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18k Gold European Diamond Engagement Ring

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Antique 18ct White Gold Edwardian Cultured Pearl Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Pearl & Diamond Ring 18ct White Gold Tested Circa 1910 This stunning 18ct white gold
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Hancocks 6.77ct Old European Cut Diamond three Stone Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold
By Hancocks
Located in London, GB
certificate 1.90ct K VS2 Old European cut diamond - with GIA certificate Setting 18ct yellow gold and platinum
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage 1940s 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
A charming 18K yellow gold ring from the 1940s, featuring a sparkling white gemstone of
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Authentic Vintage 1.41 Ct. Old European Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
accent diamonds. This ring is an original vintage design, showcasing a beautiful old European cut
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18ct Yellow Gold and Platinum Sapphire and Diamond 1930s Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
We have fallen in love with this gorgeous cornflower blue sapphire and diamond 1930s engagement
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Diamond and 18K Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.78 carat diamond and 18k yellow gold, five stone ring; part of our
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1.23 Carat Diamond Platinum and White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 3.25 Metal Type: Platinum and 18 Karat White Gold Weight: 2.3 grams
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

1.65ct Old Cut Diamond Palladium 18 Carat White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
Get ready to fall in love with this fantastic vintage solitaire engagement ring, dating back to
Category

Mid-20th Century European Engagement Rings

Materials

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

GIA Certified 1.94 Carat Light Yellow Diamond Sapphire Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Old European brilliant cut diamond and sapphire engagement ring. Natural fancy light golden yellow
Category

Late 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Emerald and Diamond Filigree Ring in 18k White Gold
Located in Bloomington, MN
Emerald and Diamond Filigree Ring in 18k White Gold Introducing this exquisite ring, masterfully
Category

Late 20th Century Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Three-Stone Engagement Ring Tri-Color Platinum, 18kt Yellow and Rose, New, 10.8g
By Rock N Gold Creations
Located in San Diego, CA
Three Stone Engagement Ring Tri-Color Platinum, 18tk Yellow Gold and 18kt Rose Gold Round Diamond
Category

2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold

Antique Old Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Early 20th century work "Toi Moi" ring in yellow gold 750‰, platinum 850‰, claw-set old-cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Vintage 18k White Gold 0.15ct Old Euro Diamond Filigree Ring
Located in New York, NY
filigree design and sparkling old European cut diamond. The 18k white gold setting enhances the stone’s
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond Plaque Filigree Engagement Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
An exquisite Art Deco ring, hand-crafted in 18k white gold, authentic from 1930, featuring in the
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18K Gold Emerald Ring with 0.43ct Diamonds Contemporary Women’s
Located in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, IB
Discover a stunning 18K yellow gold ring featuring a 5.13 ct emerald and brilliant diamonds. With a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

European Yellow Gold 5.19ct GIA Striking Green Colombian Emerald Diamond Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Weight: 5.19 (approx.) Material: Solid 18k+ Yellow Gold (tested) - Stamped .800 Gold Weight: 6.68 Grams
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 1.02 Carat Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
engraving partially down shank With maker's mark and stamped 18K for 18 karat gold Circa: 1920s Ring Size
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique and Vintage 3.22ct Diamond and 18k White Gold Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique and vintage 3.22 carat diamond and 18 carat white gold ring
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

EGL 1.65 Carat Diamond Sapphire Halo Yellow Gold Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Introducing the timeless allure of the 1.65ct Carat Diamond and sapphire engagement ring, a
Category

Late 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Edwardian 18K Yellow Gold 5 Stone Diamond Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique diamond, and yellow gold ring, comprising five diamonds, set in 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Diamond Three-Stone Engagement Ring, circa 1910
Located in London, GB
This beautiful engagement ring has a 0.40 carat diamond in the centre and is highlighted by two
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

GIA Certified .57 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 7.5 Metal Type: 18k white gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.8 grams Center
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

EGL Certified .40 Carat Diamond Sapphire Filigree White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
white gold engagement ring, a masterpiece that harmonizes classic beauty with exquisite craftsmanship
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

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

.45 Carat Diamond Old Euro Filigree Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique .45ct diamond filigree style ring set with Old European diamond, in a 18k white gold
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 18ct Gold Platinum Stamped, 1920s Single Stone Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Engagement Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Stamped Circa 1920s This beautiful engagement ring
Category

Early 20th Century European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 18ct Gold Platinum 3 Stone Diamond Heart Illusion Engagement Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique 3 Stone Heart Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Stamped Circa 1920’s Beautiful 3 Stone Diamond
Category

Early 20th Century English Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Platinum

Belais 1.39 CTW Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Vintage Foliate Engagement Ring
By Belais
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 1.19 carat - H color with SI1 clarity
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s Diamond and Yellow Gold Platinum Set Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 0.60 carat diamond and 18k yellow gold, platinum set solitaire ring; part of
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

