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Victorian 1.20ct Diamond Ring, c.1900s
Located in London, GB
A distinguished Victorian ring with a 1.20 carat old cushion cut diamond as the focal point. The
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Edwardian 18k/Platinum Sapphire Diamond Halo Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
An exquisite sapphire and diamond ring from the Edwardian (ca1910s) era! Crafted in 18k white gold
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian Spinel Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Diamonds Cut: Old Mine Weight: Approximately 0.2 Carats Color: G Clarity: SI1 Metal: 18K Yellow Gold and
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Diamond Snake Ring, C.1918
Located in London, GB
finger. Entirely hand made from 18 carat yellow gold it features five graduated old cut diamonds along
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

GIA Certified Platinum Ring with 6.53 Fancy Yellow SI2 Carat Old Miner Brilliant
By M&V Vanguard Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
yet sturdy, includes approximately 0.70ct of small full brilliant cut diamonds Design of the ring is
Category

2010s American Modern More Rings

Materials

Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
piece showcases a single round faceted old mine cut diamond which sits slightly risen at the centre of
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique Edwardian 18k Gold Platinum Diamond Emerald Round Concentric Target Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Clarity - Approx. 1.25ct (28) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Single & Old Mine Cut - Pave Set (19
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Gold Platinum and Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1910 Platinum top and 18k yellow Gold Ring, set with two old Mine cut Diamonds totaling 1.50
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian 0.50ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
of engagement ring styles. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old Mine Cut Carat Weight: 0.50 Colour: I
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Diamond and Enamel Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
A very striking diamond ring from the Edwardian (ca1901) era! This gorgeous mixed metals design is
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Nouveau Emerald Diamond Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
emerald cut 2.90 ct Natural Emerald.T hree rows of sparkling old mine cut diamonds are set on the sides of
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Edwardian Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1910
Located in London, GB
. The old cut diamond just below the centre diamond weighs 0.40 carat and the two adjacent either side
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 0.22 Carat Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a solitaire ring featuring a stunning old mine cut diamond. The diamond, with its
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 0.34 Carat Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a solitaire ring featuring a single old mine-cut diamond at the centre. This singular
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Rectangular Diamond Dinner Ring
Located in Denver, CO
This vertical rectangular shaped dinner ring is designed around two Old Mine cut cushion-shaped
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Edwardian ruby diamond 18k yellow gold cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
old mine and rose cuts totaling approximately 0.50 carats. These diamonds shimmer with a soft
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Tiffany Co. Gold Black Onyx Ring with Diamonds
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
Onyx -Diamonds: VS G, Old Mine Cut -Center Diamond: 6mm, 1.35ct -Side Diamonds: 1mm, 0.25ct -Ring Size
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique sapphire diamond 18k rose gold cluster ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A timeless antique ring featuring a vibrant cushion cut sapphire, surrounded by luminous old mine
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

1968 Ring natural Emerald Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø US6.75/ 2.9gr
Located in SE
Vintage Ring in solid 18K White Gold featuring natural princess cut Emerald 2.75 mm x 2.15 mm / ca
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Diamond Coiled Snake Engraved Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
with a large sparkling Old mine cut Diamond eye, weight 1,30 Carat graded I/J Color Si2, and following
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
. 1,30 carat of Old Mine cut Diamonds graded G/H color Vs1 clarity framed in three white gold rows
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Hancocks 1.42ct Fancy Deep Orangey-Yellow Diamond Ring with Diamond Shoulders
By Hancocks
Located in London, GB
A beautiful old cut fancy coloured diamond and white diamond three stone ring by Hancocks, centred
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Filigree .45 Ct Diamond 18 KT Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
filigree work solid 18 KT gold Principle Diamond is an old mine cut of . 35 Ct bright white full of sparkle
Category

Vintage 1910s European Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k 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

Victorian Three-Stone Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
: Approx. Colour: J, Clarity: SI Old Pear Cut Diamond Weight: Approx. 0.82ct (0.42ct & 0.40ct) Diamond
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Art Deco Platinum and Yellow Gold Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
and white old European cut diamond and is surrounded by chunky old mine cut diamonds. The shank is
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Victorian Diamond Ruby Romantic Heart Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
/90 ca. 18 Kt gold, marked Principle Diamond is is an old mine cut Diamond of .45 Ct rated as H /VS
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique Art Deco 18k Gold GIA European Diamond Domed Filigree Engagement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
in solid 18k white gold featuring a stunning circular brilliant (old European) cut diamond solitaire
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Edwardian Diamond Sapphire 5 Stone Ring
Located in Montgomery, AL
Mine Cut Diamond; K Color; SI1 Clarity; Weight: 1.51 Carat; GIA 2231337518 2 - 7mm X 6mm Sapphire
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Enamel and Diamond Dress Ring
Located in London, GB
shimmering old and rose cut diamonds interspersed with intricate swirling black filled enamel decoration
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Victorian 0.60ct Diamond Signet Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
understated engagement ring. It features a single 0.60 carat old cut diamond which has been graded as an I in
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond Navette Ring
Located in London, GB
series of chunky old mine cut diamonds, each meticulously set in a platinum to creating a dazzling
Category

