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Old Mine Cut Diamond Onyx Yellow Gold 18k Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Old mine cut Diamond Onyx Yellow Gold 18K Ring. Diamond central round old mine cut: approximately
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Firenze, FI
vintage old mine cut diamond , set on 18k gold Cut : Old Mine Cut Metal : 18k Gold Carat Weight
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique 18k Yellow Gold Old Mine Cut 0.96ct Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
This antique ring is crafted in 18k yellow gold and features a 0.96ct old mine cut diamond as its
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

5.44 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
5.44 Carat Old Mine Cut Men's Diamond Ring A yellow gold ring set with a 5.44 carat old mine
Category

20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian 18K Gold Elongated Cluster Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Venice, CA
This spectacular Old Mine Cut diamond ring presents a wide band of encrusted diamond sparkle
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Old Mine Cut Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
An 18k yellow and white gold engagement ring, with center approx. 1.25ct SI2/N old mine cut diamond
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

18K Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond Five Stone Signature Ring
Located in Venice, CA
together five well-matched Old Mine Cut diamonds into a signature piece inspired by the Victorian era. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

PANIM 18k White Gold Old Mine Cut Ring
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Diamond Ring. The Old Mine Cut Diamonds are set in 18k White Gold maximizes the brilliance of the diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Wedding Rings

Materials

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

PANIM 18K Rose Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond Emerald Ring
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM 18K Rose Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond & Emerald Ring A super 18 karat yellow gold, three stone
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

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

3.19ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
By Mark Broumand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
antique cushion-shaped Old Mine Cut diamond exudes vintage sophistication, offering a unique sparkle that
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1.85ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
By Mark Broumand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This diamond engagement ring is truly something special! Featuring a 1.50ct old mine cut diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold

1.75ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
By Mark Broumand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
its heart is a 1.20ct old mine cut diamond, GIA graded at E-SI1, showcasing a pristine white hue and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

2.09ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
By Mark Broumand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Behold our extraordinary old Mine cut diamond engagement ring, a masterpiece of unique beauty set
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1.30ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
By Mark Broumand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Metal: 18k Rose Gold Ring Size: 6.5 (sizable) Primary Carat Weight: 1.0 Primary Cut: Old Mine Cut
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold

1.60ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
By Mark Broumand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exquisite engagement ring features a captivating 1.01 carat old mine cut diamond at its center
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond

1.76ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
By Mark Broumand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
centerpiece is a 1.20ct old mine cut diamond, GIA certified at H-SI1, showcasing remarkable whiteness and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond

Victorian Era Old Mine Cut Diamond Cluster Ring 18K Rose Gold
Located in Montgomery, AL
We always love a good old cut diamond cluster! Each stone has so much personality!! Ring Details
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Colombian Emerald Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
AGL Certified 1.49 Carat Colombian Emerald & 1.0 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond 18K Gold Ring
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Ruby and Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
This vintage antique ring features a rich arrangement of rubies and old mine cut diamonds, set in a
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

GIA 1.52 carat old mine cut diamond 18k gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1.52 carat GIA-certified old mine brilliant cut diamond. With its rare E color and soft antique-style
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

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

GIA 1.52 carat old mine cut diamond 18k gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
diamond whose old mine influence brings soft, romantic depth to its bright G color and refined VS2 clarity
Category

20th Century Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

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

GIA 2.02 carat old mine cut diamond 18k gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
GIA-certified old mine brilliant cut diamond. Its warm K color and SI2 clarity enhance the diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

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

GIA 2.01 carat old mine cut diamond 18k gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
carat GIA-certified old mine brilliant cut diamond. Exceptional in its F color and glowing with soft
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Old Mine Cut Diamond and Onyx Ring
Located in Denver, CO
An Old Mine cut diamond weighing 0.10 carats, F-G color, VS clarity sparkles in the corner of a
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold

GIA 1.66 carat old mine cut diamond 18k yellow gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
carat GIA-certified old mine brilliant cut diamond. Its I color and exceptional VS1 clarity allow the
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 18K Gold 0.50 Carat Old Mine Cut Cushion Diamond Belcher Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
: ~0.50 carat old mine cut diamond measures 5.5mm x 4.6mm cushion K/L SI2 Color and clarity Ring size 10.5
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Eternity ring with old mine cut diamonds up to 1.40ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold alliance ring set with old mine-cut diamonds up to 1.40 ct - G/H - SI - ring size US
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

0.80ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Victorian Solitaire Engagement Ring, 18K Rose Gold
By Bracken Jewelers
Located in Santa Monica, CA
engagement ring features an antique 0.80ct old mine cut natural diamond. The 18K rose gold design with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

18K Gold .90 Carat Old Mine Cut Engagement Ring
Located in Venice, CA
and had an 18k gold band made to compliment the stone. The stunning Old Mine Cut diamond has the
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

GIA Certified 1.03ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring in 18K Gold
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
This elegant Art Deco solitaire ring is set with a GIA-certified 1.03-carat Old Mine Brilliant cut
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

GIA 1.52 carat old mine cut diamond 18k white gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
-certified old mine brilliant cut diamond of exceptional VVS2 clarity. The H color paired with antique
Category

20th Century Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

GIA 2.01 carat old mine cut diamond 18k yellow gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This modern engagement ring centers on a luminous 2.01 carat GIA-certified old mine brilliant cut
Category