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

ALGT Certified 18 Karat White Gold Engagement Old cut Diamonds Ring
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Offered: 18 kt white gold solitaire ring with 0.58 ct antique cushion cut diamond of quality G/SI1
Category

2010s European Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

GIA Certified .52 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 6.5 Metal Type: 18 Karat Yellow Gold Weight: 3.5 grams Center Diamond
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Late Deco Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
A classic diamond solitaire, this engagement ring features a 0.40 carat diamond in the centre. It
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 1.66 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Twist Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
a total of eight pavé set Old European cut diamonds graduating in size. The 18k yellow gold ring
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique 18ct Gold Diamond Toi et Moi Cross Over Engagement Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Diamond Toi et Moi Ring 18ct Gold Circa 1910 Fabulous Diamond Toi et Moi Crossover Ring
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Fancy Intense Pink and Orange Diamonds 18K Gold Crossover Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
. Mounted on Crossover white diamond on white 18K gold ring. Fancy Intense Pink Natural Diamond Dimensions
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold

Fancy Intense Pink and Orange Diamonds 18K Gold Crossover Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
. Mounted on Crossover white diamond on white 18K gold ring. Fancy Intense Pink Natural Diamond Dimensions
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold

Fancy Intense Pink and Orange Diamonds 18K Gold Crossover Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
. Mounted on Crossover white diamond on white 18K gold ring. Fancy Intense Pink Natural Diamond Dimensions
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage French 1.32 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
vintage heart cut diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold. The pierced decorated setting
Category

1990s French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian 2.40 CTW Euro Diamond Platinum 18 Karat Gold Antique Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
and 18 karat gold shank with 14 karat gold basket Circa: 1910 Ring size: 6 and sizable Measures north
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Exceptional 2.78ct Old Euro 18k White Gold Diamond Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
European Cut Diamond (Circular Brilliant), expertly set with 10 delicate prongs in an 18 karat white gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1.04 Carat Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
1.04Carat Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring -Metal Type: 18K White Gold -0.60Carat Old European Cut
Category

2010s American Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

GIA Certified 1.37 Carat Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: 18 karat White Gold Weight: 2.6 grams Center Diamond Details GIA
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

White Old European Cut Diamond and Blue Sapphire Ring in 18 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully handcrafted white old european cut diamond and blue sapphire ring. The details are as
Category

Early 2000s American Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond and Sapphire Ring 18K White Gold
Located in beverly hills, CA
This lovely Art Deco diamond engagement ring features a sparkling center European cut diamond
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Transitional Cut Diamond 18ct White Gold Platinum Engagement Ring, c.1950 s
Located in London, GB
Step back in time with this charming vintage engagement ring, dating to the 1950s, masterfully
Category

Vintage 1950s European Engagement Rings

Materials

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

.25 Carat Total Weight Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: Approximately 6.20 Metal Type: 18 Karat White Gold Weight: 2.9 grams
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Rose Cut Diamond Ring set in 18K White Gold Settings
Located in Bangkok, TH
Diamond 0.97 carat with Diamond 0.29 carat Ring set in 18K White Gold Settings Width: 0.9 cm
Category

2010s Thai Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Filigree Three Stone Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
1930's raised top filigree Art Deco diamond engagement ring. 3 European transitional cut diamonds
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold

GIA Certified .81 Carat Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 4.5 Metal Type: 18 karat White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.8 grams Center
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

0.85 carat Columbian emerald and diamond 18 Karat White Gold Engagement Ring.
Located in London, GB
An 0.85 carat Columbian emerald and diamond 18 karat white gold engagement ring, circa 1950 This
Category

Vintage 1950s European Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 0.52 Carat Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Lotus Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
With maker's mark and stamped 18K for 18 karat gold Circa: 1930s Ring Size: 6 1/2 & sizable Measures
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique 18k Yellow Gold 0.50ct Old Euro Diamond Intertwined Snake Ring
Located in New York, NY
This captivating antique ring is crafted in 18k yellow gold and features an intertwined snake motif
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond Ring
Located in Morgan, UT
This lovely Victorian 18k yellow gold old mine cut ring is incredibly unique. This beautiful ring
Category

Antique 1870s European Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

GIA Certified 1.01 Carat Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.95 Metal Type: 18 karat White Gold Weight: 2.5 grams Center Diamond Details GIA
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique 1.58 Carat Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Marquise Shaped Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
shank with the 18k gold mark (18CT). This antique diamond cluster ring has been independently tested
Category

20th Century Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Filigree 18 Karat White Gold Diamond and Sapphire Engagement Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
Whoa there gorgeous! This Amazing Vintage Filigree Diamond and Sapphire Engagement Ring has the
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 1.57 CTW Diamond 18K Gold Filigree Ring
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
Details: Fantastic 18K white gold filigree 1.37 carat old mine cut diamond ring from the 1920's
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage French 1.13 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring in White Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
engagement ring has been crafted in 18k white gold. The pierced decorated basket style setting displays an
Category

Vintage 1950s French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 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.