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18k Gold European Diamond Engagement Ring

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Art Deco diamond platinum engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This elegant Art Deco 18k white gold ring features a luminous old European cut diamond surrounded
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

.20 Carat Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: 18 Karat White Gold Weight: 2.2 grams Center Diamond
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

.45 Carat Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 7 Metal Type: 18 karat White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.5 grams Center
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Bvlgari B.Zero1 Diamond Engagement Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Tampa, FL
Bulgari B.Zero1 Diamond Engagement Ring
Category

2010s European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 1.05 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
the interior of the shank with the 18k gold fineness mark (18CT). This floral diamond ring and is
Category

Vintage 1930s Engagement Rings

Materials

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

.25 Carat Diamond Sapphire White Gold Dome Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage 1930's diamond and sapphire filigree engagement ring. Dome style with a old euro center
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1930s Diamond and White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 0.45 carat diamond, 18k white gold and platinum solitaire style engagement
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

ALGT Certified 0.98 Caraar Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Offered: 18 kt white gold solitaire ring with 0.98 ct brilliant cut diamond of quality N/VS2 and 16
Category

2010s European Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

.65 Carat Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 6 Metal Type: 18 Karat White Gold Weight: 3.8 grams Center Diamond
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

.70 Carat Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 8.25 Metal Type: 18 Karat White Gold Weight: 2.9 grams Center Diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1.17ct Old Euro Diamond Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
Combining old and new, this 18k gold ring will appeal to everyone! Featuring an Old European-cut
Category

20th Century Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

1.11ct Old European Cut 18kt Diamond Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
ring features a 1.11 carat Old European Cut Diamond, graded K/SI, expertly set amongst a double diamond
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1940s Diamond and Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
engagement ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting. The pierced decorated
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 20K Gold Old European Cut and Sapphire Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an art deco diamond ring Circa 1920's Details: 0.70 carat old European diamond F/G I1
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1.24 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful, 18ct white gold diamond engagement ring. The focal point of this ring is a
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat White Gold Filigree Diamond Engagement Ring Size 7.25 #22572
Located in Washington Depot, CT
engagement ring is crafted in 18K white gold and features a single European cut diamond set in a square bezel
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1920s Diamond Yellow Gold Five Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
stone diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting. The pierced
Category

20th Century Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Galanterie collection Diamond White Gold 18K Ring
By Cartier
Located in Geneva, CH
Cartier Galanterie collection. Diamond White Gold 18K Ring. Central diamond round cut, 0.57 carat
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

GIA Certified 1.01 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.75 Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.4 grams Center
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French Diamond and White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique French 0.80 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold, platinum
Category

Vintage 1930s French Engagement Rings

Materials

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

4.53 Carat Round Cut Diamond 18K White Floral Halo Engagement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Engagement Ring. Details: Item Type: Engagement Ring Metal: 18K White Gold Size: 7 Weight: 5.80 grams
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Sapphire Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1925 This distinctly Art Deco ring is crafted in white 18K gold. It is centered with an oval
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

18ct Gold Platinum Edwardian 5 Stone Diamond Engagement Anniversary Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Diamond Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Stamped Makers Mark R N This Edwardian 5-stone
Category

Early 20th Century European Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Retro diamond ruby 18k yellow gold tank ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Retro ring from the 1940s is crafted in 18k yellow gold with platinum accents and features an
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Petite Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Denver, CO
ring. Set in 18K white gold.
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1920s Antique 1.12 Carat Diamond and White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning antique 1920s 1.12 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold solitaire style engagement ring
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1940s Retro Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k rose gold with an Old European cut Diamond weighing approximately 0.75 carat
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond Plaque Filigree Engagement Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
METAL: 18k gold GEM STONE: Diamond 1,0 total carats DESIGN ERA: 1930 - Art Deco RING SIZE: US 7
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1.82 Carat Old European Diamond Cluster Wedding Yellow Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
An Amazingly beautiful and Delicate Vintage Flower shaped 18k Yellow Gold Ring (stamped); the
Category

Early 2000s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Fancy Intense Pink Purple Diamond 18K Gold Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
. According Gia certificate 15830674. Centering white diamond on white 18K gold ring. Fancy Intense Pink
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold

.EGL Certified .47 Carat Diamond White Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Art Deco diamond engagement ring. .47ct old European center stone in a 18k white gold top with
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

