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18k Gold European Diamond Engagement Ring

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Vintage Emerald and Diamond Cluster 18 Karat Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
A vintage emerald and diamond cluster ring in 18 karat yellow gold, circa 1915. This exceptional
Category

Vintage 1910s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 3.93 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
verified as 18 karat gold. This impressive diamond engagement ring is supplied with a European Diamond
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

2.61ct Aquamarine and Diamond 18 Carat White Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
This vintage cluster engagement ring features a vibrant oval aquamarine in the centre weighing 2.61
Category

Vintage 1960s European Cluster Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Black Opal Ring Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring Valentine s Day gift
Located in Berlin, DE
18K white gold ring with natural Black Opal and White Icy Diamonds opal origin - Australia opal
Category

2010s German Art Deco Wedding Rings

Materials

Black Opal, Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage 18k White Gold 1.75tcw Yellow Old Euro Diamond Statement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Here’s a 5‑sentence description for the Vintage 18k White Gold 1.75tcw Yellow Diamond Delicate
Category

20th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Diamond and Yellow Gold Platinum Set Trilogy Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 0.69 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold and platinum trilogy ring
Category

Vintage 1940s British Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique 1.40 Carat Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Denver, CO
This classic solitaire engagement ring features a stunning Old European cut diamond weighing 1.40
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

Natural Diamond 0.85 CT 18K White Gold Modern Ring
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Diamonds set in luxurious 18K White Gold. The centerpiece diamond exudes brilliance, encircled by a
Category

2010s European Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold

Antique and Vintage Diamond and Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive diamond solitaire engagement ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold

Antique 1.42 Carat Diamond and 18k White Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond solitaire ring is hallmarked with the 18k gold mark (18CT) and has been independently tested using
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Art Deco 0.72 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Denver, CO
An Old European-cut diamond center stone measuring approximately 0.72 carats, F-G color SI1 clarity
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1920s Diamond and Yellow Gold Trilogy Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
a further six Old European round cut and six Dutch cut diamonds. The 18k white gold setting is
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 1.05 Carat Diamond and White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 1900s 1.05 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold solitaire style engagement
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Diamond and White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 0.36 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold solitaire ring; part of our
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Antique Diamond and 18K Yellow Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.54 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold solitaire engagement ring
Category

Early 20th Century British Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French 3.96 Carat Diamond and White Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning vintage French 3.96 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold cocktail ring; part of our
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1960s 1.45 Carat Diamond and White Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage 1.45 carat diamond and 18k white gold cluster ring; part of
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1950s French Diamond White Gold Platinum Set Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage French 0.55 carat diamond and 18k white gold, platinum set solitaire
Category

Vintage 1950s French Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, White Gold

IGI Certified 0.50ct Natural Diamond Solitaire Ring -18K White Gold
Located in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, IB
: Metal: 18K solid white gold Weight: 2.00grams Setting: Classic four-prong solitaire Ring Size
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 18ct White Gold, 1920s 1.20 Carat Diamond Single Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Diamond Engagement Ring 18ct White Gold Circa 1920’s Introducing a stunning 18ct white
Category

Early 20th Century European Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1954 Ring Emerald Diamonds solid 18K Gold US 7.75 / 4.7gr
Located in SE
Vintage Ring in solid 18K White Gold featuring natural emerald cut Emerald 6 mm x 4 mm x 4.25 / ca
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

2.86ct Emerald and Diamond Nature-Inspired Cocktail Ring 18K Gold
Located in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, IB
2.86ct Emerald and Diamond Nature-Inspired Cocktail Ring in 18K Gold – Handmade Floral Design
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Art Deco 1930s Diamond and White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
the interior of the shank with the marks for 18k gold (18CT). This impressive diamond ring is
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Ring Diamond Ruby Sapphire solid 18K Gold ØUS8/ 2.5gr
Located in SE
Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold decorated with a row of natural Rubies, Diamonds and a natural Blue
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby, 18k Gold

Sapphire Ring Diamond Wedding Band White Gold Blue Gemstone Engagement
Located in Berlin, DE
Diamonds engagement ring in 18K white gold sapphire origin - Madagascar sapphire weight - 2.11 carats
Category

2010s Japanese Aesthetic Movement Bridal Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Diamond Solitaire and Filigree Engagement Ring
Located in Denver, CO
An Old European-cut diamond measuring approximately 0.15 carat, FG color VS2 clarity, shines from
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Ring 4 Diamonds solid 18K Gold ØUS8 / 2.9 gr
Located in SE
A Ring featuring four natural diamond cut Diamonds mounted in 18K White Gold or Platinum clusters
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Ring natural 0.8ctw Sapphire Diamonds 18K Gold ØUS6.25 / 2.25gr
Located in SE
Vintage Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold and Platinum decorated with 19 natural Blue Sapphire stones
Category

Vintage 1950s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

1940 Ring 0.1ct Diamond solid 18K Gold ØUS 5 / 1.8gr
Located in SE
Ring with band in solid 18K Yellow Gold with shoulders and cross- haired bezel in Platinum/or White
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique 1.36 Carat Diamond and White Gold Engagement Ring, circa 1920
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 1.36 carat diamond, 18 karat white gold ring with platinum
Category

Vintage 1920s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Ring natural Tourmaline Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø5.5 /3g
Located in SE
Old Swedsih Toi et Moi Ring hand - made ca. 1920s - 1930s. Fragmented Swedish hallmarks, 18K
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold

Art Deco 18 Karat Gold ~0.63 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an Art Deco solitaire ring crafted in 18K gold. The piece features old European cut diamond
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique Alliance Ring natural 0.5ctw Diamonds solid 18K Gold Platinum Ø8.25US
Located in SE
Fine Alliance 5-stones Ring featuring natural brilliant and old European cut Diamonds mounted in
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Snake Serpent Ring Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø US6 / 8.3gr
Located in SE
Antique Serpent Ring ca. late 19th - early 20 century in solid 18K Yellow Gold.Coiled body with
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

0.85ct Natural Diamond Three-Stone Ring 18K White Gold
Located in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, IB
Color: E–F Clarity: VS – SI1 Finish: Good Ring Specifications: Metal: 18K White Gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Natural Diamond 0.37CT 18KT Yellow Gold 0.25CT Natural Emerald Engagement Ring
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Embodying celestial elegance, this exquisite Emerald Cut Solitaire Ring in 18K Yellow Gold boasts a
Category

2010s European Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold

IGI Certified 0.80 ct Natural Diamond Solitaire Ring-18K hite Gold
Located in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, IB
and an exceptional color grade. Metal Setting: Metal: 18K solid white gold Weight
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold

18ct White Gold, 0.35 Carat Diamond Single Stone Engagement Ring - Black Friday
Located in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, IB
Elegant 0.35ct Natural Diamond Solitaire Ring in 18K White Gold – IGI Certified, Ring Size: US 7
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

GIA Certified Natural Oval Mozambique Ruby Diamond Ring 13.29ct 18K White Gold
Located in Great Neck, NY
GIA Certified 13.29 Carat Mozambique Ruby and Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold An extraordinary
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

4.15 Carat Zambian Emerald and Diamond Cluster 18 Kt White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
A 4.15 carat Zambian emerald and diamond cluster 18 karat white gold engagement ring. This
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Antique GIA 5.20ctw Ceylon Sapphire Old European Diamond Cluster 18KWG Ring
Located in New York, NY
Flower 18K White Gold Ring. This ring is so bright and lively that it's difficult to keep your eyes off
Category

Early 20th Century European Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s Antique 4.42 Carat Diamond and Emerald White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
gold mark (18CT). This stunning old European cut engagement ring is supplied with an independent
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique and Contemporary 1.54 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
solitaire engagement ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting. The pierced
Category

2010s British Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique Ring 1 ctw. Diamonds solid 18K Gold Silver US6 / 3.8gr
Located in SE
Old European Diamond cluster Ring with carved shoulders in solid 18ct Yellow Gold with Silver
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Ring Sapphires Diamonds solid 18K Gold Platinum ØUS8.5 / 6.1 gr
Located in SE
hallmarks, hallmarked 18K. This ring dates to ca. 1930s. There are five bezel set diamond cut natural Blue
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Nouveau Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Ring Diamonds solid 18K Yellow Gold US 5.25 / 2.5gr
Located in SE
A ring from late 19th - early 20th cent. featuring rose cut Diamonds arranged in navette - shaped
Category

Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18ct White Gold Ruby and Old Cut Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
This gorgeous ruby and diamond cluster ring set in 18ct white gold is the dream vintage ruby
Category

20th Century French Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 3.40 Carat Diamond and White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond engagement ring has been crafted in 18k white gold. The pierced decorated antique setting
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

AGL Certified 1.19 Carat Sapphire and Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
, contemporary 18 karat white gold five stone ring; an addition to our diamond and gemstone jewellery and estate
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Edwardian 18K Yellow Gold Platinum Pearl and Diamond Halo Cluster Ring
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
diamonds. Ideal as an heirloom engagement ring or a statement of timeless sophistication, this piece
Category

Early 20th Century French Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

1917 Sigrid s Ring Diamonds Sapphire 18K Gold Ø US7.5 / 2.47gr
Located in SE
Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold with the top of the crown in White Gold decorated with a row of
Category

Vintage 1910s Swedish Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Ring Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø 5 US/ 2.46 gr
Located in SE
Vintage European Ring with parts in solid 18K Yellow and White Gold decorated with 6 pave set
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Petite Art Deco Diamond Solitaire and Filigree Engagement Ring
Located in Denver, CO
An Old European-cut diamond measuring approximately 0.08 carat, GH color SI1 clarity, shines from
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 2.16ctw Sapphire Diamond Floral Cluster Ring 18k White Gold
Located in Miami, FL
A beautifully crafted vintage 18K white gold sapphire and diamond floral cluster ring showcasing
Category

Vintage 1980s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Ring Diamonds Blue Enamel solid 18k Gold Ø 6US /5.2gr
Located in SE
Great looking ring with an attached floret of seven old diamond cut Diamonds pave set in white Gold
Category

Antique Late 18th Century European Arts and Crafts Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Diamond Round 18 Karat Gold Engagement Solitaire Wedding AIG Certified Ring
By Intini Jewels
Located in Milano, IT
Solitaire diamond setted in a 18 karat white gold square shape. With 0.33 carat the round jewel is
Category

2010s Italian Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Ring natural 0.6ct Sapphire 0.75ctw Diamonds 18K Yellow Gold US6 / 5.5gr
Located in SE
A Ring decorated with three rows of natural Diamonds and oval cut Sapphire in the middle. Worn
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Cluster 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.