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18k Gold European Diamond Engagement Ring

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6.50 Ct F IF/VVS Night and Day Spin Rotating Diamond Eternity Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Luxury Eternity Ring An Impressive, high end of the highest level, spin or rotating Diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco 2.10 Ct Colombian Emerald 1.80 Ct Diamond 18 KT Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
This breathtaking Art Deco Emerald and Diamond ring is 1930 Ca Hand crafted of solid 18 KT gold in
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage .96 Ct Natural Ruby .60 Ct Diamond G VVS Five Stone ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Mounting has been hand crafted of solid 18 Kt gold, marked Centrally set with an oval faceted natural Ruby
Category

Vintage 1940s European Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique 1.00 Carat Three-Stone Old Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
This classic triology rings features a total of 1.00 carat. The diamonds are hand cut, old cut
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 2.0 Ct Fire Opal Diamond 18 KT Gold
Located in Napoli, IT
Metal: 18 Kt white gold, tested Hallmarks: none/worn Gems: 1 cushion cut natural fire opal of approx
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Art Deco 0.85 Carat Diamond Filigree Ring
Located in Montgomery, AL
(1920-1940). The 18K white gold filigree setting features one central diamond. The diamond is an antique
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Sapphire and Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful ring crafted in 18ct yellow gold and dating back to the early 1900s. The ring
Category

Antique Early 1900s Engagement Rings

Materials

Sapphire, 18k Gold

18k White Gold Old European Cut Cluster Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Lexington, KY
This 18k white gold diamond cluster ring is gorgeous! The ring features a total of 15 bright white
Category

Vintage 1920s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Hancocks 1.18ct Colombian No Oil Emerald Diamond Cluster Ring
By Hancocks
Located in London, GB
old European brilliant cut diamonds in a platinum scalloped millegrain setting. The 18ct yellow gold
Category

2010s British Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

GIA Certified 4 Carat Vintage Cut Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
vintage engagement ring has a classic elegance and an impressively large 4.13 carat old European
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Hancocks 1.12ct Colombian Emerald French Cut Diamond Halo Ring
By Hancocks
Located in London, GB
cut diamonds, to a square profile 18ct yellow gold band with signature hand engraved decorative
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage Topaze ring of approximately 8.00 Carats and diamonds
Located in Uccle, BE
Vintage ring set with an oval shape blue topaze of approximately estimated 8.00 Carats and
Category

2010s French Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Hallmarked Platinum 18kt Gold Ring with Colombian Emeralds and VVS Old
Located in Aventura, FL
: Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Stones: Natural Diamonds & Natural Colombian Emeralds Ring Size: 5 (sizable
Category

Antique 19th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Ruby Diamond Five Stone English 18 KT Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
the stone surface visible under magnification Great addition Metal: 18 Kt yellow gold Hallmarks
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
sparkle of the diamonds. The band of the ring is crafted in 18ct white gold whilst the setting for the
Category

Vintage 1920s Engagement Rings

Materials

Sapphire, 18k Gold

18kt white gold 11.46c Colombian Emerald Minor, 3.68c Diam, Ring Gubelin Cer
Located in Antwerp, BE
yellow brilliant diamonds 0,77 Ct Material: 18 kt white gold Ring size: european 57 ( can be adjusted
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Art Deco 1920s 1.20 Carat Asscher Cut Diamond Square Ring with Emeralds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum and 18k yellow gold with an Asscher cut Diamond, accenting Emeralds, and
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Old Euro Diamond Prong Set Ring (GIA Approx. 1.70-Carats), Platinum
Located in New York, NY
-certified old European cut diamond weighing approx. 1.70-carats. Graded K color and VS2 clarity, the center
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Victorian 1.55 Ct Natural Ruby .40 Ct Old Diamond 18 KT Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Victorian period half hoop 18 KT solid gold ring Beautiful example, finely hand carved with rich
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

2.50 Carats Oval Cabochon Sapphire Diamond Bezel-Set Three-Stone Fashion Ring
Located in New York, NY
old European cut diamonds weighing 0.80 carat total. Each stone is set on an integrated bezel setting
Category

