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18k Gold European Diamond Engagement Ring

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Peacock GIA Certified 1.83 Carat Old Euro Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
8 Old European cut diamonds in its original 18k yellow gold cluster ring setting. This ring captures
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique 18ct Gold Platinum Stamped, Edwardian Diamond Daisy Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Diamond Daisy Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Stamped Circa 1910 Introducing a stunning
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 18ct Gold Platinum Stamped, Edwardian era Diamond Tablet Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Diamond Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Circa 1910 Step back in time with this exquisite 18ct
Category

Early 20th Century European Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage 18ct Yellow Gold, 1940s Emerald Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Emerald & Diamond Ring 18ct Gold Circa 1940s This stunning 18ct yellow gold ring
Category

Mid-20th Century European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1940s, Diamond and Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
five stone diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting. The plain
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique cluster Ring Diamonds solid 14K Gold Platinum Ø US7.75 /2gr
Located in SE
Cluster ring with top of crown in Platinum on solid 14K greenish Yellow Gold band with seven
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Diamond tourbillon ring circa 1900 - 1910
Located in Uccle, BE
Tourbillon ring circa 1900 - 1910. Ring set with a center old European cut diamond of
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Deco 0.85 Carat Diamond Ring Vintage 18 Karat White Gold Estate
Located in Torrance, CA
Art Deco era engagement ring (circa 1920s to 1930s), crafted in 18 karat white gold. Centrally
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond ring shank is hallmarked with the 18k mark (18ct). This antique ring is supplied with an
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18ct Gold, Sapphire Diamond Daisy Star Cluster Ring, Hallmarked Chester 1910
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Daisy Ring 18ct Yellow Gold Hallmarked Chester 1910 This exquisite 18ct gold Edwardian
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage 18ct Yellow Gold Platinum Stamped, 1940s Peridot Diamond Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Peridot & Diamond Ring !8ct Gold & Platinum Stamped Circa 1940s This stunning 1940s
Category

Mid-20th Century European Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Toi Moi diamond ring circa 1900
Located in Uccle, BE
Victorian Antique 18K Gold (750/1000) and Platinum Toi et Moi Ring set with two Old Cut Diamonds
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Belle Epoque diamond ring bicolore white and yellow gold 18 Karat
Located in Uccle, BE
Bicolore yellow and white gold 18 Karat ring inspired by the Belle époque. Very charming ring
Category

Antique Early 1900s Belgian Belle Époque Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Belgian Diamond and White Gold Half Eternity Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An unusual 0.85 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold half eternity ring; part of our diverse
Category

Early 2000s Belgian Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold

Antique 18ct White Gold Platinum Edwardian Peridot Diamond Halo Cluster Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Peridot Ring 18ct White Gold & Platinum Circa 1910 Step back in time with this stunning
Category

Early 20th Century European Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique 1.37 Carat Diamond and White Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive five stone diamond ring has been crafted in 18k white gold with a platinum setting. The stunning
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 15k Gold, White Gold

1950s French 2.06 Carat Diamond and Emerald White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning vintage 2.06 carat diamond and 0.46 carat emerald, 18 karat white gold cocktail ring
Category

Vintage 1950s French Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond (Approx. 0.8-Carats) Two-Stone Ring 18k Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
, Yellow Gold Stone: Diamond Stone Cut: Old European Cut, Old Mine Cut Style: Edwardian Era Total Weight
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique 18ct Gold Platinum, 1920s Art Deco Diamond Bombe Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Diamond Bombe Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Tested Circa 1920s There are rubbed foreign
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 1911 Diamond Yellow Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.66 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold five stone ring; part of
Category

Vintage 1910s English Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Emerald Cut Kunzite Diamond Ring (Approx. 3.60-Carats), Platinum-18K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
and 18k yellow gold, this ring offers both durability and elegance. The platinum setting provides a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Emerald, Kunzite, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Vintage 18ct White Gold Platinum, 1940s Sapphire and Diamond Crossover Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Sapphire Ring 18ct White Gold & Platinum Circa 1940s This exquisite ring hails from
Category

