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1930s Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Platinum Set Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive oval sapphire and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting. The
Category

20th Century Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1.02 Carat Old Cushion Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
cut diamond set in 18 carat white gold. The ring’s vintage cathedral style setting features a curved
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1930s 2.09 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Trilogy Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 2.09 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, platinum set trilogy style dress
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 18ct Gold Platinum Stamped, 1930s Diamond Three Stone Illusion Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Diamond Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Stamped Circa 1930s This stunning three-stone diamond
Category

Mid-20th Century English Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.35ct Sapphire and Diamond Three Stone Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
This lovely sapphire and diamond ring is from the art deco era. A deep blue sapphire sits in the
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 18ct Gold Platinum, 1930s Square Set Diamond Trilogy Illusion Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Trilogy Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Circa 1930s Step back in time with this exquisite
Category

Mid-20th Century European Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

1930s Art Deco Old European Cut 0.42 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
0.42 carat diamond engagement ring mounted in 18-karat white gold circa 1930. Showcasing an old
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 0.90 Carat Transitional Cut Diamond Three-Stone Ring, circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
This sweet art deco ring features three transitional cut diamonds. The centre diamond is 0.40 carat
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

1930s 1.67 Carat Diamond White Gold Platinum Set Five-Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning antique 1930s 1.67 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold, platinum set five stone dress
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

1930s, Antique 10.79 Carat Aquamarine and Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
, individually set eight-cut diamonds. The elevated, pierced decorated 18k yellow gold ring shoulders integrate
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 1.10 Carat Transitional Cut Diamond Three-Stone Ring, circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
classic ring was excellently made in the 1930s. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Transitional Cut Carat
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 1930s 2.10 carat Emerald and Diamond White Gold Dress Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique French 1930's 2.10 carat emerald and 0.66 carat diamond, 18 carat white gold
Category

Vintage 1930s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Three-Stone Ring, circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
This elegant ring boasts a wonderfully deep green Emerald weighing 0.50 carat in the centre, and
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

1930s Antique 1.56 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Trilogy Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 1.56 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold and platinum
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1930s 1.61 Carat Sapphire and 0.93 Carat Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
ring in 18 karat white gold; part of our antique jewellery and estate jewelry collections. This
Category

Vintage 1930s French Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s 18 Karat White Gold Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
Art Deco 18 karat white gold old European cut diamond engagement ring. This ring features an old
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s Art Deco 1.35 Carat Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Solitary Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karats white gold. Lovely antique ring, it is set with 8 claws of an antique brilliant
Category

Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

Antique 1930s 2.47 carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 2.47 carat diamond and 18 carat yellow gold, platinum set
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Three-Stone 2.03 Carat Ruby and Diamond Ring, circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
This is a truly stunning three stone ring, dating back to the 1930s. It has a wonderful art deco
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Art Deco ring, France, 1930s/1940s.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An old Art Deco ring made of platinum and 0.750 white gold and diamonds A geometric composition
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s Antique 5.52 Carat High Zircon and Diamond White Gold Dress Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
shank. The ring is hallmarked to the interior of the shank with the marks for 18k gold (18CT) and
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Zircon, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s Art Deco 0.81 Carat Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
shank Stamped 18k for 18 karat gold Ring Size: 7 3/4 & sizable Top measures: 5.6 mm and sits 5.0 mm
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

1930s 0.33 Carat Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Art Deco Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.33 carats, H color and VS clarity
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Late Art Deco 1.58 Carat Old Cut Diamond Double Halo Ring, circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
Dating from the latter Art Deco period, this striking c.1930s cluster ring presents an old cut
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 1930s Cabochon Sapphire and Old Cut Diamond Gypsy Yellow Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
This beautiful vintage gypsy ring is set with a cabochon cut sapphire weighing approximately 2.50ct
Category

Vintage 1930s French Retro Dome Rings

Materials

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

Antique French 1930s Opal Synthetic Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Twist Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
cut diamonds, graduated in size. The 18ct white gold set curved ring shoulders are each accented with
Category

Vintage 1930s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1930s 2.62 Carat Sapphire and 2.85 Carat Diamond White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
stunning, fine and impressive 1930s sapphire and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k white gold with a
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1930s Diamond and White Gold and Platinum Set Trilogy Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.97 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold, platinum set trilogy
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Antique Art Deco 1930s Diamond and Sapphire White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
. This 1930s band ring displays a feature 0.30Ct asscher cut diamond channel set to the centre of the
Category

Vintage 1930s French Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond and Sapphire Engraved 18 Karat Gold Vintage Band, circa 1930s
Located in Addison, TX
Description: This piece is a 1930s Art Deco style 18K white gold wedding band with alternating
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond and Sapphire Engraved 18 Karat Gold Vintage Band, circa 1930s
Located in Addison, TX
Description: This piece is a 1930s Art Deco style 18K white gold wedding band with alternating
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Art Deco gold ring with onyx and 0.70ct old brilliant cut diamond, circa 1930s.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Old Art Deco gold ring made of 18-karat yellow gold, decorated with an octagonal onyx, the central
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold

