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Art Deco 6.26 Carat Yellow Ceylon Sapphire Cocktail Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
treatment, 6.26 carats, intense yellow colour Eight-cut Diamonds RING SIZE 5.75 US MEASUREMENTS Head: 1.9
Category

Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

1920s Sapphire Diamond Platinum Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
A gorgeous antique engagement ring or antique fashion ring that features a .45ct. apx. European cut
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Ring in 18ct White and Yellow Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
band, the perfect dainty antique ring. Emerald Details: Cut: Emerald Cut Carat: 0.12ct Diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Zircon Diamond Flower Cluster Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This pretty vintage cluster ring is set with a vibrant blue zircon in the centre of a diamond halo
Category

Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian Burma Ruby diamond Gold Fashion Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
and .20ct. T.W. apx. single cut diamonds. The ring dates from 1915 to 1920 and is oval in shape with
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique .36 carat diamond gold platinum engagement ring
Located in Tampa, FL
beautiful ring is crafted in platinum & 14K yellow gold. Lovely and elegant! Primary Stone(s): Diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 0.88 Carat Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This elegant vintage engagement ring is set with a gorgeous chunky old Cushion Cut Diamond - VS1
Category

Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco .50 Carat Diamond Gold Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
An extravagant Art Deco diamond engagement ring crafted in platinum and 14K yellow gold featuring a
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold

Stunning Vintage Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring, 1920s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique jewelry object group: engagement ring (or anniversary ring) Condition: excellent condition
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco .52 Carat Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
beautifully decorate this charming ring. A sweet engagement ring from the 1920's. Primary Stone(s): Diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

1930 s Diamond Three Stone Ring with Diamond Set Shoulders in 18ct Yellow Gold a
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
A pretty 18ct Yellow Gold and Platinum ring that was made in the 1930's. This ring has a 0.20ct
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco .60 Carats Enamel Diamonds Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
A unique antique engagement ring or fashion ring crafted in 14K yellow gold with enamel accents
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Sapphire Diamond Gold Platinum Three Stone Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
A beautiful antique 3 stone ring crafted in platinum & 18K yellow gold featuring 3 diamonds that
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Decorative Vintage Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
until the 13th century. The first well-documented use of a diamond ring to signify engagement was by the
Category

Vintage 1920s Belgian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1.25 Carat Natural Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
A beautiful fashion ring featuring 1.00ct. apx. T.W. of round brilliant diamonds and 1.25ct. apx
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 1.15 Carat Natural Sapphire Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
A beautiful antique engagement ring featuring a 1.15ct. natural rectangular cushion cut sapphire
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Emerald and Old Mine Cut Diamond Trilogy, circa 1920
Located in Essex, GB
A perfectly balanced emerald and diamond trilogy ring. The square step cut emerald in the centre
Category

Early 20th Century British Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco .33 Carat Diamond Sapphire Gold Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
A very popular antique engagement ring crafted in platinum and 18K yellow gold featuring a lovely
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1.25 Carat Natural Sapphire Diamond Gold Fashion Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
A beautiful estate fashion ring featuring 1.00ct. apx. T.W. of round brilliant diamonds and 1.25ct
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Blue Moonstone Diamond Trilogy Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This superb 1920s ring is set with a central blue moonstone, flanked by two brilliant cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Retro .55 Carat Diamond Gold Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
melee. This diamond engagement ring or fashion ring is created with 6 bands of 18K yellow gold centered
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold

Superb Platinum and Gold Art Deco Ring with Diamonds and Rubies
Located in Antwerp, BE
. 1920 Material: platinum and 18K yellow gold Diamonds: Four old brilliant cut diamonds with a total
Category

Vintage 1920s Belgian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Sapphire Diamond Gold Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
diamond and sapphire engagement ring crafted in Platinum and 18k yellow gold. It features a .70ct. apx
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique .35 Carat Diamond Sapphire Gold Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
A popular antique engagement ring crafted in platinum and 18K yellow gold that features a .35ct
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1920s Platinum-on-Gold 2.75 Carat Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Carmel, CA
An incredible 2.75 carat sapphire ring with 1.20 total carats of diamond accents. This piece was
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 1.85 Carat Sapphire Diamond Gold Engagement/Fashion Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
A fantastic Art Deco diamond, sapphire, and 14K yellow & white gold fashion ring. The 1.85ct apx
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1920s Art Deco Jade Diamond Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A stylish Art Deco three-stone ring, set with a superb jadeite cabochon flanked by two perfect
Category

Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Antique 2.00 Carat GIA Cert Sapphire Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
Deco sapphire and diamond engagement ring was created with the highest quality material and its
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 0.45 Ct Diamond Gold and Platin Ring, circa 1930
Located in Goettingen, DE
Art Deco 0.45 ct Diamond Gold and Platin Ring, circa 1930 Decorative boat shaped diamond ring with
Category

Vintage 1920s German Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Antique Diamond Illusion Set Solitaire Ring with Detailed Shoulders in 18ct Yell
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
A pretty 18ct Yellow Gold and Platinum ring that was made in the 1920's. This ring features an Old
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

.85 Carat Diamond Gold Pendant
Located in Tampa, FL
A unique estate pendant featuring a .85ct. apx. round brilliant diamond with SI1-SI2 clarity and K
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 13.6 ct Aquamarine Diamond 18K Gold and Enamel Cocktail Ring, c. 1920
Located in Goettingen, DE
Art Deco 13.6 carat Aquamarine Diamond 18K Gold and Enamel Cocktail Ring, circa 1920 Classically
Category

Vintage 1920s German Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel

1900-1920 Faceted Green Garnet and Rose Cut Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in St. Louis Park, MN
This lovely vintage 1900-1920's era ring features an oval, faceted Green Garnet stone which
Category

