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Art Deco Odeonesque Old Mine Cut Diamond Geometric Ring White Gold Signed 1940s
Located in Lisbon, PT
Art Deco Odeonesque Old Mine cut diamond geometric ring in 18 karat white gold, signed, Portugal
Category

Vintage 1940s Portuguese Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 1.29ct Old Mine Cut Diamond 18 Carat Gold and Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
. An impressive 1.29ct old mine cut diamond is elegantly mounted at its heart in an elevated, eight
Category

Vintage 1930s English Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Old European Old Mine Cut Diamond Filigree Ring in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
design that highlights its vintage charm. At the center, three old European and old mine cut diamonds are
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Belle Epoque Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring 18 Karat Gold Engagement Crown Tiara
Located in New York, NY
This is an extraordinary antique Belle Epoque Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring in a stunning and very rare
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Belle Époque Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond Aquamarine Gold Ring
Located in Cairo, EG
old mine cut diamonds excellent spark ring head diameter 19.30mm
Category

Antique Early 1900s Cluster Rings

Dalben 0, 82 Ct Old Mine Cut Diamand Rose Gold Ring
By Oreste Dalben
Located in Como, IT
Dalben design One of a kind 18 kt rose gold ring with a cushion cut old mine cut diamond weight
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond Sapphire Gold Ring
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique old mine cut diamond ring with an estimate weight of 1.5 carats H/I color excellent cut and
Category

Early 20th Century Cluster Rings

Circa 1890s 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond Cluster Navette Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
: 4.6 grams Diamond Details: Weight: .90 ct total weight Cut: Old European brilliant Color: J Clarity
Category

Antique 1890s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Old Cut Diamond Cluster Ring in 18k Rose Gold
Located in London, GB
A beautiful vintage old cut diamond cluster ring set in 18k gold and platinum. The piece is
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Late Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

New Made 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond Decorated Solitaire Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 2.7 grams. Totally is diamond 0.30 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco Old Mine Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique Art Deco mans Ring in 2 tone 18k gold color centered with old mine cut diamond estimate
Category

Vintage 1920s Solitaire Rings

New Made 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond And Caliber Cut Emerald Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.3 grams. Totally is center double diamond 0.73 carat
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

New Made 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond And Pear Cut Emerald Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 3 grams. Totally is diamond 0.32 ct. The diamond is has H
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage Art Deco 18K Gold Pearl Old Mine Diamond Ring with Rose-Cut Halo
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
: French 56 (US 7 – adjustable upon request) Art Deco ring, vintage pearl ring, old mine diamond, rose-cut
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

1950s Ring 18k Gold Cocktail Ring Old European Cut Diamond
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Circa 1950s ring, made of 18k gold, featuring an Old European cut diamond. This bold mid-century
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 5 Stone 3 Carat Ultra Fine Old Mine Cut Diamonds 18k Gold Enamel Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Antique 5 Stone 3 Carat Ultra Fine Old Mine Cut Diamonds 18k Gold Enamel Ring Description: Just
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
-I color and vvs-vs clarity. Ring size is US 11. We can make any size. Acid tested to be 18k real
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18k Gold New Made Natural Old Cut Diamond Decorated Solitaire Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
has diamond I color and Pique1 clarity. Ring size is US 6.7 (We offer free resizing) We can make any
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.5 grams. Totally is diamond 0.76 ct. The diamond is has H
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Circa 1960s 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 9.8 grams. Totally is diamond 1.75 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

Vintage 1960s European Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.6 grams. Totally is diamond about 1 carat. The diamond
Category

1990s European Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Retro Old Cut Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a striking ring dating back to the 1940s. This retro design features two old cut
Category

Vintage 1940s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Handcrafted Old Cut Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 5.4 grams. Totally is diamond 0.89 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

0.81ct Old Mine Cut Diamond and 18ct White Gold Toi Et Moi Antique Ring
Located in London, GB
This beautiful antique diamond toi et moi ring transcends time. Two stunning semi-old cut
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Old Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
round faceted old mine cut diamond. This principal stone is surrounded by a circling array of additional
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Victorian Natural Pearl 1.90 Ct. Old Mine Diamond Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
. – 12 old mine cut diamonds totalling approx 1.90 Ct (G-VVS/VS) -4 rose cut diamonds accent UK size: N 1
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Nouveau 2.40 CTW Old Mine Diamond 18K Gold Silver Antique Scroll Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring three old mine cut diamonds prong set east to west in silver-topped gold Weighing
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Band Rings

Materials

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

Art Nouveau 2.40 CTW Old Mine Diamond 18K Gold Silver Antique Scroll Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring three old mine cut diamonds prong set east to west in silver-topped gold Weighing
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Band Rings

