Skip to main content

18k 1930s Diamond Ring

to
17
357
111
477
432
408
33
15
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
Sort By
1930s French 1.61 Carat Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
(au750). This 1930's cluster ring is supplied with an independent diamond grading certificate for the
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Colombian No-Oil Emerald and Diamond Ring, circa 1930s
By Cartier
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
A high jewellery Cartier ring with an emerald and two diamond triangle cuts. The emerald is a very
Category

20th Century French Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

18ct Yellow Gold and Platinum Sapphire and Diamond 1930s Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
We have fallen in love with this gorgeous cornflower blue sapphire and diamond 1930s engagement
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

French 1930s Art Deco Diamond 18 Karat Rose Gold Platinum Solitary Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
- French work of the 1930s. Our opinion: this diamond art deco ring will be an ideal antique engagement
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

French 1930s Art Deco Platinum White Gold Diamond Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 carats white gold, and platinum, eagle head hallmark and dog head hallmark. Delightful
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Burmese Ruby Cabochon and Diamond Art Deco Ring, circa 1930s
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
A large ruby cabochon and diamond Art Deco ring in white gold, ca. 1930s. The ruby weighs 6.26
Category

Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique 1930s Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 0.63 carat ruby and 0.60 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold cluster ring
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Cocktail Ring, circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
This sensational Art Deco cocktail ring is hand set in a remarkable mosaic-like pattern of 0.30ct
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

1930s 2.42 Carat Alexandrite Diamond Gold Platinum Filigree Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Color change natural Alexandrite antique cushion cut in its original 1930’s filigree setting with
Category

Vintage 1930s Engagement Rings

Materials

Alexandrite, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Antique 1930s 1.48 Carat Diamond and White Gold Marquise Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 1.48 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold marquise shaped dress ring; part
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s Art Deco White Gold .92 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 5.5 Metal Type: 18 Karat White Gold Weight: 1.1 grams Center Diamond
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s Late Art Deco 12 Carat Star Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
A simply stunning sapphire and diamond cocktail ring from the Late Art Deco (ca1935) era! This
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Star Sapphire, 18k Gold

1930s Blue Sapphire Diamonds White Gold Band Ring Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
This handsome antique gents White 18k Gold Ring is set with a Sapphires approximately 1.00 ctw and
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Large Art Deco Ring in 18 Carat Gold with Three Old Cut Large Diamonds, 1930s
Located in bronshoj, DK
Large art deco ring in 18 carat gold with three old cut large diamonds of 1.70 carats in total
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1930s Spanish Noucentisme 18 karat gold, platinum and diamond sculptural ring.
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
Fabulous unique sculptural ring of outstanding quality. Made circa 1930 by jewelry artist Ramon
Category

Vintage 1930s Spanish Art Nouveau Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

1930s Antique Black Onyx and Diamond White Gold and Platinum Dress Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
18k gold (18CT), platinum (PLAT) and the maker's mark 'L&C'. This antique 1930s black onyx ring with
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Circa 1930s 14K 18K Yellow Gold Art Deco .40ct Old European Brilliant Diamond
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1930s Item Details: Ring Size: 4.75 Metal Type: 14K & 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

1930s Art Deco Diamond Bridal Fashion Band
Located in Addison, TX
1930's Art Deco Diamond Bridal Fashion Band is dated back to a special anniversary date in 1930
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1930s Swedish Art Deco 2ct tourmaline ring
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
1930s Swedish Grace 2ct Tourmaline ring A strict and classic piece that is as modern and
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Art Deco 3.95 Carat Aquamarine Cocktail Ring, circa 1930s
Located in Addison, TX
This Vintage Art Deco Aquamarine ring is a dream, dating back to the 1930's stamped "'18 K". This
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold

1930s Art Deco Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Band
Located in Addison, TX
This incredible Art Deco band is dated back to the 1930's. It is engraved inside "For My L.MF. 9-27
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Rays of Love Diamond 18 Karat White Gold 5-Stone Band, circa 1930s
Located in Addison, TX
belonging to circa 1930! Crafted in 18k white gold, It comprises .06 cttw in diamonds, G/H color and SI
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Men s Diamond Ring Understated Art Deco Elegance
Located in Northampton, MA
maker's mark too worn for me to identify. Created in the 1930s, this 18K gold and diamond ring is
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Gold, Sapphire and Diamond Ring - 1930s
Located in London, Chelsea
Lovely Vintage Gold, Sapphires and Diamonds Ring. This gorgeous 1930s ring features 3 sapphires and
Category

Vintage 1930s English More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage 1930s Citrine Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB
A fine and impressive cocktail ring, circa 1930s. The central oval-cut citrine of deep yellowish
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold

1930 s Style Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, Diamond Set Cross over Shoulers
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
An abstract design single stone diamond ring reminiscent of the 1930's styles. Comprising a single
Category

1990s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring 18 Karat Gold Platinum circa 1930 s
Located in Preston, Lancashire
A fine quality diamond solitaire ring, made in 18k gold and platinum, featuring a 0.50-carat old
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold

1930s Art Nouveau 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Engagement Bridal Ring
Located in Pamplona, Navarra
Unique and exquisite Art Deco Style. 1930s diamond "You and Me" ring crafted in 18kt yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1930s Diamond Solitaire Ring, Diamond Set Shoulders, 18 Carat Gold and Platinum
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
A pretty 18ct Yellow Gold and Platinum ring that was made in the 1930's. This ring has a 0.75ct
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Antique Diamond Five-Stone Ring, 1930s
Located in Bologna, IT
This antique ring dates from the 1930s, and it is set with five old European cut diamonds, for a
Category

