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1973 Finish Halo Ring natural 0.5 ct Sapphire Diamonds 18K Gold Ø8.5US/2.9 gr
Located in SE
old European Diamond cut, color is Blue of medium strength with tint of Green, measures : 5 mm / ca
Category

Vintage 1970s Finnish Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Georgian sapphire and diamond cluster ring, circa 1820
Located in London, GB
cushion shape old mine diamonds in closed back cut-down and grain settings with a combined approximate
Category

Antique 1820s Georgian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver

1937 Nordic Ring Ruby solid 18K Gold Ø8US / 2.85 gr
Located in SE
A Ring from distant 1937 with old European diamond cut Ruby (likely lab-made ) Ø 4.5 mm / ca. 0.5
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Retro Solitaire Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique Ring Ruby solid 18K Gold Ø US5 / 1 gr
Located in SE
Gold / hallmarked 750 with bezel clusters holding Red Rubies (likely lab made) old diamond cut Ø 2.5 mm
Category

Vintage 1930s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique 1.00 Carat Diamond and Enamel Single-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
diamond. This focal diamond is set in a starburst design, surrounded by 10 tiny old mine cut diamonds, all
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage European Ring 3ct Aquamarine Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø US 9.25 US /4.5gr
Located in SE
Vintage Aquamarine and Diamonds Ring ,made ca. 1960-1970s. The band in solid 18ct Gold with top of
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Ring 5ctw Diamonds solid 18K Yellow Gold Silver Ø 8.25 US/8.8gr
Located in SE
19 rose cut Diamonds. Largest stone in the center is Ø 4.5mm / 0. 4ct , 18 around it are Ø 4 mm
Category

Antique Early 19th Century European Belle Époque Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Silver, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Nouveau 1.50 Ct Diamond 18 KT Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
clean Approx .80 Ct of more old mine cut Diamonds rated as H/I VS to I clarity making the whole Diamond
Category

Antique 1890s European Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

1967 Ring All Seeing Eye Ruby solid 18K Gold ØUS 5 / 4.6 gr.
Located in SE
All Seeing Eye Ring with an old diamond cut Ruby Ø 2.5 mm / 0.06ct inside rhombus shaped cluster
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Retro Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

1947 Ring natural 0.6ct. Diamond solid 18K Yellow Gold Silver Ø US7.75 / 3.7 gr
Located in SE
A New Renaissance styled ring : Gold, Silver and Diamond of rose cut. Nice carved shoulders
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Art Nouveau Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Ring natural 3ctw. Emerald 0.6ctw Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø US 6.75/ 5gr
Located in SE
. Thus total weight of Emeralds ca 3ct. Ten Diamonds of old European cut on the crown Ø 2.25 mm /0.06
Category

Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Antique 1.04 Carat Diamond 18 Carat Yellow Gold Gents Three-Stone Ring, 1919
Located in London, GB
This beautiful antique gents ring, dating from 1919, features three old mine cut diamonds with a
Category

Vintage 1910s English Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Cocktail Ring c1935
Located in Chicago, IL
two emerald cut green beryls and old European cut diamonds, surrounded by four rose-cut diamond
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond

Art Deco Cocktail Ring c1935
Art Deco Cocktail Ring c1935
$5,700 Sale Price
40% Off
Late Art Deco Diamond Three-Stone Twist Ring, circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
18 carat yellow gold. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Transitional Cut Carat Weight: 0.45 Total Colour
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian 0.50ct Sapphire and Diamond Three Stone Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
Two stunning old cut diamonds accompany the 0.50 carat Sapphire in this exquisite twist ring from
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1885 Nordic Halo Ring 2.5ct Turquoise 1.5 ct Diamonds 18K Gold Silver Ø8US /5gr
Located in SE
Diamonds, rose cut circa Ø 3 mm / 0,11 ct each / ca. 1.5 ct total. Marked 18K, Swedish Ring. Maker is GD
Category

Antique 1880s Swedish Art Nouveau Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Silver

1925 Nordic Ring 1 ctw Diamonds solid 18K Gold Silver Ø 11 US / 3.3gr
Located in SE
Art Deco period Ring featuring rose cut Diamonds arranged in fancy eye / boat - shaped pattern
Category