Mid-20th Century European Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Diamond Twist Ring
Located in London, GB
. 0.12ct Diamond Details: Colour: G-H, Clarity: VS-SI Tested As: 18ct Gold Box: The Vintage Jeweller Ring
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique diamond five stone ring, 18 karat yellow gold, Victorian
Located in NEWARK, GB
A stunning antique, late Victorian era five stone diamond ring in 18kt yellow gold. This
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18ct Rose Gold Victorian Opal, Ruby Diamond Marquise Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Opal Marquise Ring 18ct Rose Gold Tested Circa 1880s This Victorian ring, made of 18ct
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Twist Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting. The asymmetric, twist
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Nouveau French 1924 Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Lion Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
roaring Holding an old European cut diamonds in teeth Weighing approximately 0.14 carat Eye clean and
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18ct Gold Platinum, Edwardian Sapphire and Diamond Seven Stone Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Sapphire & Diamond Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Stamped Circa 1910 Step back in time with
Category

Early 20th Century European Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Early 20th Century 18ct Gold Diamond Toi Et Moi Ring
Located in London, GB
This sumptuous diamond toi et moi ring is perfection. Crafted in 18ct gold, a simplistic and
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Royal Blue Sapphire Diamond Gold Promise Ring
Located in Berlin, DE
18K white gold ring with natural unheated Royal Blue Sapphire and Diamond Sapphire origin
Category

2010s Japanese Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique 18ct Gold, 1920s Art Deco Rectangular Onyx Diamond Three Stone Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Onyx Ring 18ct Gold Tested Circa 1920s This stunning 18ct gold Art Deco era ring
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold

Unisex Diamond and Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring Circa 1940
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
gent's diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting. The substantial
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 kt. Gold Ring Set With 1.2 ct. Centre Diamond Surrounded by 4.65 ct. Diamonds
Located in Antwerp, BE
Unique and Large 18 kt. Gold Ring Set With 1.2 ct. Centre Diamond Surrounded by 4.65 ct. Diamonds
Category

20th Century European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold

18ct White Gold 0.15ct Square Set Single Stone Diamond Ring Hallmarked 1938
Located in Brighton, GB
Behold this exquisite vintage 18ct white gold engagement ring adorned with a stunning single diamond
Category

Early 20th Century English Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Kt White Gold Solitary Ring, 3.99 Ct Oval Cut Center Diamond
Located in Antwerp, BE
ELEGANT CLASSIC SOLITARY RING WITH LARGE OVAL DIAMOND MATERIAL: 18 kt white gold SIZE: 59 ( can
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18ct Gold Platinum 1920s Art Deco Diamond and Sapphire Rectangular Plaque Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Diamond Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Tested Circa 1920s This exquisite art deco ring
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Five Stone Old Cut Diamond Ring in 18 Carat Yellow Gold
Located in London, GB
This stunning five stone old cut diamond ring is divine. Five graduating old european cut diamonds
Category

Mid-20th Century British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18ct Gold Stamped, Victorian Diamond Boat Shaped Ring, Circa 1880
Located in Brighton, GB
Victorian Old Cut Diamond Ring 18ct Gold Circa 1880 Victorian boat-shaped cluster ring, c.1880
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

18ct Gold Platinum 1980s Three Stone Zircon Diamond Cossover Trilogy Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Zircon Ring 18ct Yellow Gold & Platinum Stamped Circa 1980s Introducing a stunning
Category

Late 20th Century European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Zircon, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold Stamped, Victorian Diamond Marquise/Navette Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Marquise Ring 18ct Gold Stamped Circa 1880 This exquisite Victorian marquise/navette
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold Victorian Natural Sapphire Diamond Marquise Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Sapphire Marquise Ring 18ct Gold Tested Circa 1870s This stunning Victorian ring is
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

