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18k Gold European Diamond Engagement Ring

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Antique 2.92 Carat Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Five Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
collections. This stunning, fine and impressive antique diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring .12ct Old European Cut Original 1930 s Antique
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from 1930's Solitaire Engagement Ring .12ct Old European Cut
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage European Ring 3ct Aquamarine Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø US 9.25 US /4.5gr
Located in SE
Vintage Aquamarine and Diamonds Ring ,made ca. 1960-1970s. The band in solid 18ct Gold with top of
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique French Diamond and 18k White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive diamond solitaire ring has been crafted in 18k white gold with a platinum setting. The pierced
Category

Vintage 1930s French Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, Platinum

IGI Certified 1.25 Carat Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring in 18K
Located in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, IB
Size US 7 – Free Resizing Available 18K White Gold Engagement Ring with a six-prong basket setting
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

0.40ct IGI Certified Natural Diamond Engagement Ring in 18K White
Located in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, IB
Timeless 0.40ct Natural Diamond Solitaire Ring in 18K White Gold – IGI Certified This exquisite
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 4.76 Carat Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Trilogy Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
scrolling ornamentation and meld with the plain 18k yellow gold ring shank. This stunning diamond ring is
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Circa 1900s Center 1.00ct GIA Old European Three Stone Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1900s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.5 Metal Type: 18k Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested
Category

Antique Early 1900s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1920s, Diamond and Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.58 carat diamond and 18k yellow gold solitaire ring with a platinum
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Rose and White Gold Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This delicate Victorian engagement ring, crafted in a combination of 14K rose gold and 18K white
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold

GIA Certified 0.30ct Diamond Engagement Ring 18 kt Gold
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
symbol of pure perfection and enduring love. 1. Material: Gold– white gold 18 kt 2. Gemstones: Diamonds
Category

2010s European Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique 1.14Ct Diamond and 18k White Gold Trilogy Engagement Ring Circa 1920
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 1.14 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold, platinum set trilogy ring; part
Category

Vintage 1920s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, Platinum

Victorian Diamond and Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian 0.54 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold cocktail ring
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bezel GIA 3.01ctw Antique PEAR Diamond Engagement 18K Gold Signet Solitaire Ring
Located in New York, NY
signet style Gold ring, The stunning antique diamond is flush set in buttery rich 18k yellow gold. It has
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1920 s Old European Diamond Filigree Ring
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Old World engagement Ring................ 18Kt White Gold Filigree Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

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

Vintage 1930s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique European Halo Ring 1ctw Diamonds solid 18K Gold Silver Ø US10.25 /4.6g
Located in SE
. Band is not hallmarked / tested 18K White Gold , flower crown is made of Silver. 12 rose cut Diamonds
Category

Vintage 1910s German Art Nouveau Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Silver, 18k Gold

Vintage 1ct Diamond and 18k White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring Circa 1980
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond engagement ring has been crafted in 18k white gold. The engagement ring displays an impressive
Category

Vintage 1980s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Antique 1.62 Carat Diamond 18k White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring circa 1935
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
. This solitaire engagement ring is hallmarked to the interior of the shank with the 18k gold mark (18ct
Category

Vintage 1930s Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Antique Tiffany Co. Gold Platinum 0.48ct Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Diamond - Old European Cut - Multi Prong Set - F Color - VS1
Category

Antique 19th Century Edwardian Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

Mid-Century Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Denver, CO
center of this classic, mid-century solitaire engagement ring crafted in 18K white gold. Circa 1940s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1.51 Carat Diamond and White Gold Trilogy Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage 1.51 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold trilogy ring
Category

Vintage 1970s English Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

1.30 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have an 18ct white gold diamond solitaire engagement ring. The ring features an eye
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1940s French Diamond and Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
engagement ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting. The 0.49 carat Old European
Category

Vintage 1940s French Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

.30 Carat Diamond Art Deco White Rose Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
European cut diamond. Accented by 10 rose cut diamonds. Blended beautifully with 18k rose and white gold
Category

Early 20th Century Band Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Art Deco Old European Cut Diamond Gold Solitaire Cocktail Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
, weighing approx. 0.45tcw. Hand crafted 18K White Gold mounting. Ring size 8, we offer ring resizing. In
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Victorian Opal and Diamond Trilogy Engagement Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
gold trilogy ring; part of our diverse antique opal engagement rings collection. This stunning, fine
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold

1920s Diamond and White Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 0.50 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold cluster style cocktail ring; part
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Denver, CO
An Old European-cut diamond center stone measuring approximately 0.63 carats, I color SI clarity
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1940s Pearl 1.34 Carat Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive pearl and 1.34 carat diamond (total), 18k white gold cocktail ring
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Band Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Denver, CO
An Old European-cut diamond center stone measuring approximately 0.20 carats, F-G color VS clarity
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Baguette Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Fatih, 34
Made to Order Gold Kt: 14K (also available in 18K request) Available Gold Colors: Rose Gold, Yellow
Category