Materials

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

Victorian 1.80 CTW Old Mine Diamond Silver 18K Gold Antique Double Row Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring two stacked rows of old mine cut diamonds weighing approximately 1.80 carats total K/M
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond And Band Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 5.9 grams. Totally is main old cut diamond 0.45 ct. The
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian 18K Yellow Gold 0.53 Carat Ruby Old Mine Diamond Three Stone Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
Mine Cut Natural Ruby Carat Weight: Approximately 0.53 Carats Accent Stones: Two Old Mine Cut Diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 18K Gold Ring with Old Mine Diamonds and Calibrated Sapphires
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
statement ring. Specifications • Metal: 18K yellow gold • Stones: Old mine–cut diamonds; calibrated blue
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Old Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a stunning cluster ring featuring a chunky old cushion cut diamond at the centre of
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Hecate 1.92cts Cert Old Mined Round Diamond Set in 18k Solitaire Ring
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful Round Old European Cut diamond of 1,92cts. The stone cut is more plate than usual, so its
Category

2010s French Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18k Gold Platinum 2.34ctw GIA No Heat Purple Sapphire Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
More Information* (2) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Mine Cut - Prong Set - SI1/SI2 Clarity - H-J Color
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Antique Art Deco 18K Two Tone Gold Old Mine Diamond and Ruby Panel Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 18K Two Tone Gold Old Mine Diamond and Ruby Panel Ring. This incredible
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

New Made 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond And Caliber Cut Ruby Wedding Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
diamond 0.07 ct. The diamond is has H color and s1 clarity. Totally is caliber ruby 1.75 ct. Ring size is
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

18k Gold New Made Natural Old Cut Diamond And Caliber Cut Ruby Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
is side diamond 0.20 carat... The diamond is has G color and vs clarity. Totally is ruby 1.30 carat
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

New Made 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond Decorated Solitaire Wedding Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 2 grams. Totally is diamond 0.41 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

New Handmade 18k Gold Top Silver Natural Old Cut Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 7.5 grams. Center Old Cut diamond 0.89 carat. Totally is
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Men s Gold Silver Top Old Mine Cut Diamond 3 Stone Wide Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
.) (2) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Mine Cut - Pave Set - G Color - SI1 Clarity - 1.0ctw (approx
Category

Antique 19th Century Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Art Deco Diamond Ring .46ct G/SI1 EGL Old Mine Cushion Original 1920 s 18K
Located in Dearborn, MI
Diamond 18K White Gold Featuring a Stunning .40ct G/SI1 Natural Mined Old Mine Cushion Cut Diamond
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond

Art Deco .375 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring Set in 14/18ct Gold
Located in valatie, NY
Art Deco .375 Carat Round Old Mine Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring Set in 14/18ct Gold. "An old mine cut
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold

Art Nouveau GIA 1.60ct Old Mine Diamond Crossover "Toi et Moi" 18K Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
1914 Art Nouveau 1.60ct Antique Old Mine cut Diamond 18K Gold Crossover "Toi et Moi" Engagement
Category

Vintage 1910s English Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Handcrafted Circa 1900s 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond Tank Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
H-I-J-K color and s1-s2 clarity. Ring size is US 10.5 We can make any size. Please contact for any
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond Tank Strong Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 12.6 grams. Totally is all diamond 1.35 ct. The diamond is
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian 1.0 Ct Old Mine Diamond Natural Pearl Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Nucleated Salt Sea Pearls, the trio inspired the whole unique design 1.0 Full carat of old mine cut Diamonds
Category

Antique 1870s European Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian English 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond Five Stone Band
Located in Great Neck, NY
beautiful Victorian English old mine diamond band is crafted in 18k yellow gold. This ring features five
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Unisex Antique Victorian 18k Gold Platinum 1.24ctw Old Cut Diamond Buckle Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
pave set throughout. The 5 old mine cut diamonds stand out with their nice large size, displaying
Category

Antique 1840s Early Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage Emerald And Old Mine Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Cairo, EG
with diameter stone 8mm×7.75mm flanked with old mine cut diamonds with estimate weight of 2.5 carars H
Category

Vintage 1980s Cluster Rings

Antique Emerald And Old Mine Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Cairo, EG
8.45mm flanked with old mine cut diamonds with estimate weight of 1.5 carats H colour vs clearity ring
Category

Vintage 1910s Cocktail Rings

Victorian 18kt Mine Cut Diamond 5-Stone Ring 2.00ctw
Located in Narberth, PA
ring, flanked by two Old Mine Cut diamonds on each side. With an approximate total of 2.00ctw in
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

PANIM 18k White Gold European Old Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM 18k White Gold European Old Cut Diamond Engagement Ring Stunningly created in the Art Deco
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

0.65 Carat Old Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have an 18ct yellow gold diamond solitaire ring. The ring is crafted out of recycled 18ct
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Circa 1900s Handcrafted 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.1 grams. Totally is diamond 0.20 carat. The diamond is
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Late Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique 3.12ct Old Cut Bezel Set Diamond Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique 3.12ct old cut bezel set diamond ring set in 18k yellow gold. The piece is
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond And Emerald Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.3 grams. Totally is diamond 0.60 ct. The diamond is has
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 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.