Vintage 1930s Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1930s Sapphire and Diamond Platinum 18k Yellow Gold Three-Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Pamplona, Navarra
1930s Sapphire and Diamond in Platinum and 18k yellow Gold Three-Stone Ring. At the centre of this
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Diamond Daisy Cluster Engagement Ring, Circa 1930s/1940s
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
This is such a sweet little cluster ring set in the popular daisy style.  With eight diamonds set
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1930s CHERUBINE Diamond, and Gold Ring
Located in Antwerpen, BE
This magnificent Ring i set with a 2.8 old cold centra diamond and surrounded by a total of 1.5
Category

Vintage 1930s Belgian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1930 s Three Stone Diamond Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold and Platinum
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
Looking for a classic ring that dazzles and can be worn daily? This 1930's three stone Diamond ring
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1930s Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A stylish Art Deco diamond solitaire engagement ring, set with a .40ct old English brilliant cut
Category

Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s CHERUBINE Diamond and Gold Ring
Located in Antwerpen, BE
featuring an old Cut Centra diamond of 2.5 ct and another 10 diamonds for a total of 1.5 ct. It's a 18ct
Category

Vintage 1930s Belgian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

1930s Emerald Diamond Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Paris, FR
A diamonds, Colombian rectangular cut emerald, white gold and platinum ring. With SSEF certificate
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage Sapphire Diamond Ring Cross-Over Twist Diamond Shoulders, circa 1930s
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
diamonds each shoulder 2.00mm diameter approx. average Yellow band, stamped 18ct Finger size N1/2 (UK
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique, French, 1930s, Large Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING, CIRCA 1930. The centre of this cluster is collet-set with an oval
Category

Mid-20th Century French Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique 18 Karat Gold, Silver, Green Paste and Diamond Ring, 1930s
Located in Bologna, IT
of rose cut diamonds. The ring is modelled in 18K gold and silver throughout and dates from the 1930s
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

1930s Colombian Emerald Gold Halo Ring
Located in ALTRINCHAM, GB
transitional cut diamonds weighing 1.80ct. The ring dates from the 1930s and is mounted on a double banded
Category

Early 20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Art Deco 18 Karat White Gold, Sapphire and Diamond Ring, 1930s
Located in Bologna, IT
throughout. MATERIALS 18K white gold, sapphires and diamonds (the central one of 0.6ct ca.) RING SIZE 7
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1930s Diamond and Sapphire Horizontal Panel Ring in 18 Carat Gold and Platinum
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
This splendid 1930's ring features a platinum horizontal panel comprised of five sapphire stones
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

1930s Turquoise and Diamond Platinum 18k Yellow Gold Three-Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Pamplona, Navarra
1930s Sapphire and Diamond in Platinum and 18k yellow Gold Three-Stone Ring. At the centre of this
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

1930s White Gold 3.29 Carat Brilliant-Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB
Setting: Uniform, polished, squared 18-carat white gold shank & stamped 18ct Plat Size: J / 4 5/8
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Style 1.75 Carat Old Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1930s-1940s
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
. Stamped "PLAT 18CT" and testing as 18ct white gold and platinum. Ring size 5 1/8 (US/Canada); K (UK
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

1930s White Gold 0.15 Carat Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in Birmingham, GB
A very Vintage engagement or dress ring, set with a 0.15ct round brilliant cut diamond to
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s 4 Carat Cabochon Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring in Unmarked 18Ct Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
colour and clarity. This ring has been set in unmarked 18ct Yellow Gold with a fine band allowing it to
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1930s 0.45 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring in 18 Carat Gold and Platinum
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
: 1930's Weight: 41.9g Dimensions: Head Height; 5mm. Head Depth; 4.5mm. Band Width; 2mm. Materials: 18ct
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Circa 1930s Old Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring 18 Carat Gold
Located in Hamilton, AU
A vintage jewel crafted in 18 carat white and yellow gold, The Clarke Ring is symbolic of life's
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1930s Cluster Antique Old European Cut Diamonds Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This antique diamond cluster ring is fabricated in 18KT rose gold and centers an Old European Cut
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

1930s 1.8 Carat Diamond Trilogy Engagement Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This superb Art Deco Trilogy ring is set with three brilliant cut diamonds, of excellent clarity
Category

Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Vintage Circa 1930s 18 Carat Yellow and White Gold Diamond Art Deco Ring
Located in Hamilton, AU
Crafted in 18 carat gold, this lovely vintage ring, circa 1930s, features elegant white gold Fleur
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

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

0.80 Carat Old Cut Diamond Engagement Ring, Platinum and Gold Band, circa 1930s
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
An enchanting Art Deco era diamond solitaire engagement ring set with an old cut diamond approx
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

1930s Diamond Ring 0.70 Carat with Diamond Set Shoulders in 18 Carat Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
This beautiful and impressive 1930's engagement ring has been crafted in 18ct White Gold. The
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s Diamond Solitaire 0.71 Carat Ring in 18 Carat Yellow Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
A perfect example of a simple and classic engagement ring. This European Cut Diamond weighs 0.71ct
Category

Vintage 1930s British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1930s Emerald and Diamond Engagement Ring in 18 Carat Yellow Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
This absolutely stunning 1930's three stone ring features a 1.00ct Emerald stone with two brilliant
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

  • 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "18k 1930s Diamond Ring", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

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.