1930s Art Deco 0.40 CTW Old European Cut Diamond 18 Karat Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
engraved wheat motif shank and profile Inscribed with 'F to H 1930' Tested as 18 karat gold Circa: 1930
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Diamond and Yellow Gold Trilogy Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
the mart for 18k gold (18K). This 1930s yellow gold diamond trilogy ring is supplied with three
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Diamond Ring Old European Cut Original 1920 s-1930 s Antique 18K
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from the 1920's-1930's Old European Cut Diamond Ring 18K White
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond Wedding Band Mined Original 1930 s Orange Blossom Ring 18K
By Orange Blossom
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from 1930's Orange Blossom Diamond Wedding Ring Anniversary Band
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond Sapphire Engagement Ring .75ct French Cut Original 1930 s 18K
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from 1930's Diamond French Cut Sapphire Engagement Ring .75ct 18K
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamond Emerald 1930s Cocktail Ring 18k Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Bring on the cocktail! Circa 1950s, this stunning cocktail ring is crafted from 18k gold and
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Art Deco Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring French Cut 1.33ct Original 1930s 18K
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from 1930's Sapphire and Diamond Ring French Cut 1.33ct Vintage
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring .28ct Original 1930s Antique Never Worn NOS 18K
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from 1930's New Old Stock Rare .28ct Diamond Engagement Ring 18K
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s Green Tourmaline Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
approximately 0.50 carat. Estate green tourmaline and diamond Art Deco ring circa 1930. RING SIZE: 5 1/2, can
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold

Circa 1930s 18K and 14K Gold Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1930s Item Details: Ring Size: 8.75 (Sizable) Metal Type: 14K & 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked
Category

Vintage 1930s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1930s Platinum Set Diamond 18 Karat Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A stunning diamond solitaire ring crafted in the 1930s. The wonderful old European cut diamond sits
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

French 1930s Art Deco Sapphire Diamonds Hexagonal Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in platinum and 18 karats white gold, eagle's head hallmark. This charming art deco ring with
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Black Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring, circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
clarity. The ring is made from 18 carat white gold and dates to approximately the 1930s. Gemstone
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

French 1930s Art Deco Sapphire Diamonds Hexagonal Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat white gold, eagle head hallmark and platinum dog head hallmark. Of hexagonal form
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1930s Art deco Peridot and Diamond Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 carat yellow gold. An elegant antique ring that is bezel set with an emerald cut
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Sapphire Ring .86 Carat Old European Original 1930s Baskin Brothers 18k
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Baskin Brothers Antique from 1930's Vintage Sapphire Diamond Ring .86ct
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s French Ruby Diamond Gold Twist Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
collections This stunning, fine and impressive ruby and diamond twist ring has been crafted in 18k yellow
Category

Vintage 1930s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1930s Emerald Diamond Platinum 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Designed with platinum and 18 karat yellow gold, this beautiful emerald and diamond ring is circa
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Late Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
An original Art Deco period ring of elegant proportions, centring a verdant 1.05 carat emerald amid
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

French 1930s Art Deco Diamond Sapphires Platinum White Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in platinum and 18 karat white gold, mascaron and owl hallmarks. Hexagonal shape, this art
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1930s Diamond and Sapphire White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
as 18k gold. This antique 1930's dress ring is supplied with an independent diamond grading
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

1930s Antique Diamond and White Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.11 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold solitaire ring; part of
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s French 1.41 Carat Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique French 1.41 carat diamond and 18k white gold cluster ring; part of our
Category

Vintage 1930s French Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s Art Deco Emerald Diamond Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Absolutely beautiful Art Deco ring. All platinum and yellow gold ring with diamond and calibrated
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

1930s Amethyst and Diamond Yellow Gold Dress Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
ring is hallmarked to the interior of the shank with the mark for 18k gold (18ct). This impressive
Category

20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

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18k 1930s Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact 18k 1930s diamond ring you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and White Gold. You can easily find a 1382 antique edition and 1 modern creations to choose from as well. Finding the perfect 18k 1930s diamond ring may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 20th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. For this particular piece, .5 Carat and 1 Carat are consistently popular carat weights. Creating a 18k 1930s diamond ring has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Cartier, Jabel and René Boivin are consistently popular. See these pages for a round cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also old european cut cut and oval cut cut versions available here, too. Finding a 18k 1930s diamond ring for sale for women should be easy, but there are 293 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a 18k 1930s Diamond Ring?

Prices for a 18k 1930s diamond ring can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $325 and can go as high as $300,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $3,349.

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.