
Category

20th Century Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian Portrait Marquise Cut Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in London, GB
Dimensions: 22 (1mm) Total Remaining Diamond Weight: Approx. 0.06ct Marked: 18ct Gold & Platinum Period
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Dome Blue Sapphire 14K (or 18k upon request) Yellow Gold Ruby Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Dome Blue Sapphire 14K Yellow Gold Ruby Diamond Ring is crafted in 14K gold, available in
Category

2010s American Modern Dome Rings

Materials

14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Five-Stone Diamond Ring, circa 1910
Located in London, GB
18 carat yellow gold. This is classic for the Edwardian period. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Ring 0.5ctw Sapphires 1ctw Diamonds solid 18K Green Gold ØUS 7.75 / 4gr
Located in SE
This old ring has navette or boat shaped crown with White Gold / or Platinum top on solid 18K Green
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Plaque Ring
Located in London, GB
: Approx. 0.30 carats Tested As: 18ct Gold & Platinum Period: Circa. 1920 Box: The Vintage Jeweller Ring
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Victorian 0.50 Carat Old Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
18ct yellow gold and platinum. Condition: Used (Very Good) Weight: 2.1 grams Size: M 1/2 Face
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Edwardian 0.80ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
Cushion Cut Carat Weight: 0.80 Colour: J Clarity: VS1 Metal: 18ct Yellow Gold, Platinum Age: 1910s Size: P
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Tourmaline and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
halo of shimmering, bright rose cut diamonds. The stones are set in platinum and the rest of the ring
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold

Vintage 1.85ct Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
. Each diamond has been delicately claw set into platinum, whilst the backet and band are crafted from 18
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Five-Stone Diamond Ring, circa 1910
Located in London, GB
open backed and made in platinum. The shank is in 18 carat yellow gold, a typical feature of the era
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Bombe Ring
Located in London, GB
: Approx. 0.28ct Diamond Details: Approx. Colour: G-H, Clarity: VS-SI Tested As: 18ct Gold & Platinum
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

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

1.23 Carat Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1910
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 1.23 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold and platinum set solitaire
Category

Vintage 1910s Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Aqua and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Three Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
approx 1 carat and the diamonds measure 10pts each. The ring is modelled in 18 carat gold and the
Category

Vintage 1910s British Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Edwardian 0.40ct Diamond Two Stone Twist Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
gold with platinum shoulders completes the ring. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old Cut Carat Weight
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Victorian Diamond Three Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
piece is crafted from rich 18ct yellow gold and features three captivating old European cut diamonds
Category

Antique 19th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond and Sapphire Tablet Ring
Located in London, GB
Diamonds: Approx. 0.15 carats Diamond Details: Colour: G-H, Clarity: SI Tested As: 18ct Gold & Platinum
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 7.60ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
been set into platinum, whilst a simple band of 18 carat white gold completes the piece. A rare, one
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1.25ct Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
Metal: 18ct Yellow Gold, Platinum Age: 1970s Size: M
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Two Stone Pearl and Diamond Crossover Ring
Located in London, GB
: 3.2 grams Size: N Diamond Carat Weight: Approx. 0.50 carats Pearl: 1 (6mm) Tested As: 18ct Yellow Gold
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique Sapphire, Diamond Pearl Cocktail Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Pearl, Sapphire & Diamond Cocktail Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Edwardian Circa 1900
Category

Early 20th Century European Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Pearl, Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold

Vintage 1.85ct Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
stone weighing 1.85 carat and is rub over set into 18 carat yellow gold. A baguette cut diamonds flank
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.50ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1934
Located in London, GB
Weight: 0.50 Colour: F Clarity: SI1 Metal: 18ct White Gold, Platinum Age: 1930s Size: J
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930 Halo Ring natural 0.45ct Sapphire ctw. 0.65ctw Diamonds 18K Gold/ØUS6/2.25g
Located in SE
Beautiful Halo Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold with natural Blue Sapphire and 8 Diamonds in White
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

IGI Certified Paolo Costagli Pink Tourmaline Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring
By Paolo Costagli
Located in Westport, CT
A magnificent Paolo Costagli platinum and 18K gold natural tourmaline, sapphire, and diamond ring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Diamond Triple Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
band is crafted from 18ct yellow gold, offering a timeless finish to an exquisite ring. Condition
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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18ct Gold Platinum Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact 18ct gold platinum diamond ring you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, Platinum and 18k Gold. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. If you’re looking for a 18ct gold platinum 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. Finding an appealing 18ct gold platinum diamond ring — no matter the origin — is easy, but LB Exclusive, Tiffany Co. and Michael Barin each produced a popular version that is worth a look. See these pages for a round cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also oval cut cut and emerald cut cut versions available here, too. When shopping for a 18ct gold platinum 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 18ct Gold Platinum Diamond Ring?

On average, a 18ct gold platinum diamond ring at 1stDibs sells for $8,425, while they’re typically $544 on the low end and $825,000 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.