20th Century American Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Certified Authentic Vintage Art Deco 1.92 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
diamond will bring depth and longevity as well as dazzling beauty to an engagement or right hand ring
Category

2010s Italian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Carved 1.25 Ct Five Stone Boat Ring 18 KT
Located in Napoli, IT
gold Hallmarks: assay Gems: 5 old European cut diamonds totalling approx 1.25 Ct (G/H-SI1/SI2) UK size
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vivid Green Minor Oil 2.98 Carat Emerald Ring
By Claris-A
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
Introducing a stunning 18-karat white gold emerald three-stone ring. Offered by Claris-A, this
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian Two-Stone Twist Ring, circa 1910
Located in London, GB
handmade platinum collets. The band which has a twist design has been made in 18 carat yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Diamond Ring 18K White Gold Engagement Old European Cut 2.05 TDW
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
This gorgeous circa estate ring is finely crafted in solid 18K White Gold. The center Old European
Category

20th Century Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

14K White Gold Natural London Blue Topaz Ring, Solitaire Ring Customization
Located in Chesham, GB
proof and guarantee that the ring has been completely made from 14K White Gold. The quality of this
Category

2010s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold

10K White Gold Natural London Blue Topaz Ring, Solitaire Ring Customization
Located in Chesham, GB
that the ring has been completely made from 10K White Gold. The quality of this piece is Superb each
Category

2010s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Topaz, Blue Topaz, 10k Gold, White Gold

Victorian 0.20ct Emerald and Diamond Three Stone, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
. Set in 18 carat yellow gold, the emerald sits at 0.20 carat, whilst the flanking diamonds weigh 0.10
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 1.10ct Diamond Solitaire, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
collet of 18 carat white gold this simple yet timelessly elegant piece is the quintessential engagement
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18k Gold GIA 3.11ct Large Old European Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
: Solid 18k+ Yellow Gold Shank w/ White Gold Baskets Weight: 5.58 Grams Ring Size: 5.5 (fitted on finger
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

Emerald Cut Emerald Platinum Ring (GIA Approx 4.90-Carats) with Diamond Halo
Located in New York, NY
old European cut diamonds are gracefully arranged to lead the eye and amplify the ring’s radiance
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

10K White Gold Natural Emerald Eternity Ring, Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
Our classic white gold half eternity ring is set with five vibrant natural emeralds, each measuring
Category

2010s British Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Emerald, 10k Gold, White Gold

Solid 10k Yellow Gold Pearl womens Eternity Ring Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
This ring can be customized to your requirements - 9K, 10K, 14K, or 18K in Yellow, Rose or White Gold
Category

2010s British Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Old European Diamond Engagement Ring (Approx. 1.3-Carats) 18k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite diamond cluster ring showcases a stunning old European cut diamond at its center
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Art Deco Old European Diamond 18K White Gold Vintage Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
wheat motif basket and profile Stamped for 18 karat gold Circa: 1930s Ring size: 7 1/2 and sizable
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Solid 9K White Gold Natural Amethyst Precious Diamond Snake Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
This snake ring is made from Solid 375 9ct 9K Gold with Natural Amethyst and Diamond. Choose from
Category

2010s British Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 9k Gold, White Gold

Solid 9k White Gold Cubic Zirconia womens Eternity Ring Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
ring is all solid 9ct White Gold. Our jewelry is fully tested, approved and hallmarked by the London or
Category

2010s British Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

9k Gold, White Gold

10k Rose Gold Natural Garnet Pearl Womens Cluster Ring Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
This Solid 10k Rose Gold ring has been set with one vibrant Burgundy Rhodalite Garnet, 7x5mm (0.28
Category

2010s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Garnet, Pearl, 10k Gold, Rose Gold

14k Yellow Gold Natural Garnet Pearl Womens Eternity Ring Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
14k Gold). This ring is all solid 14k Gold. Our jewelry is fully tested and hallmarked by the London
Category

2010s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Garnet, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Forget Me Knot Oval Cut Emerald Ring 1 Carat in 18 Carat Yellow Gold
Located in Brisbane, AU
gold •Ethically sourced oval cut Natural Emerald •Ethically sourced gold and brilliant cut diamonds
Category