Antique Early 1900s Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian 0.65ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
This timeless Edwardian diamond set solitaire ring features an old cut, 0.65 carat diamond at its
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage Emerald and Diamond Three-Row Ring
Located in London, GB
chunky old mine-cut diamonds above and below, meticulously arranged to enhance the ring's visual appeal
Category

Vintage 1960s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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

Art-Deco 0.50ct Diamond Solitaire with Accents 18K Yellow Gold Platinum Ring
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
set with Sparkling Old-Mine Cut Diamond of 0.35ct approx. of G colour, SI clarity & sun-like
Category

Vintage 1930s Australian Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold

Antique Diamond Navette Dinner Ring
Located in Denver, CO
This antique dinner ring features two Old Mine cut diamonds surrounded by a mix of ten Old Mine cut
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Late Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Late Deco 1.04ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, C.1930s
Located in London, GB
A timeless solitaire engagement ring set with an old cut diamond weighing 1.04 carat. The beautiful
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco 1.20ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
A timeless engagement ring set with one old cut diamond. The diamond, set in a gorgeous platinum
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Floral Motif Diamond Ring
Located in Montgomery, AL
). The filigree setting is 18k white gold and features a 0.61 carat old mine cut diamond. The diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Victorian 1.16 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
single oval shaped old mine cut diamond sits proud at the centre of the face in a silver collet setting
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Vintage Estate Art Deco Diamond Sapphire Filigree Platinum Ring
Located in Southampton, PA
Deco ring features intricate 20k white gold filigree, set with three old miner cut diamonds totaling 2
Category

Vintage 1930s European Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

1.61ct Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Ring in a Bypass Setting
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Carat Weight: 1.61 Secondary Stones: 0.28ctw Old Mine Cut Diamonds Ring Size: 7.75 Resizable: Yes Total
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique Edwardian 18K Gold Platinum Natural Pearl 1.89ctw Diamond Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
with 4 glittering old mine cut diamonds. The shoulders of the ring taper to a plain, polished band of
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

1967 Nordic Alliance Wedding Ring Diamonds solid 18K Gold ØUS6.25/ 3.1gr
Located in SE
Nordic Alliance Wedding Ring in solid 18K Gold with lane in White Gold or Platinum for 5 pave set
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Retro Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold

Antique French 18K Gold 2.12ctw GIA European Diamond Halo Flower Cocktail Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Diamonds - Gorgeous Chunky Old European & Old Mine Cut - Prong Set - H/I Color - VS2/SI1 Clarity - 1.28ctw
Category

Antique 18th Century French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Mid-Century 18K Yellow Gold Natural Burmese Red Ruby Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in Denver, CO
the center of this vintage trilogy band crafted in the 1950s flanked by two Old Mine-cut diamonds
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Marchak Carved Sapphire and Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Marchak
Located in London, GB
with two cushion shaped old mine diamonds in claw settings with an approximate total weight of 1.60
Category

Vintage 1940s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

1916 Ring natural Emerald Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø US7/ 2.2gr
Located in SE
natural internal flaws and inclusions. Emerald is accented with eight old diamond cut Diamonds Ø2.5 mm
Category

Vintage 1910s Swedish Art Nouveau Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique 18ct Gold Turquoise, Cultured Pearl Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
Antique 18ct 750 Gold Ring with Central Pearl and Turquoise Cabochons either side with Old Mine
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century European Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage Victorian Inspired Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1950s
Located in London, GB
One gorgeous old cut diamond is the centrepiece of this mid-century incarnation of a Victorian era
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Diamond Halo Cluster Ring, circa 1900s
Located in London, GB
Dating back to the 1900s, this beautiful halo ring features a collection of old cut diamonds. The
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring .28ct 18k White Gold Antique Original, 1920s
Located in Dearborn, MI
Made to Look Like a 1 Carat Solitaire Ring for Way Less  100% Natural Mined Diamonds 18K White Gold
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Edwardian 3.10ct Five Stone Diamond Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old Cut Carat Weight: 3.10 Colour: G-H Clarity: VS-SI Metal: 18ct Yellow
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

1917 Sigrid s Ring Diamonds Sapphire 18K Gold Ø US7.5 / 2.47gr
Located in SE
center Old European diamond cut Diamond Ø 3.75 mm / 0.25 ct + Two minor Diamonds of the same cut ca. 2.75
Category

Vintage 1910s Swedish Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k 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

0.90 Carat Diamond Cluster Wide Band Ring
Located in London, GB
plays host to ten round faceted old mine cut diamonds arranged in a flowing, organic pattern with each
Category

20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 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.