20th Century Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Retro old mine cut 18k yellow gold solitaire engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This charming Retro 1940’s ring showcases a sparkling 0.73 carat old mine cut diamond set in warm
Category

Vintage 1940s Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

GIA 1.50 carat old mine cut diamond 18k white gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This modern engagement ring centers on a beautiful 1.50 carat GIA-certified old mine brilliant cut
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Edwardian 0.30ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Sapphire Ring, 18K White Gold
Located in Denver, CO
This stunning antique Edwardian gem boasts an Old Mine cut diamond center stone measuring
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique 18k White Gold .37ctw Old Mine Cut Diamond Buttercup Solitaire Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
-Stone(s):- (1) Natural Genuine Diamond - Old Mine Cut - Buttercup Prong Set - Faint Yellow Color
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

GIA 2.00 carat old mine cut diamond 18k yellow gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
mine brilliant cut diamond whose antique-inspired faceting brings depth, fire, and romantic charm to
Category

20th Century Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Pearl Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring in 18K Gold, 19th Century
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
‰) Stones: 12 Old Mine Cut Diamonds, approx. 0.52 carat total 1 Central Pearl, likely natural Ring Size
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian 18K Gold 0.54ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Solitaire Belcher Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A Victorian diamond, and yellow gold ring, comprising one cushion-shaped old mine cut diamond, set
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

GIA 1.51 carat old mine cut diamond sapphire 18k white gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This modern ring brings together the romantic charm of an Old Mine Brilliant diamond with the bold
Category

20th Century Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Victorian 18K Gold 0.61ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Belcher Solitaire Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique diamond and yellow gold ring, comprising one old mine cut diamond, set in 18 karat
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

GIA 1.53 carat old mine cut diamond sapphire 18k white gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This modern ring showcases a luminous Old Mine Brilliant diamond whose soft, historic faceting
Category

20th Century Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Marquise-Shaped 18K Gold Ring with 0.70 ct Old-Mine Diamond 18 Old mine
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
, navette diamond ring, old-mine cut, 18K gold jewelry, vintage style, antique sparkle, bezel-set diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

RETRO ring with old mine cut and single cut diamonds up to 0.90ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k two-tone gold ring set with old mine-cut and single-cut diamonds up to 0.90 ct - F/G - P2, VS
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

French Antique Edwardian 18k Gold Platinum Turquoise Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
- 12.15 x 8.24mm (approx.) (16) Natural Genuine Diamond - Old Mine Cut - Fishtail Pave Set - Nice
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

French 18K Gold Knot Ring with 1.76ct Old Mine Cut Diamond, GIA Certified
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
. Resizable upon request. Specifications • Metal: 18K gold • Diamond: 1.76ct old mine cut, GIA certified
Category

Late 20th Century French Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco old mine cut diamond sapphire 18k white gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An Art Deco 18k white gold ring with a 0.50 carat old mine cut diamond, flanked by two vivid
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Mid Century GIA 2.01 carat old mine cut diamond 18k gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Mid Century GIA 2.01 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond 18k Gold Engagement Ring. Featuring one GIA
Category

Vintage 1950s Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Brown Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

PANIM Three Piece Old Mine Cut Diamond 18k White Gold Ring
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM Three Piece Old Mine Cut Diamond 18k White Gold Ring A stunning 18k white gold three stone
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Antique 3.07 carats Old Mine Cut diamond solitaire ring
Located in PARIS, FR
3.07 carat Old Mine Cut diamond solitaire ring Solitaire ring in 18k gold (750°/°°) and platinum
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum

Old Mine Cut Diamond Dome Band
Located in New York, NY
Old Mine Cut Diamond Dome Band Description: A substantial 18K white gold dome ring featuring a
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Deco Dome Rings

Materials

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

RETRO ring with old mine cut diamonds up to 2.00ct 18k bicolour gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k rose gold ring with old mine cut diamonds set in white gold up to 2.00ct - G/H - VS/SI - ring
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique 1.02ct Old Mine Cut Diamond 18K White Gold Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
gold, the fantastic ring showcases a charming 1.02ct old mine cut diamond as its centrepiece, securely
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Vintage GIA 2.21 carat old mine cut diamond 18k gold solitaire engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This captivating vintage solitaire engagement ring celebrates the soulful beauty of an Old Mine cut
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

3.08ct Old Mine Cut Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring
By Mark Broumand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
eight-prong setting, featuring contrasting metals, secures a 3.08ct lab-grown old mine cut diamond. This
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian 18K Yellow Gold 0.17ct Old Mine Cut Diamond 5 Stone Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique diamond and yellow gold ring, comprising five old mine cut diamonds, set in 18 karat
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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18k Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact 18k old mine cut diamond ring you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold. Find an antique version now, or shop for 528 vintage or 70 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Finding the perfect 18k old mine cut diamond ring may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 18th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. Finding an appealing 18k old mine cut diamond ring — no matter the origin — is easy, but Single Stone, Jack Weir and Sons and Mark Broumand each produced a popular version that is worth a look. Today, if you’re looking for an old mine cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes cushion cut and old european cut alternatives. If you’re browsing our inventory for a 18k old mine cut diamond ring, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and men.

How Much is a 18k Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring?

The price for a 18k old mine cut diamond ring starts at $550 and tops out at $187,586 with these rings, on average, selling for $4,677.

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.