Vintage 1920s Swedish Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

1924 Art Deco Nordic Ring Diamond Ruby Sapphire solid 18K Gold ØUS 6.5/1.5gr
Located in SE
inclusions and internal flaws. Old European diamond cut Diamonds Ø 1.75 mm / 0.025 ct each / color F, G /VS
Category

Vintage 1920s Swedish Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Early Victorian 1.72 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
ring displays a horizontal row of five Old European cut diamonds, silver set to the center of the
Category

Antique 1860s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Vintage British Ring Emerald Diamond solid 18K Gold Ø 7.5US/ 2.1g
Located in SE
natural Emerald cut 5.5 mm x 4 mm / ca. 05 ct flanked with two old diamond cut Diamonds in claws Ø 3.5 mm
Category

Vintage 1950s English Retro Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

1929 Nordic Ring Sapphire Diamonds solid 18K Gold ØUS5 / 2.36 gr
Located in SE
Sapphire and Diamonds Ring in 18K Yellow Gold. Multiple claws with flat tips , all set with regular
Category

Vintage 1920s Swedish Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Fancy deep brown-yellow diamond cluster ring, English, circa 1910.
Located in London, GB
Fancy deep brown-yellow diamond cluster ring. Set to centre with a round old cut natural unenhanced
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian 0.65 Carat Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in London, GB
a rich 18ct yellow gold, this antique piece showcases a single round faceted old mine cut diamond at
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

Victorian 2.40ct Five Stone Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
This exceptional Victorian diamond ring, featuring five old cut diamonds. Starting in the centre is
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Gold Platinum Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
, 30 old-mine cut diamonds of approximately 1.50 carats, 18 karat gold, platinum; marked 18k, Plat
Category

Early 20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Colour Change Sapphire Diamond Ring
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
surrounded by diamonds. The handmade platinum and 18 karat yellow gold ring centres on a bezel set, oval
Category

Early 20th Century European Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

1.40ct Diamond and 18ct Yellow Gold Dress Ring - Antique Circa 1895
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
incorporates ten diamonds, in a combination of Old European and mine cuts, each pavé set to a foliated terminal
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Diamond and Filigree Engagement Ring
Located in Denver, CO
diamond measuring approximately 0.65 carats, F color, I1 clarity and embellished with six smaller Old Mine
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Nouveau Turquoise Diamond Platinum 18K Gold Antique Three Stone Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
color Ranging in size from 3.5 x 5.0 mm to 4.5 x 6.0 mm - prong set With old mine cut diamonds prong set
Category

Antique 1890s Art Nouveau Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

1957 Men Signet Ring Onyx solid 18K Gold US8.5 / 2.38gr
Located in SE
ϟiignet Ring for Men in solid 18K Yellow Gold with carved shoulders decorated with natural black
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Retro Signet Rings

Materials

Onyx, 18k Gold

Victorian .60 Ct Diamond 6mm. Natural Pearl Crossover ring
Located in Napoli, IT
old mine cut Diamond s for approx .20 Ct H/I/J VS SI – Opposite Pearl is 6 mm. natural, not nucleated
Category

Antique 1880s European Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold

Edwardian Diamond and Pearl Five Stone Ring (1901-1915)
Located in OVIEDO, AS
has been claw set with three graduated old mine cut diamonds with a total weight of approx. more than
Category

Early 20th Century European Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.50 Carat Ruby and Diamond Three-Stone Ring, circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous ruby is the centre of this 1930s three stone ring. The old cut ruby is 0.50 carat, and
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

GIA Certified No Heat Burma Ruby Ring with Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
heat treatment. It is surrounded by old mine-cut diamonds with an estimated weight of 1.40 carats, GH
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

1912 Ring 3.5 Cat s Eye Chrysoberyl Cymophane solid 18K Gold Ø 6.75US / 2gr
Located in SE
114 Years old Ring with with plain shoulders decorated with bezel set natural Cat’s Eye Cymophane
Category

Vintage 1910s Swedish Retro Solitaire Rings

Materials

Chrysoberyl, 18k Gold

Antique Ring natural 0.5ct Sapphire Diamonds 18K Gold Platinum ØU7.25 /2.25gr
Located in SE
/ ca. 0.5 ct. and two prong set old diamond cut natural Diamonds Ø 2 mm / ca. 0.06ct each / F,G / VS
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Antique Edwardian French Platinum Gold Double Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
color and VS clarity. The diamonds are set in an “S” design with smaller single and old mine cut
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Platinum