20th Century Rubies Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Round Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum. A charming round antique ring with openwork setting, set
Category

Early 20th Century European Belle Époque Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 5.26 Ct Old Mine Diamond Platinum Gold Rare Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
: 18 Kt yellow gold and platinum, tested Hallmarks: none/worn Gems: 1 oval cushion old mine cut diamond
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 18ct Gold Stamped Art Nouveau Diamond Natural Pearl Peacock Bird Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Art Nouveau Bird Ring 18ct Yellow Gold Stamped Circa 1900 This exquisite 18ct gold Art
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold

18 Kt. White Gold Diana Ring with 1.00 Carat Sapphire and Diamonds
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Offered in good condition,18 kt ring in white gold, with an oval cut sapphire of 1.00 ct. The
Category

2010s European Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Oval Sapphire Diamonds Ring Vintage
Located in Milano, MI
Oval cut sapphire ring set in 18ct gold and round cut diamonds of around 15 points each
Category

20th Century European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

ALGT Certified 1.37 carat Paraiba Tourmaline Diamond 18 kt Yellow Gold Ring
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Exclusive handmade ring in 18 kt yellow gold set with oval mixed cut paraiba tourmaline of 1.37
Category

2010s European Early Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, Paraiba, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Gia Certified .89 Carat 18 Karat White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 5 Metal Type: 18K White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.4 grams Center Diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Gold

French Pearl and Diamond and Rose Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
. This fine and impressive pearl and diamond cocktail ring has been crafted in 18k rose gold with an 18k
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage 3 Carat Diamond Eternity Ring in White Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive diamond eternity band has been crafted in 18k white gold. The full eternity ring is composed of
Category

Vintage 1950s French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Illusion-Set Princess Cut Diamond Ring in 18ct White Gold, 0.50ct Solitaire Look
Located in London, GB
A sleek and contemporary 18ct white gold princess cut illusion diamond ring, designed to give the
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

ALGT Certified 2.13ct Natural color change Spinel and Diamonds 18 kt gold ring
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Offered amazing 18 kt yellow gold ring with Natural color change Vivid Blue/Purple Spinel 2.13
Category

2010s European Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Spinel, Gold, 18k Gold

Art Deco White Gold Diamond and Synthetic Sapphire Ring with GIA Report
Located in Lexington, KY
This is an amazing Art Deco diamond and synthetic sapphire ring set in 18K white gold! Adorned with
Category

Vintage 1920s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold, Victorian 2.20 Carat Diamond Marquise / Navette Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Diamond Ring 18ct Gold Circa 1880 This exquisite Victorian marquise/navette-shaped ring
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 0.90 Carat Diamond Gypsy Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a classic 18ct yellow gold vintage diamond gypsy ring. A single round transitional cut
Category

Vintage 1940s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Solid 14K White Gold Emerald Solitaire Victorian Engagement Ring Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
confirm that this ring is made of Solid 585 14K white Gold. This beautiful ring will look lovely for any
Category

2010s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold, 1920s Art Deco Sapphire Diamond Geometric Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Gold Art Deco Ring 18ct Gold Stamped Circa 1920s Elevate your style with this exquisite 18ct
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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18k Gold European Diamond Engagement Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact 18k gold european diamond engagement ring you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, 18k Gold and White Gold — can elevate any look. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. If you’re looking for a 18k gold european diamond engagement 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 18th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. For this particular accessory, there are many different carat weights to choose from, but .5 Carat and 1 Carat versions are of considerable interest. Finding an appealing 18k gold european diamond engagement ring — no matter the origin — is easy, but Single Stone, Peter Suchy and Jabel each produced a popular version that is worth a look. Today, if you’re looking for an old european cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes round cut and rose cut alternatives. When shopping for a 18k gold european diamond engagement ring, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a 18k Gold European Diamond Engagement Ring?

On average, a 18k gold european diamond engagement ring at 1stDibs sells for $5,504, while they’re typically $325 on the low end and $136,500 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.