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

18k White Gold 1925 Antique Art Deco Diamond Ring
By Non Branded
Located in Lexington, KY
gold. The bright white Old European cut diamond perfectly rests in the center of the ring and is
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

GIA Certified 1.02ct Diamond Ruby Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
This is an elegant 18k white gold engagement ring. The ring is centered with a sparkling GIA
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Victorian 3 carat diamond 18k yellow gold navette ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An elegant Victorian 18k yellow gold ring adorned with 3 carats of sparkling old European and rose
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

GIA Certified White Gold Old European Cut Diamond Ring 1.61ct M/VS2
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning diamond engagement ring set in 18k white gold. The solitaire features an old european
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 1920s 1.08 Carat Diamond and White Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 1920s 1.08 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold cluster style cocktail ring
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

1.34 Carat Ruby and 1.12 Carat Diamond, 18k Yellow Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive ruby and diamond cluster ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold. The pierced decorated setting
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Fancy Vivid Yellow Green Diamond 18K Gold Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
. Centering white diamond on white 18K gold ring. Fancy Vivid Yellow Green Dimensions: 4.05 x 3.90 x 3.61
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold

ALGT Certificied 1.36 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Solitaire ring in 18 kt white gold with a brilliant cut diamond of 1.08ct quality K/VS1 and 37
Category

2010s European Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Old European Cut Diamond Ring with Sapphire
Located in beverly hills, CA
This stunning vintage ring showcases a dazzling Old European cut diamond at its center, offering
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Saltwater Pearl Engagement Ring (Approx. 21.40-Chows), Diamond Halo, 18K Yellow
Located in New York, NY
Stone Cut: Old Mine Cut Jewelry Type: Cocktail Jewelry Style: Diamond-Halo Metal: 18K Yellow Gold, Gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1.03 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 1.03 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, white gold set trilogy ring
Category

1990s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Circa 1930s 18K White Gold “Romance” Diamond Filigree Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1930s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.5 (Sizable) Metal Type: 18K White Gold[Hallmarked, and
Category

Vintage 1930s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

EGL Certified .52 Carat Diamond White Gold Three-Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
European cut diamond, I SI2 approx. .32cts Size 6.5 and sizable 18k white gold Stamped: 18k 3.2 grams
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 18ct White Gold French Single Stone Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Diamond Ring 18ct White Gold- French Stamped Circa 1900 Beautiful, French solitaire
Category

Early 20th Century French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Ring Size 7.25 #15894
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Ring Size 7.25 This gorgeous ring feature 3 sparkling, European
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Yellow Gold and Platinum Set Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 0.38 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, platinum set solitaire ring
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold

18K White Gold GIA Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in Banbury, GB
An unusual 18K white gold solitaire diamond ring that was in the 190s classic style. It has just
Category

2010s British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Vintage 18ct Gold, 1940s 0.40 Carat Diamond Single Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Engagement Ring 18ct Gold Circa 1940s Step back in time with this exquisite vintage
Category

Mid-20th Century European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Art Deco 1.16 Carat Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Made of 18K white gold, this ring centers a sparkling EGL certified old European cut diamond that
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

1870s Diamond and Yellow Gold Five Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian 0.36 carat diamond and 18k yellow gold five stone cocktail
Category

Antique 1870s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 0.90 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with an Old European cut Diamond weighing approximately 0.90
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

EGL Certified .70 Carat Diamond White Gold Art Deco Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Art Deco Old European cut .70 carat EGL Certified diamond engagement ring in 18k white gold
Category

Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art déco 1.30 Carats old cut diamond ring gold 18K
Located in Uccle, BE
White gold 18K ring set with a main old cut diamond of approximately 1.30 Carats (estimated J color
Category

Antique 1820s European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold

Vintage Art Nouveau Unique Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Montgomery, AL
We are in love with this unique vintage beauty!! Ring Details Material: 18K yellow Gold & Platinum
Category

Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

EGL Certified .47 Carat Diamond White Gold Victorian Revival Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautiful, 1990's Victorian revival diamond engagement ring. EGL certified .47ct Old European round
Category

Late 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

18K White Black Gold Pradera Colourful Engagement Ring with Rubys
By Pradera Irama
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
18K White and Black Gold Pradera Colourful Engagement Ring with Rubys. Natural Ruby 0.71ct. READY
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White 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.