Ring Ruby Sapphire Diamonds solid 18K Rose White Yellow Gold Ø 6.25 US / 3.5gr
Located in SE
Ring of unusual design with three twisted bands of solid 18K Rose, White and Yellow Gold joined
Category

Vintage 1960s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Ruby, Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian diamond and enamel memorial ring, English, 1879.
Located in London, GB
Victorian diamond and enamel memorial ring. Set to centre with a cushion shape old mine diamond in
Category

Antique 1870s English Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Art Deco 1920 Five Stones Ring in 18kt Yellow Gold with Diamonds
Located in Aventura, FL
features five graduated old mine-cut diamonds, collectively weighing approximately 0.32 carats. The
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Weston, MA
Approximately 1 carat of old mine cut diamonds Approximately 0.32 carats of square cut rubies Platinum 18K
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Dome Rings

Materials

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

4.58tcw 18K Rich Green Asscher Emerald OEC Diamond 3 Stone Vintage Gold Ring
Located in Jupiter, FL
A victorian inspired Colombian emerald and old European cut diamond three-stone ring. Dexterously
Category

2010s Colombian Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 1920 five stones Ring in 18kt Gold and Silver with Diamonds
Located in Aventura, FL
refined artistry that define this iconic design era. Adorning the ring are five graduated old mine-cut
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

1960 Nordic Ring 7ct. Rubellite Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø10.75 US/ 5gr
Located in SE
Fine vintage Ring in classic design. Band in solid 18K Gold. Bezel set natural transparent
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Retro Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold

Two Vintage Alliance Rings 0.8ct natural Ruby Sapphire solid 18K Gold ØUS6.25
Located in SE
old European diamond cut. Both hallmarked 18K, made in Europe,ca. 1950s -1960s All ten stones Ø2.25
Category

Vintage 1950s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Art Deco Style Ruby Diamond Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
five European and old mine-cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.56 carat, and accented with four
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

1949 Ring natural 2.5 ct. White Sapphire solid 18K Gold Ø US 5.25 / 2.75gr
Located in SE
old european diamond cut Ø 7.25 mm x 5.3 mm deep / ca. 2.5 ct , with open backside. Size: Ø 5.25 US
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Retro Solitaire Rings

Materials

Sapphire, 18k Gold

French Belle Epoque 1.30 Ct Diamond Plus You Me Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
, twist design holding two main Diamonds in opposite side, lines are highlighted with little old mine cut
Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

French Art Deco 1.50 Ct Diamond Twin Solitaire Buckle Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
total of 1.50 Ct, bright white Diamonds assessed G/H VS/SI – the littler Diamonds are old mine cut
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victoria Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
the face whilst being top and tailed by a bright white round faceted old mine cut diamond. An ornate
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

GIA 1.30 carat Burma no heat sapphire diamond 18k yellow gold three stone ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
, certified by GIA #2235635021 as untreated. Two old mine cut diamonds, totaling approximately 1.10 carats in
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Antique 18ct Gold Platinum Edwardian Oval Diamond Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Diamond Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Stamped 750 Circa 1910 Fabulous, Edwardian oval
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian 18 Karat Gold TW 0.60 Carat Diamond Band Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
diamonds (TW 0.60ct): - 1 diamond, old mine cut, 0.25ct, RW-W, SI - 4 diamonds, old cut, near round, TW
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian Natural Burma Ruby Diamond Enameled Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
the gemstone's stated characteristics. Four old Cushion Mine Cut diamonds surround the central ruby
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

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

1919 Nordic Ring Lapis Lazuli Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ø US7.5 / 3.2gr
Located in SE
Antique Renaissance styled ring with carved band in solid 18K Yellow Gold and clusters in Silver
Category

Vintage 1910s Swedish Art Nouveau Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Silver

1892 British Three Stones Ring Ruby Diamonds solid 18K Gold / Ø US6 / 2gr
Located in SE
Yellow Gold and 3 pave set stones : 2 old diamond cut Diamonds( Ø 2.5 mm/0.08ct each ) and one old
Category

Antique 1890s English Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

1920 Antique Ring Rubellite Seed Pearls solid 18K Gold Ø US7 / 1.8 gr.
Located in SE
Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold decorated with three natural Rubellites / or Red Tourmalines and 6
Category

Vintage 1920s Swedish Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Pearl, Rubelite, 18k 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.