2010s European Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

3-Stone Diamond 18k Gold Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
The vintage style ring set with 3 old European-cut diamonds averaging K/SI, weighing together 1.66
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

3-Stone Diamond 
18k Gold Ring
3-Stone Diamond 
18k Gold Ring
$4,600 Sale Price
20% Off
1.71ct Tanzanite And Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Fatih, 34
Gold, White Gold • 0.06ct Natural Round Diamond • 1.65ct Natural Tanzanite • Diamond Color-Clarity
Category

2010s European Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold

1930s Diamond and White Gold Platinum Set Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 1930s 0.83 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold, platinum set solitaire ring
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, White Gold

Antique European Ring 0.5ctw Ruby solid 18K Gold Ø 7.5 US / 1.8gr
Located in SE
Antique Ring featuring, band in 18K Yellow Gold, 4 natural pinky red rubies, made ca.1900 s -1930s
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

1.69 Carat Diamond and Rose Gold Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning antique 1.69 carat diamond and contemporary 18k rose gold cluster ring; part of our
Category

Antique Early 1900s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage 0.41 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring in Yellow Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine vintage European 0.41 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold ladies cocktail ring: part of our
Category

Vintage 1980s Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Diamond Engagement Ring GIA .54ct 18K Love Bird Deco Original 1930 s
Located in Dearborn, MI
misidentifying Old Cut diamonds*** Your Ring's Specs Size: 7.75 (Sizing Available) Metal: 18K White Gold
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 0.20ct Floral Filigree Engagement Ring Solitaire 18K White Gold
Located in Boston, MA
A Art Deco period die struck diamond engagement ring. Crafted in 18 karat white gold and centered
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

1.05cts Natural Diamond Ring, 18K White Gold
By Michelle Massoura Fine Jewellery
Located in Nicosia, CY
. Available in 18 Karat White Gold Diamond total carat weight = 1.05 carats Diamond quality = G color, SI1
Category

2010s European Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

18k White Gold Blue Sapphire Diamond Ring
By Thomas Leyser
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
18k White Gold (24.76g) Ring, set with: 1x Blue Sapphire (cab., oval, 15x13mm, 18.47ct) 72x
Category

2010s European Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, White Gold

18k White Gold Blue Sapphire Diamond Ring
18k White Gold Blue Sapphire Diamond Ring
$30,200 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Art Deco Diamond and Filigree Engagement Ring
Located in Denver, CO
An Old European-cut diamond totaling approximately 0.45 carats, G color SI1 clarity, centers this
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1940s Diamond and Yellow Gold White Gold Set Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 0.51 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, 18 karat white gold set
Category

Vintage 1940s English Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

1920s 1.07 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
engagement ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting. The plain 18k yellow gold band
Category

Vintage 1920s French Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Petite Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Denver, CO
Handcrafted in 18K white gold, this Art Deco solitaire engagement ring sparkles with a small Old
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Pearl and Diamond Yellow Gold Twist Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 0.97 carat diamond and pearl, 18 karat yellow gold twist ring; part
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1980’s 18ct White Gold, Diamond Single Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Diamond Engagement Ring 18ct White Gold- Stamped 750 Pretty, vintage solitaire engagement
Category

Late 20th Century European Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1.42 Carat Diamond and White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 1.42 carat diamond (total) and contemporary 18k white gold
Category

Vintage 1920s British Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique French Diamond White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1920
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
antique solitiare engagement ring has been crafted in 18 karat white gold with a platinum setting. The
Category

Vintage 1920s French Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, Platinum

Antique 1914 Diamond and Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.70 carat old European round cut diamond, 18k yellow gold solitaire
Category

Vintage 1910s English Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1.80 Karat Diamond and 18K Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 1.80 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold cocktail ring; part of
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

ALGT Certificied 2.20 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Offered 18 carat white gold solitaire ring with a 1.20 ct brilliant cut diamond of quality L Faint
Category

1990s European Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Ring Ruby Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ring Ø 7.5US / 2.3 gr
Located in SE
Vintage ca 1960s -1970s European ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold with claw set diamond cut natural
Category

Vintage 1960s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Art Deco Style 3.00 Carat Diamond and White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond engagement ring has been crafted in 18k white gold. The pierced decorated, Art Deco style setting
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Old Cut Diamond Engagement Ring 1.30 Carat in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in San Diego, CA
OLD CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING Style: Solitaire with Side Stones Metal: 18k White Gold Size: 5
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18k Yellow Gold Diamond Ring with Center Old-Cut Diamond
Located in Los Angeles, CA
as a statement engagement ring. The warm yellow gold band enhances the brilliance of the diamonds
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k 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.