Antique Early 1900s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Nouveau 3 Old Mine Cut Diamonds Floral 18K Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Antique Art Nouveau 3 Old Mine Cushion Cut Diamonds Floral 18K Yellow Gold Ring. This is a
Category

Vintage 1920s Italian Art Nouveau Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Platinum Yellow Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Nashua, NH
Art Deco Platinum Yellow Sapphire and Diamond Ring. The ring is set with an emerald cut yellow
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond Onyx and Platinum on 14k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Carmel, CA
This extraordinary Art Deco era ring features .40 total carats of diamonds and custom cut onyx
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold

18 Carat Yellow Gold Old European Cut Diamond Antique Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Hamilton, AU
Forged in 18 carat yellow gold is this charming antique cluster engagement ring embellished with
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Marquise Art Deco Pearl Ruby Diamonds Platinum 18 Carat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Paris, FR
A fine and delicate gold and platinum art deco ring. Set with a pearl, rubies and diamonds
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1920s Illusion Set Diamond Five Stone Ring in 18 Carat Yellow Gold and Platinum
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
This ring has been hand crafted in the 1920's, showing such fine craftsmanship and how Art Deco
Category

Vintage 1920s British Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique, Art Deco 18 Carat Yellow Gold, Natural Ruby Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Art Deco, ruby and diamond cluster ring, circa 1925. A beautiful centre ruby, natural (unenhanced
Category

Vintage 1920s British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1920s Art Deco Diamond Cross Cluster Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This cool vintage cluster ring is set with nine eight-cut diamonds, in detailed platinum mounts
Category

Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
Primary Stone(s): Diamond-Conflict Free Weight: .73ct. apx. T.W. Color: F Clarity: SI2 Cut
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Three-Stone Engagement Ring, 0.72 Carat, Yellow Gold and Platinum
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
An antique vintage diamond engagement ring in a classic three stone style comprising a central old
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 9 Karat Yellow, Rose and White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Dress Ring
Located in Splitter s Creek, NSW
The centrepiece of this pretty Antique - probably Art Deco Ring, suitable for an Engagement Ring or
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Astounding Ruby Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
J35081 REASONABLE OFFERS CONSIDERED! Timeless and classic! This Estate 1950's engagement ring
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Authentic Art Deco Vintage Diamond and Ruby Engagement Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
decorative. Period: ca. 1920 Material: 18K yellow gold and platinum Diamond(s): One old European cut
Category

Vintage 1920s Belgian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Fashion Ring .40ct. Diamond, Pearl, Onyx Gold Deco
Located in Tampa, FL
south of the center diamond. The head of the ring is made of onyx in an oval shape. This 14K yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 1.85 Carat Natural Sapphire Diamond Platinum Fashion Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
. cabochon natural sapphire with an accenting 1.00ct. apx. T.W. of diamond melee. The ring also has .33ct
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Sapphire Diamond Platinum Gold Wedding Band Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
. T.W. of single cut diamonds. This ring is from Argentina's high society in Buenos Aires which is the
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1920s Diamond Gold Masonic Fraternal Order Ring
Located in Frederick, MD
Men's Ring Size 12.25 Yellow Gold ·Era: 1920s ·Composition: 14k Gold Marked / Tested ·Gem Stone
Category

Vintage 1920s American Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco .60 Carat Diamond Two Color Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
Gold diamond engagement ring features a .60ct. apx. center diamond with diamond melee on the top and
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Jabel Antique Diamond Two Color Gold Engagement Ring
By Jabel
Located in Tampa, FL
diamond with VS2 clarity and G-H color. Notice the fine piercing work and engraving. A sweet ring
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Onyx Diamond X Cocktail Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This superb Art Deco cocktail ring is set with black onyx panels, alongside a cluster of old cut
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 10.9 Carat Aquamarine Diamond Ring in Platinum and Gold, circa 1930
Located in Goettingen, DE
Art Deco 10.9 Carat Aquamarine Diamond Ring in Platinum and Gold, circa 1930 Elegant Art Deco ring
Category

Vintage 1920s German Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, Platinum, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 14ct Gold Diamond and Black Enamel Monogram Date Ring, Circa 1922
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
with six single cut diamonds this is a delightful antique Art Deco ring. The gold work is chased around
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

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1920 Yellow Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate 1920 yellow diamond ring for your needs in our varied inventory. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, Yellow Gold and 14k Gold — can elevate any look. Find an antique version now, or shop for 703 vintage or 2 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. You’re likely to find the perfect 1920 yellow diamond ring among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 20th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Finding an appealing 1920 yellow diamond ring — no matter the origin — is easy, but NYF Jewellery, Cartier and CINI each produced a popular version that is worth a look. Today, if you’re looking for a round cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes old european cut and old mine cut alternatives. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking a 1920 yellow diamond ring, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a 1920 Yellow Diamond Ring?

On average, a 1920 yellow diamond ring at 1stDibs sells for $2,746, while they’re typically $390 on the low end and $235,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

The Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design

Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.

From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!

There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.

Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.

In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).

When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And on 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.  

Finding the Right Rings for You

Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.

No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.

Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.

Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry

The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.

Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.

Questions About 1920 Yellow Diamond Ring
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    While diamonds signify love and devotion, a yellow diamond is meant to also signify knowledge, intellect and wisdom; it’s also seen as a hue of happiness and cheer. Receiving a yellow diamond engagement ring still signifies everlasting love much like a clear diamond, but it also is meant to bring an element of happiness and certainty—this is what makes it a popular diamond color for engagement rings. You’ll find a variety of yellow diamonds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.