2010s Australian Artisan Engagement Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

PANIM 18k White Gold European Old Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM 18k White Gold European Old Cut Diamond Engagement Ring Stunningly created in the Art Deco
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

English 14K White Gold Natural Colourful Opal Victorian Style Ring Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
Our stunning ornate five stone Victorian inspired ring design is made in 14K White Gold and handset
Category

2010s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold

Solid 14k White Gold Natural Opal womens Eternity Ring, Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
This Delightful 14k White Gold ring has been set with five colorful fiery Opals, equally sized at
Category

2010s British Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold

Colombian emerald and diamond coronet cluster, circa 1925.
Located in London, GB
solid D-shape shank. Marked 18 carat white gold and platinum, marked 'Parsons', circa 1925, accompanied
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

10k White Gold Natural Opal Amethyst Womens Cluster Ring, Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
This Solid 10k White Gold ring has been set with one colorful Australian Opal, 7x5mm (0.28" x 0.20
Category

2010s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Opal, 10k Gold, White Gold

Solid 14k Yellow Gold Pearl Tanzanite Womens Band Ring, Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
ring can be customized to your requirements - 9K, 10K, 14K, or 18K in Yellow, Rose or White Gold or
Category

2010s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Pearl, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

10k White Gold Natural Sapphire Opal Womens Eternity Ring Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
ring can be customized to your requirements - 9K, 10K, 14K, or 18K in Yellow, Rose or White Gold or
Category

2010s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Opal, Sapphire, 10k Gold, White Gold

Cushion Cut Natural Ruby Ring (AGL Approx. 1.4-Carats) Diamond Halo, Platinum
Located in New York, NY
-Carats, certified by AGL for its authenticity and rarity. The ruby is elegantly set in 18k yellow gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Solid 9K Yellow Gold Natural Emerald English Victorian Style Ring Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
. CUSTOMISATION This ring can be customized to your requirements - 9K, 10K, 14K, or 18K in Yellow, Rose or White
Category

2010s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Emerald, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Solid 10k White Gold Natural Garnet Opal Womens Eternity Ring Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
ring can be customized to your requirements - 9K, 10K, 14K, or 18K in Yellow, Rose or White Gold or
Category

2010s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Garnet, Opal, 10k Gold, White Gold

White Gold Diamond Art Deco Solitaire Ring 18k European .50ct Vintage Engagement
Located in Greensboro, NC
- 1930s Metal Content: 18k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamond Carat(s): .50ct Cut: European
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Solid 14K Yellow Gold Natural Emerald Womens Five Stone Ring Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
requirements - 9K, 10K, 14K, or 18K in Yellow, Rose or White Gold or Platinum and whatever stone combination
Category

2010s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

10k Solid Yellow Gold Opal Triplet Womens Eternity Band Ring, Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
requirements - 9K, 10K, 14K, or 18K in Yellow, Rose or White Gold or Platinum and whatever stone combination
Category

2010s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Opal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Solid 14K White Gold Five Amethyst Victorian Style Eternity Ring Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
This beauty is wonderful handcrafted 14K Solid White Gold Victorian Style Filigree design ring made
Category

2010s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Amethyst, 14k Gold, White Gold

10k White Gold Natural Ruby Womens Eternity Ring, Customizable Metal Stones
Located in Chesham, GB
Hallmark which includes .417 (the purity mark for 10k Gold). This ring is all solid 10k White Gold. Our
Category

2010s British Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Ruby, 10k Gold, White Gold

9K White Gold Natural Aquamarine Sapphire Womens Band Snake Ring Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
This beautiful solid White Gold serpentine ring is set with three vibrant Aquamarines measuring
Category

2010s British Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Sapphire, 10k Gold, White Gold

9K Rose Gold Natural Opal London Blue Topaz Cluster Flower Ring, Customizable
Located in Chesham, GB
This Solid 9k Rose Gold ring has been set with one colorful Australian Opal, 7x5mm (0.28" x 0.20
Category

2010s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Opal, Blue Topaz, 9k Gold, Rose 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.